Yoga
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a deep, meditative form of yoga. The focus is on lengthening connective tissue and increasing flexibility by holding postures for extended periods of time. This style of yoga aims to help you to completely relax and connect with your breath while removing toxins and blockages from your body. New 6 Week Block begins Wed 8th January SANA (7.30pm-8.30pm)
Gentle Yoga
At this weekly session, the focus will be on releasing any tension from body and mind. Using slow and mindful movement, we will explore a range of gentle yoga postures, helping you to relax, let go and reconnect with the stillness within. This regular practice will help you to develop flexibility and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Each session will include meditation, breathing exercises (pranayama) and time for a cup of tea.
New 6 Week Block begins Thursday 9th January SANA (11am-12.30pm).
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a popular choice for many people due to its high intensity and energetic nature. In this class we move through the postures in a continual flow, connecting each movement with breath and focus. Ashtanga Yoga is an excellent choice for people who would like to learn and build on a set sequence of postures to continue practising at home between classes. Fortnightly sessions on Sunday 9.30am-11.30am SANA (beginning Sunday 19th January with full day beginners’ workshop, 10-3)
Pilates
Have you ever wanted to try Pilates? These classes are led by Grace Ferguson. Working as a Physiotherapist for the NHS, Grace‘s passion for Pilates is sure to inspire you! Be confident that all exercises will be performed safely and effectively, with appropriate modifications where necessary. Thursday Evenings, 6pm-7pm Antenatal Mat Pilates & 7pm-8pm All Levels Mat Pilates Contact gracefergusonpilates@outlook.com with any questions and to register interest.
Benefits of Yoga
Flexibility
One of the most well known benefits of yoga for a reason! Consciously stretching your whole body into positions you wouldn’t ordinarily be in will definitely improve your flexibility and mobility, leading to greater ease in daily life. Less well known is the flexibility of mind that comes with it.
Strength
By working with our own body weight in yoga, we develop strength throughout our whole body. This is a strength based practice that will make you stronger and increase muscle tone. You will naturally develop a healthy, strong body without feeling like you have really tried!
Stamina
By developing your flexibility and strength, yoga also increases your stamina. When you feel strong and you are able to move with ease and freedom from aches and pains, you are naturally able to maintain your energy levels throughout the day. Yoga is a practice for life and it helps to make life more enjoyable.
Immunity
During yoga practice we pay special attention to our breathing, encouraging the flow of blood throughout the body. This helps to cleanse and nourish all our internal organs, ensuring they are working properly. It also reduces stress which in turn boosts our immunity. A relaxed body and mind leads to a healthy body and mind.
Balance
Yoga asks us to try to remain steady and centred while balancing our body in various ways. Whether you are able to do this or not does not matter! What matters is the journey we take in attempting these postures. Staying concentrated and alert while trying not to fall over develops focus and improves balance, coordination and memory.
Energy
The movements and physical stresses we create with yoga stimulate energy flow and also remove any blockages to the natural flow of energy in our body. By removing physical and emotional blockages through our regular practice, we are rewarded with greater energy to navigate our way through life.
Happiness
As soon as you begin practicing yoga, your brain begins to change in a positive way. Your body produces feel-good hormones, helping you to feel happier and more relaxed. Becoming aware of breath and regulating it is vital in lowering stress. Being able to regulate our emotions and stress leads to greater feelings of happiness and joy.
Peace
Yes, this is true. It will not solve all your problems and it does not promise a life free from pain but it will help you to appreciate the simple things in life. When you regularly tune into how you are feeling on a physical and emotional level, you develop mindfulness, self-acceptance and compasssion. Acceptance leads to peace.