Canberra Yoga Space offers classes in a wide variety of yoga styles so you’re sure to find one that suits you.
Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices which originated in ancient India. There is a broad variety of yoga schools, practices, and goals in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Many styles of yoga have been popularised by different teachers over the years. At Canberra Yoga Space we offer a wide variety of styles and variations on them to give you as much choice as possible and to cater to the individual needs of students of different abilities. Learn more about the different styles of yoga offered by Canberra Yoga Space below.
ASHTANGA | HATHA | IYENGAR | YIN | OTHER | MEDITATION
ASHTANGA
Ashtanga Yoga is one of the two predominant styles of yoga hailing from India. Ashtanga is an energetic style that synchronises breath with movements. The individual poses – asanas – are linked by flowing movements – Vinyasas – between different poses to help create heat in the body.
Traditional Ashtanga yoga follows the same sequence, patterns or series of poses in a precise order. Ashtanga is a physically demanding practice and incorporates arm balancing, shoulder stand, headstand and other challenging poses. Some inherent flexibility and body awareness is required for this style of practice.
Vinyasa yoga incorporates many of the same postures as an Ashtanga practice and uses the Vinyasa to link poses together, but the order of the poses may differ. Vinyasa yoga may also be quite challenging, but includes more variations for the poses and sequencing of movement.
Canberra Yoga Space offers the following classes in Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga:
Ashtanga Yoga Led Class
(Strong)
The Ashtanga led practice at CYS currently works with the Primary Series. This 90 min session encompasses most if not all of the primary series, breathing techniques and savasana.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a strong dynamic style of yoga. This practice is suitable for beginners to intermediate students who are generally fit and have no mobility issues. A certain level of body awareness, mobility and strength is assumed.
In this class you will learn a vinyasa — breath synchronised with body movement — and safe postural alignment under the guidance of a certified and experienced Ashtanga teacher. During the class, you will experience the benefits arising from a strong, vigorous and meditative practice.
New students are welcome.
CLASS DURATION: 90 mins
LEVEL: Intermediate – Experienced
CONTRA-INDICATORS: not recommended for absolute beginners or people who are not physically fit; not suitable for pregnant women.
Ashtanga Blend
The emphasis in the ashtanga Blend Class is on building physical strength and flexibility, while developing concentration and focused breath awareness, to create a mental and physical release. Classes include optional physical challenges offered throughout a dynamic flow leading towards a final guided meditation as part of savasana.
Ashtanga Blend includes a shortened version of the Ashtanga Primary Series to allow a variety of postures to be experienced. As a gentle to moderate version of Ashtanga, it is suitable for all levels; from beginner to more experienced practitioners, although some experience is recommended.
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL: Beginner, Intermediate, Experienced.
CONTRA-INDICATORS: Not suitable for pregnant women.
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HATHA
Hatha yoga is a series of ancient Indian practices and techniques designed to create a unity of body, mind and spirit, with a goal to ultimately unit with god and return to the energy of all that is.
Traditional Hatha Yoga was first described around the 11th Century and knowledge was passed from teacher to student through practice. These practices were not available to everyone, but reserved for ascetics and holy people.
Modern Hatha Yoga, also know as Classical Hatha Yoga, became more widely known through the writing of Hatha Yogi Pradipika in the 15th Century ACE and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, popularised in the early 20th Century but written over 2000 years ago. These texts, amongst others, are of the building blocks of what is commonly known as Yoga today in the West. The practices where adapted but the ancient texts and teaching and re-designed for regular people to be able to enjoy the benefits of health and harmony. Many branches or styles of Yoga have grown from these original texts and their interpretation by various teachers in India. This has been further adapted as yoga becomes more common in the West is from the early 20th Century.
Vinyasa Hatha
(Gentle to moderate)
This class is a balanced flowing practice, addressing all parts of the body and the different movements we make. Classes are designed to gently awaken the body, build heat with Vinyasas, create strength and release tension. Variations are given to make poses accessible and the pace of the class can be varied depending on the needs of the student. The poses and shapes vary from class to class to cultivate variety for the body and awareness in the mind. This class will leave you feeling invigorated, nurtured and grounded.
CLASS DURATION: 60-75 mins
LEVEL: Suitable for absolute beginners to experienced practitioners.
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Vinyasa Hatha
(Moderate)
Suitable for beginners who are physically fit and experienced practitioners, this class is fluid and dynamic, and will leave you feeling refreshed and energised.
These classes are a fun flowing sequence that will leave you with a free feeling in your body and your practice. This class allows you to connect and find that quiet place while giving you the challenge you need.
CLASS DURATION: 60-75 mins
LEVEL: All levels. Moderate fitness
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Dynamic Hatha
(Moderate)
Dynamic Hatha classes at CYS are an invigorating practice designed to generate energy and build your capacity. You can expect an integrated Vinyasa-based sequence to charge up your batteries, with a progression through some more challenging poses that will enable you to expand your practice, and maybe surprise yourself too! Awaken and activate your Yoga practice with these dynamic classes.
CLASS DURATION: 60-75 mins
LEVEL: all levels with good mobility and a moderate level of fitness.
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Weekend Recovery Vinyasa Hatha
(Gentle to Moderate)
This is a gentle-to-moderate Vinyasa Hatha class designed to allow you a warm-up to ignite your energy for the week ahead. This is a flowing practice with a balanced approach, nurturing body, mind and spirit.
CLASS DURATION: 60 mins
LEVEL: all levels
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Yoga Synergy – Vinyasa Hatha
(Moderate)
This style of vinyasa hatha yoga is based on active movements. You will learn to move your body with intelligence and freedom, with a particular focus on ensuring that movement of the spine is active, free, and easy.
You will have the option of practising backbends, arm balances and inversions in these classes with careful guidance on good foundation and alignment, and as you (the student) feel ready and able.
This style is a flowing practice that will get circulation and energy moving through your body.
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL: Suitable for intermediate to experienced students.
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Knoff Approach – Dynamic Vinyasa Hatha
(Moderate)
The Knoff Yoga System is a merging of the anatomical alignment of Iyengar with the energetic aspects of Ashtanga to build strength, create heat and improve mental focus. Students will practice the best that both these two styles have to offer. All classes are based on a 5-week rotational theme and you may commence any week. The classes are sequenced and postures and techniques are modified, if necessary, to ensure all students are able to participate. All classes incorporate 5 essential elements: meditation, pranayama, asana, relaxation and yoga philosophy, ensuring students receive the full benefit of yoga.
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL: intermediate – experienced
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Dynamic Hatha – Core Focus
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL: intermediate – experienced
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
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IYENGAR
Iyengar yoga is a style or linage of yoga designed by BKS Iyengar, one of the foremost yoga teachers in the modern world. He wrote many books on yoga such as Light on Yoga. His teaching has shaped modern yoga in the west with a practice that is alignment-based and uses props to help the students achieve optimal alignment. Iyengar Yoga is a very precise practise that works with poses separately and with a distinct focus.
Iyengar Yoga
In following the Iyengar tradition, each week of the month tends to be focused on a different set of asanas – standing poses, forward bends, backward bends, restorative and pranayama. Within this cycle, each class will typically have a theme.
Props are used in a range of ways including to assist students to safely approximate an asana and to awaken intelligence in specific parts of the body.
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL: all levels
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
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YIN
Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga, incorporating principles of traditional Chinese medicine, with asanas (postures) that are held for longer periods of time than in other styles. Poses are held from 45 seconds up to 5 mins and are often supported by props. The sequences of postures are meant to stimulate the channels of the subtle body known as meridians in Chinese medicine and as nadis in Hatha yoga and to release connective tissue in the joints creating greater mobility.
Yin Yoga poses apply moderate stress to the connective tissues of the body—the tendons, fasciae, and ligaments—with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility. A more meditative approach to yoga, its goals are awareness of inner silence, and bringing to light a universal, interconnecting quality. Classes are often themed on the basis of season or Meridian to enhance the benefits of the practice. Many Yin postures look similar to familiar Asana but have different names and intentions. Yin yoga is about letting go of muscle activation and tension in the body.
Yin Yoga
A purely Yin class to restore the flow of energy in the body with relation to Chinese Medicine Meridian energy. Yin practices allow you to open and lengthen through the connective tissues of the joints, with longer time spent in each shape and an emphasis on relaxing the muscles to allow the release of the connective tissue. The class is done mostly on the floor and postures are based on opening specific channels of the body based on the meridian. You will feel renewed and restored after your yin practice and can affect specific organs and energy in the body with this mindful practice.
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL: all levels
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Yin & Yang Yoga
(Gentle)
Yin & Yang Yoga blends two styles of yoga into one practice. Yin yoga is a RESTORATIVE practice, which is all about surrender and letting your muscles relax. Yang yoga is its active counterpart. When combined they complement each other and balance out your energy. We all need to balance strength and motion with softness and stillness. Begin to integrate the mindfulness of yin with the movement of yang.
This class is of general intensity, and is appropriate for all levels of abilities. It is a lovely combination of active movement at the beginning with long-hold yin postures at the end, finishing the class with a relaxing guided Savasana. Each class is built around a theme to help the students take the benefits of yoga off the mat into daily life.
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL: all levels
CONTRA-INDICATORS: People with joint replacements need to practice with caution and responsiveness.
Restorative Yoga
(General Level)
Restorative yoga provides relaxed rejuvenation for the body and the mind. It is especially useful when you need to eliminate fatigue and stress that result from your daily activities.
Many restorative yoga poses are similar to normal yoga poses, except that they are performed with the support of props. And hence, poses are passive instead of active. Poses are held for longer to allow muscles to relax and restore the body to its optimal energy level. Restorative yoga is an introspective practice allowing you to rest deeply in the sensations of the body and nourish from the inside out.
This practice is done on the floor with several props, bolsters, blocks and blankets. Shapes are held for long periods of time.
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL: all levels
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
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OTHER
Classical Yoga
Classical Yoga draws on ancient texts including the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. Classical yoga draws on the yoga philosophy, as well as giving practical guidance with balanced classes across a 4-week cycle. With the regular practice of Yoga, students can increase strength, flexibility and mental clarity.
CLASS DURATION: 60 mins
LEVEL:
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Sivananda Yoga
The teaching lineage of Sivananda Yoga can be traced back many hundreds of years to the great sage Adi Sankaracharya (788-802 CE). The teachings have been passed from guru to disciple in an unbroken chain to the present day.
The International Sivananda Yoga is dedicated to the teaching of classical yoga and Vedanta to promote physical, mental and spiritual health.
Sivananda Yoga centres were founded by Swami Vishnudevananda on instructions of his guru Swami Sivananda.
Swami Vishnudevananda has made the yogic teachings accessible to all through simple yoga discipline, breaking down the practice into easily understood and practical five points
• Proper Exercise – Asanas
• Proper Breathing – Pranayama
• Proper Relaxation – Savasana
• Proper Diet – vegetarian diet
• Positive Thinking – Vedanta and Meditation – Dhyana
A well-balanced yoga practise is achievable by those sincerely seeking for change in their lives.
Radhika Gupta an experienced Hatha Yoga – Sivananda Yoga teacher follows this lineage and its classical way of teaching to help people not just physically but also mentally and spiritually.
Her teaching comprises of Pranayama practices (breathing exercise) followed by Sun salutations and classical asanas that include a variety of sitting, standing and inverted postures.
She works extensively with individuals, coaching and supporting them to lead happier, more fulfilled lives. Radhika integrates her intuition and creativity with a focused and systematic approach.
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL:
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Yoga Flow
(Gentle to Moderate)
This class is suitable for all levels; from beginners through experienced practitioners. In this slow flowing class, the breath will be synchronised with mindful movements. Every class will begin with a warm-up through the six movements of the spine. Combining dynamic postures and static postures, you will be guided with variations to enable you to practice at your own level of intensity. Pranayama, breathing techniques, will be practised at the beginning or end of each class. Each yoga practice will end with the final posture, Savasana. Finishing your practice with deep relaxation helps the mind and body to assimilate the yoga postures and fosters greater self-awareness.
CLASS DURATION: 60 mins
LEVEL: all levels
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Morning Mantras
LEVEL: all levels
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
Yoga for the Seasons
(moderate)
Yoga for the Seasons is suitable for the novice and returning student alike. The classes are challenging and lots of fun.
Yoga for the Seasons is designed to take you through the fundamentals of yoga practice. Generally, the classes comprise a fusion of many styles of yoga including, IYTA, Ashtanga, Acro, Tantra and Oki-Do. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Japanese Shiatsu and Western Anatomy and Physiology are also woven into the fabric of the classes.
In accord with the dynamic, ever-changing nature of our Canberra climate, and the needs of those attending, every class is different and somewhat improvised. This variation keeps the classes relevant and interesting and prevents you from plateauing in our development from too much repetition.
Each class will include:
- a brief introduction
- a short relaxation practice
- physical warm-ups for strength and mobility of muscles and joints
- classical yoga asanas such as twists: side, back and forward bends; balance and inverted poses — all taught in a graded style to accommodate any level of ability pranayama (yogic breathing practices)
- Yogic relaxation, to calm emotions and clear ‘mental clutter’.
Classes may also include solo, partner and group exercises as per individual preferences.
Yoga is about alignment, as much physical as metaphysical. You will improve your physical posture with correct alignment in the poses, and you may also become aware of any ‘misalignments’ with respect to your direction in life, and the activities and relationships you’re currently involved in. Yoga students sometimes find themselves questioning past decisions and making positive changes in life’s direction. Or, if already on-track, you may be inspired by more energy and passion.
Yoga classes can also provide new social opportunities and help develop existing friendships between students. Usually, towards the end of a term, we’ll enjoy a shared meal after a class, at a restaurant close by.
All classes are general level. This class is open to students who have completed the Beginners’ Yoga Course and to those who have had a regular yoga practice for more than six months.
CLASS DURATION: 60 mins
LEVEL: intermediate – experienced
CONTRA-INDICATORS: not suitable during pregnancy.
Yogalates
(Moderate)
Yogalates is the fusion of Yoga and Pilates harnesses the physical and mental benefits of both practices.
Pilates focuses on building strength in the “core,” the deepest muscles in the abdominal region. Pilate’s techniques will improve postural alignment and create a strong and stable foundation for movement.
Yoga focuses on the physical body and emotional body and the connection to the mind. By incorporating Pilates, yoga and breathing techniques students will benefit from increased muscle strength, tone and flexibility; greater balance, and enhanced body awareness, while still leaving the class with a sense of calm.
CLASS DURATION: 60 mins
LEVEL: All levels, moderate fitness
CONTRA-INDICATORS:
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MEDITATION
Meditation is a powerful practice that can ground, centre and reduce stress in today’s over-stimulated world. Many people would like to meditate, but feel that it is just too hard with their busy minds and hectic lifestyle. This class is dedicated to creating an experience of meditation that is achievable and enjoyable in your everyday life. It will be beneficial to new and practised meditators alike.
Guided by CYS’s extensive bodyworker, meditation teacher and healer, Eli Haski, this class presents the perfect opportunity to begin or continue your journey to de-stress and quieten your mind.
The benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices are extremely well documented. Meditation is scientifically shown to increase happiness, wellbeing and a sense of control. It also is known to reduce stress and the risk of major health issues.
This class presents a progressive approach to experiencing and enjoying meditation! It includes the use of sound therapy, using quartz crystal chakra singing bowls, guided relaxation and yoga nirda.
CLASS DURATION: 75 mins
LEVEL: All levels
CONTRA-INDICATORS: if you are particularly sensitive to sound please see the instructor prior to class; earplugs can be provided.