The studio where I practice and am doing my teacher training (halfway through now) doesn't have an affiliation with a particular style of yoga. The teacher has trained in so many different styles so we've really been getting a taste of everything ('cept maybe Bikram), though we don't always know which influence is happening where and when. Alignment is very much key in many of the classes though, and I know my teacher has studied some Anusara as well, though I believe her formal background is Integral and Ashtanga.

This is primarily the only studio I've taken class and have been there for two and a half years. Only recently did I venture out to other studios, and one of them was an Anusara studio. I've taken three classes there so far, Level 2 and mixed level two days apart, about a month ago, and then a Level 2 again yesterday. The concept of an immersion weekend is very appealing to me, but I know enough not to take that on at the moment, and will wait until my current training is completed in June. My question is this: about how many "true" Anusara classes should one attend before taking part in an immersion? Also, is it in the immersion that you formally learn all the alignment principles? I found that when I took the Level 2 class, I didn't want to take another other classes there right away; I wanted to let what I had learned sink in a bit first (the only reason I went back two days later the first time was because a friend wanted to come with me, and that's when it worked for both our schedules).

While I enjoy the alignment and precision of Iyengar-inspired classes (haven't taken a "strict" Iyengar class yet; the local Iyengar studio's beginner class doesn't coincide with my schedule), the fluidity of Anusara and concept of shining out really speak to me. I'm nowhere near knowing if I'd want to pursue a training in Anusara after I complete this one, that much I do know. Just considering an immersion weekend is giving me pause enough!

From what I saw on the website of the Anusara studio closest to me that has this program (40 minutes away, ugh), it's a series of workshops that prepare you for their teacher training program. It seems as if you can attend the workshops a la carte, though, meaning that if TT isn't your goal and you just want a deeper understanding of the practice and its principles, you attend as you wish. Kind of like auditing a class with no intent of completing the degree, I guess? I don't know really, which is why I posted my question in the first place: if you're not planning on doing the Anusara TT, how does it feel to do an immersion workshop?

Also, I found on this particular studio's site that you need to attend 30 classes as a requirement. OK, that sheds a bit more light for me. Right now I feel like I'm just dabbling in the style, without a serious intent behind it, basically because I'm currently immersed (great word!) in the TT I'm in now. It's a constant struggle between wanting to know more, learn more, experience more, and restraining myself because I feel my cup is too full (i.e. overwhelmed).

Did that answer your question or just create more?