Yoga (in Exeter)

Hatha Yoga encompasses and integrates many forms of Yoga practice.

Hatha Yoga is often slower moving than other forms of dynamic yoga practice (such as Vinyasa or Ashtanga Yoga), but it can be equally as challenging, stimulating and soft, depending on the theme of the class. The integration of breath, while holding poses for longer periods of time with intention and relaxation, comprise this branch of yoga practice.

Suitable for all levels including beginners.

'Mysore Style' is how Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is traditionally taught in Mysore, India.

A Mysore Ashtanga class closely mirrors the ancient one-to-one guru-student relationship through which yoga was traditionally passed down from generation to generation. Although there may be many students in a class, each student is treated like an individual.

Each students practice is based upon their physical ability, so it accommodates all levels – from the complete beginner to more accomplished students. Beginner students will likely have a much shorter practice than more experienced ones, and then slowly, when the teacher sees that the student is ready, additional poses are added to the routine, building stamina, strength, flexibility and concentration but without overexertion or risk of injury.

To gain the most benefit from Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga we strongly recommend you attend at least 3 classes a week.

Beginners often assume that Mysore Ashtanga classes must be for more advanced students that know the sequence. This is not true. Mysore classes are uniquely designed to accommodate ALL LEVELS of yoga students, from 'advanced practitioners' to complete beginners.

Morning Mysore Classes

Suitable for ALL LEVELS (inc. complete beginners)

Morning Mysore classes are generally quieter, making them ideal for complete beginners to receive the attention required to build a practice day-by-day.

Evening Mysore Classes

Suitable for to those with an established Ashtanga Yoga practice.

If you are new to yoga or new to Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga, you might want to consider completing our short 6-week intro course 'Moving into Mysore' before attending a Mysore class.

Please note:

Mysore classes are not 2-hr yoga classes.

Most students do not need anymore than 90-minutes to complete their practice, and for beginners it is often 60-minutes. You arrive and start at ANY TIME up until 1-hour before the end of class (i.e. you are not required to arrive for the scheduled start time of the class). You can leave at any time up until the last 15-minutes when everyone will be in relaxation. We request that students finishing early plan to not disturb the last 15-minutes of class out of respect for their fellow students.

This class focuses on achieving deep relaxation and focused attention through meditation. Relaxation and meditation are given more time and space than in a normal hatha yoga class, so that students can explore this part of their yoga practice in an accessible and interactive way.

Open to everyone

Yoga Postures

Classes will begin with a vinyasa-style flow, which will be appropriate for all levels. Modifications will be given so that people can practise at their own ability. In starting the class this way, the aim is to wake up our bodies and to connect the body with breath and movement. Also, once the body is stretched and open, it’s happier to let go of tension in deep relaxation.

Relaxation

Relaxation follows, which will incorporate a range of techniques to stimulate your body’s natural relaxation response. True relaxation is something that is practised and cultivated. We’ll explore progressive muscle release, body scanning, autogenic training and relaxed breathing, so that individual students can discover which techniques work best for them.

After working with the physical body in the asanas (postures) and surveying the body in relaxation, we will begin the process of turning inward, focusing on breathing practices and meditation.

Meditation

Meditation is often put into the three broad categories of concentration, mindfulness, and contemplation, and is fundamentally about training your mind to be fully awake in the present, as your mind determines the quality of your life. Meditation is about learning to see what is just as it is, and freeing yourself from reactive conditioning. A regular meditation practice can really transform the way you experience and approach life. Again, we’ll explore different techniques and there will be a chance for students to discuss experience, if they choose to, in an informal way at the end of the class.

These classes are appropriate for students of all levels of flexibility and fitness. They are designed for those who are exploring meditation and those who already have a regular practice.

Classes are suitable for anyone with some previous experience of Yoga, but if you are not sure or have specific requirements, please contact us to discuss.

New to Yoga?

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the different yoga classes on offer in Exeter and aren't sure where to start?

The Intro to Yoga Beginners Course is our comprehensive introduction to the underlying principles of Hatha Yoga - the root of most yoga styles of practiced in the west. You will learn a variety of preliminary exercise to prepare the body for practice, plus receive a well-balance introduction to Yoga Asanas (postures), basic Pranayama (breathwork) and kriyas (cleansing actions with the breath). This course was designed specifically to provide you with a strong and stable introduction to yoga practice that will inspire you to sustain a regular yoga practice for years to come.

Perfect for complete yoga beginners, students with less than a year's yoga practice or existing students who wish to deepen and further their knowledge and understanding of Hatha Yoga.

A deep immersion into the therapeutics of Yin & Restorative Yoga

A comprehensive immersion into the therapeutics of Yin & Restorative Yoga. During the immersion we will look at ways to bring balance to the physical body using simple supported and held postures in order to bring the nervous system into the parasympathetic mode (ie relieve stress). Each class will provide simple and effective techniques such as pranayama (breathing exercises), interoceptive exercises, yoga nidra (deep relaxation) and simple meditation that can be easily applied in daily life. Those who suffer from chronic stress, anxiety, insomnia, chronic fatigue, low energy, pain, and/or tension can also benefit greatly from this therapeutic approach to yoga.

• Understand what fascia is and why conventional stretching is not always effective
• Have an idea that there are structural and energetic connections between seemingly very distant parts of the body and ways of working with them
• Make the connection between the quality of breathing and various restrictions/ tensions in the body and how to free physical tension using the breath
• Be familiar with an arsenal of simple Yin and Restorative postures and be able to use them at home
• Use basic mindfulness technique in postures
• Have a familiarity with Yoga Nidra and it’s benefits
• How to use ‘ball rolling’ to release tension and pain

Perfect for anyone new to Yin & Restorative Yoga, or anyone interested in balancing their existent dynamic Yoga practice (or any athletic activity). 

'Mysore Style' is how Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is traditionally taught in Mysore, India.

A Mysore Ashtanga class closely mirrors the ancient one-to-one guru-student relationship through which yoga was traditionally passed down from generation to generation. Although there may be many students in a class, each student is treated like an individual.

Each students practice is based upon their physical ability, so it accommodates all levels – from the complete beginner to more accomplished students. Beginner students will likely have a much shorter practice than more experienced ones, and then slowly, when the teacher sees that the student is ready, additional poses are added to the routine, building stamina, strength, flexibility and concentration but without overexertion or risk of injury.

To gain the most benefit from Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga we strongly recommend you attend at least 3 classes a week.

Beginners often assume that Mysore Ashtanga classes must be for more advanced students that know the sequence. This is not true. Mysore classes are uniquely designed to accommodate ALL LEVELS of yoga students, from 'advanced practitioners' to complete beginners.

Morning Mysore Classes

Suitable for ALL LEVELS (inc. complete beginners)

Morning Mysore classes are generally quieter, making them ideal for complete beginners to receive the attention required to build a practice day-by-day.

Evening Mysore Classes

Suitable for to those with an established Ashtanga Yoga practice.

If you are new to yoga or new to Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga, you might want to consider completing our short 6-week intro course 'Moving into Mysore' before attending a Mysore class.

Please note:

Mysore classes are not 2-hr yoga classes.

Most students do not need anymore than 90-minutes to complete their practice, and for beginners it is often 60-minutes. You arrive and start at ANY TIME up until 1-hour before the end of class (i.e. you are not required to arrive for the scheduled start time of the class). You can leave at any time up until the last 15-minutes when everyone will be in relaxation. We request that students finishing early plan to not disturb the last 15-minutes of class out of respect for their fellow students.

6-week Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga & Mysore Style Self-Practice.

Ashtanga Yoga (also known as 'Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga') is a dynamic form of Hatha Yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India.

Ashtanga Yoga is characterised by its focus on vinyasa (synchronised breath and movement), that creates a constant flow between the more static, traditional yoga postures. It is a dynamic system that emphasises the connection between breath and movement through a series of postures specifically designed to balance strength and flexibility, whilst simultaneously focusing and calming the mind. Ashtanga Yoga creates heat in the body that stimulates the nervous system and burns through blocks in the body to release latent life force energy.

This is a guided beginners class specifically aimed at those new to Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga.

Beginners yoga classes are accessable to all levels of student. A typical class will contain introductory breath-work, a posture based practice and relaxation poses. Modifications, demonstrations and detailed verbal instructions will be offered throughout the class.