Types of Yoga offered at our studio

Iyengar-based Hatha Yoga

Hatha means to bring balance between the sun and the moon within you (Sadhguru).

The practice of Hatha yoga is a physical practice that involves the body, mind and breath.

Iyengar Hatha yoga is a traditional yoga style teaching physical postures and synchronising movement with the breath.

The focus is on alignment and technique to execute postures safely and correctly. Various breathing techniques are practiced as well.

Postures may be modified to suit an individual’s abilities by using props where needed.

Postures can also be linked to flow from one posture to another, using the breath, while still focusing on alignment and technique.

Postures may be held for a few breaths, building strength and stamina.

Hatha Flow

Hatha yoga postures are linked to flow from one posture to another, using the breath, while still focusing on alignment and technique.

In some sequences we hold each pose for a few breaths, adjusting alignment, then flow to the next posture.

A fun way to incorporate movement into an alignment based yoga practice.

Benefits of Hatha Yoga

Helps to reduce stress
Helps to relieve anxiety
Improves flexibility
Improves balance
Improves muscle strength and tone
Helps with mobility
May help with improved breathing
Improves body awareness and proprioception
May help to improve posture

Restorative Yoga

Restorative Yoga is a slower paced Hatha Yoga style, with gentler postures that are held for some time, giving your body a chance to relax into the postures.

This allows you to focus on your breathing, and connect with the parasympathetic nervous system.

I call it a chance to “recharge your batteries”.

You may use a variety of props including blankets, bolsters and yoga blocks to support your body in each pose, allowing you to relax.

Classes may include meditation and breathing techniques.

Classes may focus on gentle stretches of leg and hip muscle groups, tight shoulders, postures to reduce sore lower backs or soothe stiff necks etc.

This style of yoga is good for anyone who needs a gentler style of yoga while still improving flexibility and improving mobility.

Restorative Yoga compliments strength training, is good for cyclists, runners, body builders, office workers and anyone spending long hours in a seated position.

Benefits of Restorative Yoga

Improves your flexibility
Gentle on the body
Promotes mindfulness
Encourages greater self-awareness
Helps calm the nervous system
Helps to reduce stress
May help to improve sleep
May help with symptoms of depression and anxiety
Encourages the transition to regular mediation

"Yoga must not be practiced to control the body, it is the opposite, it must bring freedom to the body - all the freedom it needs"

Vanda Scaravelli

Yin Yoga

Gentle, meditative, slow moving, mostly floor-based practice with longer holds that any other tyle of yoga.

Postures are held passively for several minutes, and targets the deeper connective tissues, such as the deeper fascia, ligaments and joints with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility.

Yin yoga incorporates the ancient Chinese Meridian Theories to restore and encourage the flow of energy (chi) through the body.

Karien teaches using the Grilley Method, where the focus is on functional alignment of the body, allowing each yogi to adjust the pose to achieve the stretch or stress in the specific target area.

Classes may include a component of Yang Yoga flows.

Yin yoga may appear to be a very passive style of yoga, but it is not restorative. It can be quite challenging due to the intense stretching of muscles during the long periods of time the poses are held.

Yin Yoga is great to counterbalance our active vinyasa and hatha yoga styles, it compliments strength training, good for cyclists, runners, body builders, office workers and anyone spending long hours in a seated position.