Salute to the Sun (Surya) |
|
MY
STYLE
My YOGA teaching stresses the importance of awareness of all aspects of yoga: the body, mind and soul, and is
the culmination of a life time`s study, practice and teaching of yoga. The physical exercises include both gentle stretching
and also strong challenging exercises. At all stages students work within their own levels of ability.
Emphasis is
placed on practising yoga with awareness, thus helping to avoid unnecesary injury, but also to begin the process of harnessing
the power of the mind to transform us.
My teaching now incorporates aspects of the styles
of the Sivananda school, Satyananda, Iyengar, Astanga Vinyasa Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. However with the increasing tendency
of yoga teachers and `schools` to try to patent or at least copyright their `names` and styles of teaching my answer to the
question `What style of yoga do you teach?` is `Yoga`. Looking at the traditional forms of yoga - Raja, Hatha,
Bhakti , Karma etc in fact my teaching is closest to Tantra which incorporates all aspects in a framework of the eight limbs
of Patanjali and ritual. Tantra was developed to be appropriate for students of yoga in this modern age ` Kali
Yuga` - dark age. In modern times Budd Thompson, with a greater yoga input by me, has developed the system called
`Bodylife` which uses all aspects of yoga together with modern fitness methods and dance etc.
Tantra uses physical and mental techniques together with ritual to open the individual to an experience
of the Divine within them. It is this approach which inspired Budd Thompson to develop what he called Bodylife, a way of teaching incorporating many approaches, ancient and
modern , to achieve the same effect.
Remembering the words of my guruji at initiation `Clothes
are a barrier between you and god, and should be worn only when necessary `, I believe that yoga is ideally practised.
naked (digambar) However in class and other group situations it is better to be relaxed and comfortable wearing
clothes where necessary.
Ultimately yoga is a spiritual practise seeking the
realisation of the Self within us. Sadhana is the psiritual journey that we take through life. To that end all
methods have a value.
Simple Reverse Triangle Twist |

|
________________________________________________
WEEKLY
CLASSES
Typical weekly mixed classes usually start with a short talk on an aspect of yoga lifestyle, yoga ideas
or descriptions of practices which might not be used in general classes, and talk on aspects of pranayama (breathing exercises),
relaxation or meditation techniques which might be used later in the class.
After a few minutes of centring, earthing
and sense withdrawal (pratyahara), the class then moves on to the physical exercises. Sessions end with a period of
breathing exercises or techniques and a longer relaxation/meditation.
All aspects of yoga are covered
- life style, philosophy,postures/exercises, relaxation, and meditation techniques.
Classes are suitable for all abilities.
____________________________________________
or tel. 07791 182085