Weekly Classes

Srinivasa Yoga House is now temporarily closed until further notice. Please go to the Links page for your yoga class or retreat. Or the Teachers page for a Satyananda Yoga® teacher near you.

Class descriptions

A Satyananda Yoga class is typically one and a half hours long and consists of asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), relaxation, and meditation or Satyananda Yoga Nidra TM ~ deep relaxation.

*Intro I ~ This is for beginners and works systematically from the foundations up. Learn abdominal breath, yogic breath, joint release series, and postures to release physical tension and blockages. Breathing techniques to increse breath capacity and control. Yoga Nidra relaxation at the end of each class to release stress and tension.

*Intro II ~ This class is for those who have done Intro I and wish to progress towards stronger postures and advanced breathing techniques (pranayama). The course involves learning the sequence of 12 postures called Surya Namaskara (Salute to the Sun) starting with the modified version.

*Progressive ~ It is advised to complete at least 2 terms of Introductory Yoga classes before moving on to the Progressive course. In this class you practice Surya Namaskara, balancing & harmonising pranayamas and meditation. We recommend Progressive students to purchase Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati available from the bookshop.

*Meditation I ~ The focus is on developing comfort and steadiness in a seated position, and the class includes gentle yoga postures to release physical tension, breathing techniques to calm, balance and focus the mind, Kaya Stairyam (body stillness) and Satyananda Yoga Nidra TM- Deep Relaxation. 90% attendence is required and it is recommended if you are new to yoga and meditation to attend one term of Intro to Yoga before the Meditation course.

*Meditation II~ Once stillness and steadiness has been developed then you have the opportunity to explore a classical meditation technique. This term the practice being taught is Ajapa Japa.

*General Yoga ~ is suitable for anyone to join. It is advised however that if you are new to Yoga, to begin with Intro to Yoga. The Wednesday class is with a stonger focus and Salute to the Sun is often taught. The Monday class is gentle Beginners yoga with practices suitable for those with limited movement or recovering from illness or surgery.

Private classes, Personal sadhanas and Corporate Yoga classes are available on request.

How does Satyananda Yoga work?

Through an approach that incorporates an awareness of all aspects of being. Satyananda yoga promotes the alignment of the delicate balance between body, mind, emotions and spirit. Through awakening the individual's awareness and inherent self-healing powers, physical disease and mental stress can be managed and relieved. By steadying the emotions and calming the mind, a sense of perspective can be gained, bringing a feeling of peace, freedom and inner strength.

Satyananda Yoga Nidra TM

Asanas (yogic postures) taught in class include the classic yoga postures, but begin very gently. Asanas are explored in a non-competitive atmosphere with an emphasis on awareness. As students become more experienced, more complex and challenging practices are gradually introduced. Asanas invigorate the body, improve health and remove energy blockages and tension.

Pranayama (breathing practice) 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 balancing mental and emotional disturbances. Pranayama begins with natural breath awareness and progresses through deep, relaxed breathing to tranquillising and vitalising practices.

Satyananda Yoga Nidra TM, (deep relaxation) is a simple guided meditation practiced lying down, is often the favourite practiceof 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 awake.

Meditation. A practice for expanding awareness and developing calmness, serenity and focus, ultimatley meditation brings a deeper understanding of our inner nature. Meditation also has much to offer as a tool for enhancing concentration, will power 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 sysytematically, making meditation a tool that is easily accessible to all.

Srinivasa Yoga House, 154 Old Farm Road, Hamilton
Phone 07 856 0009   Mobile 021 054 8756
srinivasa@xtra.co.nz

SATYANANDA YOGA^® and Satyananda Yoga Nidra^® are registered trademarks of IYFM used under license

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