Yoga Styles & Benefits

Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is a very dynamic, energetic and phyiscally challenging form of Hatha yoga. Its main focus is on deep breathing as you travel through a set sequence of therapeutic yoga postures. Breath is synchronised with movement guiding you through the practice.

On one level, Ashtanga Yoga helps you to increase body-tone, flexibility, stamina and concentration, while working deeply on your body. The practice creates heat in the body whereby toxins are released which reside in the deep muscle layers of the body helping you to alleviate fatigue, stress, depression and illness.

Forrest Yoga
Forrest yoga has been developed by Ana Forrest over 30 years to address the physical and emotional stresses and challenges of today's people. Intense pose sequences and conscious breathing will help to bring aliveness into your body.

As a beginner of Forrest yoga you learn to breathe deeply and connect in feeling with your body. As you progress, you get proficient at safely tailoring each pose to work best for you; particularly with physical and emotional injuries.

Forrest yoga gets you strong and centred by connecting you to your core. It uses heat, vigorous workouts and deep breathing to sweat out toxins. The long holds in the pose sequences help you flush, oxygenate, and rejuvenate every cell. Forrest yoga does not require strength or flexibility; it only requires that you bring an open mind.

Jivamukti Yoga
Jivamukti is a physically challenging and intellectually stimulating yoga style. It combines a vigorous asana (physical) practice with chanting, meditation, yoga philosophy and deep relaxation. Jivamukti yoga brings together the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of yoga keeping the goal of the practice always in mind - liberation. It is a creative approach to yoga and to living and being. Uplifting and inspirational music plays an integral part in every class.

Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga incorporates both physical and mental practices to purify and strengthen the body and the mind. Hatha yoga involves asana practices (poses), pranayama (breathing) and meditation practices.

Sivananda Yoga
Sivananda Yoga is a style of traditional yoga practice formulated by yoga masters Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnu-Devananda. It is one of the most popular styles of yoga in the world and is a form of classical hatha yoga.
  Sivananda classes use a set sequence of exercises, always in the same pattern. The classes begin with a short relaxation, followed by breathing exercises to centre the body and mind and prepare them for the class. The physical aspect of the class begins with warm up movements including Sun Salutations, followed by a sequence of held physical postures. These postures are designed to stretch and strengthen all aspects of the body. Most are held for several breaths and then followed by a short period of rest. Towards the end of the class is a longer, guided relaxation and the class then closes with an ancient yoga chant.
  Simon's yoga classes all follow the basic principles of a Sivananda class but this class will follow the strict Sivananda style throughout. More information about Sivananda Yoga can be found at the Sivananda website www.sivananda.org
 

Kripalu Yoga (gentle Hatha)
Kripalu yoga is a gentle type of Hatha yoga. Classes begin with warm-up movements and breath awareness to prepare you for yoga postures. The heart of each class is a sequence of postures that stretch, strengthen and balance the body. Each class ends with a deep relaxation and meditation. Kripalu yoga works on a physical, but also on a  mental and spiritual level, creating self-acceptance, nurturing your inner wisdom and fostering a calmer mind. www.kripalu.org

Baby Yoga
Baby yoga offers physical and mental stimulation for both you and your baby. It will help to strengthen your baby's spine, to develop supple joints and enliven all the body's systems. Baby yoga will give your baby an immediate sense of well-being, and is a mutual process with a great deal of non-verbal communication.

Toddler Yoga
Stretch, move and relax together, is continuation of the baby yoga approach for mobile babies, toddlers and pre-school children. Using songs and rhymes alongside plenty of movement and stretching, this class is designed to support the transition from babyhood to independent movement. As babies make this transition to independence, physical contact with their parents is often diminished. The TOGETHER aspect of this class is an important way to sustain loving and playful contact, to continue a mutual focus between parent and child, and to provide a positive shared experience to carry young families through what  can be a challenging time as they tackle tantrums and boundary testing. Classes provide an opportunity for parents to exercise and have fun with their children promoting strength, flexibility and balance, with relaxation to contrast with energetic activity.

Pregnancy Yoga
Pregnancy yoga is suitable for women who are at least 12-14 weeks pregnant.

It is an excellent way to bond with the unborn baby. It not only helps to deal with problems which might occur during pregnancy, such as back and shoulder problems, but it also prepares the expecting mother for labour and birth. Specific postures and breathing techniques will help to develop and improve strength, stamina and peace of mind.

We are currently waiting to offer pregnancy classes. If you are interested, please contact the centre.