Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga has deep rooted traditions that track back to the yoga sutras written over 2500 years ago. What is unique about Iyengar is the practice of asana and pranayama, with emphasis on the use of props to ensure precision alignment, sequencing and timing. The practice will be different for each person at each session and the classes will run smoothly with people of a variety of age groups, levels of health and fitness and previous experience using a variety of props. You choose how far you push yourself each class as only you knows how you are feeling, not just physically but also emotionally. Classes can be easily tailored for people with injuries or health concerns. After a class you will have the endorphins as if you have run for an hour but the relaxation as if you have just slept for 8 hours! Not many activities can bring you that in less than an hour and a half!

Pre-Natal Yoga

If you’ve never practiced yoga before, pregnancy is a wonderful time to start. Pre-natal yoga can help you adjust to the joys and challenges that pregnancy, birth and motherhood have to offer.

From reducing physical discomforts of pregnancy such as aching lower back, fatigue, gastric reflux and fluid retention to emotional challenges like fear and anxiety about the birth, pre-natal yoga can help. We offer the Birthlight method of yoga that enables women to “birth lightly”. Birthlight guides pregnant women to breathe freely and deeply and in doing so develops inner strength, stamina and serenity, directly acting on the nervous system. Negative feelings disappear and by developing a calm breath, pregnant women are more able to breathe calmly through labour. This ability to breathe deeply also creates a deeper connection with baby, both before and after birth.

Many movements practiced during pregnancy yoga encourage the baby into a good position for birth and a greater chance of a natural delivery when practiced during labour. Attention given to strengthening of pelvic floor muscles help aid a quicker recovery post-birth.

“Practicing pre-natal yoga through out pregnancy gives you a chance to tune in to your baby and your body. It provides you with skills in breathing, movement and relaxation that so become a part of you that when you go into labour you don’t even have to think of what you should be doing for a positive birth, you know it”.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is one of the most popular styles of yoga. It is a beautiful gentle class with slow paced poses and stretches that include awareness of the breath. Hatha yoga tries to achieve balance between the body and mind, as well as free more subconscious elements of the mind through physical poses, breathing techniques and meditation. The class is great for beginners but also has many challenging elements for the more advanced yoga.

Vinyasa Flow

Vinyasa flow or “Power Vinyasa” is a strong practice that links movement to breath. The practice develops inner strength combined with an inner calmness of breath. This is a transformative practice that can be adapted to suit all levels from those that have never practiced yoga to those that already have a sound practice.

Power vinyasa yoga is based on the teachings of Baron Baptiste and can be very healing on both an emotional and physical basis. Power vinyasa works in line with the way the body is designed to move building strength within rather than superficial strength. Power yoga provides the building blocks for a sound home practice. With time, you will breathe more freely, feel more empowered and walk with a lightness to your step!

Restorative Yoga

Restorative Yoga is a gentle yoga technique, offering students a great stretch without straining. If you would like to increase your flexibility, then Restorative Yoga is for you! With the aid of props (including bolsters, blocks and straps) you can safely move beyond your body’s limitations and release those tight spots. During a Restorative Yoga class, the pace slows down enabling students to enjoy a space of deep relaxation. Many students report improved sleep the night of practicing Restorative Yoga. A feeling of overall wellbeing and rejuvination are wonderful side effects of coming to a Restorative Yoga class at Health Space.

PilatesPilates classes at Health Space focus on strengthening the core postural muscles of the body, which stabilise the torso and improve flexibility and strength for the body without building bulk. The method also involves concentration and the co-ordination of breath and movement - thereby helping to balance body and mind. Pilates is also becoming more popular with sports professionals in giving them that extra edge. It can also be used for rehabilitation purposes following an injury or for general prevention of injuries.It is also very good for your pelvic floor, especially before and after pregnancy and surgery.

The many benefits of Pilates include:

Better quality of movement
Reduced stress levels
Improved posture
A stronger more flexible spine
A longer more streamlined body
Helps prevent musculoskeletal injuries
Improved sense of joint awareness
Toned abdominal muscle

Pilates

Pilates has many benefits which include:

• Improved core strength
• Toned and defined body
• Prevents injury
• Strengthens the Pelvic floor
• Improves flexibility
• Reduce stress levels and give you greater energy
• Improve posture
• Can be used to rehabilitate from back and other injuries
• Aligns your body