Classes

Pawanmuktasana Series
“This series lays a firm foundation for the perfection of yoga asanas. The practices open up all the major joints and relax the muscles of the body. In Sanskrit, the word pawan means ‘wind’ or ‘prana’, mukta means ‘release’ and asana means ‘pose’. Therefore, pawanmuktasana means a group of asanas that remove any blockages preventing the free flow of energy in the body and the mind. These asanas promote total health, regulating and stabilizing the flow of energy in the body. Regular practice of Pawanmuktasana 1, 2 and 3 over a period of months brings about a profound relaxation and toning of the entire psycho-physiological structure which is necessary for the practice of advanced techniques (Swami Satyananda Saraswati 2008 Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India).

Pawanmuktasana Part 1 – Anti-Rheumatic Group
This group is excellent for loosening up the joints and is beneficial for those debilitated by rheumatism, arthritis, high blood pressure or heart problems. These asanas are particularly useful for eliminating energy blockages in the joints and for improving co-ordination, self-awareness and self-confidence.

Pawanmuktasana Part 2 – Digestive/Abdominal Group
This group of asanas strengthens the digestive system. These asanas are beneficial for people with indigestion, constipation, acidity, excess wind or gas, lack of appetite, diabetes, disorders of the male or female reproductive systems and varicose veins. They also eliminate energy blockages in the abdominal area. These practices are not suitable for people suffering from high blood pressure, serious heart conditions, and back conditions such as sciatica and slipped disc or soon after abdominal surgery.

Pawanmuktasana Part 3 – Shakti Bandha Asanas (Energy Block Postures)
This group of asanas works to improve the energy flow within the body and break down neuro-muscular knots. These asanas also eliminate energy blockages in the spine, activate the heart and lungs, and improve the endocrine function. They are useful for those with stiff backs and are especially beneficial for menstrual problems and toning the pelvic organs and muscles. They can be practiced after pregnancy for toning flaccid muscles.”

~ Swami Satyananda Saraswati~ 

2008 Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India.

Kirtan is the Sanskrit term for chanting, one of the traditional Indian yoga practices. In Kirtan Yoga, chanting is accompanied by classical Indian instruments such as the harmonium, while Sanskrit mantras are repeated using call and response, stilling the mind and opening the heart.

Singing is inherent within everyone who has the ability to make sound – no matter whether it’s tuneful or not! The background of singing is so ancient that it pre-dates any recorded history and was used long before formalised speaking. A voice that sings allows expression to flow, and emotion to be released, which is perhaps why we need this aspect of yoga now more than ever in the modern day world.

The various chants sung together or mantras uttered alone, could be thought of as ‘medicine for the soul’, as the word mantra is made up of two halves; man, the root of manas, meaning ‘mind’, and tra, meaning vehicle or instrument, referring to a chant’s ability to transport the mind from one state to another. When we chant in a group, music’s ability to bring people together allows the energy of the whole room to be transported to another level.

The word kirtan, or kirtana, means ‘telling, narrating, enumerating or describing’ and originates from the Vedic period, where it was first written as anukirtana or anukriti, meaning a ‘re-telling’. These anukirtanas would re-tell the ancient vedic hymns and passages. As was the way with the ancient world, everything was transmitted orally via spoken Sanskrit until the Vedas (knowledge) were written down by sages and scholars. The root word kirt, can be found in these ancient Vedic texts and is also known to go by the name sankirtana, meaning ‘collective performance’. Kirtan is an important aspect of yoga and one which holds so much potential for awakening and transformation.

~EkhartYoga~

Yoga nidra, also known as ‘psychic sleep’, is a deep relaxation practice from the Indian yoga tradition.

Yoga nidra is a state in which the body is completely relaxed, and the practitioner becomes systematically and increasingly aware of the inner world by following a set of verbal instructions. This state of consciousness is different from meditation, in which concentration on a single focus is required. In yoga nidra the practitioner remains in a state of light withdrawal of the 5 senses (pratyahara) with four senses internalised, that is, withdrawn, and only hearing still connects to any instructions given. The goals of both yogic paths, yoga nidra and meditation are the same, a state of meditative consciousness called samadhi.

Yoga nidra works with the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system regulates processes of the body that take place without a conscious effort (heartbeat, breathing, digestion and blood flow). This system also includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

There’s such a benefit when those are balanced overall for immunity, digestion and stress management. But in this deeper relaxation, the pineal gland is activated and that releases the hormone melatonin.”

Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant. It can also help manage immune function, blood pressure, cortisol levels and induce restful sleep.

~Cleveland Clinic~