Levels & Styles of Yoga

Class Levels

Foundation Classes

Foundation Classes are for everyone – the perfect place for beginners to start, wonderful for anyone working with an injury & requiring a slower pace and of course for advanced students that want to take time to revisit the precious work of basics and alignment. Often seasoned students will revisit here as we understand that the more advanced asanas are rooted in the fundamental ones & we experience the joy of the simplicity of classical yoga asana.

Open Level Classes

Open Level classes welcome everyone – but may proceed a little quicker than foundation classes & will probably include some more creative linking of postures & postures that are a little more challenging may be offered. Less time will be spent in an open level class explaining the basics but variations will be offered to suit all levels.

Growth & Expansion Classes

Growth and Expansion classes are for practitioners that have a working understanding of the foundations of yoga and of basic alignment as it is upon this that deeper back bends, inversions, balances and more challenging postures can be built. You should have an understanding of the basic mechanics of breath and be comfortable linking breath and asana.

Teaching Styles

Eclectic / Hatha Yoga

These classes draw on the classical yoga postures which help to build strength and stamina. Focus is on the alignment of the body & inspiration comes from many schools of yoga, sometimes these classes are slow & more restorative in their nature & at other times there may be an element of flow or focus on a particular area. ‘Ha’ means sun and ‘tha’ means moon and hatha yoga is about the union of opposites. Hatha yoga aims to harmonize body, mind and spirit. Pranayama (breath work) and meditation are also key to the practice. Often there is deep relaxation at the end of the class. These classes are held weekly at various times and venues, please check the class schedule for details. You will find eclectic / hatha classes at all levels.

Ashtanga Yoga

A powerful, energetic, & flowing form of yoga developed by Sri K Pattabhi Jois, in which a series of postures are linked dynamically by the breath. Students will be led through some or all of a set series or postures, practiced in a particular order, known as the Primary series.The practice builds heat in the body, detoxifying and purifying the entire system while strengthening, toning and enhancing flexibility in the body. Ashtanga is a Sanskrit word, which is created by joining two words, ashta and anga. Ashta means eight & anga is translated as limbs or steps.The eight limbs of Ashtanga practice are Yama (moral codes), Niyama (self purification & study), Asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (self realization)Although Astanga can be adapted to suit most abilities this class is not suitable for complete yoga beginners. For Ashtanga please check both the class schedule & events & workshops.

Restorative Yoga

In these sessions time is spent opening and releasing the deepest held tensions in the body. This is a gentle, holistic approach to yoga postures & yogic breathing, focus is on moving through physical blocks slowly with relaxation and attention to the breath. . A great addition to any practice but particularly suitable for those who want to increase their mobility, are seeking relief from ailments or injury & those who really need to let go & relax. Please check the events & workshops page, there is also a monthly restorative class on a Friday afternoon at Our Space.

Vinyasa /Creative Flow Yoga

These sessions draw on postures from all the different series & traditions of yoga. These flowing classes link postures with the breath creating a sustained & meditative flow. Each class follows a different creative sequence, often with a seasonal, functional or chakra related theme. These practices can be a strong and challenging physical practice that is designed to build heat, strength, flexibility and concentration, or they can be a lighter where students can enjoy the flowing form but will be encouraged to take time to hold postures for longer, exploring the ease, stability and grace found through subtleties of alignment and effective use of the breath. Please check levels when booking a Vinyassa /Creative Class. Found on both the class schedule & events & workshops page.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is inspired by gentleness & letting go, targets the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones, and even the joints. Yin is a perfect complement to the dynamic and muscular (yang) styles of yoga that emphasize internal heat, and the lengthening and contracting of our muscles.. Yin and yang tissues respond quite differently to being exercised. Yin Yoga generally targets the hips, pelvis and lower spine and it is based on holding postures passively for sustained periods of time, encouraging softness and internal release. Sometimes the Yin periods are followed or combined with yang movement, allowing us to enjoy the new spaciousness in the hips & lower back. For almost all levels of students. Look for Yin or Yin/Yang classes & workshops on the events & workshops page.