A  Class
A typical class is usually 1 hour long. It consists of asana (postures)
pranayama (breathing), meditation and relaxation or Yoga Nidra™.
Asanas
Asanas (Yoga Postures) invigorate the body, improve health and flexibility
and remove energy blockages and tension. Those taught in class include
the classic yoga postures, building up to them very gently. Asanas
are explored in a non-competitive atmosphere with an emphasis on
awareness. As the student’s experience deepens, more complex
and challenging practices are gradually introduced.
Pranayama
Breath work is the second major component of a class. The aim of
pranayama is to awaken, balance and expand the prana or life energy
in the system. Pranayama is also useful for inducing relaxation and
lessening mental and emotional disturbances. Pranayama training begins
with natural breath awareness and progresses through deep, relaxed
breathing to a variety of tranquillising and vitalising practices.
Yoga Nidra™
Yoga Nidra is a simple guided meditation done lying down, is often
the favourite practice of yoga students. It involves a systematic
relaxation of all layers of being from the physical through to the
psychic and provides a blissful experience in which the body and
mind sleep, but the awareness remains active, a little like dreaming
while awake.
Meditation
Meditation expands awareness and develops calmness, serenity and
focus, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of our inner
nature. Meditation also has much to offer as a tool for enhancing
concentration, willpower and resistance to stress. It allows us to
ride the waves of life without being disturbed by them. In Satyananda
Yoga, meditation techniques are taught very systematically, and over
a course of sessions may cover body awareness, breath awareness,
inner observation and mantra (sound).
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