Yoga Styles

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a very dynamic, energetic and physically challenging form of Hatha yoga. Its main focus is on deep breathing as you travel through a set sequence of therapeutic yoga postures. Breath is synchronised with movement guiding you through the practice.

On one level, Ashtanga Yoga helps you to increase body-tone, flexibility, stamina and concentration, while working deeply on your body. The practice creates heat in the body whereby toxins are released which reside in the deep muscle layers of the body helping you to alleviate fatigue, stress, depression and illness.

Dru Yoga

Dru Yoga, often called the ‘yoga of the heart’, consists of flowing sequences of movements, often performed slowly, to encourage maximum awareness of the body as it moves, particularly the spine. Maintaining a healthy spine is the key to mobility. Movements are co-ordinated with the breath, allowing the ‘breath to lead the body’, reducing and releasing tension through movement.

A Dru Yoga class begins with easy movements designed to warm the body and mobilise the joints. A vinyasa (series of movements) related to the elements may follow, or an Energy Block Release (EBR) sequence designed to lift the spirits and promote calm by slowing the breath and heart rate. Asanas (postures), with their roots in traditional hatha yoga, are performed in a flowing manner, to avoid stress on the joints and to encourage a free flow of energy around the body. Deep Relaxation is an integral part of a Dru Yoga class.

In a recent randomised, controlled study by Bangor University, Dru Yoga participants felt more composed, confident and clear-minded, and better able to cope when faced with stressful situations. ‘The effectiveness of yoga for the improvement of wellbeing and resilience to stress in the workplace’ Hartfiel et al. Scand J Work Environ Health Online first article. 6th April 2010

Forrest Yoga

Forrest yoga has been developed by Ana Forrest over 30 years to address the physical and emotional stresses and challenges of today's people. Intense pose sequences and conscious breathing will help to bring aliveness into your body.

As a beginner of Forrest yoga you learn to breathe deeply and connect in feeling with your body. As you progress, you get proficient at safely tailoring each pose to work best for you; particularly with physical and emotional injuries. Forrest yoga gets you strong and centred by connecting you to your core. It uses heat, vigorous workouts and deep breathing to sweat out toxins. The long holds in the pose sequences help you flush, oxygenate, and rejuvenate every cell. Forrest yoga does not require strength or flexibility; it only requires that you bring an open mind.

Read more about Forrest yoga on www.forrestyoga.com

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga dates back to 15th century India. It is what most people in the Western world associate with the word "Yoga" and tends to be practiced for mental and physical well-being. Modern day Yoga styles such as Iyengar, Viniyoga and Ashtanga, are derived and developed from Hatha Yoga.

Hatha Yoga classes generally include; a combination of breath and physical movement - the breath being the indicator of so much about our physical, mental and emotional state, and the movement being so important to both strengthen and loosen the body. To this a little about the history of Yoga is added, as well as Yoga philosophy, and traditional Yoga breathing methods - to finish each class there will be some time for relaxation - a time to let the body be still. Over time the results are a delightful mix of a physically supple and stronger body, with stillness in the mind - a state of contentment.

Over-riding all of this - in class you learn to be curious, interested, keen, but not judge yourself harshly - to rejoice in what you can do - to patiently develop what doesn't happen so easily - and to have some fun along the way!

Jivamukti Yoga

This exciting form of yoga has been created by Sharon Gannon and David Life in New York city. Since 1984 when Jivamukti was created it has caused a real buzz in the yoga world. Jivamukti is a physically challenging and intellectually stimulating yoga style. It combines a vigorous asana (physical) practice with chanting, meditation, yoga philosophy and deep relaxation.

Jivamukti yoga brings together the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of yoga keeping the goal of the practice always in mind - liberation. It is a creative approach to yoga and to living and being. Uplifting and inspirational music plays an integral part in every class.

Sandra is one of the few certified Jivamukti teachers outside London teaching this unique and exciting style of yoga. Read more about Jivamukti on www.jivamuktiyoga.com.

THE BUZZ ON JIVAMUKTI YOGA
"All the spirituality of traditional yoga, but with a modern twist" Red Magazine

"Gannon and Life work hard to show that yoga is not just about health and fitness, and that spirituality can be congruent with the high-energy, vibrant lifestyle..." Yoga Journal

"I always learn something at Jivamukti; they really educate the students." Christy Turlington, Time Magazine

"Looking for a highly meditative but physically challenging form of yoga? Try Jivamukti" Yoga Journal

Daisy Birthing

One of the fastest growing active birthing, birth breathing & labour preparation programmes in the UK. featured in Practical Parenting, Sept 2010. Learn as you move, prepare as you relax! Weekly yoga inspired classes which teach you how to relax; to use gravity/movement; how to help baby into optimum position; meet other mums; practise breathing; boost confidence in your ability to give birth comfortably; help your back & pelvis!

Daisy Birthing is FEDANT approved (Federation of Antenatal Educators) and has helped more than 1500 mums to date (2010).

'I cannot thank you enough for teaching me the bearing down breath!! I literally took two big breaths and breathed her out!! Amazing considering my previous 2 took 2 hours of pushing!!'Angela, September 2010

'I got to 9cm dilated using only breathing, visulisation and relaxation techniques and my birthing ball! The midwives were amazed and at times were only able to tell I was contracting using the monitor and were suprised at how quick I dilated from 3cm to 7cm!'[Leanne, August 2010]

'10 minutes after the end of our Daisy Birthing class, my waters broke, and 5 hours later he was born! It was a totally different experience from my first birth which was very traumatic, and I think what really helped me was how you changed my attitude to be able to see birth positively'. [Susie, August 2010]

Booking via www.bumpbirthandbeyond.co.uk

Kids' Yoga

An important step in growing up for children is to learn how to become responsible adults. Through education, love and understanding, children can learn how to become independent and conscious of their decisions in life. Yoga is an excellent way of bringing this awareness into a child's life, because it makes the children connect with their inner being. Yoga also helps to develop focus and concentration, improve flexibility, strength and balance. The Children Yoga Classes are a fun way to get introduced to yoga. Classes are focused on learning the traditional postures, and using breathing techniques. We explore yoga through yoga games, activities and include music to make it more fun and a more open environment.

Baby Massage and Yoga with Daisy Baby

Daisy Baby™ Stage 1 "Tinies" (from birth to 20 weeks) If you’re looking for a gentle, soothing, friendly 'first step' baby massage based class, this is absolutely the right class for you and your new baby.

Daisy Baby provides a relaxed introduction to baby massage and gentle yoga. Learn the basic techniques and meet other new mums in your area. Our introductory 4 week course will teach you soothing baby massage routines for baby - if you are struggling with colic, reflux, periods of inconsolable crying, problems getting baby to sleep alone or on their back .... like so many mums, this is the baby class to choose!

Daisy Baby also gives you the chance to enjoy a gentle postnatal movements for yourself, to take care of the spine and shoulders, helping with the physical demands of feeding and carrying a baby. We also learn breathing techniques and movements to restore the strength of the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor which can be weak after pregnancy and childbirth. These classes are suitable for mums of babies between 6-20 weeks.

Daisy Baby™ Stage 2 "Wrigglers" (from 20 weeks to crawling) If you’re looking for a colourful, bright, lively baby yoga based class, this is absolutely the right class for you and your baby!

Daisy Baby is a great way to bond and relax with your baby. Classes encourage you and your baby to enjoy a massage/yoga routine using songs and rhymes whilst exploring movement and postnatal yoga stretches together, and meet new friends! You will learn a mixture of baby massage and baby yoga. The class includes gentle stretches for babies, which are generally soothing and calming, and exercises can be useful in dealing with colic. Baby yoga and massage is combined with nursery rhymes and songs for mental as well as physical development and for fun! Daisy Baby is inspired by traditional baby yoga routines and movements but with the added va va vooom of an array of unique sensory based exercises and activities.

You will also practice movements to take care of the spine and shoulders, helping with the physical demands of feeding and carrying a baby. We also learn breathing techniques and movements to restore the strength of the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor which can be weak after pregnancy and childbirth. Our classes are baby led, and your baby’s needs (feeding, changing, sleeping etc) always come first.

Pre-booking is essential. Reserve your place at http://www.bumpbirthandbeyond.co.uk

Pilates

Joseph Pilates "invented" his method of body conditioning during the First World War and then took it to America where he worked with dancers. It is a method of body conditioning which strengthens and tones muscles, and improves posture, flexibility and balance. The exercises strengthen your "core" muscles - those around your mid-section - predominantly your Transversus Abdominus, deep muscles which form a girdle around your body - hence Pilates being good for some back problems.

A class usually follows a pattern - finding correct posture, a few mobilising moves, a whole host of Pilates exercises, followed by a general stretch and a few minutes' relaxation. Sometimes people ache, sometimes they don't - and just because you don't doesn't mean you're not doing the exercises properly or are not working hard. You will work on the deep muscles, possibly ones you didn't even realise you had! You will work with your breathing whereby slow, controlled, flowing movements are stressed.