What is Yoga?
Yoga's meaning has a number of interpretations, but to me it is a practice of living life to your fullest potential - becoming one with your true Self.
Using the body and breath as tools through physical postures and breath work, we explore and learn about the many facets of ourselves. The body is detoxified of impurities, the mind gains greater clarity and we build mental and physical strength, flexibility, balance and endurance in the process. This can be really hard work at times, but if you're ready to put in the effort, the journey of personal transformation starts with your first class!
What are the Benefits of Yoga?
On a physical level, Yoga has been proven to do the following:
Regulates blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health.
Increases lung capacity.
Builds bone density (prevents osteoporosis).
Builds core strength (strengthens and protects the spine).
Improves muscular strength and flexibility.
On a mental level, Yoga has been proven to do the following:
Improves focus and concentration.
Helps the brain reach an alpha and theta brainwave state more quickly (allowing deeper relaxation in a shorter span of time).
Helps to alleviate depression, resulting in a happier you.
Increases mental clarity and perseverance.
What is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga?
Ashtanga Vinyasa is a dynamic form of yoga where your breath leads the way, linking each posture through a continuous flow of movement. The traditional Ashtanga Primary series is taught and can be adapted to a gentle hatha class for beginners, or to a vigorous vinyasa class as taught by the founder of this style, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin is a more restorative form of yoga where poses are held for longer while the rest of the body is passive. This allows the fascia and connective tissues to release when the other muscular tissues are not lengthening and contracting, getting into the deeper layers of the body. It's a great complement to the more "Yang" dynamic styles of yoga like Ashtanga, Vinyasa or Flow and has a more meditative quality.
What is Yin-Yang Yoga?
When we combine elements from both Yin and Yang styles of yoga, we get a Yin-Yang flow class! We usually start or end off with more passive, long-held Yin poses, but this is also combined with a more dynamic Yang flow in between, so we get the best of both worlds.
"Yoga is the practice of quieting the fluctuating mind"
- Yoga Sutra 1.13, Patanjali
