Funyasa Yoga™
is all about celebrating the joy of movement. Each class is designed as
a tribute to the complete person: physical body, reactionary mind,
luminous soul. Rather than micromanage, I empower my students to make
their own cathartic exploration of the body, through a sensual mélange
of poses with special emphasis on sensation.
Everyone finds their own way to move intuitively, intelligently through
challenging sequences, without discounting principles of healthy
alignment.
Poses are linked playfully by the breath's rhythm, and we invite some
joy into the practice with kinetic variations of static poses, all kinds
of balancing poses, deep delicious stretches and more. To honor
students' different moods and abilities, options can range from the
gentle to the seemingly outrageous.
Restorative / Gentle Yoga:
These slow-paced classes are intense and meditative, using poses sequenced
to allow a quieting mood to settle into the body and brain. We stay close
to the mat, and often use bolsters, blankets and other props to support the
body. The overall experience rings of release and renewal, without using
excessive effort or fighting gravity to make the point. Restorative,
gentle yoga appeals to a broad range of students, including seniors and
people nursing injuries. It's a nice complement to a rigorous, athletic
practice, and a welcome antidote to the stressors of a fast-paced lifestyle.
Yoga
Nidra:
Roughly translated, Yoga Nidra means the sleep of a yogi, and refers to the
final relaxation in which deep levels of consciousness can be accessed. The
first part of this low-to-the-ground class contains a series of
heat-building poses and delicious stretches. Afterwards, through guided
imagery and techniques of systematic release, you'll arrive at a state of
profound physical and mental relaxation, penetrating the unconscious and
subconscious self. It's said that half an hour of Yoga Nidra can replace
three hours of sleep. You're welcome to come to class and decide for
yourself.
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Levels:
In theory, advanced students should
understand when to stop, while beginners might sometimes go
overboard. In reality, the opposite can happen, usually
because people approach their yoga practice with such high
enthusiasm. Refinement in hatha yoga is a lot about subtle
actions and attitudes, and often involves dropping technique
and economizing effort. Rather than strive madly for some
challenging pose, rather than become attached to the outcome
of our efforts, it's more important that we honor our
strengths and weaknesses and proceed accordingly. Your
teacher can only guide you; everyone must move responsibly
to ensure their own safety. By observing the thoughts and
sensations that arise in class, and by admitting the truth
about how we think and feel in that moment, our class
experience becomes more meaningful. So with all that in
mind, please read the information below and decide what
class is best for you.
Open:
There's a reason most of the above classes are taught at an open
level. When students of different backgrounds practice yoga
side-by-side, we wind up celebrating our differences. Novice and
experienced students can work together, starting with simple
outlines of a pose, working up to more strenuous variations.
This attitude of creating and sustaining community is exactly
what is fostered in a funyasa yoga class.
Yoga Nidra & Restorative / Gentle Yoga:
These are open level classes. In the more relaxed Yoga Nidra
and Restorative classes, our slow and supported movements are
sweet and safe for the majority. In both of these classes we
stay low to the ground, but the Yoga Nidra class starts with
heat-building stretches, so is therefore slightly more strenuous
than the Gentle Yoga class, whic is safe for all levels from
beginners to advanced.
Advanced:
Students who are truly experienced in asana need few cues in
approaching a given pose intelligently. These classes are
taught at a fast pace, giving students the opportunity to
explore "new" poses, and more challenging variations of familiar
poses. In these classes, students are encouraged to go beyond
the physical asanas, and delve into self-awareness that
transcends the physical.
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