Class Styles

About the styles of Yoga taught at CamYoga

Beginners, or those who have not done any excercise for a while, should take one of our beginners Yoga or pilates courses as an introduction to exercise. If you are in any doubt as to your ability to do any of our activities, please contact us info@camYoga.co.uk. People with injuries or illness should discuss with their doctor first if Yoga or pilates is suitable for their condition, and always inform your teacher of any illness or injury at the start of the class.

Levels Level 0 = absolute beginners; Level 1 = beginners; Level 2 = intermediate; Level 3 = advanced

Ashtanga Yoga was founded by the late Sri K Pattabhi Jois from the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore. The institute is now run by his grandson R. Sharath Jois who continues to spread his work worldwide. The practice is a powerful series of postures that is traditionally practiced in ‘self practice’ format, where the teacher works individually with a student teaching postures one by one as the student progresses both physically and mentally. As you become more proficient, more postures are added to the sequence, which is practiced the same way every time. It builds great strength and suppleness, and a deep sense of physical and mental well being. It is the dynamic combination of breath, bandhas and asana (postures) that give this practice its power. Our Ashtanga classes work through the ashtanga primary series at varying rates depending on the class, aiming to teach students the correct traditional method. Ashtanga is best suited to people with a reasonable level of fitness, although of course one of it’s main benefits is in building fitness quickly. It is also great for weight loss. We run ashtanga beginners courses, drop in led classes, and mysore style self practice classes.

Hot Yoga is done in a heated room. Classes consist of a series of postures that systematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to the entire body through compressing and restricting blood flow to specific body parts then releasing, allowing the body to flush out stagnant toxins. Proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health and a sense of well-being will automatically follow. Hot Yoga is suitable for everyone, and is a very popular Yoga form. We have a specially heated room for these sessions.

Yoga Flow is a dynamic form of Yoga. in a flow class, the teacher will vary the sequences of postures as he or she feels the need to. You can work towards different ‘peak’ postures each class, and classes can be gentle, or more energetic according to the class level. We run flow classes at different levels.

Jivamukti Yoga is a vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating yoga practice. It combines Vinyasa (flowing asana sequences), Pranayama(breathing exercises), Meditation, Sanskrit Chanting, Deep relaxation (savasana), Music (nada) Yoga teachings and hands on adjustments. The practice cultivates strength, flexibility, concentration and helps us to connect to that eternal unchanging reality within. Jivamukti is not a set sequence of postures, the pattern of the class changes continually. Jiva means individual soul, Mukti means liberation. A Jivanmukta is one liberated while living. Jivamukti yoga was created by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984. It integrates traditional yoga teachings with a vibrant and contemporary approach which is relavant to our contemporary lifestyle. David and Sharon are based in New York. To find out more about jivamukti Yoga go to www.jivamuktiyoga.com

Hatha Yoga. The true meaning of ‘hatha Yoga’ is simply the practise of postures. But in the west when people say ‘hatha Yoga’ they usually mean a gentler form of classic Yoga postures. Our hatha Yoga classes will introduce you to classic Yoga as it has been practised for centuries. A combination of postures and breathing, and is excellent for fitness, suppleness, mental calm and relaxation. We run two levels of hatha Yoga classes – ‘Yoga for beginners’, and ‘Yoga’.

Pilates was developed from a combination of western and eastern exercise techniques aims to strengthen and recondition the body whilst restoring correct posture and great flexibility. The focus on strengthening the deepest layers of muscles and building core strength makes it a good complement to any exercise regime, and it is particularly suitable for anyone who has had injury problems.

Pregnancy Yoga can bring a great sense of well being and enhance bonding with your unborn child, and will enable you to approach birth calmly and confidently. Classes are suitable for any stage of the pregnancy, and it is fine to come along if you are new to Yoga. We recommend that you start early in the pregnancy, 12-14 weeks being an ideal time, but starting later in pregnancy is better than not starting at all. Classes cover Yoga postures and relaxation, plus breathing, sound and movement in preparation for birth.

Postnatal Yoga is for your return to exercise after having a baby whether that be after 6 weeks or 6 months, or more. It is important to build core strength before going on to any other type of exercise, and our postnatal courses address this. Our 6 week postnatal course will look at rebuilding fitness gradually working initially on core strength, and building up to more traditional Yoga postures, and of course time for relaxation. It is suitable for anytime from 6 weeks after having your baby. If you are in any doubt as to your suitability for this course, please do get in touch. Yoga for women is also suitable for postnatal women more than 3 months after having a baby.

Baby Yoga is a great way to take enjoyable ‘time out’ with your baby, away from the everyday realities of babycare. It can increase your confidence in handling your baby, bring stress relief to both you and your baby, and give your baby a gentle invigorating stretch and workout. ¬†Baby Yoga can also bring relief from the common minor ailments to which newborns can sometimes be susceptible, promoting better sleep, contentment, better feeding and relief from wind and colic. It can also bring parent and baby closer, promoting closeness and touch, and a relaxed space for you to bond in. As well as aiding your baby’s development, baby Yoga classes aim to strengthen and revitalise new mothers with gentle postnatal exercise integrated into the class.

Yoga for Children is for all children regardless of ability. We run classes for age groups 3-5 years, 5-8 years, 8-11 years. Classes are bookable in 6 week blocks by the school half term.

Yoga for Teenagers is a fantastic class for teenagers at what can be a stressful time of life. The class gives space, time to relax, motivation and enhanced self esteem. For all teenagers regardless of ability. Classes are bookable in 6 week blocks by the school half term.