Looking to start Yoga and develop a regular practice, but finding the many styles on offer a minefield to navigate? Or just looking for a little more clarity before jumping on your mat?

Let me help you with a breakdown of the common Yoga styles Vinyasa, Yin, Hatha, Slow Flow and Meditation.

Vinyasa is a favourite Yoga style for those seeking creative and dynamic sequencing, no two classes are the same.

If you crave an empowering and strength building class with a fluid and asana intensive approach, Vinyasa is your Go To, as it’s a flowing sequence of poses linked to the coordination of the breath, almost like a dance.

Traditionally Vinyasa is translated from the sanskrit term ~nyasa~ which means,  to place and the prefix ~vi~ which means, in a special way and this style teaches us to build an awareness that links each action to the next, both on the mat, and off the mat.
Experienced practitioners begin to play with adding inversions and arm balances into the Vinyasa mixed bag.

The world that we live in is fast paced and over stimulating and leaves us suffering with an overwhelming focus on achievement.

This leads to many frayed nerves, anxious tendencies and on a one way street to burnout.
Say Hello to Yin a gentle invitation into stillness and a place of quiet.
Through longer holds supported by props we find a passive and meditative practice with a focus on receiving rather than forcing.
Generally speaking, you may only touch on 5 or 6 Yin poses in an hour class, as poses are held for between 3 and 10 minutes, our yin tissues are less vascular (supplied with blood) and less elastic and therefore need more time to stretch. When stretched regularly it increases the overall flexibility, circulation, and range of motion in the joints and ligaments.
We load the connective tissue and in this way Yin Yoga helps to relieve stress that is stored deep in our connective tissues.

Hatha is an Umbrella term for Yoga.
If we remove the flow and attend to proper alignment at a slower pace we find Hatha.
Think static holds with an emphasis on simplicity, repetition and ease of movement.
In saying this, this style can be interpreted in many different ways, so this description is simply an outline.
Not in the mood to flow, but, still got a little energy to burn through?
Let Hatha, meet you on your mat.

Just quietly, Slow Flow is one of my most beloved ways to move.
It’s mellow, with a sprinkle of gentle flowing and a peppering of juicy rinsing, feel good flux, no peak pose and generally fewer transitions than Vinyasa and more flow than Hatha.
A great stepping stone practice for newer students, and also kinda perfect when you are tuned into your low energy, but still want to move through it.

Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a mindfulness technique to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.
To inspire insight and self awareness, and to develop a harness into here and now.

Got your eye on an inversion or arm balance or struggle with specific poses? Look no further than a workshop or masterclass.
This classes have a more “how to” format and are great for developing your yoga practise and foundations.

Remember it’s more than ok to be a beginner. We all have to start somewhere. Class is not a Competition.
Take it slow, tune in to your body, tune out of your ego.

This classes are designed to be easy to follow, with a bit of extra descriptions and tips to help you get the most of your practise and build up your yoga foundations.

Yoga focuses on deepening the bond between your physical, energetic and emotional skins so make sure that you tune into the feedback you are receiving.
When you first come to your mat, try to sit and simply receive breath, this will offer you an accurate energy reading.
We want Yoga to be sustainable in our bodies for a long time to come, practice asana safely, with a focus on proper alignment, for your body.
Make a commitment to your practice and enjoy the most rewarding relationship you will ever have.

Love,
Alice