Class Descriptions

Led Class

The led class is a gentle yet invigorating sequence of postures that takes about 90 minutes to practice. We move through the sequence in unison guided by the teacher. Led class brings together chanting, pranayama, postures and breathing in a meditative, contemplative practice while strengthening and cleansing the internal organs, joints and muscles of the body. In practising led class we stay connected to the breath and repetitively hear the posture names and vinyasa count, all of which brings a calm clarity and clear timing to the practice. Learning the primary series in this flowing sequence of movement lets us experience new potentials of strength and flexibility and develop a meditative awareness between the body and mind. Each breath and vinyasa is counted all the way through from the first sun salutation to lying down in rest at the end.

Pranayama

Pranayama is the art of quietening the chatter in our mind through a variety of breathing techniques which bring balance to our nervous system.

Our breathing tends to become faster if our minds are racing and that is when tension and stress can begin to build up.  Soothing our minds through the practices of slower breathing, we become more at ease, find clarity and peace, as well as feeling more energised, clear and calm.

In the pranayama class we will do a number of different breathing patterns that are gentle and accessible for all. These practices are geared at slowing the breath down therefore calming and slowing the speed of our minds. The class will finish with a restorative relaxation practice – savasana.

Some of the other benefits we may feel from pranayama practices are better cardiovascular health, a deeper inner awareness, and improved digestion and elimination. Also, an increased resilience in stressful situations and a sense of empathy for others are important benefits gained from a regular breathing practice.

Mysore

In Mysore practice, you build a regular yoga routine slowly over time, which is tailored to your individual needs. First, you’ll learn the sun salutations to warm and strengthen the body and feel the movement of breath. Then comes some strengthening and stabilising standing postures and a few simple seated postures which are calming, meditative and help to slow the breath and soothe the mind . Over time, your practice expands and more postures are added as familiarity and confidence grows. Generally, practice is anything from 45 minutes to around 90 minutes. Always ending with savasana, deep rest.

Mantra

Chanting helps us to connect with our breath, foster a sense of reverence and shift our energy towards activity or calmness. The contents of the Vedas, India’s most ancient texts of spiritual wisdom, are mantras. While we chant, the mind becomes very focused while the breath becomes longer and steadier, engaging or soothing our emotions.  Mantras are repetitive sounds that enable us to reach the depths of the unconscious mind and adjust the vibration of our being. Mantras are vibrated through chanting aloud, mental practice or simply by listening. In the pranayama and mantra class, we begin and finish with some simple, relatively well known chants of peace.