Yoga Classes in The Cotswolds, Oxfordshire

Yoga

“Yoga is the journey of the Self, through the Self, to the Self”

(The Bhagavad Gita)

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Yoga 

Yoga originated in India with its teachings rooted in the ancient religious texts of the Vedas which date back to around 1500 and 1000 BCE.  Yoga means ‘harmony’ or  ‘union’ and the ultimate aim of practising is to bring the mind, body and breath back into their natural state of balance. Yoga is traditionally recognised as a life science and is equally seen as a philosophy of mind as much as a series of physical postures. It brings about positive changes and these changes in ourselves will shine through to others.

Yoga is well known for improving flexibility, energy levels and realigning the spine. Established scientific research evidence recognises the vital role Yoga plays in soothing the nervous system and in alleviating the impact of stress on the mind and body.  Yoga practise helps us to improve awareness of our body, of our breathing and of our state of mind. When we become ‘out of balance’ in the mind, the body or the breath due to a physical of mental stress, challenge or ill health, yoga helps us to redress our imbalances and return back to a natural state of health and well being.

Yoga practises traditionally, but not exclusively, included asana (postures), pranayama (breathing practise), deep relaxations, meditations, mantra, chanting and mudras (hand gestures). Nowadays, Yoga practises are drawn from many different disciplines and there are a huge variety of styles of yoga to suit each individual.  Some prefer a more active fitness style of yoga that challenges the sluggish mind and body whilst others prefer and often need a more mindful style of yoga to ease stress and tension and instead, create a kinder relationship towards the mind, body and breath.

Yoga Classes

Yoga Focus promotes this more mindful style of yoga, encouraging students to become ’embodied’ through feeling bodily sensations and therefore less connected with agitated thoughts in the mind. Some practises encourage flowing movement as in Yoga Flows, whilst others encourage Self compassion and deep exploration as in Restorative and Therapeutic styles. 

We eat different foods depending on our age, our environment and the time of day for example. It is the same with yoga practise so it is important to choose your yoga class carefully so it is compatible for your stage in life and your current needs.

Please see the timetable page for a variety of yoga classes to suit your personal needs.

Yoga One to One Sessions

An individual yoga session is ideal for someone wishing to further develop their practises. Following an assessment of current needs, your aims and future goals, a programme is designed that encourages you to deepen your experience of the benefits of yoga.

Yoga Workshops, Summer and Winter Schools

A variety of Yoga workshops are offered during the year on specific yoga themes such as ‘Freeing the Spine, Ayurveda, Mudras and Indian dance, Meditation and Pranayama. Yoga Summer and Winter schools are hugely popular and offer an opportunity to explore different styles of yoga from a variety of different experienced teachers.