Mission Statement: My aim is for students to enjoy their classes and find a moment of calm, whilst learning how to improve their breathing, posture, flexibility, strength and balance in Asana practise”.
Private and Group Classes available in person and online- contact Sharon for details.
Mondays Yoga for Runners 6.30pm online only via Zoom.
Tuesdays 9.30am Roxeth Room at Harrow Art Centre - In person and Online option.
1-2-1 Lessons £45
Group Classes online / In person £10 drop in
Group Classes block booking six classes at £40
Yoga is an ancient science which has been practised in India for thousands of years. The practise of Yoga can help to bring our awareness to the present moment and for each moment of practise, help us to momentarily let go of thoughts that draw us into the past or future in order to be more at peace with ourselves.
There are many historical texts on Yoga, one of the most famous is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali which also outlines eight limbs of Yoga: Yamas (Characteristics to develop), Niyamas (Observances), Asana (physical practise of yoga postures), Pranayama (awareness of breath), Pratyahara (withdrawl from external stimulants), Dharana (Concentration on a single task or focus), Dhyani (meditation), Samadhi (awareness of harmony within oneself and the universe).
The Forms of Yoga I Teach:
Hatha Yoga is a path toward creating balance and uniting opposites. In our physical bodies we develop a balance of strength and flexibility. We also learn to balance our effort and surrender in each pose.Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment.
Vinyasa/Hatha Vinyasa, here the student is guided through a sequence of poses which flow with the breath, usually a faster paced quite dynamic class.
Restorative Yoga is a very gentle meditative form of yoga, mainly seated or lying down, with props to support the body. Asana’s are maintained for 2-5 minutes, allowing the body and mind to rest.
The following practises were written down in the Yoga Sutra’s of Patanjali between 200 BCE and 200 CE, they are commonly known as the ‘Eight Limbs of Yoga’.
Yamas - Wise characteristics to develop: Ahimsa (Compassion for all living things); Satya (Commitment to truthfulness); Atseya (Not Stealing - this extends beyond possessions to time and behaviour); Brahmacharya (Control or discipline of the Senses, particularly in terms of relationships); Aparigraha - (letting go & accepting change as a constant, taking only what we have earned).
Niyamas - Wise attitudes to adopt in relation to ourselves: Sauca (purity in mind and body); Santosa (Developing contentment with what we have rather than resenting what we do not have); Tapas (Disciplined use of our energy, including attention to body posture, nourishment, breathing patterns); Svadhyaya (Self-study to be centred and find self awareness in all of our activities.) Isvarapranidhana (Surrendering our ego in order to become attuned to a universal energy).
Asana - Practise of physical postures designed to improve strength, flexibility, balance. concentration and emotions.
Pranayama- Techniques designed to bring awareness to the breath and its affect on the physical and mental aspects of the body. Pranayama can excite or quieten the nervous system, helping to improve concentration.
Pratyahara- Withdrawing from external stimulants in order to focus on how our mind works, how we process thoughts and emotions and allow external sources to affect our thoughts, emotions and actions.
Dharana - Concentrating the mind on a single task or focus.
Dhyani - Profound meditation to focus the mind in order to see the things around us as they really are.
Samadhi- The final step, where all of our being comes into harmony and we experience an awareness that we are in harmony with ourselves and our surroundings.
There is a spiritual side to Yoga, however, you do not have to be spiritual to practise Yoga and you do not need to alter any existing spiritual or religious practises that you are part of.