In the early days of yoga, meditation was the core practice. The first yogis discovered that that by consciously relaxing into themselves, they could access new ways of knowing and being.  It was out of that meditative awareness that poses and other yogic techniques emerged and became as a path into more embodied connection to life. Symbolically, they were tending the inner fire,

Agni -  the sacred flame of inspiration and insight - leading to spontaneous revelations.

Though rooted in Indian culture, yoga is universal. We each begin where we are.

The word yoga comes from Sanskrit root "yuj", meaning "to unite" or "join"or reveal the web of our interdependent connection.

It also means to "to yoke" signifying a training process. We start with the external - movement, breath, relaxation, then gradually turn inward, and follow more subtle practices of contemplation, concentration and meditation.

Preparation: Pause....take a slow, deep breath

We begin with pausing - allowing this moment to unfold and to have its way with us.

Slowing down, arriving more fully, sensing the body, feeling the heart, grounding.

Nothing to change, only to notice - curious what we might seek  from the practice today.

First, feel your body. Your body can be looked at from the outside

but I am asking you to feel it from the inside. There you are.

There, as simply put as possible, is your experiencing of the moment now.

Notice, it is always there for you - G. Gendlin

Asana: May your head, heart and base align.... Listen to your body..

Through movement—whether lying, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, inverting — whether in a sequence of asanas (yoga poses) or vinyasas (breath linked movements) - we do more than open and unwind our bodies. We awaken a vast spectrum of sensorial experiences, from ease and pleasure to resistance and challenge.  The "edge" in our practice is a powerful teacher. When we meet it with attuned awareness, something in our bodies softens, opens and revelas.  If we avoid it, we miss oportunity to learn, leaving something within us rigit or unatended. If we override it, chasing ambition over the awareness, we risk strain, injury and misunderstanding our bodies. Perfection is not the goal. Asana is not a goal. Instead, it is and invitation to settle into your body and perceive more clearly through it.

Asana must have dual qualities of alertness and relaxation.

There must be alertness without tension and relaxation without dullness or heaviness.

These qualities come by recognising and observing the reactions of the body and breath in various positions

  Krishnamacharya

Savasana: May your body trust the the ground. Let go and simply be ...

In relaxation, first we release effort of our practice. Then, we let go of the physical tension, the levels and leyers of it. In the act of releasing the holding patterns, our attachment to our stories, narratives, self image eases. In this surrender, we open to a freer and more vibrant experience of ourselves.

"Your body needs a rest, once your body is allowed to be itself, uncramped, unburdened, it has the wisdom to deal with your problems" G. Gendlin

Pranayama: May your breath be smooth, slow and serene...

There comes a time when we turn our attention towards the breath itself - mindfully observing how the body breaths, how the breath, body and mind influence each other. When the mind is busy, the body tenses and the breath becomes short, irregular and shallow. When the mind is calm, the body is softens, and the breath naturally deepens into easfull rhythm. According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, observing the rhythm of the breath, brings stillness to a restless mind.

Breathing practice soothes the nervous system, sharpens focus and helps release stored tensions - especially in the pelvis, abdomen and diaphragm. It also hightens our perception of ourselves within our body. Reconnecting with the breath through effortless observation and breathing techniques, opens doors to many life enriching experiences: a feeling of lightness, renewal of energy, a greater calmness and clarity of the mind. We come to realise realise that we are not just breathing, but it is also being breathing breathed.

Meditation: May the stilness, silence and spaciousnes find you...enjoy simple being

While sitting, you are invited settle inside (Pratyahara), centre your attention through practices of concentration (Dharana), open   into the felt sense of this moment (Dhyana) and allow the silence, stillness and spaciousness to have its way with us (Samadhi). The aim of meditation is to understand what we did not formerly understand, to see what we have not previously seen, and to be where we have never been before. It is a discovery.

"Resting in not knowing, is allowing knowing, moment by moment" T . Huebl

Hatha Yoga

Releases and Energizes

This practice emphasizes movement, alignment, rhythm, and flow while encouraging the appropriate use of effort. We begin by gently loosening and awakening the body before transitioning into a balanced sequence of Hatha yoga postures. This includes a variety of standing and seated poses, along with movements focused on balance, forward bends, backbends, inversions, and twists. The session concludes with a deep relaxation, allowing the body and mind to fully integrate the practice.

BOOK

Yin Yoga

Slows down and Centers

This practice emphasizes stillness, core softness, and surrender. Through slow, deep, and passive stretches, it allows the body to sink deeply into the connective tissues - particularly in the spine, pelvis, and legs.

By expanding flexibility, it also nurtures qualities of surrender, receptivity, patience, and mindful observation. This practice creates space for inner listening, fostering a deeper connection with both body and mind while gently preparing them for seated meditation.

BOOK

Restorative Yoga

Unwinds and Relaxes

Restorative yoga focuses on relaxation and release through a gentle, slow-paced practice, often supported by props. To be effective, it depends on eight key factors that promote relaxation: physical comfort, muscle release, warmth, a reclined or inverted position, dim lighting, gentle pressure around the eyes, permission to relax, and holding each pose for 5 to 10 minutes. These elements are further enhanced by breathwork and somatic techniques.

BOOK

Practitioners of yoga have different inclinations towards the Yoga practices.

Some may like to spend a long time with the movement, while others prefer breathing exercises or seek the stillness of meditation. Each of these stages work together, one leading into the next. There is no perfect, one-size-fits-all formula.

It is best to spend the amount of time with each stage that is just right for you.

The tree is more than a seed, a living trunk and then a dead timber. It's a slow, enduring force rooting deep into the earth while reaching ever upward toward the light

To rise, first yield

To see clearly, close your eyes

Limitation and freedom

Breath in, Breath out

Light and darkness

each refelect the other

Hatha Yoga

"Ha" - the sun; embodies action (yang)

"Tha" - the moon; embraces receptivity (yin)

Through yoga, opposites meet, creating balance.

Strength and flexibility

Stillness and movement

Effort and surrender

Yoga is their union