Yoga & Reformer Flow
What is Vinyasa Flow Yoga?
This is a dynamic form of yoga where the first part of the class gives the student a thorough ‘work in’, focussing on strengthening and stabilising (especially the core, through awareness of bandha), energising, heating and mobilising the whole body to gain the maximum benefits from the second part of the class. Here, the focus shifts to deeper poses held for longer duration to explore flexibility, to release tension and to work to address imbalances due to excessive training, asymmetrical sports with l/r dominance, postural issues, past or present injuries and stress/life style factors. The issues reside in our tissues… A regular yoga practice will undoubtedly serve to improve your sense of overall well being, whatever your background or motivation for stepping on to the mat.
An aim of the practice is to experience integration of breath, body and mind….. deepening your awareness and take this with you off of the mat or reformer, long after the class has finished…..into your training, your sport and your work and life.
Pilates Reformer is a highly effective form of functional movement exploration which is great for injury rehab or as a foundational movement modality for any sports and activities, gym based training and life itself! It is highly adaptable/scaleable making it more accessible than some mat based practices, and potentially, eventually more challenging too. It is also very complementary to a yoga practice rather than the 2 being mutually exclusive.
Classes are structured in seasonal blocks, so that there is a repetitive and progressive quality to the sequencing, and a somatic logic to their evolution. ‘Peak poses’ are deconstructed so that there is an understanding of the objectives of the asana as well as a safe journey to explore finding the right level appropriate for you. I encourage the use of props and modifications – for a safer practice, but also one that is more relevant to your bespoke experience. The idea is for you to explore the flow, not impose the flow on you.
There is much overlap between the classes, so that if a class is missed or a different class time is attended for whatever reason, there is still continuity as well as something different to explore. As such, drop in students are always welcome (please book here https://bookwhen.com/sahasta ) although regular attendance is encouraged.
Classes can include meditation and visualisation, pranayama (breathing techniques for cleansing, heating, balancing, calming or energising – all aid focus and concentration), application of bandha (energy “locks” – essentially the use of deep core muscles for stabilising either part or the full length of the spine within asanas and especially the transitions between to enhance energy flow and improve overall postural integrity) and asana (the physical sequence of poses). Everybody can practice yoga. Whatever your experience or background. Please contact me if you have any questions about finding the right class for you.
Why not try Cathedral Yoga?
The last of these amazing yoga events was on October 16th 2019. Please use the link above to secure your place in that wonderful space for the next one once the date is confirmed.
