Yoga

• Hatha
  Widely recognized as the world’s oldest method of spiritual and physical growth, yoga’s ancient system of self development works on all levels; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Regular practice of yoga leads to increased flexibility, strength, strong nervous system, digestive health, a sense of well-being and relaxed awareness.
   
  Beginner level
  The Beginner class lays a firm foundation in the basic postures from standing poses, to forward bends, backbends, twists and introductory inversions.  Recommended for those new to yoga; those returning to practice or for students who wish to reinforce the basics. Suitable for all students of any age or stage of practice.
   
  General level
  This is a more challenging class, which builds on the basic postures, taking the student deeper and further into all aspects of asana (posture) practice. This class is only recommended for students who have been through a consistent practice at beginner level.
   
• Iyengar Yoga
  B.K.S. Iyengar developed this yoga style, which stresses understanding the body and how it works. Students focus on symmetry and alignment, using props such as straps, blankets, wooden blocks, and chairs to achieve postures. Each pose is held for a longer amount of time than in most other yoga styles. Teachers of this discipline must go through an intense, long, and rigorous training program.
  

   

   

   

  Iyengar (Beginner)
  Classes are designed to introduce the vigorous Iyengar method of Yoga to students new to Yoga or new to the Iyengar method. The classes emphasize standing postures. They include beginning seated and forward bending postures, followed by passive supported postures. Stay in the beginner level classes if you practice less than an hour each day or not at all.
  

   

   

   

  Iyengar (Continuing) - 1
  For Level 1classes, the student should have attended at least 6 months of Yoga classes and have a strong desire to learn more about the subject. Headstand and shoulderstand will be introduced and worked on regularly in these classes.
  

   

   

   

  Iyengar (Inversions) - 1

  In the Inversions class we will be working on upper body strength and the basics of strong steady inversions. Students newer to inversions will work on poses that prepare them safely to get upside down while experienced students will get a chance to deepen their inversion practice. This clas is suitable for students with at least one year of Iyengar beginner classes or permission from the teacher.
  

   

   

   

   Iyengar (General) - 2
  “General” students practice or attend classes regularly and can do inverted poses (Headstand, Shoulderstand). Beginners’ Pranayama (Breath work) will be introduced. Not suitable for beginners.
  
• Restorative Yoga

  Did you know that prolonged stress in your life could damage your body? The antidote to stress is relaxation. To relax is to rest deeply. This rest is different from sleep. Deep states of sleep include periods of dreaming which increase muscular tension, as well as other physiological signs of tension. Relaxation is a state in which there is no movement, no effort, and the brain is quiet. Common to all stress reduction techniques is putting the body in a comfortable position, with gentle attention directed toward the breath. Restorative Yoga is one of these techniques. Restorative yoga poses as are commonly referred to as "active relaxation."
  
  

  Restorative yoga is a gentle class that focuses on poses to help you de-stress and relax. These poses are supported by blankets, blocks, straps, and chairs, and are held for several minutes at a time. These poses help release the body with minimal effort and give it the opportunity to heal and renew itself. The more fully the body is supported, the deeper the sense of relaxation and surrender. Anyone can attend a Restorative yoga class.
  
  

  Restorative poses have a particular ability to leave us nourished, well rested and for some, an increase in energy levels. All create specific physiological responses, which are beneficial to health and can reduce the effects of stress-related disease. It brings the body back into balance, lowers your heart rate, and blood pressure while stimulating the immune system. These soothing and well-supported poses offer us the opportunity to linger quietly for a few moments and savor the simple sweetness of life. For more information on Restorative yoga, please read Relax and Renew by Judith Lasater. She provides a comprehensive and easy to understand guide to restoratives. Alternatively, you may visit www.restorativeyogateachers.com to learn more about this technique.

• Yin Yoga

  Enjoy the feelings of openness, rejuvenation and steadiness that arise from a Yin Yoga practice. Yin Yoga uses long held floor poses to appropriately stress the connective tissue, joints and ligaments in a non-aggressive, non-rhythmic way. It aims to improve the natural range of motion of the joints, while cleansing the pathways of vitality in the body. It is the prefect complement to more dynamic forms of Hatha Yoga.

  Each class will include a sequence designed to nourish a particular meridian organ pair (such as, Lung - Large Intestine, Kidney - Urinary Bladder, Liver - Gall Bladder). The specific subtle body anatomy of the Chinese Meridian Theory is integrated with the ancient teachings of Indian Hatha Yoga. The aim is to directly affecting the distribution, movement and quality of chi (life force or prana) through the meridians to improve the health of associated organs. As such, disharmony in the body may be alleviated by eliciting the body's natural healing response. As the whole body rests, the natural healing power of chi is used to rejuvenate and repair the area of focus. It might be described as "taking your acupuncturist with you to yoga!"

  Not recommended for absolute beginners.

• Yin Yang Yoga

  Yin Yang Yoga is a holistic adaption of the strong, masculine forms of yoga (like Power Yoga, Hot Yoga, Bikram and Ashtanga) and the teactionary feminine swing of the meditative, long-held pose characteristic of Yin Yoga.

  It is also a studied approach to the contrasting but comprehensive makeup of the human body made up of muscle tone and connective tissue. Strong, Yang-typed yoga utilises our muscle tone, isometrics and bandhas to deepen the practice, while in Yin Yoga, the focus is on the connective tissue, particularly around the joints, that aim to release blocked energies and relieve stiffness. Yin Yang Yoga also offers the student a chance to explore breathing and meditation techniques within the poses and ultimately, presents yoga as a return to balance and harmony.

• Inversions
  Inversions in yoga is a set of asanas (poses) in which the navel (sun) is higher and the palate (moon) is below. Inverted postures do not just turn your body upside down, but can lead to better confidence and strength in your practice and energise your day as well.
  
  Inversions allow the flow of fresh oxygenated blood to the brain and to the glands in the head and upper torso regions. In this class, students will learn proper and safe techniques of inverted poses, and how to go into these poses without fear of inhibition. Clear your mind, re-energize your body and renew your life with this invigorating practice.
• Pre-Natal Yoga

  This class is designed to meet the needs of pregnancy - from the wonderful process of pregnancy to birth. Spinal alignment, tone of birthing muscles, stamina of the body-mind and relaxation are the focus of this class achieving physical, mental and emotional harmony. Recommended for pregnant mums who are at least 12 weeks into their pregnancy cycle.

• Post-Natal Yoga

  Post-natal yoga class isn't just an excellent way for new mothers to exercise, it also provides a welcome environment for all to meet and discuss the new challenges of motherhood. In this class, yoga poses are designed with a focus to help mothers regain strength and stability in the core abdominal, pelvic floor and back muscles. Deep breathing exercises help to relax the mind, to bring about a sense of calm and quietness to the inner self. It is recommended that mothers should not start post-natal class for 4-6 weeks after a vaginal birth and up to 10 weeks after a caesarean section. You are welcome to bring your babies to the class.

• Ashtanga (Led)
  A guided class leading the student through the postures of the Ashtanga-Vinyasa Primary Series emphasising the breath, bandhas (energy locks) and dristi (gaze).  This sequence is ideal for those who like a challenge and have an understanding of basic yoga practice.
• Vinyasa
  Vinyasa Yoga is a versatile yoga style that employs the approach of "connecting postures", but is not limited to the six series of postures specific to the Mysore Ashtanga style. Vinyasa Yoga connects movement and breath with Asanas (yoga postures) that can be arranged into different sequences to better meet the practitioner's need or mood. One of the most commonly practiced styles, it is also sometimes referred to as Flow Yoga.
• Yoga for Back Care
  A highly beneficial class for anyone suffering from back or neck stiffness, misalignment or pain, with no previous experience of yoga required. Originally structured in partnership with an osteopath and a physiotherapist, Yoga for Back Care introduces routines adapted from classical Yoga for specialised needs and helps you develop personalised routines that you can augment with in your own home practice.

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