Ashtang Yoga

ashtang manThe Method

Ashtanga Yoga is a strong practice that involves Asana, postures breath awareness and control and dhrishti focus. The practices is suitable for beginners and gives a very good grounding into all aspects of yoga and allows practice to develop and the mind to expand.

The History

Ashtanga Yoga has been practiced around the world for over 2000 years, it was developed by the Sage Patanjali and was intended to be a path towards enlightenment. Sri Pattabi Jois popularised the method in the last century and is responsible for the teachings and standards around the world.

The Benefits

Once you build your awareness then it becomes part of your life. The benefits are a strong mind and body with a sense of calmness and joy.

Jivamukti Yoga

snake-logo-revised-with-bigger-jivamuktiThe Experience

The practice of Jivamukti is challenging and the sequencing of the asana is intelligently put together to deepen your experience of Yoga. Expect to be challenged and expect to learn beyond the mat.

Jivamukti teachers are expected to inspire and enlighten students by offering an understanding of the philosophy of yoga and giving hands on adjustments in all class’s to allow

The History

Jivamukti is a method of yoga which was developed by Sharon Gannon and David Life in 1984 and for over 30 years has been a leading light on the modern Yoga movement.

The Meaning

Jivamukti means Soul Liberation and the practice is based on a vinyasa krama style of sequencing. based on 5 major tenants, Ahimsa, no harm, Bhakti, love and devotion, Shastra learning of the scriptures, Nada refined listening and Dyana meditation.

THE FIVE TENETS OF JIVAMUKTI YOGA

Scripture — Study of the ancient yoga teaching including Sanskrit chanting.

Bhakti — Acknowledgement that universal consciousness is the goal of all yoga practices.

Ahimsa — A non-violent, compassionate lifestyle which emphasizes ethical vegetarianism and animal rights.

Nada — The development of a sound body and mind through deep listening.

Meditation — Connecting to that internal unchanging reality within.

The jivamukti class is an intelligent mix of vinyasa style sequencing set to a playlist which will inspire and enlighten.

Hot Yoga

069RachelGarrisonThe Concept

Hot Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years; the heated environment, brought to temperatures ranging from 25 to 40 degrees (depending on students’ experience and comfort) using infrared heaters.

So Why Hot?

Practising Yoga in a hot room means you warm up quickly, relax, and lengthen, enabling a deeper expression of the posture.  But you still work within your own range, its just you and your mat, no competition.

The heat means you sweat a lot too, releasing toxins, so detoxifying the body, becoming meditative as you focus on the present moment, using your breath to calm the mind and find inner peace.

Will I cope?

You work at your own level, guided by your teacher to use modifications as appropriate.  There are ample opportunities to rest, child’s post; to take a few sips of water, if you want to; to wipe your beads of sweat away!  The main challenge is to stay in the room, and that’s okay.

Over consecutive classes you’ll become more accustomed to the heat, finding improved flexibility and really relishing the benefits of the heat.

The Benefits

  • Improved Skin Tone & Circulation
  • Weight Loss

  • Eases Muscle & Joint Pain

  • Alleviates Low Mood

  • Reduces Stress & Tension

  • Lengthens Muscles

  • Tones the Body

  • Improves Digestion

As you become more used to the heat, you’ll build your practice up to more of a flow class, but still suing your breath to co-ordinate movements. Music is played, using an innovative playlist to energise and uplift.

Ending your class with a totally blissful realisation, your savasana where you close your eyes and let your body relish the benefits of your practice.

Yin Yoga

The Concept

he benefits attributed to yoga – increased flexibility and strength, more energy and better posture – should be enough to get anyone on the mat, especially now there is a plethora of classes to choose from if you want to work on your core, break a sweat or even learn handstands. But what is on offer for those who just want to relax, or runners and amateur athletes who want the benefits of stretching without exhausting themselves for future training sessions?

Yin yoga can complement an already active life or help those who feel distracted by “mind chatter”. Constantly emailing, texting and posting social media updates has led, for some, to mental overload and a feeling that we are not good enough or achieving enough. Yin yoga can provide an antidote to this.

The term “yin yoga” comes from the Taoist tradition. Yang relates to movement, often repetitive movement, creating heat in the body. Yin is about finding stillness and cooling the body. And, the theory goes, we need both to come into balance to stay in optimum condition.

Running and cycling are yang activities. Even some vigorous forms of yoga, such as ashtanga vinyasa and Bikram yoga (the hot one!) are – arguably – overwhelmingly yang. But if you focus only on the yang, your body can suffer from fatigue and burnout.

Yin yoga is practised sitting or lying on the floor. There are no planks, no warriors, no core work. No dynamic sun salutations. No standing poses. The pace is slow, so you need to wear comfortable, warm clothes and maybe keep your socks on. The classes should be suitable for beginners and more experienced practitioners alike. 

You can expect forward bends with legs together or apart, lunges and gentle backbends – poses that are commonly practised in dynamic yoga classes. But here’s the key difference: in yin yoga, they are held for a longer period of time to increase flexibility in that part of the body. Instead of holding for five breaths, as in an ashtanga vinyasa class, in a yin class they could be held for between two and 20 minutes, although five is more usual. 

Yin yoga also dispenses with the Sanskrit names of the poses in favour of descriptive English. So in one class you will encounter evocatively named poses such as butterfly, swan, dragon and twisted roots.