I teach the following Yoga Styles (traditions of Yoga) on the Sunshine Coast:
Choose Your Style
- Chair Yoga
- Breath Focus Yoga (Yoga in the tradition of Krishnamacharya)
- Bikam Yoga (traditional Hot Yoga sequence) – see class description below re heat.
- Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation)
- Mantra (chanting or affirmation)
- Meditation
Note: Meditation, Mantra & Yoga Nidra can be included in Breath Focus Yoga as desired.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga or Seated Yoga is a general term for practices that modify yoga poses so that they can be done while seated in a chair. These modifications make yoga accessible to people who cannot stand or lack the mobility to move easily from standing to seated to supine positions. When teaching a Chair Yoga class, I use Breath Focus Yoga or Viniyoga (see below) as the guiding principle as this authentic, therapeutic style allows us to modify and vary the practices to suit the individual.
- The main focus is to move all our joints safely in all directions to reduce stiffness, maintain mobility, balance and strenth.
- The class incorporates a varied selection of postures and may include a combination of seated and standing positions.
- Postures are generally performed in vinyasa (moving in & out of the posture several times).
- Every movement is directed by the natural flow of breath (in or out) so the class is clear and easy to follow.
- Learn breathing exercises (pranayama) to reduce anxiety, stress and greater well being.
Breath Focus Yoga / Viniyoga
Breath Focussed Yoga (Viniyoga) comes from the authentic teaching tradition of T.Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar. This powerful therapy based style trains teachers on classic Hatha PLUS how to modify and vary the practices to suit the individual. During each class you will practice physical movements (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama). Depending on the focus or goal, we may include sound (mantra), visualisation (bhavana) and meditation (dharana). Through practice, you will learn how these tools can help you at different times through life. For example, a strong morning practice to invigorate, a gentle evening practice to relax, breathing exercises to strengthen your immune system or to release stress & anxiety, mantra to motivate or to just let go…
- The class incorporates a varied selection of postures and may include a combination of standing, lying in supine & prone, inversions, kneeling and seated positions.
- Postures are performed in vinyasa (moving in & out of the posture several times), static (staying in a posture for a period of time) or a combination of vinyasa and static.
- Every movement is queued by the breath. Specific techniques like breath retention may also be introduced.
- Learn classical breathing exercises (pranayama).
Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class
Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class is a twenty-six asana (posture) series designed to warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons. The intention is that proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health, and a sense of well being will follow. Traditionally, this practice is performed in a heated room to approximately 40°C & 40% humidity.
- Each class is a set sequence of 26 postures + 2 breathing exercises.
- The sequence includes a standing series (postures practiced in a standing position) and a floor series (postures practiced lying in supine & prone, kneeling and sitting positions).
- All postures are performed in static (once you move into the postures, you remain still for a period of time before moving out of the posture).
- Please note: If you would like a heated environment, I can hire a Hot Yoga studio but this will cost a little extra.
Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation)
Yoga nidra (yogic sleep) is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. It is a state in which the body is completely relaxed, and the practitioner becomes systematically and increasingly aware of the inner world by following a set of verbal instructions. This state of consciousness (yoga nidra) is different from meditation in which concentration on a single focus is required. In yoga nidra the practitioner remains in a state of light withdrawal of the 5 senses (pratyahara) with four of his or her senses internalised (withdrawn) and only the hearing still connecting to the instructions.
Yoga nidra is among the deepest possible states of relaxation while still maintaining full consciousness.
The practice of yoga relaxation has been found to reduce tension and anxiety. The autonomic symptoms of high anxiety such as headache, giddiness, chest pain, palpitations, sweating and abdominal pain respond well. It has been used to help soldiers from war cope with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mantra (chanting or affirmation)
More to come…
Meditation
More to come…