Hatha
Most forms of Yoga in the West can be classified as Hatha Yoga which simply refers to the practice of physical Yoga postures meaning your vinyasa, ashtanga, power classes are ALL Hatha Yoga. The word ‘hatha’ can be translated into either ‘wilful’, ‘forceful’ OR the yoga of activity as sun (ha) & moon (tha) – the yoga of balance. Hatha practices are preparatory processes of Yoga and are designed to align and calm your body, mind and spirit in preparation for meditation as well as giving you opportunities to take you beyond certain limitations, yet fundamentally, it is a physical preparation.
In classes that are referred as Hatha, you can expect a gentle introduction to basic breathing techniques and static yoga postures that are held for multiple or more breaths with focus on alignment.
Vinyasa Flow
Vinyasa Yoga is focused on continuous deep breathing and synchronizing movement with breath as it links one posture to the next. When postures are practiced in such a manner, they flow into each other and that’s why Vinyasa is often referred to as ‘Flow yoga’.
The word vinyasa has many meanings in Sanskrit, however, in this context can be interpreted as a practice with a ‘special way/order; with attention’ as it often has a theme or purpose consisting of poses linked and associated together. Vinyasa is also the term used to describe a specific sequence of poses (Chaturanga to Upward Facing Dog to Downward Facing Dog) that comes from Ashtanga tradition and is commonly used in classes.
Restorative
Gentle, slow, still practice of Yoga that involves long, passive holds in a series of 5-7 poses and often uses props like folded blankets, blocks, bolsters to support your body, deepen the pose and help the body to relax. The purpose of this practice is to release the muscular tension and gently stimulate internal organs. Restorative yoga allows us to relearn the art of relaxation while developing our ability to self-soothe and so enhances our healing capacity through helping us to regulate the stress response and re-balance the nervous system.
Ashtanga Vinyasa
Dynamic, physically demanding practice that synchronises breath with a progressive series of postures in order to produce internal heat designed to purify and detoxify the body. The result is improved circulation, strong, light body and a calm mind.
Often practiced in the Mysore style, here at the RisingSoul we will teach as a lead class to support beginners.
Kundalini
Kundalini Yoga is an ancient art and science dealing with the transformation and expansion of consciousness, the awakening and raising of Kundalini Energy up the spine through energy centres called Chakras. It is quite different to other forms of yoga with smaller movements which are accompanied by prana breath work. Psychic energy, sometimes called Shakti, is often symbolized as a coiled, sleeping serpent. Which lies dormant at the base of the spine (Kundal means curl). Once awakened it uncoils and ascends through the central channel in the spinal column (Sushumana) to the crown chakra (Sahasrara) at the top of the head, triggering an awakening of consciousness and a transcendent spiritual state.
Aerial
Instead of performing yoga poses on a mat, aerial yoga utilizes a silk hammock or sling that is suspended from the ceiling to perform those same movements. The purpose of the hammock is to provide support through your yoga flow, while also improving flexibility and range of motion.
