Online Classes
Styles of Yoga
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga targets the deep connective tissues of the body (known as fascia). This fascia covers our body giving it strength & flexibility, and helping to regulate the flow or energy across the body.
Yin Yoga is a more meditative approach to yoga with a physical focus much deeper than Yang style practices. In Yin Yoga, you are accessing the fascial tissue meaning many of the postures focus on areas that encompass a key joint (e.g. hips, shoulders). Each yoga posture is designed to strengthen the spinal muscles, helping us to be able to comfortably sit still for longer.
As we age, flexibility in our joints decreases and Yin Yoga is a wonderful way to maintain this flexibility. This intimate practice of yoga requires students to go inwards and truly experience each posture, noticing feelings, emotions and sensations which arise. With a regular Yin practice, we can strengthen our mental stability, teaching us how to "sit still" and "witness" whatever comes up.
Vinyasa Flow
Vinyasa Flow is a style of yoga characterised by stringing postures together so that you move seamlessly from one to another.
This style of yoga is commonly referred to as "Flow Yoga" due to the smooth transition between postures. Vinyasa means "synchronised movement with breath", meaning each posture is cued by an inhalation or an exhalation.
Vinyasa Flow classes are full of variety, but will almost always include a sun salutation. Most Vinyasa classes also include backbends and/or inversions. These postures will have different modifications for beginner, intermediate and advanced students, making these classes suitable for all levels.
Vinyasa Flow classes focus on strength and flexibility, with mindful breathing throughout to help quieten busy minds.
Yin Yang Fusion
Yin Yang Fusion is a fun, all-encompassing, creative way to explore both the yin and yang aspects of yoga. Each class is an innovative fusion of body-opening yin postures, dynamic full body slow flows, and entering pranayama to liberate and uplift you.
Class begins with a short mindfulness session, followed by deep mobilisation of the spine in a safe and effective way. The spine is moved in all six directions while not bearing any weight. This is followed by a slow yang flow designed to create stability in joints, strengthen and lengthen muscles, and build endurance through the repetition of strong postures
As with all of my classes, this practice is suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students with posture modifications being demonstrated for each level.
Slow Restorative Flow
Slow Flow classes will help you find enough space between postures while still retaining the gentle rhythm of a vinyasa/flow class. Slow Flow classes are a combination of Vinyasa Flow and Hatha Yoga so are great for beginners. In Slow Flow classes, there are fewer transitions between postures than a full Vinyasa class, but the postures still flow together more than in Hatha Yoga.
Slow Flow classes explore the same postures as Vinyasa Flow classes, while also allowing you to spend longer the postures. Whilst this style of practice is good for beginners, a slower flow doesn't necessarily make the practice easier. As Yin Yoga practitioners know all too well, longer holds make the practice more challenging! Sometimes the longer holds can prove more challenging than a quicker paced class, teaching you to sit with discomfort and yet still remain focussed in the posture.
