Yoga Classes in Hertfordshire
Seasonal Classes in Hertfordshire...
Rachel runs friendly yoga classes in the North Hertfordshire towns of Letchworth, Baldock, Hitchin and also online via Zoom. Once each month there is a Yin yoga online class, and a new Seasonal Sunday 2 hour drop-in session.
Expect a warm welcome.
Seasonal Yoga
What are the benefits of a seasonal practice?
Seasonal Yoga is a “yang” style yoga practice which is designed to align you with the changing energies of nature and the seasons. It combines Yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi with traditional Chinese ideas about harmonising the energy of nature which is both around us and within us, bringing balance. What is practised in the classes changes each season, with the energy of nature.
The concept was created by Julie Hanson and Sue Woodd in 1995 as an antidote to the stress and anxiety of modern life.
Seasonal Yang Classes - Online via Zoom and at local venues.
The classes are an hour and a half long and include some postures, sequences, breathing practice (pranayama) and relaxation. They usually involve some flowing movement. What postures we practice and the energy of the class will change with seasons, according to the 5 Element system from Chinese Medicine. A reasonable level of agility is required but these classes will not leave you gasping for breath or pouring with sweat.
Seasonal Yang Classes - Gentle - Online via Zoom and at local venues.
These gentle classes are shorter and less challenging than the regular classes. They are aimed at older beginner, the slightly less agile or anyone wanting a gentler practice. Classes include breath coordinated movement, postures, simple sequences and relaxation. Attendees will need to be able to get up and down from the floor reasonably easily, although an adapted practice in a chair may also be possible.
Seasonal Yin Classes Online via Zoom
Yin Yoga classes are suitable for anyone with an interest in yoga. If you are a complete beginner, contact Rachel before joining the class. I recommend that anyone coming to Yin yoga classes also either regularly attends more 'Yang' style yoga classes or follows their own yoga practice at home to maintain balance. This would include most other styles of yoga including hatha, vinyasa and ashtanga
Yin yoga classes run online via Zoom...
Yin Yoga Monthly - 2nd Friday of the month 6.30 - 7.45 pm Please contact Rachel for further details.
Yin Yoga is a special kind of practice where mainly seated and lying down postures are held for several minutes (usually 2-5). Poses are held in a relaxed and steady way, increasing the flexibility of the joints, gently stretching and rehabilitating the connective tissues. Soft breathing and mindfulness will be encouraged. A typical class will include around 6-10 postures and a relaxation. Yin Yoga is a great complement to an existing more active (or yang) yoga practice.
Main Principles of Yin Yoga
-
Yin postures are held longer (2-10 minutes)
-
Yin yoga requires you to come non-aggressively to an appropriate edge
-
Yin postures are held with most muscles relaxed Yin poses are held with steadiness - joints become still and soft
-
Yin and Yang styles of yoga complement each other Yin – hidden, dark, cold, downward, earth, calm
-
Yang – exposed, light, hot, upward, heaven, excited Yin and yang descriptions are RELATIVE.
-
So Yin yoga is only yin in relation to other more rhythmic forms of yoga.
-
Yang exercise (more rhythmic) encourages the muscles to alternately contract and relax.
-
Yin exercise increases the flexibility of the joints and stretches the connective tissues.
Our Yin classes have been a source of fundraising for local charities. Students attending the class can choose how much to donate, and sometimes donations are sent by others who are not attending the class. The charities we have donated to include animal welfare and people with special needs or support
