Yoga Styles
Practice different styles of yoga with me:
Hatha Yoga (with focus on the Musculoskeletal System)
This is a great foundational course for every beginner as it covers all important aspects of working with the body. We start with proper alignment, gradually increasing the intensity of the practice. With the use of props and the ability of the teacher to modify asanas, the practice can be catered to the needs of each individual according to the student’s specific constitution and physical condition. In contrast to the Ashtanga Vinyasa, here we hold the postures for a longer duration to achieve the therapeutic effects for the body and mind.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga, also known as Flow yoga, is a dynamic practice. In this style we move steadily from pose to pose, synchronizing movements with the breath. Each class usually offers a different sequence of poses, although most of them are based on the Sun Salutation A and B, the standing poses and finishing sequences from the Ashtanga Vinyasa lineage.
Yin Yoga
Is a slow-paced practice that was founded by martial arts expert and Taoist yoga teacher Paulie Zink in the late 1970s, and later got popularized by his student Paul Grilley. Yin yoga poses are very similar to Hatha yoga poses, but have different names to emphasize the different approach, as Yin Yoga incorporates principles of traditional Chinese medicine with asanas. We hold each posture for longer periods of time, which gives a very meditative-like experience.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Is a contemporary method of practice developed by K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore. It consists of 6 set sequences of poses. When speaking of Ashtanga Vinyasa classes, people usually only mean the Primary Series, as it is the foundation of the practice. Although this is the beginning level of Ashtanga Vinyasa, most new students find it challenging. Even though I personally love this method, after teaching it for a while, I am convinced that to get the best out of it, one should be able to practice it in “Mysore style”, where students go through the sequence of asanas on their own while the teacher gives individualized guidance. This makes this method even more advanced and less suitable for beginners.
Sivananda Yoga
The traditional Sivananda practice also has a fast set sequence. In consists of relaxation in Savasana (Corps pose), breathing techniques, a few rounds of Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations), twelve asanas, including all the classifications of asanas and a final relaxation. I would describe this method as Functional Hatha Yoga as it works on all the aspects of body and mind.