Site Navigation page >> Back to Programmes >>
These are the Principles we will follow in the Yoga classes.
How does it work?
Phase 1
- Every Asana has a preparation phase where you mentally feel how the pose will be before you start to move - mental rehearsal.
- The aim is to connect to your internal energy and to just let go and relax whilst keeping all the correct alignments for that Assana.
- Your intention and awareness lead you whilst your controlling mind relaxes and lets go into what is happening right now.
Phase 2
- Now you move into the Assana (pose).
- There is a real awareness of tension, resistance and discovering what your body will allow you to do. An exploration of possibilities.
- You move with feeling rather than with a particular outcome in mind, keeping your body correctly aligned throughout.
- Opening your joints, moving with intention rather than with muscular force, relaxing so that your stretch receptors aren’t activated to resist.
- You move with the breath and an awareness of your core, the antagonistic muscles and your supportive (fixator) muscles.
Phase 3
- You are now as deep as you can go into the asana without straining.
- This phase focuses on relaxation, opening, feeling tensions and developing your proprioception (your awareness of where you are in space).
- You breath into the relaxation of the muscles which results in your joints opening and the muscles lengthening.
- Your awareness is fully on your breath and the feeling in your body.
- This rests your overactive mind and allows a sense of peace to develop.
- At the same time your muscles are relaxing and the locked tensions start to dissolve, allowing your natural joyfulness to emerge.
Phase 4
- You now begin to move from your maximum stretch to your neutral position.
- It is so important to do this with full attention otherwise you can pull a muscle or hurt a joint.
- First, you focus on your core muscles and fully engage them before moving.
- Then you visualise your body moving before you physically do so.
- This intention will help to keep your alignments true.
Phase 5
- You pause and feel the Prana/Chi/ Life force moving in your body.
It is now that you can begin to direct your Life Force Energy to particular parts to facilitate physical, mental or emotional healing.
You are guided throughout on each step of the way so there is nothing to remember; it becomes a joyous experience rather than a battle.
When you move like this, doesn’t the idea of looking to see who is more flexible than you seem a little pointless? It is your body moving in it’s own way with its own needs to be met, not a competition.