Update on cultural immersion project

I have been attending yoga two to three times a week now for the past month. This past week, I went monday and wednesday, and I had two different instructors. I tried to take a little information from each instructor, to help me better understand the theories behind all the techniques that are believed to create a more well rounded individual.

My first instructor had a very calm style that was aimed at creating peace and clarity in her students, so to help them focus all of their attention on their practice. She spoke softly and gave detail about each pose and our breathing techniques. She plays soft music in the background, and cooridinates her poses and whole practice to go with the music. A quicker paced melody would play at first, and a slower more relaxing melody towards the end. This instructor put more emphasis on our minds, the art of being able to clear your minds so to become one with your practice.

My second instructor this week is one I have had before. She places most emphasis on our breathing techniques, and believes that if we can find the perfect breath then we will be at one with our practice. She also plays a soft music in the background, but doesn't really utilize the melody like my other instructor. This second instructor demonstrates her practice a lot more than my first instructor; she doesn't speak as much in an attemp to calm us.

Both insturctors speak of spirituality and repeat chants that go along with their beliefs and practice. I think Yoga is a great work out for me, it helps me work muscles that i typically can't really get to with my normal running and hiking. However, I am still trying to understand the spiritual aspect of the practice. I don't know that I'll ever be as spiritual with my yoga as most are, but I'm entertaining the idea of it. I think it really could help people that don't really relate to a specific religion.