Monday, 16 June 2014
The flow of Vinyasa
When:
17 Mar 14, h 19.30
Where: Vinyasa Yoga Level 2-3,The Life Centre, SW1
How much: Drop in 16 GBP
It is not uncommon to hear in class that vinyasa is moving meditation. It is something more, I think. It is the exact synchronisation of breath and movement in full awareness. If an uninterrupted flow of breath, awareness, and concentration is what you are after, practice with Amanda Denton.
Her way of weaving together the sequences is unique without indulging too much into those fashionable dance-y variation which have little to do with the vinyasa karma tradition: postures follows seamlessly to each other bringing the mind is a state of yoga - providing you keep up…Not for beginners, the pace is soft but steady - and it can be seriously challenging to withstand for an entire 90m class.
She is a strong presence in the class and, thanks to her vast experience, she manages to strike an unusual - but very much sought after - balance between softness and authority, strength and modesty.
Where: Vinyasa Yoga Level 2-3,The Life Centre, SW1
How much: Drop in 16 GBP
It is not uncommon to hear in class that vinyasa is moving meditation. It is something more, I think. It is the exact synchronisation of breath and movement in full awareness. If an uninterrupted flow of breath, awareness, and concentration is what you are after, practice with Amanda Denton.
Her way of weaving together the sequences is unique without indulging too much into those fashionable dance-y variation which have little to do with the vinyasa karma tradition: postures follows seamlessly to each other bringing the mind is a state of yoga - providing you keep up…Not for beginners, the pace is soft but steady - and it can be seriously challenging to withstand for an entire 90m class.
She is a strong presence in the class and, thanks to her vast experience, she manages to strike an unusual - but very much sought after - balance between softness and authority, strength and modesty.
The Power Yoga company
When:
1 Mar 14, h 10.30
Where: Power Yoga,The Power Yoga Company, SW6
How much: Drop in 16 GBP (free class due to sponsor day across London studios)
Quite unintuitively, the Power Yoga Company in Fulham is the yoga studio were I started my Astanga practice. This ground floor studio is now larger than in those days, with a cafe’ area and more spacious changing rooms on the first floor. Odd enough, it took years for me to even consider the idea of actually trying a power yoga class. So one recent Saturday, nested in between things in the best tradition of my typical London w/e, I went to Aram Raffy’s class.
Standard ritual: park my vespone, smile at a fellow yogi locking his bike nearby (small world, we had neighbouring mats yesterday at Satyagraha) and sign in for the class.
I am still not quite sure what exactly power yoga is, whether it is yet another label (one pretty popular with alpha types) or a more orthodox style…so very little expectations, still I was pleased with myself just for being able to squeeze in some daily practice. It occurred that the fellow (biker) yogi was indeed Aram. To me, a lovely surprise. Aram is a very considerata teacher and Stewart’s influence in his teaching is undeniable: strong flow, strong breath, plenty of sutras and irony. And (yes!) mindful, no frills meditation - which is so hard to find in most of flow classes in London today.
'Vinyasa karma makes me happy’, he tells me at the end of the class. How can I disagree.
Where: Power Yoga,The Power Yoga Company, SW6
How much: Drop in 16 GBP (free class due to sponsor day across London studios)
Quite unintuitively, the Power Yoga Company in Fulham is the yoga studio were I started my Astanga practice. This ground floor studio is now larger than in those days, with a cafe’ area and more spacious changing rooms on the first floor. Odd enough, it took years for me to even consider the idea of actually trying a power yoga class. So one recent Saturday, nested in between things in the best tradition of my typical London w/e, I went to Aram Raffy’s class.
Standard ritual: park my vespone, smile at a fellow yogi locking his bike nearby (small world, we had neighbouring mats yesterday at Satyagraha) and sign in for the class.
I am still not quite sure what exactly power yoga is, whether it is yet another label (one pretty popular with alpha types) or a more orthodox style…so very little expectations, still I was pleased with myself just for being able to squeeze in some daily practice. It occurred that the fellow (biker) yogi was indeed Aram. To me, a lovely surprise. Aram is a very considerata teacher and Stewart’s influence in his teaching is undeniable: strong flow, strong breath, plenty of sutras and irony. And (yes!) mindful, no frills meditation - which is so hard to find in most of flow classes in London today.
'Vinyasa karma makes me happy’, he tells me at the end of the class. How can I disagree.
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Monday, 12 May 2014
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