Hatha Yoga
Awakening the spine through yoga for health, vitality and longevity
Yoga centres its awareness around life's central axis, the spine. Life's central axis because the spine encases our most vital organ of function, the brain, which through the continued free flow of impulses within the spinal cord keeps all muscular, organic, and energetic systems of the body functioning optimally. Through practice we generate heat, through heat we generate flow and through flow we generate energy. Yoga develops awareness layer by layer from the gross matter of the body to the subtle movement of energy and consciousness. The layers of body, mind, breath, energy, and spirit are gradually unified during movement and stillness which brings balance within the body and peace of mind.
Components of the class include:
Classical and non-classical Asana (postures).
Exploring the bridge between body and mind through the breath.
Cultivating the skill of relaxation and the development of concentration and meditation.
Daoist Yoga
Daoist yoga is an integrated system of cultivation which helps to develop health, vitality and poise in mind, body, breath, and spirit.
Components of the class will cover. Development of the key important structural alignments and postural adjustments with the minds specific intent to help connect the body to enable the efficient effortless power of whole body movement.
Silk reeling exercises (connected joint circles and spirals).
Dao Yin and Qigong (leading and guiding energy along specific pathways).
Self massage techniques.
Tai Chi ball and ruler exercises.
Intro to Buddhist and Daoist breathing methods.
Intro to Buddhist and Daoist meditation methods.
Tibetan Healing Exercises
These profound healing exercises were developed by a visionary Tibetan Buddhist called Tarthang Tulku. I was first introduced to these Yogic type exercises by Maarten Vermasse in Oxford in the early eighties.
Meditation in movement as these exercises are performed exquisitely slowly and repeated several times with long pauses in between to allow time for
focused and open awareness of the subtle effects of each movement to manifest.
Through a combination of movement and massage a deep relaxation of the body is achieved which opens the mind and awareness to the subtle flow of energy.
This opens the possibility for real and sustained healing to begin through all layers of the body mind complex.
Pilates
Joseph Pilates started what later became the Pilates method of exercise in the 1940’s as a series of rehabilitation exercises for injured soldiers. As it evolved over time the method became more subtle and sophisticated and entered the dance world where it was used to treat dance specific injuries and promote healing and recovery.
It has now become a popular form of exercise for general health and fitness and more specifically still widely used as a form of exercise for injury recovery and rehabilitation.
I trained in Pilates back in the 1980’s with Alan Herdman and Michael King in their London studios and since then I have used Pilates exercises as part of my repertoire in movement and therapy. The exercises in Pilates are either mat or specialised machine based.
Pilates exercises are performed slowly with concentration and precision and are therefore safe and effective.Strength and control is built from our centre which develops core support. Once core support is stabilised we can move fluidly with less effort and ease.
I concentrate on mat work and teach Pilates exercises for general fitness and more specifically to help people recover from injury. Pilates is also extremely effective in treating back problems.