WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga is the science of right living and, as such, is intended to be incorporated in daily life. It works on all aspects of the person: the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The word yoga means 'unity'. In spiritual terms, this unity is described as the union between the individual consciousness and the universal consciousness. However, on a more practical level, yoga is a means of balancing and harmonising the body, mind and emotions. This is done through the practice of asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), mudra (body gestures), bhanda (energetic body locks), shatkarma (purification practices) and meditation.
The word Hatha is made up of two Sanskrit roots, ha and tha. Ha = Sun and Tha = Moon. This is symbolic of the twin energy forces which exist in everything. It is also known as the science of purification, used as a preliminary practice for other more advanced yoga practices. In hatha yoga, we use specific physical postures and breathing techniques to eliminate the energetic blockages in the body, remove toxins and increase prana (life force) in the body. In turn, our whole health improves and the body becomes supple and free from tension and dis-ease. In addition, the practice of Hatha yoga helps to improve emotional tension and suppression, therefore leading to improvements in mental health. Yoga does not belong to a particular religion and does not require you to be spiritual to be able to practice.
My personal yoga practice and style of teaching is focussed on releasing physical and mental tension through slow, precise movement paired with a stable breath. I integrate the traditional yogic techniques into each class with the aim of providing an authentic experience as well as teaching to take the practice 'off the mat' and into our daily lives. My intention is to make yoga accessible to everyone. As a qualified Ayurveda consultant, I also integrate the knowledge of this holistic science into my class flows. Expect a strong and fairly challenging practice, mindful vinyasa flows and therapeutic approach to movement.
