Yin & Yang
“Your hand opens and closes, opens and closes. If it were always a fist or always stretched open, you would be paralysed. Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding, the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as birds’ wings.” ― Rumi, The Essential Rumi
Sun & moon, warm & cold, day & night, contraction & stretch, it is all about balance. Yin and Yang complement each other. Where Yang is more the masculine, powerful, dynamic side, Yin stands for a mild, darker, softer side. Therefor I teach both Yin and Yang orientated Yoga Styles. Below you will find an explanation of the different styles I offer. However there will always be Yin elements in the Yang practise and Yang elements in the Yin practise.
Yang Yoga Styles
“For me, yoga is not just a workout – it’s about working on yourself.” ~ Mary Glover
Yang yoga is a collective noun for different styles of yoga Hatha Yoga, Anusara, Bikram and Iyengar Yoga are all examples of Yang orientated yoga styles. In all these styles there is a focus working to strengthen the body. I teach Hatha yoga and a dynamic flow, influenced by different yoga styles. Within this practice we will work on the following elements
- (Body)Awareness
- Stress relief
- Increased Strength
- Relaxation
Hatha yoga
In the Hatha Yoga practice the focus is on loosening and strengthening the body. It is a static practice, rather than a flowing one, and there is always time for relaxation between different postures. Regulating the breath plays an important role in the practice in order to stabilize it. The Hatha Yoga practice will calm down and quiet your mind. After the practice you will feel peaceful, open and strong. It is a mild practice so it is a great style for people who are new to yoga.
Flow Yoga
The practice of Flow Yoga focusses on moving slowly through a sequence of postures. Slowing the body down, becoming aware of body movements, this is a dynamic style in which movement and breath are connected. The classes are built around a theme, which can be both physically and spiritually oriented. Therefore the sequences will be different each time, although there will be some core elements in every practice. It will include a warm-up, standing postures, balancing postures, backbends, forward bends, twists, inversions, relaxation and meditation.
“Let your practice be a celebration of life” ~ Seido lee deBarros
Yin Yoga
“Yoga takes you into the present moment, the only place where life exists.”
Yin Yoga is a meditative form of yoga, where the focus lies on conscious movement, awareness and inner silence. It is a mindful practice that improves energy and the body’s flexibility.
Yin and Yang are part of everything and part of each other. When we are looking for balance, we are looking for the balance between Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang also exist within our bodies. Our muscles are Yang tissues, while our ligaments, joints and bones are Yin tissues.
The Yin Yoga practice is focused on those tissues that are Yin. The postures are held for a long period of time (usually for 3 to 5 minutes or longer), which activates the deep connective tissues. Since the muscles are not stressed in these postures it is possible to go deeper and work on the tissues of our ligaments, joints, deep facial networks and bones. These tissues are less elastic than the muscles (you might think of them like plastic which can break quite easily) and therefore require slower movements. By working on these tissues, however, they can become more flexible over time and this will increase the flexibility of the body overall.
“The pose begins when you want to leave it.”
Aside from the physical benefits, the Yin Yoga practice also works on the meridians of our energetic body and stimulates the organs. It releases blockages to the energy centres of the body and it improves the life force or the energy in the body.
Most of the postures are performed sitting or lying on the floor. The practice comes to an end with a final relaxation in Shavasana.
Yin yoga is the opposite of Yang Yoga, which is most common within our western society. It can be taught by itself as a full session or can be integrated within a class in combination with Yang Yoga. Yin and Yang complement each other. Yin Yoga will increase the flexibility of the body, which will positively impact the Yang practice as well.
Pregnancy Yoga
In pregnancy yoga the emphasis is on relaxation and creating more awareness in body and mind. It also supports in strengthening the body and stabilizing the pelvic region by creating elasticity in the pelvic floor. The yoga promotes circulation of fluids in the body and aids digestion. At a mental level, it helps to find more peace and clarity in a time of change and uncertainties.
In the lessons you will learn in a playful way various techniques that can help you during your pregnancy and during labour.
Changing of your body and upcoming needs will be discussed in-between exercises, while being appropriately gentle and safe for you and your baby.
You will practice to:
– Listen to your body, staying true to you in every moment
– Being present
– Being kind to yourself, and take deep breaths.
You will leave feeling like you truly worked your body, yet in a safe, conscious and effective manner.
No previous experience practicing Yoga is required. All stages of pregnancy are welcome.
If you have (pregnancy) complaints or injuries you are welcome to join, but let the teacher know upfront!!
Vinyasa Yoga
In this vinyasa yoga class, we coordinate movement with breath to flow from one pose to the next. You’ll develop a stronger mind-body connection and grow in strength and flexibility. The sequences will be different each time, although there will be some core elements in every practice. It will include a warm-up, standing postures, balancing postures, backbends, forward bends, twists, inversions, relaxation and meditation.
This ‘style’ of yoga is for everyone, all levels (beginner-advanced) & no experience needed.
Both men and women welcome.
Class in Dutch / English