My Classes

VINYASA

Friday 10-11am

Sunday 10-11am

Vinyasa is a style of yoga that links your breath with movement, creating a flowing sequence of postures designed to increase strength and flexibility.

It is often referred to as ‘moving meditation’.  Each movement is connected with your breathing – either inhaling or exhaling brings a change of pose.

Benefits of Vinyasa include:

  • A calming mental focal point provided by a steady stream of inhales and exhales

  • Increased strength and flexibility driven by continual movements

  • Cardiovascular benefits - its a good workout!

YIN

Thursday 6-7pm

Yin is the opposite of Yang; whereas Yang is high-energy, Yin is a much slower, lower energy style of practice where the poses are largely floor- based and are held for much longer; anything between three and six minutes.

Yin offers wonderful emotional and mental health benefits, including:

  • increasing circulation and improving flexibility

  • calming and balancing the mind and body

  • reducing stress and anxiety

  • releasing fascia

  • encouraging deeper relaxation

  • improving joint mobility

  • bringing balance to the organs through meridian stimulation

ABOUT MY CLASSES

Below are some notes about some things I feel are very important. As such i make a point about incorporating them into all my classes

Savasana

(relaxation)

For many savasana is the part they look forward to the most, yet for others it can be challenging.  Savasana in Sanskrit literally means corpse pose and comes at the end of each class as chance to surrender to complete relaxation, let go of your thoughts and allow the mind to quieten and the body to rest. This can be easier said than done!

For me, savasana is the most important part of any yoga class. I like to leave 10 minutes or so for savasana as a time for my yogis to properly rest.  Typically you lie on your back, allowing your body to sink into the ground with palms facing the sky, open to receive. At this point I play background music and circulate throughout the class, offering gentle head massages and other gentle assists for those who desire it.

Savasana can help bring about a deep state of rest, relieving stress and muscular tension whilst calming your nervous system.

BREATHWORK

In today’s world – which is very goal orientated and achievement based, life is often about ticking off boxes and getting things done.  We live very much in our heads a lot of the time and therefore risk becoming disconnected from our bodies.

This is where pranayama comes in. Pranayama is a yogic practice focussing on breath.

The goal of pranayama is connecting your body and mind (prana = lifeforce, yama = control – so literally controlling your lifeforce!). 

Some of my favourite techniques:

  • Alternative nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana)

  • Female honeybee humming breath (Bhramari Pranayama)

  • Victorious breath (Ujjayi)

To me, I think pranayama is one of the best tools that I have found to deal with stress and rediscover my inner self. As such, it often takes centre stage in my lessons.

Shena is a master of pranayama