What I teach
Vinyasa Flow & Slow Flow
Vinyasa is a style of yoga using a string of varied postures together linked by the breath. Some also refer to it as a "Flow" class. As a philosophy, Vinyasa recognises the temporary nature and flow of things. The term Vinyasa derives from nyasa, meaning “to place,” and vi, meaning “in a special (or sacred) way.” We focus on bringing consciousness to each movement in each moment. Come as you are, and flow through my structured sequence in your very own magical way! I often incorporate pranayama (breath-work), mudras, mantas and yoga philosophy into my classes.
Vinyasa Flow can also be taught as Slow Flow if you prefer a slower and more mindful approach. Perfect for beginners, or if you just feel like taking your time understanding the poses better.
Power Flow
Power Flow is similar to my Vinyasa Flow classes in the way that we are linking movement with breath. Although, in my Power Flow class you can expect to create a lot more heat (Agni), through a more dynamic and vigorous practice.
If you are new to yoga, I recommend attending my Candlelit Flow or Vinyasa Flow before you sign up to a Power Flow class.
Aroma (essential oil) Yoga
I can incorporate the use of essential oils into any yoga class - Aroma Flow and Aroma Yin are popular requests. I have experienced, and trust the oils’ ability to support physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
I choose to use dōTERRA oils for myself and my business. This company globally source their oils in the natural environment where the plant is healthiest. They work with small scale artisan farmers to ensure the growing, harvesting and distillation process is ethical, fair and empowering. They test their oils rigorously with a fully transparent process that includes third party testing. All their results are published on the Source to You website.
Candlelit Flow
Switch off from the bright lights. Time to journey inwards, and create space for self care!
The soft glow of candlelights engages the parasympathetic nervous system, activating the rest and digest / relaxation response. Candlelit Flow is similar to a Vinyasa Flow in that we are linking movement with breath in fluid sequences. However, we move slower than in the usual Vinyasa Flow class, and there is a stronger emphasis on becoming fully aware, savouring each moment and pose, and exploring the quiet stillness in and between your postures.
This class is great for beginners, and equally for more experienced yogis looking to slow down without the speed and agility sometimes demanded by a Vinyasa Flow. Class will often end with a meditation practice.
Yin Yoga
A Yin Yoga class is a practice where we hold postures for longer periods of time in a more passive and receptive way - not to be confused with Restorative Yoga. Most postures are also done on the floor. This helps to target specific tissues, increase circulation, and encourage more mobility. I encourage a slow and gentle approach to help you connect with your internal awareness. It's a great class for some "me-time", getting to know yourself better. Holding poses for longer amounts of time allows the opportunity to explore sensation and the nature of the mind (including your boundaries, your edge, and your internal dialogue). We visit breath-work and meditation techniques.
During our pose, we come to a place called the “edge”. In this context, “the edge” is a place where there is a manageable amount of sensation. This edge is not a place of pain or a place that feels too intense. Instead, it’s a place where you feel a good degree of interesting pressure. This sensation indicates there is adequate or appropriate stress on the tissues. This "healthy stress" can lead to greater circulation in the tissues and joint sites.
Qi / Prana - The Subtle Body
Since the earliest of times, different ancient traditions have talked about an energy system within the subtle body. Indian yogis called it Prana, while Chinese Daoists called it Qi or Chi. It refers to our ‘vital life force’ or ‘life energy’. This energy system is present in all life that binds together all things in the universe. Whist all types of movement actually help to circulate Qi through the meridian system (channels) of the subtle body, yin yoga, in particular, encourages Qi to move into the deeper structures.
Restorative Yoga
This is a relaxing practice where your body is completely supported in longer held poses.
Unlike in Yin Yoga, where we put "healthy stress" on our connective tissue, in a restorative class we aim to find a space of deep relaxation with plenty of support from props.
The key difference is the approach. Instead of working towards an edge, we are encouraged to relax and surrender so that we can release tension and focus on the breath. This helps us to activate the parasympathetic nervous system which can help combat that feeling of ‘overwhelm’ and over-stimulation that we often find ourselves in, in today's fast paced society.
Foundations & Beginners Yoga
Jumping straight into a public class can for some feel intimidating if you've never done a yoga class before. Especially if the class isn't tailored specifically for beginners. Yoga is definitely for everyone, but not every class feels suitable for everyone.
Starting your yoga journey with a Foundations Yoga class will help you understand the fundamental foundations you need to build a safe and purposeful practice. It will support you in feeling confident on the development of your own journey.
A Foundations Yoga class is not only suitable for beginners, but also for experienced yogis who may wish to go back to the basics to deepen their understanding, or perhaps to check in with already developed habits.
Breath Regulation & Meditation
Pranayama (Breath-regulation) is a very important part of a yoga practice. It's an ancient science of breath and mind. We regulate our breath to regulate our mind.
Your Asana (poses & movement practice) should always be guided by your breath, as your breath is your best teacher - advising you of how deep to go into the practice. In Sanskrit, “prana” means life force / life energy and “yama” means control. Pranayama is a practice of controlling the life force to assist in healing the body and quieting the subconscious mind fluctuations. It strengthens our concentration, help us withdraw from external distractions, and it's a powerful preparation for our meditation practice and seeing into the depths of the 'Self'.
Over time, we educate and strengthen the respiratory system to function better. "If you breathe well, you live well"!
Meditation can be practiced in various different ways. Some yoga principles teaches us that our breath and movement practices are there so that we can learn to sit comfortably in silence, for a long time, with withdrawal of the senses, meditating and finding bliss. However, this is not the only way we can reach a meditative state. Here's a few other examples of how we can cary out meditation practices:
Awakening the senses / sensory meditation
Movement meditation
Walking meditation
Nature meditation / forest bathing +++
You may also think of meditation as a Flow State. You're so fully focused on something that you've become "one" with it. You're in a blissful state of flow. *P.S. It requires consistency to train the mind.
Why I teach
Connection
Yoga can connect you deeper not only to yourself, but to the true nature of things and people around you. Nothing has brought me closer to my own truth than yoga has. Yoga has taught me that everything is connected, and my deepest and most valuable connections I have found in my yoga community.
Love
Through yoga, I have learned to love myself - all sides of myself. I believe that love creates love. And the world needs more of it... Guiding and witnessing people grow to love their wholeness is magical.
Trust
The history of yoga is ancient and vast. I believe the reason yoga has been carried on from generation to generation is because we can trust the benefits it brings to our health and wellbeing.
Through the practice, I have gained a newfound trust in my own abilities, I have become more resilient, and I have learned to trust my own instincts. It's incredible to witness what people can do when they learn to trust themselves and the nature of all things.
Truth
Essentially, our yoga practice is a journey through the self to the 'Self' - and there lies our truth, which can set us free from suffering. This journey includes opening ourself to the FULL experience of life, and the tools of yoga help me go through the layers of this journey feeling held and supported.