Complete Beginners’ Hatha Yoga Foundation Course

The course will look at the basics of what Yoga actually is and the ancient philosophy behind it.

You will learn some key postures from each of the main groups including standing poses, forward & back bends, twists, sun salutations and simple inversions.

We will also look at the importance of alignment in all postures, how to work towards experiencing ease & stability in your poses and the importance of the breath – its effect on your practice and using it as a simple way to start meditating.

You will be encouraged to ask as many questions as you like throughout the course so you really come away with a clear understanding of all aspects of the practice.

During the six weeks we will cover the following:

Week one

• Overview of yoga – philosophy, history, types of yoga, benefits of yoga
• The importance of the breath – full yogic breathing
• Overview of yoga asanas (postures) and introduction to some basic postures and movements, including a series of poses to free up all of the major joints in the body
• Introduction to simple meditation techniques and pranayama (breathing exercises) and their benefits
• Introduction to Savasana, the final relaxation pose

Week two:

• Introduction to downward facing dog pose and basic sun salutations
• Introduction to some key standing postures, their purpose and benefits. Poses covered will include Mountain (Tadasana), Warrior l (Virabhadrasana l), Warrior ll (Virabhadrasana ll), Side Angle pose (Parsvakonasana), Triangle (Trikonasana), Tree (Vrksasana).

Week three:

• Introduction to seated postures, forward bends and twists – their purpose and benefits.
• Learning how to work safely and slowly into forward bends and to elongate and rotate the spine in seated twists.

Week four:

• Introduction to simple back bends and their benefits - learning to open the heart centre and chest and to elongate and strengthen the spine
• Introduction to shoulder stand, the queen of postures - we will explore how to come safely into this posture, along with variations if you do not feel ready for the full posture

Week five:

• Focus on restorative poses to deeply release and relax the body and mind
• The benefits of pranayama (breathing exercises), and introduction to nadi shodana
• Focus on meditation – what is it, how to practice

Week six:

• Bringing together everything we have covered so far into a full class practice including elements of pranayama, sun salutations, postures and meditation
• Another chance to ask questions
• Guidance on where to go next with your yoga practice

 

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Complete Beginners' Course in Ashtanga Yoga

This beginners' course is for those who are completely new to Ashtanga yoga as well as to students who are currently practising other types of yoga or attending our regular weekly Ashtanga classes but would like to deepen and consolidate their understanding of the foundations of the practice.

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic, physically demanding, flowing practice. Students are led through some or all of a set series of postures, practised in a particular order, known as the Primary series. This practice aims to build heat in the body to help it to open, become more flexible and to release toxins. Through repeated practice students become familiar with the series of postures and eventually the focus moves away from the postures to following the breath and the gaze points for each posture, allowing the whole practice to be become more like a moving meditation.

The purpose of the course is to break down elements of the practice and to cover them in more detail in each weekly class.

There will also be time for questions about all areas of the practice.

Please note that this is a course and we will not be doing a full Ashtanga practice each week.

During the seven weeks we will cover the following:

Week One

An overview of Ashtanga yoga and how it differs from other forms of yoga. We will learn the ujjayi form of breath, and investigate the gentle muscle engagement used in this practice (bhanda).
We will also look at Surya Namaskara A & B (Sun Salutations) which are the opening sequence of the Ashtanga practice, and some elements of the closing sequence.

Weeks Two and Three

During these classes we will focus on the standing asana (postures) of the primary sequence. We will have time to look at these postures in more detail than in a normal Ashtanga class, and there will be the opportunity to ask questions about anything you are unsure of.
We will recap on the Sun Salutations and the closing sequence.

Weeks Four and Five

During these classes we will focus on the seated asana of the first half of the primary sequence and the vinyasa which links these postures together.
Again, we will have more time to look at these postures in detail, and there will be time for questions.

Weeks Six and Seven

In the last two weeks of the course we will integrate all of the elements that we have covered in the previous classes into a led Ashtanga class, so that students can get a better understanding of how all of the different aspects of the practice come together and also learn the rhythm and pace of a led Ashtanga practice.
By repeating this over two weeks students will have time to build confidence in what they are doing, and there will still be time for questions in these last two weeks.

The course will prepare you to confidently attend the other Ashtanga classes offered at Yoga Creation.

 

Go to Workshops & Courses
to see our next upcoming course.

Complete Beginners' Introduction to Yoga Course

Never done yoga before, or just the odd class here and there? Curious to know what it’s all about? Then this four week introductory course is perfect for you!

The course will look at the basics of what Yoga actually is and the ancient philosophy behind it.

The course will look at the basics of what Yoga actually is and the ancient philosophy behind it.
You will learn to connect to your body and breath and learn how to move your body with more skill, ease and awareness, thereby helping to release tension from the body, improve flexibility and also build more strength.

You will learn some key beginners’ poses including standing poses, forward & back bends, twists, a basic sun salutation and a simple inversion.  We will also look at the importance of alignment in all postures, how to work towards experiencing ease & stability in your poses and the importance of the breath – its effect on your practice and using it as a simple way to start meditating.

You will be encouraged to ask as many questions as you like throughout the course so you really come away with a clear understanding of all aspects of the practice.

Over the four weeks you will learn all of the essentials that you need to begin your yoga journey, instilling you with the groundwork and confidence to attend regular classes or begin a home-practice.

 

Go to Workshops & Courses
to see our next upcoming course.

Introduction to 'Mysore Style self practice in Ashtanga Yoga'

– in the tradition of Sri K Patthabi Jois

Mysore Style is the traditional practice method of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (†) and his grandson Sharath Rangaswami, of Mysore, South India.

In this form of practice, each person goes through the set sequence of poses at his or her individual pace, in harmony with the rhythm of their own breath.

Working independently of a teacher's instruction allows the practitioner to shift their focus within, resulting in a practice that is at once dynamic and meditatively still.

The self–practice group is an opportunity for Ashtanga Vinyasa practitioners of all levels to deepen their practice within a group environment. The collective breath makes the room come alive, helping to support each person at whatever level they may be in their physical practice.

An experienced yoga instructor will be responsible for each session, and will provide individual assistance and adjustments as needed.

This style of teaching makes Ashtanga accessible to all levels of students.

In this workshop you will learn the principles of Ashtanga Yoga Mysore Style and also learn the sequence of the opening postures and some of the finishing postures.

After this workshop you will have an understanding of Ashtanga yoga and you are able to join any Mysore Style self-practice classes.

Find out more

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to see our next upcoming workshop.