| Baptiste Power Yoga |
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What is Yoga? The word yoga means union and aims to describe a state of union between the individual soul and the universal soul. As this is a rather esoteric concept (that needs to be experienced rather than explained) it is very difficult to describe, but you may recognise some of these names for the universal soul: Brahman, God, Paramatma, Consciousness, Supreme Soul, Universe, Life and The Absolute. All these labels basically describe the same thing: the timeless place where you can transform from the busyness of ‘doing’ to the simplicity of ‘being’. When people practice yoga they are looking for authentic peace, love, happiness and the experience of inner truth. Yoga can offer a gateway to go beyond the mind and into self-awareness. What is Power Yoga? Power Yoga is a relatively new term that describes a fitness-based approach to Vinyasa style yoga. The term was coined to help budding yogis in the Western World identify with the ancient tradition of Vinyasa yoga from the East. Vinyasa yoga is said to be over 5,000 years old and forms from the eight limbs of yoga: Power Yoga aims to heal, detoxify and exhilarate the body and mind with an emphasis on flowing movement and breath. This will increase the awareness of your body through alignment, strength, balance and flexibility and will bring about feelings of calmness and happiness. With practice, you will develop the ability to quieten your thoughts and experience genuine freedom and peace of mind. Here at Soul Power Yoga we teach the methods developed by yoga master Baron Baptiste and the great thing is you don’t have to know a thing about yoga to benefit from this unique and rewarding style. Who is Baron Baptiste? Baron Baptiste is an American yoga teacher who has proved to be one of the most competent engineers in building bridges between the ancient wisdom of the East and the spiritually starved West. As well as his own considerable personal growth achievements, through his approach to Power Yoga, he’s been instrumental in making it accessible and understandable to thousands of modern yogis like yourself. Here at Soul Power Yoga, we draw upon Baron’s inspirational teachings and are proud to offer a source through which this ancient wisdom flows. If you’re interested in delving a little deeper into Baron’s philosophy we recommend reading his best selling book Journey Into Power. What should I expect from a Soul Power Yoga session? Our studio is intentionally heated to +32°C so expect to perspire! This environment is ideal for flushing the nasty toxins from your body while increasing flexibility and building core strength. During a session you will undertake a cardiovascular workout that not only tones and stretches your muscles but calms your mind and reduces stress. Please don’t worry. Our teachers (not to mention all your classmates) understand this feeling because we’ve all been there! A concern for many new students is their physical inflexibility or lack of strength but the great thing about yoga is that you can always participate no matter what your age or level of fitness. You just need to focus on your own satya (Sanskrit for truth) which means letting go, breathing, moving and respecting your limitations. A yoga pose will always expose your weaknesses and once you can see them you will learn so much. You will become much stronger by accepting your weaknesses and working with them rather than running from them. By gently releasing the tension in your body and mind you will greatly increase your physical and mental motion and strength. Yoga is only as difficult as you make it, so, let go of your worries, come with an open mind, relax and give it a chance. You’ll be amazed at how much you improve. If you have any concerns, worries or questions, please just ask any of our staff. Worried about your level or experience compared to others? Don’t be! Yoga is about YOU and only you. It is about your own personal practice and experience. It’s not helpful, in fact it can be harmful, to compete with those around you. Yoga is about melting the ego. Through yoga you are encouraged to practice acceptance and non-judgment for who you are. This is where the authentic egoless YOU begins. It takes practise but you will learn to accept your limitations and strengths and realise you are unique and perfect just the way you are right now. You will find it exciting to discover what your body needs in each yoga pose and to connect to your inner self through pranayama (Sanskrit for breath work). Power Yoga will help you learn to live in the present moment. What are the benefits of Power Yoga? Power Yoga is a holistic study which means it can improve every aspect of your life! With regular practise you will notice marked improvements in:
It will help you:
You will find increasing levels of:
In short, Power Yoga will help you drop negativity from your life story and discover a wealth of mind, body and spiritual health and happiness. Which class is right for me? Whether you are new to yoga, an experienced practitioner, or seek yoga as a complement to your other athletic endeavours, you will find a Soul Power Yoga class that meets your needs. What do I need? Although you can rent a mat and/ or towel at the studio for $2, it’s highly recommended for hygiene purposes or saucha (Sanskrit for purity, cleanliness) that you bring your own. We sell a variety at the studio for your convenience. We also recommend you bring water. What should I wear? Wear comfortable, lightweight clothes that you can move freely and workout in. Be prepared to work barefoot. As often as you want! Just like exercise or losing weight, gaining results through yoga takes commitment and consistency. For greater results, practice everyday. However, transformation will happen with a practice of 2-3 days per week. Just start and let the yoga practice guide you. For now just show up and enjoy! But remember…as you begin your yogic journey you must be very gentle and kind to yourself. Practicing yoga is a lifelong process that will evolve along with your power, strength and flexibility. Give yourself enough space to grow and time to learn. Pace yourself and trust your body. How should I prepare for class?
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