Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Beginner

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Ashtanga yoga is amongst the most dynamic or energetic forms of yoga. Many yogis usually describe it as a yoga style that is physically demanding. One notable thing about ashtanga yoga is that yogis get to perform a particular number of yoga poses, which are in a particular order. During these poses, yogis are required to synchronize their breathing with movements, in a flow known as Vinyasa. This is a traditional hatha yoga style promoted by Pattabhi Jois from Mysore, India. Ashtanga vinyasa yoga originates from an ancient text, known as Yoga Korunta. Vamana Rishi wrote this text, and then Rama Mohan imparted the text to Sri Krishnamacharya in early 1900. Krishnamacharya later imparted the text to Pattabhi Jois in early 1927.

Ashtanga Yoga System

There are six asana sequences in Ashtanga Yoga. The most practiced and famous one, Primary series, that is known as Yoga Chikitsa that translate (yoga therapy) is supposed to detoxify and realign the body. The second series that goes by as Nadi Shodana (nerve cleansing), acts to further purify the nervous system and spinal energies. Then there is the advanced A,B,C and D Series, Witch are known as Sthira Bhaga (divine grace)

Ashtanga Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa

Ashtanga is a Sanskrit word, meaning eight parts. The word “Ashtanga” is very important in yoga philosophy, and it refers to the ultimate road in Patanjali’s yoga sutras. Originally, Ashtanga yoga means a doctrine that lasts for a short time, and the yoga style is known as Ash[……]

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Anusara Yoga: Good alignment with balanced action is good therapy

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Anusara® Yoga is a system of Yoga rooted in the non-dual tantric philosophy that affirms the cycles of Life. It is based on a tantric perspective that an intrinsic beneficent energy underlies everyone and everything. Oriented around the heart and the application of precise bio-mechanical Universal Principles of Alignment™, Anusara can empower you to skillfully align your inner and outer body to fully awaken to your highest potential and divine essence.

The majority of my 20 year yoga teaching path has been through the lens of Anusara Yoga. In the company of a diverse group of like hearted yogi visionaries, Anusara’s Universal Principles of Alignment™ are skillfully instructed in the poses of the physical yoga practice. Precise application of the alignment principles encourages tangible openings, the experience and recognition, a remembrance of their natural Spirit. These revelatory moments can bring experiences of healing, freedom, joy and celebration of your unique divine nature.

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I am grateful to have had the opportunity to travel the world studying with, apprenticing and assisting master the founder of Anusara Yoga, John Friend. Although he has left the Anusara yoga world and I am no longer studying with him, it is with great honor that I have been one of the principle co-founders in the collaboration of the now “not for profit, teacher-led global Anusara® School of Hatha Yoga™.”

It has been a courageous test of the soul and a challenging labor of love to help carry t[……]

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Everything You Need to Know About Aerial Yoga

What is Aerial Yoga?

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Aerial Yoga is a hybrid yoga practice which combines traditional Hatha Yoga poses, aerial acrobatic arts and body conditioning exercises performed with the aid of an aerial hammock. Classes can range from gentle and restorative to very demanding depending on how the hammock is used, making it suitable for people of all levels of experience and physical ability.

Aerial Yoga Benefits

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Aerial Yoga has all the same benefits of regular yoga with some added extras, including:

Decompression and alignment of the spine

Strengthening and lengthening of the body

Upper body strengthening

Core strengthening

Improved balance

Body awareness

Increased spacial intelligence

Relieving stress and anxiety.

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(Image via @nirvanayogavihara)

Using an aerial hammock makes inversions obtainable to everyone regardless of experience or physical condition. Our bodies get better oxygenation through increased blood flow to the brain during inversions which have many health and anti-ageing benefits such as:

Improved digestion and elimination

Improved blood circulation

Improved lymphatic drainage

Improved skin tone

Relief of spinal pain

Helps with insomnia

Energises the body and mind.

Aerial Yoga also helps to build confidence and self-esteem. “I’ve noticed most Aerial beginners are under the impression they can’t or won’t be able to perform the inversions or acrobatics in the class,” Melina tells us. “I have seen the look of pure joy on my students’ faces when they overcome their fear[……]

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What is Acro Yoga? Ultimate Guide to Practice and Benefits

Simply speaking, acro yoga combines the practices, techniques, and benefits of acrobatics and yoga. It merges the Vinyasa and Hatha yoga to produce some fun-filled poses that are not only helpful in building your muscle strength and flexibility but also therapeutic.

Acro yoga poses performed by two people which means a lot of confidence, flexibility, strength, and balance is required to practice this yoga. It also helps build a strong relationship with your yoga partner as there is constant communication, mutual support, physical contact required to understand each others’ body movements.

This partner-based yoga engages you with your yoga buddy through movement, connection, and fun. Acro Yoga is more of a modern yoga form that has been constantly evolving since its introduction.

Origin of Acro Yoga

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The first traces of acro yoga can be found in 1938 when the ‘father of modern yoga’, T. Krishnamacharya has seen performing a variation of backbend yoga pose with a child. However, it was just a part of his teaching methodology. At that time it was not publicized as a particular yoga style.

Several decades later, in the 1980s, while researching methods to alleviate his back pain, Benjamin Marantz discovered techniques that involved massage and inverted therapeutic techniques and named it as AcroSage.

Practising it requires at least two people but works best with three or more. In inversion poses, one person lies on the ground as a base, while another (the “flyer”) balances on thei[……]

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How to practice Yoga Nidra

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Now, the most crucial part – How to achieve this state of relaxation? It is simple. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Lie down on your back and keep your limbs straight. Do not curl up or tighten your body and make sure you are on a smooth surface. You can keep a pillow under your head for support.

Step 2: Close your eyes and choose a clear intention. Think about what you intend to achieve through the practice.

Step 3: Take deep and long breaths. Try to rotate your awareness throughout your body, slowly and steadily. Feel the awareness of every part of your body. It will be like giving a separate identity to each part, as if all of them are different individuals, following the commands of your mind.

Step 4: Think of your body as wholesome existence. Repeat the process until you can feel each part of your body and the space around it, without actually moving.

Step 5: Feel the thoughts passing in and out of your mind at their own pace, without letting them affect the equilibrium you’ve created.

Step 6: Think about your clear intention again.

Step 7: Prepare your mind to reach its normal consciousness now.

Step 8: Move your fingers slowly, take deep breaths and slowly open your eyes. Your Yogic Nidra is complete.

You can also follow the steps mentioned in this video to get a better idea of how to practice psychic sleep.

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8 Tips For Teaching A Yin Yoga Class

When it comes to Yin Yoga, it’s important to recognise how different it is from Vinyasa or Bikram Yoga, especially when teaching classes. Our tips are tailored to this practice, helping you to get the most out of students when teaching these classes.

Tip #1 – Use Traffic Light Systems To Monitor Comfort Levels During Each Yin Yoga Pose

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Our first piece of advice for Yin Yoga teachers is to consider using a traffic light system to monitor student pain levels.

Yin Yoga involves a slower and more meditative practice. Clients hold poses for much longer than during Vinyasa Yoga – this can be from 3 minutes up to 20!

With this in mind, you want students to stretch deeply enough for it to be felt over time but not so hard they overstrain their muscles or injure themselves.

This is where the traffic light system comes in and can be done verbally or by holding up flashcards:

Green – Students should feel no discomfort at all and can easily hold the pose.

Amber – Students feel the stretch and mild discomfort but can hold it for the duration.

Red – This is the danger zone where students will find a pose very painful.

Using this system, you ideally want students to be in the amber zone. This means they can feel their bodies adapting to the pose but shouldn’t be experiencing serious pain.

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Minor discomfort is reasonable as it means their bodies are working hard and getting the most out of their practice. However, If your students are in the red zone they risk injury and may set themselves[……]

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Vinyasa Yoga Glasgow

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Vinyasa yoga can be both dynamic and gentle, cultivating a sense of lightness within the body and quiet within the mind.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a creative, unique, and dynamic flowing sequence around the sun salutation. Designed to increase strength and flexibility, the vinyasa flow class is taught from a functional approach and provides modifications and variations to help you find your own level of depth and comfort.

Dynamic Vinyasa Yoga is an intermediate level class that focuses on inversions like headstand and arm balancing sequences. If you are seeking to advance your practice, this class will suit you. It is both invigorating and challenging, so a general level of fitness will help. However, don’t let that put you off as you can improve your fitness level by regular attendance of this class.

Slow Flow Yoga is a Moon salutation based class, creating flowing transitions between yoga postures interspersed with longer held poses. In these longer held shapes, you will have the space and time to breathe and relax any tension out of your muscles and work deeper into your connective tissue.

Vinyasa Yoga is a unique blend of Hatha yoga, Classical Ashtanga and Vinyasa Krama Yoga. The class philosophy is that yoga is for Every One, Every Body, and Every Mind. As a result, the yoga teacher adapts and modifies the class to ensure the building of strength, stamina, and flexibility for all who attend.

Vinyasa Krama Yoga is a traditional and holistic approach that involves carefully se[……]

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