Class Descriptions
GENTLE Yoga Classes
Seriously gentle. We promise.
The ideal for:
- beginners
- re-starting your practice after a break
- working with an injury
- Seniors
- those who prefer a more relaxing-style Yoga practice.
Expect MINDFUL movement, functional stretching and mobility - gently lengthening muscles, loosening joints as you’re guided in some of the less-threatening Yoga poses.
We’ll coax you out of your brain to cultivate a connection with your body using guided breath work, and encourage modifications to keep things accessible and safe for YOU - in the body you’re in right now.
A great lead-up if you wish to progress toward the OPEN class - though that isn’t necessarily the ultimate goal.
OPEN Yoga Classes
This Hatha style class infuses traditional Yoga poses and styles with functional alignment principles.
This well-rounded practice offers more in terms of physical intensity, as well as delving deeper into the other rich aspects of the Yoga practice.
Modifications are encouraged, though this is not an ideal class for beginners: there is an assumed prior Yoga experience and knowledge of one's own limitations.
GYROTONIC®
The Gyrotonic method is an original and unique movement method that addresses the entire body, opening energy pathways, stimulating the nervous system, increasing range of motion and creating functional strength.
Gyrotonic exercise sequences are composed of spiralling, circular movements which flow together seamlessly in rhythmic repetitions with corresponding breath patterns. Each movement flows into the next allowing the joints to move through a natural range of motion without jarring or compression. These carefully crafted sequences create balance, efficiency, strength and flexibility.
The Gyrotonic Method utilizes specially designed equipment which supports the bodys' natural movement patterns in its ability to arch, spiral and curl. Sophisticated adjustments allow Gyrotonic Trainers to adapt the equipment to the ideal setting for each persons unique physique, adapting for things such as height, arm length and leg length, natural range of motion and physical ability.
Gyrotonic sessions are adapted to fit anyones ability from those recovering from injury or living with a disability to elite athletes.
For bookings Please email
PILATES STUDIO sessions
We focus on individually tailored Pilates using appropriate Pilates equipment and/or mat exercises to achieve desired outcomes. There is top quality Pilates equipment in the studio. Ingrid and her teachers are very happy to work with referring health professionals to help achieve the best outcomes.
We offer private sessions, duets with a friend or small groups of up to 3 people all being guided according to their needs. One starts off with a private initial consult where the teacher can assess your posture, strengths and ascertain any goals you have in mind to start working towards. After that most people book into a regular time-slot each week or simply book week by week as your diary, and ours, allows.
“A body free from nervous tension and fatigue is the ideal shelter provided by nature for housing a well-balanced mind, fully capable of successfully meeting all the complex problems of modern living” Joseph Pilates
FOOT FITNESS
Foot Fitness is crucial to our health and wellbeing.... How many of us neglect or take our feet for granted?
Yamuna Foot Fitness helps to increase space and musculature within the feet, giving a multitude of benefits to your posture and alignment. Stimulation of muscles, organs and bones creates greater body awareness as well as relaxing the nervous system and increasing metabolism. Foot Fitness is a fabulous way to enhance any movement program and is also a fantastic place to start if painful feet are preventing you from moving.
This class uses a pair of Yamuna wakers, or Body Organics Hedgehogs or Makarlu
"So thankful to find Katrina and foot fitness class on the wakers. This weekly class has truly given me a new appreciation for my feet and how neglected they often are. The stimulation is intense and you can see and feel your feet strengthen and align. The effect is not only on your feet, your whole body feels invigorated after. This type of foot training will forever be a part of my fitness regime." Colleen
RESTORATIVE Yoga workshops
Restorative Yoga is a clever manipulation of the nervous system - leading to deep relaxation, when all the organ systems of the body are benefited. A few of the measurable physical results of deep relaxation are the reduction of blood pressure, insomnia and general fatigue; improved immune function, digestion, fertility, elimination, and an increase of the "good cholesterol" levels. The emotional benefits are way beyond measure.
Restorative Yoga is a chance to deepen the connection with your body, minimising our habitual tendency to go stronger, harder, faster, more… and to in fact actively and intentionally do nothing.
When given the chance to emerge, our inborn relaxation response provides a soothing, healing effect on the body, mind and spirit.
People heal because we take the metaphoric weight from the body, allowing it to find balance/homeostasis and reducing blood pressure.
Savouring in Restorative Yoga poses for longer allows you to cultivate a compassionate self enquiry: to listen to your body AND your spirit with your intuitive ear and connect with your inner wisdom – what needs healing or restoring?
Restorative Yoga involves extensive use of Yoga props (bolsters, blankets, blocks etc) - so we literally support, cushion and cradle the body, we cover you up and leave you there for around 20 minutes. We’re looking to reach the point where the physical body can completely relax, which initiates and facilitates healing on deeper levels including stress and emotions.
Restorative Yoga is highly recommended for any and everyone, regardless of previous yoga experience.
Sound Bath
Each Sound Bath is a unique experience which provides the opportunity for you to gently relax and for the body to initiate healing.
Using a variety of therapeutic sound instruments (Himalayan and Japanese Singing Bowls, chimes, gongs, drums, rain stick, Ocean drum, etc), you will be immersed in waves of vibration, a cocoon of gentle healing sounds which will penetrate every cell in your body.
As our cells are essentially composed of water, the sound waves readily pass through and affect them, via sympathetic resonance. Joined with a combined and focused positive intention, this helps to ‘re-set’ the vibrational frequency of our cells, initiating and promoting holistic healing.
The sound waves also interact with our brainwaves, putting us quickly and effectively into a relaxed state. It is similar to meditation in it’s effects.
Studies with an EEG (elctroencephalography, which records brain activity), have shown that these healing sounds alter our brainwave patterns almost immediately, allowing us to reap the benefits of deep states of relaxation.
Lastly, the sound instruments also affect our personal energetic field (bio-field or ‘aura’): refreshing, revitalising and even rebuilding our energetic patterns.
Combined, this presents a wonderful opportunity to clear, balance and harmonise the entire body, whilst helping to invigorate our natural healing processes.
KEY BENEFITS:
Deep relaxation
Lowers stress levels
Balances brain hemispheres (through entrainment)
Cleanses bio-energetic field
Realigns chakras (energy centres)
Re-sets normal cellular frequency
Empowers intention
Boosts immune system
Stimulates endocrine system
Promotes better sleep
Initiates healing
Thank you for bringing Corporate Yoga to our workplace. Even though our class is a mixed level group, each and every one of us have benefited greatly.
Leanne, Transgrid.
Thanks so much for a lovely Restorative workshop. I hardly ever take time out for me, and as a mother of 3 young children I always have someone with me (even when going to the bathroom!) Didn''t know I needed this 2 hrs so much, really pleased I did it. That 2 hrs will get me through the next week till I can fit your next class into my crazy schedule.
Catherine
I''ve been going to John''s Monday night classes most of this year, and I''m enjoying them so much. It''s nice to hear he''s enjoying teaching us.
Barbara
Thank you for providing this source of nurturing, or to quote you, "self cafe" which is profoundly important to our ongoing health & wellbeing.
Marinella
Many thanks to you both for such a blissful Restorative Yoga session. I really felt so relaxed and happy afterwards - I felt like I was floating!
You are both so attentive and seem to have that wonderful skill of knowing what we need before we even know we need it.
Liz
I can''t believe I actually made it happen - two yoga classes in a row, and not just any yoga but Mitch''s yoga. I didn''t realise how much I''d missed you! You''re a wonderful teacher and your music is such a great addition but it''s not even that, it must be some kind of cosmic connection that I feel with you because in your yoga class is the only place that I feel good about myself, or at least not feel bad about myself! I don''t mean for that to sound dramatic but more often than not I feel like I''m too fat, that I''ve upset someone, not been a patient enough mum, etc., but when I''m in YOUR class I feel like I am ok being me. Thank you for letting me be me.
Cathy
Thank you for a beautiful Restorative workshop last night. Friday evenings are a great way to finish the week and calm down before the weekend kids sport / activities kick in. 2 hours seemed like 40 minutes! Many thanks to you & Anne.
Karen
It’s amazing how your enthusiasm is reflected in your students. Thank-you for all the hands-on help. It feels so good! Thankyou for making a difference in my life!
Veronica
So thankful to find Katrina and foot fitness class on the wakers. This weekly class has truly given me a new appreciation for my feet and how neglected they often are. The stimulation is intense and you can see and feel your feet strengthen and align. The effect is not only on your feet, your whole body feels invigorated after. This type of foot training will forever be a part of my fitness regime. C
Colleen
I am really enjoyng John''s classes immensely. He is a great asset to your school.
Emma