About Yoga

योगविषये

Traditional Indian art depicting two hands touching, adorned with ornate jewelry, bracelets, and rings. The artwork features intricate detailing and vibrant colors.

What is Yoga?

I’m not flexible I can’t do yoga

That’s OK. Yoga is not about about flexibility, that is consequence of deepening your connection with your body. There is an aesthetic approach to yoga however there is also the functional approach which is the lineage I am a student of and am passing on.

Yoga is a gift for your body and your mind, it is NOT exercise or about becoming extremely flexible and contorting yourself. It teaches you how to connect to YOUR body. There will never be another you, your bodies (gross, subtle and causal) are unique, and through yoga you are learning to feel comfortable in your essence and nature. You are not fighting your body, you are coming into an Asana to feel comfortable. If you are not comfortable, you are not in Asana. AND most importantly you are using Asana to get into your body NOT using your body to get into Asana.

Yoga literally means to yolk. Yogic philosophy teaches you have three bodies. The gross (physical body), subtle (your mind) and causal (the whole universe, the collective consciousness). When practicing yoga you are joining all of your bodies and returning to the essence of who you truly are.

It seems like as time goes on, with the state of the world, we all are on autopilot and are lost. This ancient practice is a sacred lineage; when practicing yoga you are learning a gift to nourish and reconnect to the core of you.

Yoga is confused in the busy western world as exercise, but it is actually a way of being. It is commonly reduced to just Asana (the poses), however it is so much more than that. In the Patanjali sutras (ancient yogic text) only 3 of the 196 text talk about Asana! Yoga is a lifestyle that consist of various principles. For example ‘the eight limbs of yoga’ (it is referred to as limbs because they all are connected and should be practiced together, limbs refer to principles) teach personal and social ethics such as cleanliness, non-accumulation, truthfulness as well as Asana (postures) meditation and pranayama (breathing practices).

Yoga happens on and off the mat. Waking up and effortlessly connecting to your prana (breath/life force) is yoga. Getting dressed and cleaning your surroundings is yoga. Eating nourishing food and drinking plenty of water is yoga. Yoga is a gift to help us achieve inner peace and come back to who we truly are.

Styles of Yoga I pass onto you

There are different types of yoga. I am a student of Vinyasa and Yin which I am so excited to share and pass on to you. Vinyasa is dynamic, in this style of Yoga you are syncing your prana (life force/breath) to your movements. Vinyasa can be energetic or slow or, challenging or gentle.

Yin is a slow and still type of yoga which is meditative in nature. The three principles of yin are to find your edge, remain still and to hold the pose. In class we will hold the poses for 2-3 minutes, but advanced practitioners will hold the poses for up to 20 or more! Yin targets the deep tissues in your body and makes them more flexible and fluid. People do struggle with yin because it is a shock to suddenly be so still and focused on yourself in this microwave culture, however once you have accustomed to slowing down, it is a beautiful experience.

Yin is a personal favourite of mine as a it helps me to process trauma stored in my body and it was through this style of yoga I had a personal breakthrough in my practice. See offerings to attend classes. I always integrate Yin into my vinyasa flows so my students can feel connected before they flow. I am so excited to share these practies with you, see you on the mat!