Classic Yoga

Classic Yoga generally refers to the traditional teachings of yoga as outlined in ancient texts, particularly the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. This text describes the Eight Stages; eight equally important stages which together form the practice of yoga:

Yama: Ethical guidelines, such as non-violence and truthfulness.

Niyama: Personal observances, including purity, contentment, and self-discipline.

Asana: Physical postures or poses that prepare the body for meditation.

Pranayama: Breath control practices that help regulate energy in the body.

Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses, turning inward to focus on the mind.

Dharana: Concentration, the practice of focusing the mind on a single point.

Dhyana: Meditation, a state of uninterrupted flow of concentration.

Samadhi: Enlightenment or union with the divine, the ultimate goal of yoga.

Classic Yoga emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying the principles of yoga philosophy as a way of life. This means that unlike some modern interpretations that focus only on physical postures (asanas), Classic Yoga is holistic, incorporating ethical, mental, and spiritual practices as part of the overall path to self-realization.

The four different paths within Classic Yoga

There are roughly speaking four different paths of yoga. Each of these paths offers a unique approach to achieving spiritual growth, self-realization, and union with the divine:

Hatha Yoga: This is the physical path of yoga, focusing on postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana) to prepare the body and mind for deeper spiritual practices. It's the most widely practiced form of yoga in the West, often associated with the physical aspects of yoga, and this is what is taught in our classes.

Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion and love towards a personal god or the divine. This style emphasizes cultivating a deep emotional connection with the divine through practices like chanting, prayer, and rituals. It's often associated with expressing love and devotion to a Higher Power. This part is offered through our program Yoga Path which is a modern mentorship based take on the Eights Stages described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge and wisdom. It involves self-inquiry, study of scriptures, and meditation to attain spiritual enlightenment. Practitioners of Jnana Yoga seek to understand the true nature of reality and the self, often through intellectual and philosophical exploration. This part is also covered through our program Yoga Path.

Karma Yoga: The path of selfless action and service. Karma Yoga teaches that by performing one's duties and actions without attachment to the outcomes, one can purify the mind and attain spiritual liberation. It's often associated with the idea of serving others and contributing to the welfare of society. If you teach, volunteer or help out in any way at the yoga community, this will be covered. In fact, even just by being a member, thereby help forming our community you are doing karma yoga.

Levels

Our classes wether being asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control) or dhyana (meditation) are taught in four different levels:

Beginners: Everyone can join the beginners class which is a good place to start if you ave never tried yoga before. But even seasoned yogis enjoy getting back to the beginning once in a while.

Basic: Basic classes is also for everyone to join, but might be a bit more challenging to some people. These classes focus on the fundamentals and practicing at this level will be enough for reaching a spiritual awakening.

Intermediate: For those who have some experience and a solid grasp of the basics. Intermediate classes or levels build on foundational skills, introducing more challenging exercises, combinations, or variations that require moderate experience, strength, and confidence.

Advanced: The advanced classes is the playground where teachers and students can go in depth with some of the more challenging aspects of asanas, pranayama or dhyana. It might be prolongating the time staying in the postures or learning how to do handstands. Everyone can join these classes as well, but make sure to take care of yourself when going to these classes. Don’t overdo it! Ahimsa!

Styles and focus

The classes we teach are all focusing Hatha yoga classes, but with different focus. So the three styles are:

Asanas (postures): Asanas are the physical postures or poses practiced in yoga. They are designed to improve flexibility, strength, balance, and overall physical health. The word "asana" means "seat" or "posture," indicating that these poses help prepare the body for meditation. The practice of asanas helps to keep the body strong, flexible, and healthy. By aligning the body and focusing on breath control during each pose, practitioners can also cultivate mental focus and calmness. Asanas are often the entry point into yoga practice, especially in modern contexts where physical fitness is emphasized. The different focus of the classes can be:

Standing & balancing

They build strength, stability, flexibility, and focus, laying the foundation for more advanced postures.

Twists

These poses involve rotating the spine and often engage the entire body, providing a deep stretch, promoting detoxification, and improving spinal health.

Inversions

Inversions are a powerful and transformative category where the heart is positioned above the head. These poses can range from beginner-friendly to advanced, and they offer a wide array of physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Inversions are often considered some of the most exhilarating and beneficial asanas in yoga.

Restorative

Restorative classes are a gentle and deeply relaxing style of yoga that focuses on slowing down, allowing the body and mind to relax and rejuvenate. Unlike more dynamic forms of yoga, restorative yoga emphasizes stillness, deep breathing, and passive stretching, often using props to support the body in various poses for extended periods.

Handstands

They are one of the most challenging and invigorating yoga asanas. They require strength, balance, coordination, and a good amount of mental focus. Handstands are the pinnacle of physical yoga practice because they test the body's strength, flexibility, and alignment.

Flow (Vinyasa)

Vinyasa yoga is a style where each movement is synchronized with the breath, creating a flowing sequence of poses. Unlike some other forms of yoga, vinyasa sequences are often creative and varied, with no set series of postures. Each class can differ depending on the teacher, the theme of the practice, or the practitioner's needs.

Relaxation and Mindfulness (Yin)

Yin Yoga emphasizes stillness, relaxation, and mindfulness through long-held, floor-based postures that gently stretch and release the body’s deeper connective tissues. Each pose is supported and held for several minutes, encouraging a meditative focus that helps release physical tension and mental clutter. The slow pace invites participants to relax into each posture, explore sensations, and connect with the breath. Ideal for all levels, this class offers a restorative experience, fostering flexibility, inner awareness, and profound relaxation.

Pranayama (breath control): Pranayama refers to the practice of breath control. The word "pranayama" is derived from two Sanskrit words: "prana," meaning life force or breath, and "ayama," meaning extension or control. Thus, pranayama is the practice of controlling the breath to regulate energy and calm the mind. The main goal of pranayama is to enhance the flow of prana (vital energy) within the body, promoting mental clarity, relaxation, and overall health. By controlling the breath, practitioners can influence the mind and emotions, reducing stress and promoting a sense of inner peace.There are various pranayama techniques, each with different effects. The different focus of pranayama are:

Traditional Pranayama

Traditional pranayama techniques focus on controlling and harnessing the breath to influence the mind and body. These practices often involve various methods of inhaling, exhaling, and holding the breath to achieve specific effects, such as calming the nervous system, balancing energy, or cleansing the body. Techniques may include practices that involve rhythmic breathing through the nose, alternating nostril breathing for balance, and breath retention to build inner heat. These methods are deeply rooted in ancient yoga traditions and aim to harmonize the body and mind through controlled breathwork.

Modern Breathwork

Modern breathwork techniques often incorporate more dynamic and varied approaches, blending traditional practices with contemporary methods to achieve different physical and mental benefits. These styles might include rapid or deep breathing exercises that increase energy and focus, structured breath patterns with specific counts to reduce stress, and techniques that integrate breath retention for heightened awareness and resilience. These modern practices can be used to boost vitality, enhance emotional regulation, and support overall well-being, often with a focus on immediate, practical benefits and accessibility.

Stress Release and Clarity of Mind

Stress release and clarity of mind practices are designed to help individuals let go of physical and mental tension while fostering a sense of inner calm and mental sharpness. These techniques often involve gentle movements, intentional breathwork, and focused meditation to encourage the release of accumulated stress from both body and mind. Methods may include exercises that engage the breath to relax the nervous system, guided visualizations for mental clarity, and mindfulness practices that bring awareness to the present moment. Rooted in both ancient traditions and modern approaches, these practices aim to create a balanced state of well-being, promoting relaxation and a refreshed sense of mental focus.

Anxiety Release and Clarity of Mind

Release from anxiety practices focus on calming the mind, soothing the nervous system, and fostering a sense of grounded stability. These techniques typically combine slow, deep breathing, mindful body awareness, and gentle movement to help individuals let go of anxious thoughts and physical tension. Methods may include grounding exercises to anchor attention in the present moment, progressive muscle relaxation to ease physical stress, and mindful breathing to cultivate a sense of inner calm. Drawing from both traditional and contemporary approaches, these practices are designed to reduce anxiety, nurture emotional resilience, and empower individuals to find peace and clarity amidst life’s challenges.

Dhyana (Meditation):

Dhyana is the practice of meditation, which involves focused attention and contemplation. In the context of yoga, Dhyana is a deep, sustained concentration that leads to a state of meditative absorption.The primary goal of Dhyana is to quiet the mind and achieve a state of inner stillness, leading to self-awareness and spiritual insight. It is the seventh limb of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga and is considered a precursor to Samadhi, the state of ultimate liberation. Meditation in Dhyana involves sustained focus on a particular object, thought, or mantra, eventually leading to a state where the mind becomes fully absorbed, and duality between the observer and the observed dissolves. The different styles taught at our classes are:

Mindfulness Meditation

This practice focuses on immersing oneself fully in the present moment by observing thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations as they arise, without attachment or judgment. The goal is to develop a non-reactive awareness that allows for a deeper understanding of one’s mental and emotional patterns, fostering clarity and a sense of calm. By consistently bringing attention back to the present, mindfulness meditation helps to cultivate a more grounded and accepting state of mind..

Mantra Meditation

In mantra meditation, a specific sound, word, or phrase (mantra) is repeatedly chanted or silently repeated to center the mind and enhance focus. The repetition of the mantra serves as an anchor, helping to quiet the mind’s chatter and transcend ordinary thought processes. This focused practice can lead to a deep state of concentration and inner peace, as the mantra becomes a tool to facilitate meditation and connection to a higher state of awareness.

Object Meditation

Object meditation involves concentrating on a specific object or symbol, such as the center of the heart or a particular chakra, to anchor and stabilize the mind. By directing attention to this focal point, practitioners can enhance their sense of inner connection and calm. This method helps to deepen the meditative experience by providing a tangible point of focus that aids in mental clarity and spiritual awareness.

Visualization

Visualization is a technique where practitioners imagine a serene and peaceful scene or focus on a particular mental image to deepen concentration and relaxation. By mentally immersing oneself in a calming visual scenario, such as a tranquil beach or a gentle stream, this practice helps to create a mental space of peace and tranquility. Visualization enhances the meditative experience by allowing the mind to engage with soothing imagery, which can foster a deeper sense of calm and emotional well-being.

Breath Awareness

Breath awareness involves concentrating on the natural flow of the breath as it moves in and out of the body. This technique encourages practitioners to pay close attention to the rhythm and sensations of breathing, grounding the mind in the present moment. By focusing on the breath, one can achieve a state of relaxation and mindfulness, as the breath serves as a constant point of focus that helps to calm the mind and enhance overall awareness.