The work I love
I believe Yoga is meant to be shared
From movement...
Hatha yoga
In Hatha yoga classes the postures (asana) are generally held for several breaths, and are usually slowlier paced than many dynamic styles.
It is a physically demanding practice, which is effective to build both strength and flexibility as well as focus, discipline and breath control. However, the level of difficulty can always be adapted to the needs of the participants. Yoga really is for everybody, and every body!
In my classes I like to incorporate a "flow" element allowing us to transition from one posture to another in a dynamic but natural flow.
Aerial yoga
Aerial yoga blends elements of hatha yoga, pilates, TRX and acrobatics. The practice can be adapted to all levels.
The best part? The inversions! Hanging upside down, supported by the fabric, deliciously tractions the spine and neck, and provides both decompression and tension relief!
Aerial Yoga can be practiced with a low hammock as well for a more restorative and yin oriented class.
Yin yoga
Yin yoga is a practice informed by the Tao and Traditional chinese medicine. The yin energy is associated with the feminine and qualities such as nurturing, observation, introspection, and release, that are brought into the practice through long-held poses designed to stimulate specific meridians and organs, each of them having their own set of qualities and purposes.
Yin yoga is a deeply relaxing practice but can also be intense, both physically (the deep stretching sensations) and emotionally/mentally (release)
Yin Yang flow
Yin-Yang flow classes are my personal favourite! They blend dynamic Hatha yoga (the yang) and deep, long-held stretches on the floor (the yin). It is a complete practice, allowing us to build strength and endurance, release deeply held tension, open up and create space in the body, and connect with ourselves and our breath.
Gravity yoga
Gravity yoga is a system of targeted mobility training method that is much more effective than any other yoga style out there for increasing flexibility, simply because of the three principles it builds on:
Poses are held under passive tension, meaning we focus on completely relaxing the body. We use a particular breathing technique that turns off the stretch reflex and allows the muscles to relax even more into the stretch. And we stay in the pose for up to five minutes to allow muscles and soft tissues to adjust to the stretch and lentgthen
The poses are simple, but by no means easy, we relax but it is intense! During class we use breathing and cues to focus, maintain our awareness on the body and keep the monkey mind under control... the deep stretching provide an instant sense of wellbeing and relaxation in the whole body.
... to stillness
Breathwork
Yoga breathing is a safe and natural way to quickly affect your autonomic nervous system. It has been practiced for thousands of years, but I use a modern approach that focuses on real-world science and results. Benefits of breathwork:
• Relieve stress • Reduce anxiety • Improve mental focus • Boost digestion • Improve sleep • Balance your energy and more!
Most of us are stuck on autopilot, and we're getting bounced around by our environment leaving us feeling wired but tired, imbalanced, and frazzled. Yoga breathing offers many of the same benefits as meditation, but it's easier to learn and the results are very predictable.
Check my 4-weeks yoga breathing coaching program here
Restorative yoga
Restorative yoga focuses on Being rather than doing: It focuses on achieving deep rest and relaxation at a profound level. We stay in the poses for 15 minutes or even 30 minutes, using props, such as blocks, belts, bolsters and blankets to completely support the body. Being fully supported provides a sense of safety that allows the physical, mental and emotional bodies to let go of tension.
It helps prevent stress and improve our own capacity for self-healing. At the beginning staying still and letting go of the idea of achieving or doing poses might be challenging, and could be described as an embodied meditation where habitual, unconscious tensions held deeply in the tissues of the physical body are allowed to come to our awareness, encouraging an enhanced understanding of the place we inhabit within ourselves. Slowly, the mind lets go of its usual chit-chat, and learns to observe and surrender.
Constructive rest is a highly underestimated practice in our modern and stressful lives, but is more an more acknowledged as essential to achieve balance and wellbeing, which is why restorative yoga practices are getting more and more popular.