Yoga Aspirations is able to provide a range of classes for different interests and abilities. Currently Yoga for Happiness classes and private classes are offered. Also available are Corporate Classes, Yoga Workshops, Yoga Retreats and Postural Analysis and Musculoskeletal Assessments.
Class Descriptions for Yoga Classes in Townsville
Private Yoga Classes
Annette provides private yoga classes in Townsville, which are carefully tailored to personal interests, needs and abilities. They include a 90-minute private yoga session and a take home plan for home practice.
Yoga for Happiness Classes
These yoga classes in Townsville help participants to discover how chanting mantras while practicing postures has a vibrational effect in the body that both calms and energizes, lightening the mood. Slow, mindful practice of postures and pauses between postures helps participants attend to body, breath and mind. Along with the postures and mantras, hand mudras (gestures), pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation contribute to an integrated enlivening yoga experience.
General Yoga Classes
These are introductory level yoga classes for which no prior experience of yoga is required. They are particularly suitable for people with constricted mobility. They introduce participants to yoga practices that encourage self-awareness, increase flexibility and strength, and contribute to improved posture and stability. They provide an opportunity to deepen body and mind awareness through asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques) and to learn short meditation practices. The classes include various practices from the pawanmuktasana series.
Building on the Foundations Classes
These yoga classes emphasise co-ordination, balance, emotional tranquility, as well as flexibility. They offer a deepening of the practice of asanas, pranayama and meditation. They are designed to enable participants to move at their own pace, from the foundational level of postures to as far as they wish to go. Each session ends with a series of relaxation exercises.
Expanding Practices Classes
These yoga classes in Townsville are suitable for those who are in good physical health and have some experience of yoga. They are designed to lead participants to a deeper level of awareness in their yoga practice. They include asanas, pranayama, mudras, bandhas and meditation. The pranayama practices include techniques for expanding breath capacity, and the asanas include the practice of Surya Namaskara (the sun salutation series).
Morning Start Up Classes
The practices in these morning classes boost energy, foster mental and physical balance, and improve posture. They help participants start the day with vitality and an optimistic outlook.
Relaxation & Meditation Classes
These classes use yoga practices to foster deep relaxation. Participants learn simple practices, including gentle yoga postures and breathing techniques, and are encouraged and supported to develop their own personal home practice. Sessions include meditation and relaxation practices, such as Yoga Nidra, a deep relaxation practice which has many benefits.
Pawanmuktasana Series
The pawanmuktasana series lays a firm foundation for the practice of all yoga asanas. The practices in this series open up all the major joints and relax the muscles of the body. In Sanskrit, the word pawan means ‘wind’ or ‘prana’, mukta means ‘release’ and asana means ‘pose’, so pawanmuktasana means a group of asanas that remove any blockages preventing the free flow of energy in the body and the mind.
Pawanmuktasana Part 1 – Anti-Rheumatic Group
This group of asanas helps loosen up the joints and is beneficial for those affected by rheumatism, arthritis, high blood pressure or heart problems. These practices are particularly useful for eliminating energy blockages in the joints and for improving co-ordination, self-awareness and self-confidence.
Pawanmuktasana Part 2 – Digestive/Abdominal Group
This group of asanas strengthens the digestive system. They are beneficial for people with indigestion, constipation, acidity, excess wind or gas, lack of appetite, diabetes, disorders of the male or female reproductive systems and varicose veins. They help eliminate energy blockages in the abdominal area. These practices are not suitable for people suffering from high blood pressure, serious heart conditions, and back conditions such as sciatica and slipped disc or soon after abdominal surgery.
Pawanmuktasana Part 3 – Shakti Bandha Asanas (Energy Bock Postures)
This group of asanas works to improve the energy flow within the body and break down neuro-muscular knots. They also help eliminate energy blockages in the spine, activate the heart and lungs, and improve the endocrine function. They are useful for those with stiff backs and are especially beneficial for menstrual problems and toning the pelvic organs and muscles. They can be practiced after pregnancy for toning flaccid muscles.