Yoga Classes in Bournemouth. What to expect in a class:

The underlying class format will start with a short talk to inspire a particular learning, a settling meditation, the movement sequence, ( combination of flow and static of various rhythms ) deep rest, and respiratory and meditative practices leading to space for quiet.

The Multilevel Approach:

In my experience learning happens in so many ways and on so many levels it seems to do it an injustice to make distinctions between beginners, intermediate and advanced classes. Having said that a class of experienced movers will lend itself to more complex sequencing, less needed rest and a subtler inner orientation.  Still in any class there is usually such a range of capacities that a slower tempo with a progressive approach works well. It helps to hand back authority to the students sensitivity and capacity where all is honored, and with subtle instructions can accelerate learning or act as a signpost for a deeper sensitivity to come into conscious attention. The quality of the group environment, our head space, the sincerity of the practitioners and depth of the tutor can also help to support this.

Beginners Development

Students immediately start to receive the benefits of a Yoga class through the sequences of postures, breath and meditation.  The basic sequence provides a groundwork for more complex asanas, (postures) a healthier body, an increase in efficiency in how the body is used, and the capacity to relax and rejuvenate.  It is suitable for both beginners and improvers.

Intermediate Development

There is more flow;  less rest is needed, and more of a meditative quality is starting to develop. There is more integration of asana with the breath.  Students are starting to become aware that there are different qualities of energy present within them and what they choose to follow has a big impact on this quality.

Advanced Development

The asanas deepen in complexity, and so does the mental attitude in relationship to the asana.  The student is in a listening awareness and follows and responds rather than leads.  The maturity of the asana turns from the physical to more subtler levels of quietness and inner movement.  There is also more flow in the first part of the class, and a moving meditation in encouraged during a more challenging and strengthening sequence.  There are usually many shifts of attention and in what’s important to the persona from the building of ideas into a real explorative interest into the nature of who and what we actually are.

Structured v’s Unstructured:

There is a beautiful play between structured learning and intuitive free form. In many cases having a structure is useful and needed as it provides a set of rules and signposts in which to then learn and explore.

As the structure provides a basis for a deeper listening, the students learn to adapt the class tempo to suit their own rhythm. They then find that within the structure there is much space for intuitive repositioning as they start to follow more refined inner experiences and alignments.