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OurYoga & PilatesTeachers
There are many styles of yoga but, generally, all use the
same asanas
(postures) and breathing techniques (pranayama). So
if you're a devotee of
a particular style of yoga, you will be able to easily follow the classes on our
yoga holidays & retreats.
Our
twice daily yoga classes
are based on Hatha and Vinyasa Flow yoga.
Morning sessions focus on simple flowing sequences that gradually stretch the
muscles and open the joints whilst we synchronise breath with
movement so that your practice becomes like a moving meditation.
Evening classes are more restorative where we hold postures for a
little longer using the breath to move deeper within which helps to reconnect
with our inner peace. Bliss!
The level is suitable for keen beginners, those with a lapsed
practice & intermediate yogis. Our teaching style is relaxed - no pressure to
be perfect. Likewise there's no room for ego as it's not what
we're about. It doesn't matter what other people can do,
just work with what you have. Be patient, keep practicing and your
body will open up & let you back in.
The complete yoga experience. Together with your
daily yoga classes, we'll also look at some yogic philosophy and spend some time
exploring Meditation. After all, yoga is more than just the physical
postures on a mat.
"The
yoga was fantastic. I really enjoyed the variety of classes and
different techniques. We learnt so much in 5 days. It's been a
truly relaxing and indulgent time & I've loved every minute."
Jennifer, Leics
Our Yoga Teachers
You will be taught by two teachers on your holiday. This is a great way to deepen your practice &
understanding from two different perspectives. Here's a little about
them.
Nicole
Stone
Yoga Teacher. Nicole began
practising yoga 12 years ago, qualifying with an 'Excellent' grade
after a 2 year training course with FRYOG (Friends of Yoga International).
"Every time I roll out my mat I feel like I've come home.
I love exploring the ever deepening possibilities of a yoga practice & feel
inspired to to share it with others". Her classes are both lively and
relaxing using hatha postures infused with vinyasa sequences having studied with
many inspiring teachers including Shiva Rea, Claire Missingham & Liz Lark. She
encourages students to explore yoga from the inside
out; weaving the breath with the asana and performing the postures with
intention.
Francesa Stutely Yoga Teacher. "After
practicing yoga for 20 years, I realised that it had helped me tremendously
through 2 marathons and triathlons, and so I decided to teach yoga to other
"sports" people like me. After qualifying in 2006
from the Yoga Center in Madrid, I begun teaching yoga immediately. I
find great joy in seeing the transition in my students lives - both on & off
the mat. What excites me most about yoga is that, for me, it touches
a place deep inside that exceeds any other form of exercise I have come
across." Fran is also a Rosen Method bodywork practitoner and
an NLP practioner, bringing this knowledge of body and mind into her yoga
classes.
Our Pilates Teacher

Lucy Gray. After years as a professional dancer, Lucy continues to
maintain good health through her work as a Pilates
instructor. She teaches in her own studio here in Spain where
she complements her Pilates teaching with her experience as a Shiatsu
Practitioner to help re-balance energetic blocks in the body.
Summary of Yoga Styles
Ananda Yoga uses Hatha asana
and pranayama to awaken, experience, and control the subtle chakra energies. Its
object is to use those energies to harmonize body, mind, and emotions, and
attune with higher levels of awareness. One feature of this system
is the use of silent affirmations while in the asanas as a means of working more
directly and consciously with the subtle energies to achieve this
attunement. Ananda Yoga is a relatively gentle, inward experience not an
athletic or aerobic practice. It was developed by Swami Kriyananda, a direct
disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography
of a Yogi.
Ansura Yoga® founded by John Friend in 1997 is a powerful hatha
yoga system that unifies a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic Goodness with
Universal Principles of Alignment. Anusara embodies an uplifting
philosophy, epitomized by a "celebration of the heart," that looks for
the good in all people and all things. Consequently, students of all levels of
ability and yoga experience are honored for their unique differences,
limitations, and talents.
Ashtanga Yoga developed by K. Pattabhi Jois. Ashtanga
is physically demanding. Participants move through a series of flows, jumping
from one posture to another in order to build strength, flexibility and stamina.
It is not for beginners or anyone who's been taking a leisurely approach to
fitness.
Ashtanga involves challenging sequence of poses with Ujjayi Breathing and
vinyasas (a flow of postures). This Yoga Style uses a system based on six
series of increasing difficulty.
Bikram Yoga is named after the founder - Bikram Choudhury.
Yoga is practiced in a room with a temperature of up to 100 degrees fahrenheit,
thus be prepared to sweat a lot. Bikram Yoga enthusiasts perform a series of 26
Asanas, each posture is usually
performed twice and held for a certain period of time.
Integral Yoga puts equal emphasis on Pranayama (Breathing
Control), on Meditation, and on the Asanas (Physical Poses). This Style of Yoga
was developed by Swami Satchidananda. The practice of Integral Yoga
revolves around eight main goals: 1. Physical Health and strength; 2. control
over all senses; 3. clear, calm and well-disciplined mind; 4. higher level of
intellect; 5. strong and pliable will; 6. love and compassion; 7. purer ego,
and; 8. ultimate peace and joy.
Iyengar Yoga named after B.K.S. Iyengar who is one of the best-known
Yoga teachers. Iyengar's style is noted for great attention to
detail and precise alignment of postures, he also popularized the use of yoga
props such as blocks and belts. This great attention to detail, posture, and
alignment has also become the notable characteristics of Iyengar Yoga.
Kripalu Yoga puts great emphasis on Proper Breath, alignment,
coordination of breath and movement, and "honoring the wisdom of the
body" -- you work according to the limits of your individual flexibility
and strength. Students learn to focus on the physical and psychological
reactions caused by various postures to develop their awareness of mind, body,
emotion and spirit. There are three stages in Kripalu. Stage One focuses on
learning the postures, proper breathing, and exploring your body's abilities.
Stage Two involves holding the postures for an extended time, developing
concentration and awareness of your thoughts and emotions. Stage Three is like
meditation in motion in which the movement from one posture to another arises
unconsciously and spontaneously while you are in a meditative state.
Kundalini Yoga was brought to the West by Yogi Bhajan in 1969. It focuses on the
controlled release of the Kundalini (serpent power) energy which is found at the
base of your spine. The practice of Kundalini Yoga involves classic poses,
chanting, coordination of breath and movement and Meditation. The emphasis
however, is not on the Yoga Poses but on the Chanting and Breathing.
Kundalini rewards Yogis with spiritual transformation and unity consciousness.
Sivananda Yoga was developed by Vishnu-devananda who wrote one of the
contemporary Yoga classics, "The Complete Illustrated Book of
Yoga". This Style of Yoga focuses on the Pranayama, classic
Asanas, and relaxation. It also centres on diet and positive thinking and
Meditation. Sivananda Yoga practice consist twelve basic Yoga Poses that seeks
to increase strength, flexibility, Proper Breathing, and Meditation.
Viniyoga is rooted from the principle practiced by Sri. T.
Krishnamacharya - that is to develop practices for individual conditions and
purposes. Viniyoga makes use of modified Yoga Poses that are
designed to meet the specific needs of an individual and to enhance healing,
flexibility and strength of joints. Viniyoga poses also intend to promote the
feeling of well-being and strength.
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