6 Week Beginner Course
During the next six weeks you will be introduced to three popular styles of yoga asana; Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin and you will also get an introduction to Mindfulness at the beginning and ending of each class. Once the course is completed you will have an understanding of the differences between the styles and likely have a favourite!
The 6 Week Beginner Course is thoughtfully designed and presented in a relaxed manner so that you feel safe and supported while learning. Each pose is demonstrated and alignment cues are given so that you can self correct and align yourself in each pose.
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Week 1 begins with a Hatha style class. Hatha is generally a slower paced class, doing one pose at a time and builds flexibility and strength. Poses are held for around 3-8 breaths and in a public class there is likely to be focus on alignment and application of the pose. This week you will learn popular poses such as Downward Facing Dog, Cobra and Child’s pose and should feel like you have had a good stretch once complete!
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In Week 2 we continue to explore Hatha style yoga, revisiting some poses from Week 1 and adding in some new ones like Warrior ll and lll! As you get more comfortable with the poses, try to focus on the breath as you hold each pose.
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This week we are picking up the pace with an introduction to a Vinyasa style class! You will learn the traditional Sun Salutation (or Surya Namaskar) sequence and there will be a focus on linking the breath with movement. Sun Salutations are like a moving meditation and often the practitioner will set an intention or offer a prayer or dedication at the beginning of the practice.
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You will get the chance to practice what you learnt last week and then we will add in some familiar poses from Week 1 and 2 to give you a real feel of what a Vinyasa class is like! Be sure to go at your own pace as we explore transitioning from one pose to another, and don’t forget to breathe!
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If the previous two weeks were all about moving and flow, the next two are all about being still! In Week 5 we move onto a style of yoga known as Yin. Yin yoga focuses on the connective tissue and the bodies fascia lines, as well as the meridian lines through out the body. In this class you will practice floor based poses and often focus on the hips and lower half of the body. Poses are held for longer periods of time so the challenge is to be still and observe ones natural tendency to wriggle and fidget!
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In the last week of the course the focus is still on Yin yoga and this week we are adding some upper body postures into the sequence. Observe your reaction to holding poses for longer periods, maybe it feels like heaven to be so still or maybe you feel the urge to fidget and move. Focus deeply on the breathe and practice mindfulness by bringing yourself back to the present each time you notice you’ve become distracted by thoughts or daydreams.