Power Yoga

*Power Yoga-An Empowering Experience

*A Typical Class

Power Yoga-An Empowering Experience
People often ask me, "What is Power Yoga?" and, "Do I have to do ordinary Yoga before I can do Power Yoga?"
-My Power Yoga classes are Vinyasa style Hatha Yoga classes which means that they are a flowing physical style of Yoga. This is an energetic and powerful style of Yoga in which the poses are linked to the breath. The classes are suitable for those of a beginner or intermediate level..

A Typical Class
In a typical class we begin by focusing our attention on the here and now, tuning in to our bodies and letting the class be "our time" and uninterrupted by outside thoughts. Then we do some simple body warm-ups followed by a series of "sun salutations" (surya namaskara) and variations which waken up and tone every part of the body. These sun salutations are so called because they are traditionally done first thing in the morning to celebrate the sunrise. The movements are a dynamic flow of "asanas" or poses, linked by the breath. This means that you inhale as you move in to a pose and exhale as you move in to another. As a rule of thumb you inhale on the opening of expansive movements and exhale on the closing or contracting movements.

These warm-ups are followed by a series of classical yoga poses to stretch and tone your entire body. We do a selection of poses every week to experience a large range of poses, but the more common ones will quickly become familiar to you. I demonstrate various forms of each pose so that participants of all levels can enjoy the class but it is important not to compare yourself with others while doing yoga. Try not to get anywhere in particular, but enjoy being where you are just now, exploring the boundaries of your body, finding your own edge between what is too easy and pain, which is a warning sign from your body. By pushing your boundaries gently outwards, you gradually expand your range of motion and increase your strength. You will benefit immediately from these classes by your effort, regardless how far or deep you get. If you are feeling something and breathing calmly, you are doing it perfectly.

After standing poses, we do one or two balances. Balancing poses use a lot of supporting muscles which otherwise tend to get neglected, as you quickly find out when you try them! As we age, we tend to lose our sense of balance and can easily fall and injure ourselves. Ending up with lengthly and sometimes complicated recoveries. It also takes a lot of concentration to hold a balance, but a kind of calm concentration on the task at hand. If you have a wavering mind, you get a wavering body! This is great mind training for stress-relief, and the first step towards meditation, which is the focus of the mind on one object. (dharana) We then move on to the floor for a series of seated and lying exercises. These are less cardivascular than the first part of the class, and concentrate more on deep stretches and spinal twists. In fact about 70 to 80 percent of Yoga poses work on the spine to lengthen it and increase the range of motion. This stage also gently starts to wind down the class ready for the final and many saythe most enjoyable part of the class in which we lie down in "savasana" the relaxation pose. Here we do some simple breathing exercises, creative visualisation and progressive relaxations. Allowing the mind and body to totally relax and adjust to any new openings that have happened during class. This section lasts for about five or six minutes, after which it is tims to slowly bring our attention back to the room ready to leave, hopefully all relaxed, stretched out, and happy.

See You In Class! Namaste, Julia