What's in a yoga class?

In a Satyananda yoga class you will experience Asana’s (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Yoga Nidra (relaxation) and Meditation.

Asanas (these are the postures and physical movements)

  • Standing postures stretch and strengthen the back, shoulders and leg muscles. They are very good for people who spend a lot of time sitting down or who have stiffness in the back. They improve posture, balance and muscular coordination. They will correct the structural alignment, strengthen the spine and build strength and endurance.
  • Twisting postures give a strong massage to the internal organs which strengthen them, helping you to become more resistance to illness. Twisting movements help to release tension stored in the muscles.
  • Relaxation postures give the body a rest. Constant postural abnormalities put excess strain on the muscles of the back which hardly receive proper relaxation, so these will help to remove tightness and tension.
  • Forward bending postures will loosen the back. In a forward bend each vertebra is separated stimulating the nerves improving circulation and nourishes the spinal cord. They will lower blood pressure and relax and calm the nervous system, bringing a restorative effect to the body and mind.
  • Inverted postures will help you to purify the lymphatic system, calm the mind and relieve anxiety and depression.
  • Backward bending postures turn the body out to face the world. They are stimulating and extroverting. They expand the chest and are dynamic requiring strength and energy to perform. They stretch the abdominal muscles and correct the posture.
  • Balancing postures help to induce physical balance and build strength and tone in your body.

Pranayama (Breathing techniques)

Pranayama is the science of the breath. It is through Pranayama that the life force within the body is activated to a higher frequency. There are various breathing techniques which aim to energise, relax, harmonise and balance your internal system. The benefits of Pranayama include:

  • Heightened breath awareness
  • Physical relaxation
  • Improves sleeping
  • Decreases stress
  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Improved concentration
  • Soothes the nervous systems
  • Alleviates anger
  • Calms the mind
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Increases metabolism
  • Massages abdominal organs
  • Relaxes the muscles
  • Decreased mental anxiety
  • Increases internal awareness
  • Prepares you for meditation

Yoga Nidra: This is one of the easiest and most enjoyable relaxation and meditation practices. It is a guided meditation done lying down. It systematically relaxes all the layers of the being and provides a profound and blissful experience in which with body and mind sleep but the awareness remains awake. Yoga Nidra brings deep healing, rejuvenation and transformation.

Meditation: expands awareness, creates calmness, serenity and focus. Ultimately it leads to an understanding of the inner nature. Meditation will bring many benefits in the form of enhanced concentration, will power and resistance to stress. It helps you to become steady when in times of difficulty.