Styles

Tree Love Yoga offers dynamic Vinyasa flow yoga classes. Please read below for more information.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga, also sometimes called Vinyasa flow or flow yoga, focuses on linking the movement with the breath. Breath is a very important element of the practice that guides us from a posture (asana) to another. Individual postures are often linked into sequences and we learn how to transition smoothly between poses and remain calm and peaceful.

Vinyasa yoga is an energizing style of yoga and provides many benefits. In addition to building stamina, strength and flexibility, it increases focus, mental strength and clarity, releases stress and promotes self-confidence and self-acceptance. As a more dynamic style, it also releases toxins out of the body, helps to restore free movement of prana (life energy) inside the body and will keep you full of health and vitality.

STRUCTURE OF THE CLASS:

1.       Pranayama (breathing techniques) + gentle warm-up

The class always starts with bringing the focus from the outer world inward…in yoga, we will guide you to become aware of your breath. The class follows with gentle movements to start bringing more mobility into your body and learning how to connect the movement with the breath.

2.       Sun Salutation + flowing sequences with standing postures

Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskara) are the main element of a Vinyasa class. They consist of basic postures that are linked together into simple sequences and they are often repeated in every class. After a few rounds, we will start introducing standing postures to allow the body to open more. This part of the class is aimed at creating heat in the body so that deeper stretches can follow.

3.       Balancing postures

After the body is warm, we move onto balancing postures. Students usually love them and we have heaps of fun. Balancing postures will test your focus and sometimes your overall body strength…it’s important to remember though that our balance may change from day to day and always approach yourself with compassion and acceptance, and just have fun.

4.       Seated postures with active and relaxing stretches

After balancing postures we start slowing down (sometimes we may include one or two sequences from the beginning of the class in between to keep your body warm). Seated postures will promote further openness in your body and are a perfect opportunity for self-enquiry. When we become quiet, some negative feelings and thoughts may sometimes come to the surface and we learn how to stay soft and compassionate and breathe through any possible discomfort. It is a perfect time for us to learn more about ourselves and how to approach challenges in our lives.

5.       Core strength

A strong core will not only help you to explore many postures further, but will be your best friend in everyday activities and in a long run will protect your lower back. There are a lot of postures in yoga that will strengthen your abdomen and some may be so much fun that you will want to incorporate them into your exercise routine.

6.       Backbends/inversions

Backbends and inversions may seem scary at first but once you give them a go, it’s likely you will fall in love with them. Do not worry, no one will ask you to come into a headstand in your first class :-). We will explore the postures step by step which will give you an opportunity to work at your level of strength and confidence. With regular practice and patience, what will seem impossible in the first class will become achievable. Backbends and inversions provide countless physical and mental benefits. From improvement of posture, bringing natural mobility to the spine and fighting chronic back pain, they also reduce anxiety and stress, increase concentration and mental power and build self-confidence, courage and trust in yourself.

7.       Pranayama (breathing techniques)

Towards the end of the class, we may explore one of various breathing techniques. Pranayama is a great way to bring more oxygen into the body, leaving you feeling energized and relaxed. It relieves stress and negative emotions, increases focus and has been proven very helpful for people with sleep problems.

8.       Savasana (Deep Relaxation)

The class always finishes with Shavasana, possibly the most favourite posture of all students. After moving the body in all directions, stretching, twisting, bending and inverting, it is time to fully relax and let the benefits of the practice sink in. Lying on the back, with the whole body relaxed, we allow ourselves to let go of any tension in the physical body and our mind. Keeping the focus on our natural breath, we allow the thoughts to cease…and simply be.