Hatha yoga postures come in numerous forms. For a beginner, states the historian of religion Mircea Eliade, these "asanas" are uncomfortable, typically difficult, cause the body shakes and typically unbearable to hold for extended periods of time. However, with repetition and persistence, as the muscle tone improves, the effort reduces and posture improves. According to the Hatha yoga texts, each posture becomes perfect when the "effort disappears", one no longer thinks about the posture and one's body position, breathes normally per "pranayama", and is able to dwell in one's meditation ("anantasamapattibhyam"). The "asanas" discussed in different Hatha yoga texts vary significantly. Unlike
Ashtanga vinyasa yoga the teacher is to guide as well as provide adjustments or assists in postures. In other locations, twice per week Mysore-style classes are now substituted with led classes, where the teacher takes a group through the same series at the same time. The inclusion of two led classes per week was only included in P. Jois' senior years. Usually an Ashtanga practice begins with five repetitions of Surya Namaskara A and five repetitions of Surya Namaskara B, followed by a standing sequence. Following this the practitioner begins one of six series, followed by what is called the closing sequence. The