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practising yoga

YogaIn your yoga class, we make sure you don't get lost in the crowd! Our classes are small, and we give you support and feedback, so you understand what you are doing. We start by making sure you know how to breathe. Even though we have all been breathing all our lives, not everyone knows how to breathe well. Then we show you how to stretch, getting the maximum benefit for your body, without causing harm. One of the main principles of yoga is 'ahimsa' or non-violence.

Step by step we take you through your individual program until you know what you are doing. periodically, we will review your program, as your needs change.
 
If you need a different program, for example, if you are sick, tired or stressed, then we show you how to accommodate this within your practice. Some of the props we have at the school can be used to access different yoga postures, so we take you through how to incorporate them into your practice. 
 
To get the benefits of yoga, it is best to practice every day. Your individual program is an ideal way to start your day, and start your regular yoga practice. 

It is important to be aware how we carry our physical, mental and emotional habits into our yoga practice. You can have the same negative habitual thoughts about yourself and others or the same harmful postural patterns in your yoga practice. It is important that all your practice is done with awareness and alertness, so that you can breathe and let go of these habits. Once you are able to change your habits in your yoga practice, then you are able to change them into your everyday life.

As your needs change from day to day, you need to adjust your practice. The practice you do when you are bursting full of energy is very different from the one you do when you are recovering from an illness. Your Winter practice will be different from your summer practice. A woman’s practice will change with her menstrual cycle. When you are in the present moment you can modify your practice, because you’ll know what you need by listening to yourself. We help you learn how to do this.

Your practice involves finding ‘right effort’. Trying hard invites struggle and strain. Not trying may lead to boredom and lethargy. When practicing asana, you should be breathing naturally, freely and easily. Your mind should be happy to be staying just here, just now, experiencing the pose. If the breath is hard, forced and ragged, then you are pushing too much, and you need to back off. If the breath becomes shallow you may become sleepy, or distracted by more interesting thoughts or activities, then you need to apply yourself more. In all your practice, you should turn you attention inwards, focusing on sensations in the body, thoughts in the mind, emotions, energy movements and blockages, and breath. The breath is the gauge of right effort.

Above all enjoy your practice! It is there to support you. Benefits of Yoga >>