Sharon

My first approach to Yoga was in 2006 in The Netherlands. I was looking for something powerful but not the common fitness club when I was told about Bikram hot yoga.It was a rather interesting experience but with my today’s yoga knowledge I wouldn’t recommend it though.

In 2008 I found a Hatha Yoga school in Italy inspired to BKS Iyengar method and this is where I fell in love with.

In 2010 I was offered the chance to assist teaching and so I began to pass my knowledge and passion over to more and more people; never stopping to develop my own practice and deepening knowledge through workshops and retreats.

When I moved to Spain I came across the Ashtanga Mysore method. Very challenging but in the end not resulting to be appropriate for me as I got injured in my lower back.

I was desperate of not being able to practice anymore, until I started to read about therapeutic Yoga. After 2 years of faithful and regular home practice I was finally able to get back on track and that’s when I decided to enrich it with a Teacher Training.

I'm a certified 200 RYS instructor now, aiming on deepening my knowledge and therefor doing a lot of online courses. In 2019 I will attend a TT for getting a 500RYS certification and my target is to train in Yoga Therapy as well.

There are many styles of Yoga and some are merely a fashion hype, but I know that with the right method it’s possible to gain amazing benefits and heal from injuries.

This is what my teaching is focused on. And this is where I wanna keep on learning!

 

1) Traditional Hatha Yoga based on Iyengar method
Based on the teachings of the yoga master B.K.S Iyengar, this style of practice is all about bringing the body into its best possible alignment, often using props such as yoga blankets, blocks, bolsters and straps to assist students as necessary. In the Iyengar practice you will be holding poses over longer periods of time instead of moving quickly from one pose to the next (as in a flow class). 

This is a class where we focus on learning each asana from the very start by analysing the posture from top to toe in order to be safe and aligned and preserve the body from injuries. You can expect to deepen the knowledge of your body and get awareness of the movements and changes within.

The asanas practiced will vary from class to class, week by week. They will include standing, seated, forward and backbends, twists, inversions and restorative postures. Iyengar yoga places great emphasis on the alignment of the body and certain actions are required to ensure the body is working correctly, alignment bringing enlightenment one pose at a time.

2) Yin Yoga

Why a class of Yin Yoga? Because the feeling that you are left with after you have practised Yin yoga is amazing! You do yourself, your body and your mind a great favour.

Benefits of a regular Yin Yoga practice
*Calms and balances the mind and body
*Reduces stress and anxiety

*Increases circulation

*Improves flexibility
*Releases fascia

*Improves joint mobility
*Balances the internal organs and improves the flow of chi or prana through meridian stimulation

Yin Yoga is based on the Taoist concept of yin and yang, opposite and complementary principles in nature. Yin is the stable, unmoving, hidden aspect of things; yang is the changing, moving, revealing.

A Yin yoga class usually consists of a series of long-held, passive floor poses that mainly work the lower part of the body—the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine. These areas are especially rich in connective tissues. The poses are held for up to five minutes, sometimes longer.

Yin Yoga works on the yin tissues - also known as the connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, fascia). Connective tissue responds best to a slow, steady load which is why we hold the poses for longer. If you gently stretch connective tissue by holding a yin pose for a long time in this way, the body will respond by making it a little longer and stronger - which is exactly what you want. Remember the principle of exercise is to stress the tissue so the body will respond by strengthening it.

Different Yin Yoga poses stimulate and remove blockages in the myofascial meridians in the body. This has the effect of balancing the body’s internal organs.

3) Slow Flow Vinyasa Yoga

Slow Flow Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic class "flowing" from one posture to another but brings the element of time into the practice. The practitioner has time to evaluate how and when a pose should to be modified, due to physical limitations or limitations in experience. The practitioner also has the time to mentally engage with the body, as it moves through a series. The mind and body connection is one of the main goals when practicing all forms of Yoga. Slow flowing Vinyasa is a wonderful practice in discovering one’s personal limitations and learning how to move past those limitations.

Slow Flow Yoga is not restricted to beginners or those with physical limitations. All levels of Yoga practitioners can find their personal challenges, as they slowly and mindfully move through a series. The pace may be slower, but challenges will be present with difficulties to work through. Even the most advanced Yoga practitioner has much to learn within the reflective pace of slow Vinyasa. Poses can be refined and strengthened, without feeling rushed into the next move, next breath, or next pose. Slow flow allows a person to become familiar with his or her body, create a reflective pause, and create the time to go inward. Slow Vinyasa Yoga is a therapeutic dance of moving meditation.