General Yoga Background

Yoga is an ancient practise, part of an 8-step process of self awareness and spiritual awakening first developed in India. It focuses on bringing together, or uniting, mind and body, creating a sense of contentment and harmony, and a platform from which people can progress to some form of spiritual contemplation.

Whether or not practitioners at the Yoga Garden go on to this, or even aspire to it in the first place, is their business. What we can definitely say is that the regular practise of yoga does produce a general sense of well being and good health, in the broadest sense, in those who do it.

There are various forms of yoga; they differ in style and emphasis but are all based on the same central philosophy.

Astanga Yoga

A fast, flowing and athletic form of yoga, developed by one of Krishnamacharya’s pupils, Sri K Pattabhi Jois. The sequence of asanas (postures) are synchronised with the breath and linked with vinyasa movements, to maintain body heat, producing a very concentrated and intense practise. But, in the words of Pattahbi Jois himself, “practise, practise, all is coming”

Hatha Yoga

Beginners, Flowing, Integral, Dynamic and Lunchtime yoga are all variations of Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga is the generic name for all the forms of physical yoga that combine with breathing exercises to pacify and steady the mind.

It is used as a broad description for those teachers who don’t follow one of the specific hatha styles (astanga, iyengar, and sivananda) but have developed their own eclectic style or class structure.

Iyengar (not currently available)

Developed by B K S Iyengar, another pupil of Krishnamacharya, iyengar yoga approaches the asanas from a different perspective the astanga form, focusing on the precise form and alignment of each one and using the help of blocks, belts and ropes to achieve them.


Pilates

An exercise system originally developed by Joseph Pilates to help rehabilitate injured soldiers after the First World War. His routines, done on mats or on specifically designed machines, help realign and balance the body, emphasising correct alignment of the spine. Pilates is particular popular with dancers and actors, who require the excellent mobility and good posture that come form a strong abdomen and lower back.