Which type of yoga is right for me?

A question that probably serves as possibly a barrier to entry from most. Given the considerable rise of popularity of yoga and many different blends and styles of hatha yoga, it can be quite daunting to determine what will be right for each person.

A recent conversation I had went along the lines of: “ yes I would be interested…but not really slow stuff and certainly no chanting.. “ - they clearly have an idea of their intention, although had landed in a couple of classes that weren’t quite right for them, or at least at that moment in time, yoga is after all, a journey.

Many people struggle with trying to find the right yoga class for them. Some can spend years jumping from class to class, type to type, or different yoga teachers before finding the right match. I would suggest making your decision on more than just the location or name of your yoga class. Instead taking the time to sit down with each of the teachers and getting a feel for their technique of teaching.

I think teachers need to take a lead here and be open and honest about their style, I have checked a few websites and some are really good, clear concise about what students will get from their classes, some are not so.

My style is contemporary, focused on the physical benefits through asana and I will try to clarify the more philosophical and astral attributes and how they play into a physical practice. I probably won’t be chanting or getting any crystals and incense out because I would not be very good at weaving these into my approach, there are great teachers out there that can though.

It may be helpful if you can find a teacher that will allow you to sit in on each type of class. This will give you a first-hand view of what would be expected of you during your yoga class. While some may promote the use of props and focus on slow and controlled movements. Others may focus on spirituality, or exercise. All of which are beneficial to many different people in their walks of life. However, power-yoga may not be the best choice if you suffer from chronic back pain. For this reason, you should take care in choosing the right type of yoga.

Of course, before we embark on any physical programme, we need to ensure we are ready, especially if there have been any diagnosed health problems, consult with our GPs. The teacher will ask you about this in any case, your safety is paramount.

Once you have a better idea of the yoga classes available in your area, you will find that there is a common denominator among them - they are focused on bringing oneness to one's life. A unity between body, mind, and soul. This will creep up on you and it is one of the most wonderful things about yoga, it could be the class, or teacher, that best brings this out which determines your search.

Unfortunately, there is no real way to answer the question of "what type of yoga is right for me?" It a moment of inspiration once you have attended the 'right class.'

As with so many things in life, yoga is specialised, and your needs, requirements and expectations will develop in time with more practice, as will your strength, flexibility and mindfulness.

If you are not sure, please don’t let this prevent you from taking up yoga, drop me a line and I will help point you to a teacher and class that would appear to be what you are looking for..

Best yoga studio!

...in Park Lane, I think...

I'm really pleased with my new yoga studio just completed, I have finally found the right place for yogi-gnome, you could say he's "taken his seat." Looks pretty chilled, certainly will be in the frosty mornings.

The intent is to provide a nice warm environment for yoga practice, when public classes are either at the wrong time or just not the thing. Watch the website and my Facebook page for courses and classes, and please let me know if you are interested in a personalised practice plan, your time, even your music….

The studio has underfloor heating and all mats, blocks belts provided, I have to mention Nelly in the photo below…..but we find it awkward to talk about her…..

(think about that one…..)

This week’s class at the FBC, Tuesday 6:45 to 8pm is themed around the locks and in particular mula bandha and uddiyana bandha. This was something I really struggled with when I first started yoga, not only knowing where they are, what they are but what’s the point of them? It seemed a bit left of field to me. With some research and my natural inquisitiveness, I feel, for me at least, I have now found the key to the locks…

Come and join in for some lightness and lifting.

No time for a home yoga practice?

How I managed to develop a daily yoga practice that fits in with a busy schedule

I really struggled early on along my yoga path build up a personal practice, I just “didn’t have the time” this probably is the same for most people, we are all sooo busy these days and priorities take over.

It didn’t really help that my perception, from hearing other experiences and reading articles, was that I would need to commit an hour or 90 mins to have any meaningful benefit, which would never work, please read on.

So I just resigned myself to the weekly class, which was great and I really looked forward to the time on the mat and the feeling afterwards.

But I still felt inside that to get more out of this marvellous yoga that I should work something out and was reminded of the third Niyama ‘Tapas’ in the context of cultivating a sense of self discipline, not the sophisticated Spanish cuisine, that’s an entirely different blog….

The solution for me was to create a habit, I took the opportunity of a holiday, where my routine would be totally different for a period of time anyway so I could experiment with the time and commit to some yoga, every day. I was also realistic with the intention, I would do 10 minutes only and worked out a comfortable practice around this. On my return to the normal timetable, I found that the 10 mins could be accommodated quite easily, and settled into a morning practice.

You may ask what benefit just 10 minutes of yoga could achieve….I would respond , try it and keep with it every day, see if you can get to a month, and then ask the question again, you’ll have the answer!

It wasn’t long however before I started bringing in new asanas and experimenting with modifications and 10 minutes became 20, I reorganised my morning, got up a little earlier, 18 months on, I can just about squeeze in 35 minutes, but don’t want to leave the mat – you could say I now  have a habit (but I’m dealing with it)!

It doesn’t matter either if we miss some days, just keep going back, some mornings I really don’t feel like it, (the inner voice whispers Tapas) and when I come off the mat, I feel great..

Some days when I just cannot roll out the mat, but I really miss it, it turns my day..

Developing a daily practice will improve the balance in your life. There are plenty of sequences and asanas to provide a rounded accessible daily asana and pranyama practice where you can lose yourself

Drop me a line if you would like help along your path.