What is Yoga?

The eastern sage Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras, the first text on Yoga some 2500 years ago. He defined Yoga as "the cessation of the turnings of the mind". Yoga literally means "to unite, to join, to connect". Bringing these two definitions together suggests that Yoga is about developing a sense of stillness and peace, of bringing harmony between mind, body and spirit.

 

The aim of my classes

The aim of my classes is to provide you with: 

• An opportunity to learn Yoga exercises and postures known as asana which help to keep you body supple and fit
• To teach exercises that help you to control your breathing
• To teach relaxation techniques that provide you with an opportunity to take a break from day to day stresses, gently relaxing you body and mind.
• To help you to achieve the balance of mind, body and spirit that is the essence of Yoga

I aim to teach Yoga in a way that enables you to learn the techniques for yourself and put them into practice in your day to day life. Yoga classes are a valuable way of learning about Yoga, but developing your own Yoga practice, focused on your needs, ideally on a daily basis, should be your objective in order to maximize the benefits that Yoga can bring to your life.

Hatha Yoga

There are any number of styles of Yoga taught today. The Yoga that I teach is a simple, traditional form of Hatha Yoga. I stress the importance of you listening to your body and of tailoring your Yoga practice to your needs. Yoga isn't competitive - it is about finding out what is best for you.