I am hoping that the Astanga practice, while experimental, is also satisfying. Most know it takes time to appreciate and sometimes is love-hate, but I think that's why David Williams' push is so full-on...Make it FEEL GOOD - figure out what your body needs to do to keep the essential qualities of the Astanga practice and feel great doing it. A lot of that is 'actual practice' to start understanding the mechanics & the dynamics.
I can see that you are definitely seeing some shifts in your body, your ability, your depth in asana & breathing. It's a powerful practice on many levels, and it does test us... and often pushes us (or hmm, is it 'we tend to push ourselves'). We see the further pieces (challenging vinyasa transitions & binds & postures) and we all test the waters - and indeed, it's a Practice and we are here to practice the pieces - what we know and what is new. And while these further possibilities are there and always will be, we must walk the line of what we need each time we get on the mat - to make it more calming, to make it more challenging, to just be - and day-to-day, week-to-week, it changes.
The Mysore style practice becomes optimal: students go at their own pace, work on specific parts of the sequence that they need to that day, do what they can in the supportive energy in the room of students & teacher, without the push of 'keeping up with the class' which is sometimes the Led Class dilemma. Even the follow-along-practice might offer too much push for those still trying to be patient.
But in keeping everyone safe, my effort to remind that students 'do what they can, keep the intention of understanding the mechanics & where it's going, and make it feel good' - and this goes to all students of yoga.
