Silent Classes
Why Silence?
“yogaś citta vṛtti nirodhaḥ” {Yoga is the cessation of mental fluctuations} Patanjali
Observing silence as a spiritual practice is called ‘mauna’ in Sanskrit. The ultimate aim being to quieten the thought waves of the mind in preparation for meditation. Vak mauna is the renunciation of use of the organs of oral speech. The practice of vak mauna is to be treasured as an observance in our busy lives, giving us a much needed rest from this form of communication, helping us to become more introspective.
The easiest way to practice vak mauna would be to live in isolation with no people/external distractions but that would be too easy and I believe counterproductive to the point. As much as your practice of your steady ‘Standing Bow Pulling Pose’ in a ‘normal’ class helps you cultivate focus and concentration skills so that you could potentially hold your pose on a busy intersection during rush hour without falling down, a YM ‘silent class’ is the perfect surrounding for cultivating the practice of silence in the company of others; being with people and observing silence in the chattering world we live in is the real test. There is no danger of conflict arising; all who enter the studio for these special classes know what this entails and are voluntarily choosing to be with likeminded people. It is the ideal setting. Normally the practitioner would not be speaking during class anyway, although the teacher talks with barely a pause. In order for there to be communication when using the organs of speech there must also be a listener. The practitioner is actively listening to the external voice/guide for 90 minutes. In the ‘silent’ class they will be observing their own inner voice and its fluctuations; they are taking a step on the path of a more introspective practice, the beginning of the cessation of those fluctuations.
How the Silent Class Proceeds
You will find that practicing like this adds a whole new quality to your asana practice. This is an opportunity to realise your moving meditation.
If you are attending this you will have a minimum 10 class recent experience under your belt. You will already be aware of the logistics and etiquette in Yoga Matters which you will have signed up to when you first started. But for the silent class to run smoothly I would re-iterate some of them and add a few here:
Please:
- do not speak in the Yoga room
- go to the toilet before class starts
- take responsibility for pacing yourself as there will be no reminders during the session
- do not sit spread-eagled, slouch or lie flat on your back in the standing series
- do rest in one of the other 3 prescribed manners as you require
- unless you are resting always move into postures with everybody else
- always be mindful of those placed behind you and their visual needs
- do not fidget
- do not drink water before Eagle
- do not drink whilst others are working
- do not douse yourself in water
- do not leave before Savasana (if you do not feel able to complete the class the teacher cannot keep an eye on you if you leave the room; best to sit the class out in the safety of company)
Unfortunately it cannot be entirely without speech. During the class you may only hear the lead instructor say the word CHANGE, BEGIN or LIFT as an indicator to start or finish a pose. These words will only be employed where the instructor feels the student may not have the benefit of visual information as a trigger for movement.
The first few minutes may feel a little strange naturally as you may never have done this before; very quickly you will get into the flow of it. You will be surprised at how little instruction you will need.
The big balancing asanas do not end UNTIL YOU HEAR THE SPOKEN WORD. Therefore if the lead instructor wobbles or falls out of an asana it is not a cue to end yours :).
Unlike the ‘normal’ class experience the environment will not be ‘tweaked’ by the instructor who is leading the class; so please choose your spot in the room carefully. Please do not complain if you choose what is known to be a cooler spot. If there is sufficient space and you are not entirely happy with the spot you have chosen please move yourself discretely/efficiently between asanas, ensuring you do not completely obscure the view of the person behind you in your new position; remember they were there first. Do not draw others into your choice or engage with others in the room in this event.
Yoga Matters wants you to enjoy this experience. Please feel free to relax or read the books lying around the studio or meditate in the quiet time before the class starts.
Namaste