About Yoga
Yoga is more than physical exercise. Yoga means 'Union': the union of mind, body and spirit. It is the ancient science and practice for obtaining liberation from the material world and dates back over 5,000 years to the very foundations of Indian and also Egyptian civilizations. However, most of our understanding of yoga today has filtered down though Indian yogic traditions. A regular yoga practice opens us up and out into a journey of self-discovery. It awakens a grounded and subtle sense of well-being which enables a more pleasurable and mindful attitude to life and living.Astanga yoga
Astanga yoga is one of the more athletic and physically demanding forms of yoga and the foundations of this dynamic system were significantly developed 1930’s by Sri T. Krishnamacharya and his disciple K. Pattabhi Jois. There are six sequences in all, the first sequence is known as the Primary Series- ‘Yoga Chikitsa’ or yoga therapy. Astanga is can be learned in 'talk thru' or 'Mysore Style self practice' classes.
The Astanga Vinyasa yoga system is a beautifully structured and balanced system of yoga that involves a set series of yoga postures which practiced in a continuous flowing sequence that synchronizing movement with breath. This dynamic flow is referred to as vinyasa.
Incorporating special Ujjayi pranayama and the use of internal locks this practice yoga helps to clean and strengthen the body, clear the mind and open the heart. As will all forms of yoga, regular practice cultivates good health, vitality and an energetic integration of body, thought, mind and emotion.
The benefits include:- Increased physical strength & flexibility. Balances all body systems.
- Cultivation of emotional equilibrium and well being.
- Cultivation of mental awareness and ability to focus the mind without interruption and distraction.
- Cultivation of spiritual connectedness, linked to deeply intuitive/subtle energetic aspects of being.
Yin yoga
Yin yoga is a still, quiet practice that gives time to tune into the more subtle, reflective, healing aspects of our being. Working from a place of softness, focused attention and letting go, yin yoga draws together different elements of yoga: softness combined with strength of mind, inner balance and outer stillness; release of tension and deep rejuvenation.
This practice targets bones, ligaments and deep connective tissues of the body. It is based on holding postures passively for sustained periods of time. This stretches the connective tissues throughout the body – ligaments specifically, which hold bone to bone to support our basic structure and mobility. Ligaments tissue is contractile in nature (ie it shrinks into itself to do its job of holding bones together). If ligament tissues is not stretched regularly it gets tighter and tighter. This leads to stiffness and reduced mobility.
Over time yin yoga practise improves ligament flexibility and can also releases blockages in energy flow through ligament tissue. This has the effect of nourishing the Charkas, increases energy flow through the meridians improving organs function and harmonising the body-mind system as a whole.
In addition to the physical and energetic benefits, Yin yoga creates time and space for us to cultivate inner focus and the more introverted aspects of our nature. In the long term this opens the possibility of positive personal transformation on all levels our being.
Dynamic Flow yoga
Dynamic yoga draws from the Astanga and Iyengar yoga systems, offering creative and energising asana sequences. Movements and breath are synchronised to enhance body-mind awareness and build strength, stamina and flexibility. Particular attention is paid to the foundations of each asana and poses are approached in stages to accommodate practitioners at different levels of their yoga practise.