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Yoga
Asana - postures
Both moving and still. Encouragement is given for people to use their breath throughout the class with poses and moving poses to increase awareness, energy and vital capacity of the lungs. If this doesn't come naturally to start with, its ok, relax and after some time of practicing your breath and movements become automatically synchronised together. Asanas and yogic exercise release a lot of tension and tightness in the physical body plus starts to open up and release blockages within our energy aspect for more vitality. This is why we can feel so great after doing postures. Of course they are very strengthening and are hugely positive for all body systems, ie. circulatory, endocrine, musculatory, immune, digestive, etc.
Pranayama - yogic breathing techniques
Classes may include simple through to extended breathing and pranayama techniques which:
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Purify lungs and increase lung vital capacity
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Balance brain, calm mind and emotions
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Enhance brain neurotransmitters and help to balance dopamine and serotonin.
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Create transition from beta to alpha brain wave patterns which leads to internalizing the awareness for relaxation or meditation practices.
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Harmonise and energise your pranic (energy) body
Beginners class
A great class to start with if you haven't had the pleasure of yoga before. A gentle introduction into yoga postures, breathing and relaxation. Although it is not a prerequisite for the general classes, people have found that learning the basics and having an understanding of yoga helps them to move into the general classes and their own yoga practice with a lot more ease and knowing.
Open class
This class is open to all levels, work at your own pace.
Meditation practices
Meditation technique is often used to finish the class. These are simple concentration techniques to help focus the mind and delve into our inner nature. Meditation is a form of training ones mind to become strong, aware and gives our mental aspect a well needed REST!
Satyananda Yoga Nidra®
Satyananda Yoga Nidra® is a yogic deep relaxation technique. At the end of classes we often use a shortened format of this technique approximately 15 mins. It is usually a 30-60 minute practice. Satyananda Yoga Nidra® systematically induces complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. The term yoga nidra is derived from two Sanskrit words, yoga (union or one-pointed awareness) and Nidra (sleep). While the body seems to be asleep in yoga nidra, the consciousness is awake and functioning on a deeper level of awareness. By practicing yoga nidra, the consciousness can be separated from external awareness and from sleep, it becomes very powerful and can be applied in many ways, from transforming one's nature, increasing knowledge and creativity, developing memory, or to simply release built up tension mentally and emotionally.
* If you are pregnant, have injuries or physical disabilities please let the teacher know before commencing any classes
Yoga for all levels
Yoga classes are offered for all levels, for beginners, infirm, aged through to advanced levels, physical through to esoteric.
What is yoga?
Yoga is not about twisting yourself in knots like a pretzel. It's about honoring your own uniqueness and listening to YOUR own inner innate wisdom. It is non competitive, non religious, balanced and achievable for EVERYone from the beginner to the advanced. If you can breathe you can do this style of yoga!
Class format
Most yoga classes last 90 minutes in a format designed to enhance the whole personality including:
- Asanas (Postures)
- Pranayama (Breathing)
- Relaxation
- Meditation Practice
- Satyananda Yoga Nidra®
© 2010 Manipura Yoga Centre