WHAT IS YOGA
Yoga is an ancient science of physical postures recorded in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. There are many different types of Yoga, but they all have the common aim to bring harmony and peace to the whole being. Yoga means union – to yoke. The practice of Yoga therefore unites mind, body and spirit. Yoga is the safest way to increase flexibility and muscle tone, improve posture and develop stamina. You will practice a wide variety of postures and learn relaxation techniques which can help you to bring clarity, awareness and peace of mind into your daily life. We have a non-competitive atmosphere in all our classes, enabling you to work at your own pace. Yoga is performed in loose comfortable clothing and barefeet.
POSTURAL YOGA
Postural Yoga is a unique integration of the Alexander Technique into your yoga practice. Integrating these two disciplines creates a continual awareness of postural alignment and promotes a safe method of stretching the spine. In a nutshell we teach, ‘Head leads, body follows’. This is a universal law of movement seen in all lesser vertebrates. We teach how to do this in your Yoga practice, so that you experience and benefit from the Alexander Technique teaching of the head moving away from the neck, allowing the spine to lengthen in all postures. The head, neck and back relationship is emphasised in all postures, so that the body is centred and the limbs are freely moving away from the torso. Creating space in your joints and a new-found lightness of being.
The classes are designed to help the beginner as well as the more advanced practitioner. We begin with warm-ups and end with calming postures. For those that not only wish to stretch and relax, we offer a short meditation at the close of each class. Postural Yoga will improve your general health and sense of well-being: Benefits: postural awareness, a strong and flexible spine, joint mobility, improved circulation, balance and poise, relaxation. These are but a few of the attendant benefits of practising Postural Yoga.
For all classes the below points should be taken into consideration
Eat only a light meal before Yoga Practice – do not eat for at least two hours before class. You should not eat or chew anything whilst practising as you may choke.
Bring along a blanket.
Do not wear jewellery – long chains, bracelets and earrings can get caught and cause damage. During menstrual cycle inverted positions must not be performed.
If you feel pain in a posture, stop and tell your tutor. Always talk to your tutor. Explain any problems you might be having. Your tutor will find you alternatives if needed.
If you are suffering from any of the following you must inform your tutor. You might need to check with your doctor after talking to your tutor.
Make sure you nform your tutor if you are pregnant.