How do you choose which session/s to attend? Read on to understand what is involved with each style of yoga…

GENTLE YOGA

Includes foundational yoga poses and some of their variations, mostly practiced seated on the floor, on hands and knees, standing, or lying down. Often taught in stages and with generous time to explore coming into and out of a pose and for rest after a stronger challenge. Practices in grounding, breath awareness, sensory awareness and relaxation techniques are often woven into the session. This type of yoga is great for beginners, students returning to yoga after time away, people in recovery or wishing to improve their health, and anyone who prefers a gentle, step-by-step approach to yogic practices.

HATHA YOGA

A well-rounded yoga practice that includes grounding and intention-setting, breath control and moderation, and a variety of static yoga poses that are held long enough for the student can explore what arises. Greater focus is given to correct alignment of the body, and utilisation of core muscle groups to encourage a balance of effort and ease in each pose. Students are reminded to use a steady breath, and props are often used to add support or provide reach, especially in more challenging poses. The sessions usually ends with some time spent lying on the back in Savasana, allowing for integration of the practice and adequate rest and recovery.

VINYASA YOGA

Vinyasa means “to place in a particular way”. In a yoga session, this usually means that you will coordinate the inhalation and exhalation of the breath with movement, most commonly to breathe in as you expand outwards, stretch, step back or lift, and to breathe out as you contract, pull inwards, step forwards or fold down. In this way, poses can be linked together to make a sequence or a flow, using mindful transitions from one pose to the next in synchronicity with the breath. Flows are often repeated, building heat and increasing in difficulty, to provide a strong exercise routine. Students are often given time in an inverted pose at the end of the session to counter much of the upright work and in preparation for Savasana.

CHAIR YOGA

This is the most accessible style of yoga. Mat yoga practices are adapted to be performed in a chair, so whether you have chronic pain, issues with balance, are recovering from injury, are post-partum, have a disability or chronic condition, or simply want to know what yoga practices you can do to break up your sedentary workday, this style of yoga is for you! It incorporates mindfulness and relaxation techniques, breath practices, and physical movements that focus upon joint mobility while remaining seated in the chair. Other poses are practiced while holding onto the chair for support so students can safely explore shifting their centre of gravity, use their body weight as resistance and play with balance.

YIN YOGA

Yin the the practice of surrender. Done entirely on the floor or against a wall, other props such as blankets, blocks, straps and bolsters are used to support the body in the required shape so the student can hold the position for an extended period of time (often 3 to 10 minutes per pose). Students are encouraged to “come to their edge”, where they can feel sensation in the targeted area of the body, then to remain there in relative stillness until cued to release the pose. These long holds place mindful, intentional stress upon joints and enable deeper, tougher connective tissues to experience tension. A brief neutral pose is taken after each yin position so the student can experience the sensations of release. A long, guided relaxation meditation, known as Yoga Nidra, often rounds out the end of the session.