Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga combines breath with movement (vinyasa) to create a moving meditation which helps develop strength, flexibility and mental clarity. Practised regularly, Ashtanga Yoga can bring about real transformation.
The method involves set sequences of postures (Asanas). At Greystones Yoga Studio, we have both Led and Mysore-style Ashtanga classes. In Mysore-style classes, you work within the series at your own pace, to your own level, with the one-to-one guidance of the teacher, who moves around the room helping each student individually. Hands-on adjustments are normally used to help the student, but please let the teacher know if you would rather not receive these and would prefer verbal cues only. The room is largely silent except for the calming sound of breath, while the group energy helps carry you through your practice. Read more about Mysore-style Ashtanga classes here.
In a Led Ashtanga class, the teacher instructs the class and everyone works together in unison.
We have Led Ashtanga classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Mysore-style classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. Students often like to start with a few led classes before trying Mysore-style, but you are very welcome to come straight to a Mysore-style class with no previous experience if you feel that you’d like to try this style. You can also continue with led classes only if that is what you prefer. Our Ashtanga Monthly Class Pass is designed to enable frequent attendance, because it is through practising regularly that you will reap the most rewards from Ashtanga.
Ashtanga Mysore-style Practice Guidelines
- You can arrive anytime after class start time up to 45 minutes before class end time. The teacher will be there for the full period of time. It’s up to you to decide how long you would like to practise within that period.
- It is best not to eat for at least 2 hours before your practice
- Drink water before or after, but not during, your practice.
- A shower before practice helps to increase flexibility and mental focus. It also makes the experience for your teachers and others practising around you more pleasant!
Yin Yoga
In a Yin class, poses are usually held for 3-5 minutes at a time, resulting in a very meditative practice. Yin yoga is designed to access the deeper tissues of the body, and many Yin yoga poses focus on areas like the hips, sacrum, and spine. It’s important to note that Yin yoga isn’t the same as restorative yoga, and can be quite intense physically. Be sure to tell your teacher about any recent injuries so that they can offer you some modifications.