About Yoga
About our yoga
BodyMindLife Yoga teaches primarily Vinyasa Yoga. Vinyasa Yoga is a continually evolving form of Yoga that has its roots in the teachings of Sri T. Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya's teachings also inspired three other classical forms of yoga: Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and Desikachar's "viniyoga".
The word vinyasa (pronounced VIN-YA-SA), means "arranging" or "placing in a special way", and refers to sequencing a yoga practice in a particular way, moving progressively from simple to more complex poses in a flowing manner. Emphasis is upon maintaining equilibrium in the body, mind and breath.
The sequences in a Vinyasa Yoga class are the key to an effective practice, and are designed to systematically release tension held in the body, while bringing about a state of inner harmony and radiance.
Our Vinyasa Yoga classes will take students through an evolutionary process in their practice, integrating the energetic alignment of asana (postures) with pranayama and breath awareness, dristhi (focused gaze), bandhas (internal locks), meditation, self-inquiry and deep relaxation.
Our inspiration comes from teachers such as Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, Wade Imre Morissette, Mark Breadner and John Friend who have influenced our teachings. But most importantly, our inspiration comes from deep within ourselves as we strive to find our "inner voice".
Vinyasa Level 1
Vinyasa Level 1 is a 90 minute class that takes students on a yogic journey and includes simple breath awareness with a sequence of postures utilising vinyasa krama (intelligent sequencing) - simple sun salutes, standing poses, balancing poses, back bends, hip openers and forward bends, balancing pranayama and relaxation. Each asana provides an evolution toward the next by opening and preparing the body in an intelligent way.
The goal of this class is to give students a foundation in yoga - balance, strength, flexibility, stamina, breath awareness, meditation, and pranayama - with the emphasis being to energize and rejuvenate the body and mind.
Students have the opportunity to modify their practice to suit their level of flexibility and thereby accommodate any injuries or limitations. The sequence integrates introductory-level vinyasa, by bringing awareness to breath and movement, while simultaneously considering alignment and safety. Vinaysa Level I practice lays a solid foundation for students to progress more easily into the Power Yoga Basics and Power Yoga classes.
Power Vinyasa Yoga
Power Vinyasa Yoga is the ultimate experience for people who are ready to tap into both their physical and spiritual power. It offers a dynamic mix of sweat and spirit. Power yoga tones the body and calms the mind. Infused with modern-day yogic philosophy that honours the individual's intuition over rigid dogma and tradition, Power Yoga gives you the tools to align your yoga practice with your life.
Power Vinyasa Yoga uses sun salutes to link poses and counterposes, and to help open the body and create a flow of movement and energy. Most importantly, Power Yoga subscribes to the belief that in each of us lies a latent power, hidden beneath accumulated fears, guilt, resentment and anxiety.
By empowering ourselves on our yoga mats to feel and experience our body in its raw, emotional state, Power Yoga allows us to unlock our own personal truth. Through this powerful process of letting go, we can free ourselves from the limits of emotional attachments and conditioning, and live a life which is authentic, truthful and from our hearts.
Power Vinyasa Yoga is athletic yet meditative, and challenging yet life transforming!
Our Power Vinyasa Yoga classes are inspired by Baron Baptiste, author of the bestselling book "Journey Into Power", and incorporate Power Basics and Hour of Power classes.
Fluid Power Yoga
Fluid Power Yoga is a conscious evolution of Vinyasa Yoga that allows us to experience our fluid nature. It is well known that over 70% of our bodies are made of water, and honoring our fluid body allows us to tap into the healing and rejuvenating power of water. Inspired by Shiva Rea's flowing circular sequences (Mandalas), Fluid Power Yoga is an energetic and creative dance, empowering you to experience "prana" - the universal source of life-energy. Through this practice you will discover how the breath initiates and inspires all movement, awakening creativity and spontaneity, cultivating inner and outer strength. You will experience deep backbends, hip-openers and inversions, then ride the wave of your breath into deep relaxation.
Fluid Power Yoga allows us to experience a rhythmic and energetic approach to yoga, transforming old paradigms of the mind, body and movement. The practice integrates a way of moving that is natural and liberating, allowing us greater mobility, adaptability and spontaneous expression as we tap into our fluidity.
Yin Yoga
Western Yoga is almost exclusively 'Yang' or muscular in nature. The Yin aspect of Yoga is virtually unknown but is vital for a balanced approach to physical and mental health.
Yin Yoga uses postures that stretch connective tissue by allowing the body to relax and open deeply into the hips, pelvis and lower spine. It focuses on the connective tissue. As important as it is to our physical and mental wellbeing to be strong, it is not muscular strength that gives us the feeling of ease and lightness in the body. This is achieved by creating flexibility in the joints and connective tissue. Athletes don't retire because they have muscle problems; they retire because of joint problems. Yin Yoga gently stretches and rehabilitates the connective tissues that form our joints.
A fundamental characteristic of Yin Yoga is holding poses for several minutes. Connective tissue does not respond to brief, rhythmical stretches the way muscles do. The connective tissues that form our joints can be safely and desirably exercised with gentle stretching. To stretch connective tissue around a joint, the muscles must be relaxed. If the muscles are tense, the connective tissue does not take the stress.
Combine Yin Yoga with your regular Yang style practices of Power or Vinyasa Level 1 Yoga to achieve the perfect balance. Warm up by practicing a Yang class, and then allow yourself to let go, unfold and relax in Yin Yoga while listening to inspiring and uplifting music.
The classes are challenging but gentle, and incorporate 6-9 postures that are held for between 3 to 5 minutes.
