Yoga

Hatha Yoga

Literally translated Hatha means ‘force’ and Hatha yoga means ‘to achieve a state of yoga through force’ .  So Hatha Yoga can be thought about as any yoga practice which uses the physical body.  Ashtanga, Restorative and Well Woman yoga are all types of Hatha Yoga

Typically, when you see Hatha Yoga written as a class description you can expect a class that will include pranyama (working with the breath), and asana (physical poses). You might also expect mantras (chanting or reciting), and mudras (hand gestures).

At Ginger Tonic our Hatha Yoga classes are suitable for everyone – from the more experienced practitioner to the beginner. The classes are generally themed week by week, bringing focus to a particular part of the body, or with a link to yogic philosophy.  I always offer modifications to enable students to access poses more or less intensely, as is right for their own body.  Classes will typically involve a mobilisation of the body, salutations, standing, seated and inverted postures, some incorporated into a more dynamic flow, others held as more static postures.  All classes finish with a sivasana (relaxation).

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a type of Hatha Yoga that synchronises breath and movement in a flowing sequence of asanas (postures). Each asana has a choreographed number of movements into and out of it.  Ashtanga Yoga is known for developing strength, flexibility and stamina. It is excellent for developing a discipline and focus.  It is ultimately a moving meditation.

I teach a modified version of the Ashtanga Primary Series.  The full Ashtanga Primary Series is a very demanding sequence that many people find too physically challenging, so I teach a modified version of it so that people can still benefit from all the wonderful aspects of this amazing system of yoga, without being put off.

Ashtanga Fusion Yoga

Ashtanga Fusion classes are based on the Ashtanga Primary Series but instead of strictly following the sequence of poses in the primary series, we go ‘off piste’.  This class tends to appeal to those people who love Ashtanga, but also love to practice different poses from week to week.  The ‘off piste’ poses can be incredibly useful in terms of developing strength and flexibility and working ‘in to’ and ‘up to’ a pose.

Beginners Yoga

You are never too old, too young, too inflexible, too bendy, too large or too small to benefit from a yoga practice.

“If you have a body, you can practice yoga”

You don’t need to do a beginners course in order to practice yoga with me, but you might find it useful.  In my 6 week beginners course I break down the fundamental aspects of the yoga practice in a small (no more than 6 students) less structured environment, giving each person the opportunity to ask questions and play!  You might have been practicing yoga for years without really understanding the why’s and wherefore’s – my beginners course can help to fill in some gaps which can then make a profound difference to your practice.

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga should not be confused with collapsing on to a yoga mat under a blanket and taking a snooze! At its best, restorative yoga promotes ‘active rest’. The body is guided into different poses and ‘propped’ with the use of blocks, bolsters and blankets. The focus is guided internally and participants settle into a state of deep relaxation and a profound sense of calm, inward awareness.

Restorative yoga soothes the nervous system. The poses themselves and the prolonged length of time you hold them for encourages a shift from sympathetic nervous system (flight or fight mode) to parasympathetic nervous system (rest, digest and fight disease). This is incredibly nourishing for the body, the mind and the soul.  Muscles relax, joints soften and you internal and external world slows down – what’s not to love!

One to One Yoga

A one to one yoga class gives you the opportunity to receive undivided attention. This can be incredibly useful if you are a total beginner and perhaps nervous about joining a group class, or perhaps if you are recovering from some kind of injury or trauma. I can design the classes to meet your needs specifically. Many people chose to have a few one to one classes, before joining a group class.

Call me to chat and we can see what would work best for you.

One to One Yoga

A one to one yoga class gives you the opportunity to receive undivided attention. This can be incredibly useful if you are a total beginner and perhaps nervous about joining a group class, or perhaps if you are recovering from some kind of injury or trauma. I can design the classes to meet your needs specifically. Many people chose to have a few one to one classes, before joining a group class.

Call me to chat and we can see what would work best for you.

CLASS TIMETABLE

The Yoga Hutch: www.theyogahutch.com

For the next 6 months, while I support my son through his GCSEs,  I will be running a scaled-down timetable.

If you are looking for Ashtanga Yoga classes, I can thoroughly recommend my colleague Sarah Vaughan @The Yoga Hutch

If you are looking for Restorative Yoga, I can thoroughly recommend my colleague Kate Towers @The Yoga Hutch

If you are looking for Beginners Yoga, please contact me directly

• Monday 6.30-7.45pm Hatha Flow Zoom Class – Live & Recorded for The Yoga Hutch
• Tuesday 9.30-10.45am Hatha Flow on Zoom for Ginger Tonic Yoga
• Wednesday 9.15-10.30 Hatha Flow at The Yoga Hutch
• Thursday 9.30-10.45 Hatha Flow at St John’s Church Kingston for Ginger Tonic Yoga

For Yoga Hutch bookings please visit www.theyogahutch.co.uk

For Ginger Tonic bookings please visit https://gymcatch.com/app/provider/3208/events or contact me directly

I hope to see you soon!