New Students
Useful information and frequently asked questions for new students,
and those thinking about starting their yoga journey
Why Practice Yoga?
Never before have our nervous systems been so constantly stimulated than in today’s world of sensory overload. The drive in our culture to search for logic and meaning in every activity combined with the constant mental stimulation that most people encounter on a daily basis, means our minds run at full speed and our nervous systems are never completely relaxed. The practice of Yoga brings increased flexibility and decreased stress, leading to a general state of wellbeing.
To get out of your headspace
Yoga reminds you to direct your attention to your own needs as well as to the needs of others. It is the ideal path to achieving inner peace. If your aim is to be a happier human being, Yoga reminds you to have a sense of gratitude for what you have and to prioritise helping others and caring for all beings on the planet.
To relieve stress
Yoga reduces stress and anxiety in a unique way by decreasing the physical effects of stress and encouraging relaxation to reduce the levels of cortisol in your body. Practising Yoga can lower your blood pressure and heart rate, improve digestion and boost the immune system.
To improve your breathing technique
Yoga uses breathing exercises both in a passive position such as sitting or lying down as well as incorporated into postures and movement to help open your lungs and explore what it means to breathe consciously. Yoga encourages a more focused and centred way of breathing, providing effective stress-management and generally making you feel better.
To prevent injuries
Yoga reminds you to honour your body’s limits and needs. Beginning with a mental body scan and assessing yourself during your practice helps to reduce injuries. Moreover, Yoga provides flexible, well-stretched muscles that heal and recover more quickly after getting strained.
To gain strength and stability
Regular practice of more vigorous styles of Yoga, such as hot Yoga flow, promotes strength and stamina. This style of Yoga also offers the opportunity to use your core muscles through balancing poses, which can help improve your overall stability and sense of balance.
For weight management
Practising Yoga can aid weight control efforts by reducing levels of stress hormones as well as burning excess calories. Improved eating habits often arise out of the desire for a sense of lightness during your practice. No matter what your current or ideal weight is, Yoga will provide you with a heightened sense of wellbeing and self-esteem.
First time yogi?
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.
Common Questions
Yoga Styles
For the time being we have taken our Hot Yoga and Restorative Yoga classes off the schedule, hopefully they will return before not too long.
Warm Hatha Vinyasa
A dynamic energizing practice combining classical Hatha postures with movement. Technique is refined to lengthen and tone your muscles as well as to boost your energy and flush your internal organs. You’ll improve quickly yet find it challenging enough that you can choose how deep you want to go and how many vinyasas you want to include. This class is enhanced with Far Infrared Warmth to deepen your practice.
Cool Vinyasa Flow
A dynamic practice balancing structure and stability with breath and movement. Explore a flowing physical practice with an emphasis on Yogic breathing and mindful transitions in between postures. Leave feeling balanced and centred.
Yin Yoga
A reverent introspective practice featuring classic Yin Yoga poses of targeted stretching. This practice focuses on opening connective tissues and joints with deep stretches, practised with a focus on internal awareness. Promotes circulation, flexibility and mobility of the joints, and stimulates the flow of qi, prana or subtle energy that runs through the meridian pathways, or nadis, of the body. Improves organ health, the immune system and emotional wellbeing. Most of the postures involve sitting or lying down, it is beautiful meditative experience.