Yoga is for Everybody!
With so many classes on offer at Unfold Yoga + Wellbeing, it can be difficult for students to decide which they should attend. Really, the best class is the one you can commit to attending regularly! The physical and mental benefits of yoga are heightened with consistent practice. Explore the timetable and think carefully about your schedule. Consider the early morning classes before the day gets underway, the mid-morning classes for a later start, the afternoon classes that will keep your evening free or the evening classes to unwind before bedtime.
Once you have considered your schedule, read through the class descriptions which indicate the focus or level of the class. All teachers at Unfold tailor the class to the students in attendance. Alternatives are offered to suit individual needs. Let your teacher know at the start of the class if you have any injuries or conditions, if you feel fatigued or if you are menstruating as modifications can be made. Options are offered to suit students with less experience and challenge can be added for more advanced students.
YOGA FOR HEALTHY AGEING
We search for those things that will ease pain and discomfort in the body, that will bring overall wellbeing, as well as support our recovery from injury or in managing specific health conditions. If you are ready to take your health into your hands, improve recovery and build immunity, then this class is for you. We welcome specifically people aged over-50, as well as beginners wanting to try something new. A gently active and relaxing yoga class that often uses the support of a chair, wall, block, or bolster to build a sense of deep nourishment, strength, and balance.
GENTLE/RESTORATIVE
These classes provide space and time to wind down, connect deeply, and energise the body and mind. Included are restorative supported postures held for longer periods, breathing practices, and meditation.
Alleviate feelings of fatigue by building new awareness and connections with your body whilst cultivating steadiness of mind.
All welcome.
FOUNDATIONAL / LEVEL 1
This is an on-going beginner’s level class. This class can be joined at any time or added as an extra weekly class when participating in our Introductory Yoga Course.
Start your yoga journey or build on what you’ve learnt before. You may already have conditioned your body and mind with other sports and wish to improve your conditioning for your sporting activities with the benefits of a yoga class. This class is about learning and working with the basic standing and sitting postures, as well as understanding how yoga works.
We encourage everybody (all levels) to commence here, beginners or those who are new to Iyengar yoga. Start with the basics to learn the set up or see what you may have missed in your learning. Heighten your connection with your body and breath and enhance the quality of your mindful awareness in asana.
This class is about learning and consolidating. Move on from your Introductory class to Level 1. This level class is about working towards new poses and becoming familiar with what your body is ready for. You may not be ready for some poses and that is okay, as you will learn how to adapt poses for your best practice.
Yoga does not require lots of equipment, you learn to use your body as your first instrument. At this level, you will see more asana (postures) in each class, you will extend your learning in forward bends, twists and baby backbends and begin to practice more regular inversions. At this stage you will begin to use props to manage your individual needs or see props used for a variety of restorative postures that bring nuance to the shape of our body, supporting our mental and emotional health.
LEVEL 2
This is a general-level class that speaks to a broad range of students. It also has a longer duration of 90 minutes to suit anyone wishing to go deeper, or for the maturing practitioner. You don’t have to be able to do all postures, and modifications will be given to suit different experience levels. Expect a focused class that will flow to energise your spirit and bring depth to being with your yoga community. The experience enables you to engage wholly in the asana practice to see directly into the experience and interact with the mind, body, and senses, exploring what options to take and adjusting to build a balanced practice. All age groups and quite often new or seasoned students can participate in this class.
LEVEL 3
For longer term, maturing or the established practitioners. Progress by training your mind, your endurance, and your resources to reflect and embody stillness.
At this stage students are preferably attending classes twice weekly and show readiness for further advancement in postures and sequences including, inversions, balancings, and backbends. Again, you don’t have to be able to do all postures, and modifications will be given to suit different experience levels. If attending students are not including inversions in their regular practice for reasons of health conditions or injury, they will be offered and supported with learning appropriate alternatives.
Prenatal Yoga classes are for pregnant women from twelve weeks gestation, right up to birth. It is suitable for those new to yoga and for the experienced practitioner.
Practising yoga postures creates space from within, alleviating compression on the spine and inner organs. The variety of standing, sitting, inverted, and supine postures builds your strength, mobility and stamina, as well as offering steadiness of heart and mind. A specialised prenatal yoga class provides a supportive environment for her to connect with her growing baby.
Kel will facilitate time for the group to share experiences, getting to know other mothers-to-be, and discussing relevant topics and issues in pregnancy and birth as part of the class.
Being guided by a specialised yoga teacher on correct alignment, inspired and mindful movement, and visualisation and deep relaxation creates the conditions to be open to the joys and wonder of what your body naturally can do as part of your journey of pregnancy and in preparation towards your birth.
8-WEEK INTRODUCTORY YOGA COURSE
Ideal for people completely new to yoga or returning after a break. Also useful if coming from another yoga style to become familiar with the approach of Iyengar yoga, which has an emphasis on dynamic action and precision of alignment.
PRIVATE CLASSES
Book a private class with Loretta, principal teacher at Unfold. Private sessions are offered to either current practitioners of yoga, or people completely new to our studio.
For current practitioners: Assessment and clarification for your personal practice. Opportunity for the teacher to engage with your interests offering insight and recommendations for your practice. Helping to gain fresh awareness as well as renewed purpose and confidence in practice.
New to yoga or to our studio? Wish to understand how yoga can assist any specific conditions or injuries? A one on one session can be valuable and give the newcomer and the teacher time to assess, learn and recommend before joining a regular group class.