Do you live in Wicklow or Arklow Town or surrounding areas? Have you never tried yoga before and wondered what it is all about? Here is a great opportunity to find out!
Join Liz Richards (Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor) at the beautiful and conveniently located Ananta Yoga Studios, just 10 minutes from Wicklow town on the N11 between Wicklow and Arklow at “The Tap”, Kilbride, Co. Wicklow for the next course of her popular Introduction to Vinyasa Flow Yoga for Beginners classes.
Next six week course of Introduction to Vinyasa Flow Yoga for Beginners commences on Tuesday 22nd May 2013 from 8.00pm-9.30pm – Great value at €75 for six one and a half hour classes!
These popular Wicklow yoga classes with Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor -Liz Richards have been running continuously for the past three years offering a thorough introduction and well structured approach to learning the basics of classical Yoga using the Vinyasa Krama system.
What is Vinyasa Flow Yoga?
Vinyasa means “breath connected movement” or “placement” and the Sanskrit word Yoga means to “yoke” or “unite”.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga follows the ancient traditional form of the classical Hatha Yoga system of combining Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques) and Meditation, three of the eight limbs of classical yoga to bring the mind and body into unity.
The progressive approach to teaching Vinyasa Flow Yoga makes these classes accessible to all ages, abilities and levels of fitness using a system known as Vinyasa Krama (intelligent sequencing).
Both male and female students benefit hugely from this form of yoga – each discovering their strengths and weaknesses in different forms.
The system recognizes that every student faces their own individual challenges and that no two bodies are the same. The practice of Vinyasa Yoga can be adapted and changed to suit each stage of life as we are all in a constant state of change and therefore so too are our needs.
Every student is encouraged to work at their own pace in a well structured, safe and non-competitive class environment.
Guided classes begin with preparing, aligning and opening the body sensitively in the three platforms or stabilizing junctions of the body ie -the feet and ankles, hips and pelvis, neck and shoulder girdle, gently warming the body before progressing into an intelligently sequenced flow of classical Yoga Postures which are linked to each other on the thread of the breath.
The sequence practiced and the pace of the class will be determined by the ability and experience of students in the group and will include all or some of the following – depending on the level and theme of the class:
- Standing Postures,
- Sun Salutations,
- Standing Forward Bends and twists,
- Balancing Poses,
- Inversions,
- Backbends,
- Seated Forward Bends and Twists.
Every class always finishes with a well-deserved guided relaxation (Yoga Nidra) in Shavasana (Corpse Pose).
Modifications and variations of each pose are explored when necessary to suit the needs of each individual student so that the body remains safe and the underlying benefits of each posture and every aspect of the practice is made accessible to everybody, regardless of age, gender or fitness levels.
The beauty of Vinyasa Flow Yoga is that no two classes will ever be the same and so the mind does not become attached to a particular sequence or way of doing things which often leads to complacency and injury.
It offers the practitioner the opportunity to embark on their own personal Svadhyaha (self-study) on a physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual level so their practice becomes a meditation in movement.
The ultimate goal of Vinyasa Flow as with all styles of yoga is to create a heightened sense of personal awareness on every level and to unite the body, mind and breath into one harmonious experience using ancient yogic techniques.
Starting at the very beginning – Introduction to Vinyasa Flow Yoga for Beginners Classes
The Vinyasa Krama (step by step) approach to teaching yoga is one which makes yoga accessible to everyone – male and female -regardless of age, body shape or fitness levels and everyone starts from the very beginning in these classes.
Sometimes it can be overwhelming and intimidating if you find yourself in a yoga class that is too advanced for you or moving too quickly when you have never practiced yoga before. Learning the basics in a slow and structured manner will stand to students in the long term and reduce the risk of injuries.
It is advisable for all new yoga practitioners to start at the beginning and learn to cultivate a strong and balanced yoga practice under the guidance of an experienced and well trained instructor in a class level that is appropriate to your needs. In a safe and non-competitive beginners level class environment the numerous benefits of a regular practice can often be discovered very early on.
Who are these Introduction to Vinyasa Flow Yoga for Beginners classes suitable for?
Everyone!
In the ancient yogic texts -the practice of yoga does not discriminate between the sexes. Male and female, young and old can all enjoy and practice yoga. However traditionally in the East, yoga practices or sequences – appropriate to each individual student were – and still are prescribed depending on the needs or health requirements of that student at different stages of his/her life.
This is not always practical or possible in Western yoga classes where numbers are big and time spent with a qualified teacher is limited – however a good instructor will always attempt to modify and vary their classes to suit the needs of individual practitioners within a general class setting where appropriate.
All of the Vinyasa Flow Yoga classes at The Ananta Yoga Studio including the Introduction to Vinyasa Flow Yoga for Beginners courses are open to and popular with both male and female students. All ages from 15 and upwards are welcome in the adult public classes. In our experience a mix of male and female, young and older students in our classes works very well and there has never been a need to run separate yoga classes for men and women.
There has been a huge increase in not just the number of male students attending these classes at The Ananta Yoga Studios, but also in the number of teens aged 15 plus who are attending classes each week. These teenagers are incredibly focused and committed to their classes and are finding it a great way of keeping fit and healthy while also using their regular yoga practice to keep anxiety and stress levels relating to exam pressure and simply being a teenager at bay. Introducing your teen to yoga is giving them a coping skill for life……………..
The Introduction to Vinyasa Yoga for Beginners course is also extremely popular with athletes or those involved in other activities and sports on a regular basis and who are looking for a way to counteract the sometimes negative effects of these activities on joints and muscles in the body while improving mental focus and clarity.
Liz Richards has a special interest in this area of yoga instruction and has been working closely with many top athletes over the past three years. She also runs specialised Yoga for Athletes Classes for clubs and groups with a sports focus by prior arrangement.
Her expertise in guiding not just athletes but all of her students through well-planned and intelligently sequenced classes which are appropriate and safe for the needs of each individual student in that class, have earned her a reputation of excellence in yoga circles. Many physiotherapists and doctors locally are now referring their patients to Liz’s yoga classes to help maintain an injury free body and a happy, healthy mind.
So come along! Regardless of what your situation is, give yoga a go – you will not be disappointed!
Always be sure to mention to your instructor any injuries, illnesses or medical conditions prior to commencing yoga classes so these can be considered when necessary throughout the class. It is very important to mention if you are pregnant or have recently given birth.
The next course of Introduction to Vinyasa Yoga for Beginners commences on Tuesday 21st May 2013 from 8.00pm – 9.30pm running for six weeks in total. Six week course costs just €75. Spaces are limited to ensure that each student receives the high standard of care and instruction he/she deserves.
If the Tuesday evening class is not a suitable time for you then similar Yoga classes for Beginners run on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9.45am-11.15am.
Spaces must be booked in advance for the Introduction to Vinyasa Yoga Course on Tuesday nights to secure your place for the full course. It is recommended to take the full course to receive the maximum value and benefits as each class will build from the previous one and class content is ongoing. Drop in students will be allocated any remaining spaces on a first come first served basis each week and should text that morning to see if there is a free space. Priority for spaces will always be given to those who have committed and paid for the full course.
For further info re any of the above or to book a place in the Introduction to Yoga for Beginners Course with Liz Richards, please call/text Liz on 086 8963425.
For lots more information re all the great classes and courses on offer at The Ananta Yoga Studio Wicklow, please log on to www.anantayogastudio.com or click here to see our class schedule.
You can Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/anantayogawicklow for immediate updates and news regarding classes, events, trainings and workshops at The Ananta Yoga Studio.
Hope to see you soon!