Restorative Yoga is a very distinct style of yoga, think of it as building the relaxation response. In some styles of yoga the goal is physical toning of the muscles. In this style, the goal is to release muscle tension. We hold poses for 5 to 10 minutes in this class, using a variety of props like blocks, bolsters and blankets to support the body so all the muscles and connective tissues feel safe and supported and can Let Go. There is a focus on breathwork, with minimal vocal prompts to encourage the nervous system to switch over to the Parasympathetic State - the nervous system rests, digests and heals when the energetic focus goes from responding to stimuli in the environment - The Sympathetic State - to responding to internal stimuli. It is a state of conscious, inward directed attention. Spending time in the Parasympathetic state helps to heal injuries, restore energy, soothe anxiety and nervous tension, ease pain, improve sleep and more! Students need to be able to sit, lie, and kneel in this class, otherwise all levels of experience and ability levels are welcome. If you have an active injury, please attend 15 minutes prior to the start of class so you can be given appropriate adaptations, if necessary.
The studio is heated to 25-30° Celsius for these practices, Warm Yoga helps to loosen muscles and reduce stiffness for people who may be dealing with athritis, chronic injury or mobility challenges. This class focuses on slow, flowing movements in time with the breath, inspired by Vinyasa yoga with elements of Qi Gong, Somatic Movement, Myofascial Release and more. This class is designed to be a moving form of Restorative Yoga, with deep stretches and deep breaths, resulting in deep relaxation. People dealing with pain and mobility restrictions may prefer this class, as it allows one to move up towards the edge of discomfort without a long hold that may exacerbate inflamed areas. Students need to be able to sit, lie, and kneel in this class, otherwise all levels of experience and ability levels are welcome. If you have an active injury, please attend 15 minutes prior to the start of class so you can be given appropriate adaptations, if necessary.
In Yin yoga we focus our work not on the muscles, nor on the nervous system, but instead on the Fascia and Connective Tissues. There are the obvious bones, ligaments and tendons, but Fascia actually forms a spiderweb support structure that ties all of our organs, muscles, and bones together. Fascia is non-elastic, and therefore requires a different approach to stretch than our muscles do. Fascia responds to pressure, so Yin postures utilize compression, and since it takes a little longer to respond than muscle fibres we hold these compressed postures for several minutes in stillness to get the deeper aspects of the body to respond, let go and re-align. Yin is great for recovery from injury, but during acute inflammation it can create reactivity within the body. The class is beginner friendly, but students should check in with the teacher 15 minutes prior to class so props and adaptations can be advised. If you have an active injury, please reach out prior to attending as it may not be advisable if mobility is restricted for healing purposes. Students need to be able to sit, kneel and lie down, and tolerate bending the limbs and through the midsection for this class. Bring your Foam Roller, Massage Ball or other favourite Myofascial Release Tool if you have one!
Vinyasa Flow focuses on active, expansive and strengthening postures that build heat in the body and tone the muscles. This class will have a faster pace and more challenging poses than our Warm, Slow Flow class. Expect to leave feeling energized, activated, and deeply stretched! Students need to be able to sit, stand, kneel, lie, bend through the midsection and limbs, and bear weight through arms and wrists in this class. This class is not recommended for people dealing with an acute injury. If a minor injury is restricting some movement we may be able to accommodate - please contact us prior to class and arrive 15 minutes early so props and adaptations can be discussed.
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