Yoga has existed for thousands of years, starting in the early years from the ancient Veda’s and the writing of the Bhaghavad Gita and the Yoga Sutra’s from Patanjali. Yoga has evolved and grown through time and space adapting and transforming. Due to this beautiful capacity we now have multiple yoga styles and lineages to choose from. Making yoga so diverse and interesting as we as yoga students are never done with learning and expanding our knowledge.
Below find a few yoga styles explained, let us know if you would like information on other styles too.
We trust you find your (yoga) way.♥
Vinyasa
Vinyasa is a style of yoga where you move from one pose to another using the breath to initiate a movement. It usually is a fast pace class where you will break out in sweat, burning calories, what makes it popular in this fast-paced world we live in now. You will flow through different asanas using as a transition these three postures:
- Chaturanga Dandasana (first plank, then bending the elbows halfway connecting the elbows to your ribs)
- Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (upward facing dog, pushing yourself up onto straight arms, active legs and but, toes are the only thing connecting to the earth, heart shines forward and up)
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog, hips are pointing up in the sky, heels are aiming to the flow, hands are actively pressing into the earth, lengthening your spine)
There is no one class the same, it all depends on the focus of the class, opening the hips or shoulders require different asanas, and on the teacher who teaches it. It usually starts with a warm-up of Sun Salutations A and B from where you will go into the standing, balancing, strengthening poses and to end the class with cooling/restorative seated stretching/flexibility focused asanas.
During the whole class the use of the Ujjayi breath is recommended; this is a breath where you contract your throat muscle a little (like the way you will fog a mirror with your mouth open) and while keeping your mouth closed you will breathe through your nose and make an ocean sound while breathing. This breath is also called the Fire Breath because it heats up the body from the inside.
The vinyasa class is well balanced and covers the whole body and because you will be moving and not stay long in a pose, it helps your mind to become still and focusses you into the moment. It will leave you feeling like you’ve had good workout; body & mind!
Find your teacher/class below ♥
Yin yoga
A Yin yoga class works the body without doing (Yang energy) but holding and breathing into a pose for a longer period of time (Yin energy). Yin yoga works deeply into the connective tissues, the ligaments, joints bones and the fascia networks of the body. A yin class consists of a series of long held floor poses that mainly work the lower part of the body; the hips, pelvis, inner thigs and lower spine.It is a quiet and contemplative class, which, because it also works on the meridian lines of the body, energetically improves the Chi (life energy force) in the body. In Chinese medicine it is believed that improved flow of Chi improves organ health, immunity, and emotional wellbeing.
Find your Yin class/teacher below♥
Swing yoga
Swing yoga is yoga class with the use of a yoga swing. The swing is adjustable to different height levels. It is a prop that supports you with ease into (difficult) asanas and you experience more depth and stretch because of the support of the swing. The inversions practiced in the swing help to create space in the vertebrae. The class is build up like a normal yoga class where building core strength is part of the warm up.
As you are the most part of the class flying in the air, swing yoga is a fun experience and a must try!
Find your Swing class/teacher below♥