Class Styles

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic style of yoga developed by Sri K Pattabhi Jois (1915 – 2009) in Mysore, South India. What makes it different to other forms of yoga, is the set sequence of postures. The set series of postures are linked with the breath to help increase strength and flexibility of the body and the mind. When the set sequence of postures becomes familiar, the mind relaxes and the practice can become deep and meditative.

Suitable for all levels.

Chi Kri Yoga

Chi Kri was founded by Neil Patel in 1990 to unify the ancient values of the East, going back thousands of years, together with the realities of growing up in the West – in the 21^st Century.

Chi Kri comes from two Eastern words, Chi, meaning the highest spiritual energy in a human being, and Kri, a Sanskrit root verb, simply meaning action; together, Chi Kri means doing everything with your highest energy.

With the addition of the word Yoga, Chi Kri Yoga means using your highest energy in all actions with the aim of spiritual unification.

Chi Kri has eight limbs through which it operates; these comprise of four from the classical Ashtanga Yoga system of Patanjali namely: Asana (physical exercise), Pranayama (life-force control), Pratyahara (relaxation) and Dhyana (meditation); and four additional subjects namely Metaphysics, Diet, Creativity and Mind Yoga (spiritual psychology). The class will be a mixture of yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation and relaxation (and fun).

Suitable for all levels

Chi Kung

Chi Kung is an ancient form of exercise originating in China that helps to maintain health and vitality. Chi Kung translates as ‘energy exercise’ or ‘to work one’s energy’ an important aspect of Chinese Medicine. The underlying principle mainly involves the cultivation and circulation of Chi.

Zhan Zhuang Chi Kung is a style of Chinese Chi Kung, often considered to be at the ‘core’ of many different styles of Chi Kung. It is similar to Tai Chi, but this system of postures and movements is a little more static. This may be practised lying down, sitting or standing. It is simple to learn and easy to practice and is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.

Suitable for all levels. Really helpful for injuries and health conditions including anxiety, blood pressure issues, fibromyalgia and post-operative with consent.

Dynamic Yoga

A dynamic, flowing practice that moves fluidly from pose to pose. With a focus on linking the breath to movement, you can expect a balanced class with strong flows, prop work and inversions.

Suitable for all levels.

Gentle Yoga

This class suitable for those new to yoga, beginners and also those who would enjoy a more restorative and slower pace style of yoga. Classes will include gentle and thoughtful series of postures and breathing, designed to help the body and mind to relax.

Suitable for all levels

Hatha Yoga

In its original form, Hatha yoga simply refers to the practice of physical yoga postures. It is an old system that includes the practice of asanas (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises), which help bring peace to the mind and body, preparing the body for deeper spiritual practices such as meditation.

Hatha is a Sanskrit word that can be broken down into two smaller words: ha, meaning “sun,” and tha, meaning “moon.” The word may also mean “willful” or “forceful.”

In modern times, hatha yoga is often referred to as a type or style of yoga to describe a gentle, slower paced form of yoga with minimal flows between poses.

Suitable for all levels

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga, created by B.K.S. Iyengar, focuses on the structural alignment of the physical body (often with the use of props such as blocks and straps) through the development of asanas. There is a lot of attention paid to the technical alignment of the poses to keep the mind focused. Iyengar Yoga is considered a powerful tool to relieve the stresses of modern-day life which in turn can help promote total physical and spiritual well-being.

Suitable for all levels

Mat Pilates

Pilates is a physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, after whom it was named. Pilates concentrates on strengthening the body with an emphasis on core strength. This helps to improve general fitness and overall well-being. Similar to Yoga, Pilates concentrates on posture, balance and flexibility.

Pilates is suitable for all levels of ability, except for complete beginners. We will be offering pilate classes for complete beginners soon.

All those with injuries or needing rehabilitation should attend the Pilates studio sessions (PYM) or see one of the clinics practitioners.

Meditation

It is written in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras that one of the 8 limbs of Ashtnaga Yoga is meditation (dhyana). It is though meditation that self-realisation can be found and true inner peace and contentment can be obtained. Modern scientific studies show that meditation ha a number of benifits such as reduce stress and anxiety, improves sleep and develops focus and concentration. Practicing meditation is a time to sit quietly and to move our awareness inwards, away from the bombardment of external stimulation which characterises most of our lives. You may encounter meditation practice in many of Clerkenwellbeing’s classes, but classes specifically described as ‘with Meditation’ will generally include a minimum of 10 minutes’ seated meditation. This may be in silence, or it may be guided by the teacher.  Either way, no prior experience of meditation is needed in order to attend these classes.

We also offer short meditation classes that use a range of meditation techniques including focusing on the breath, visualisations and reflection, to provide space and time in the midst of the working day. This can be practiced sitting on the floor, using a chair or lying down.

Suitable for all levels

Meditation at Clerkenwellbeing

Mums’ Post Natal Yoga (Babies Welcome)

Mums’ Postnatal Yoga (babies welcome) is specifically designed for mums to get back into their bodies after birth, while being able to spend quality time with their babies in an open and safe environment.

Postnatal yoga aids in the knitting back together of the inner core, firming up the pelvic floor and releasing some of the tension in the body built up during pregnancy and after birth.

Babies are included in the practice and there is constant interaction with them. Towards the end of the class more time is dedicated to activities aiding in their early development, but please note that the teaching of this class is emphasis of this class is dedicated towards mums and establishing their own postnatal practice.

Babies are welcome from 6 weeks to just before active crawling or from 8 weeks for mothers who have had a cesarean section have clearance from their GP or Health Profession.

Out-of-Office Yoga

This gentle but flowing practice aims to counter some of the postural issues related with working in an office-based environment by lengthening the entire body and releasing.

tension in the spine, neck and shoulder areas. Mindfulness techniques are woven into each class to give our focus a much-needed midday boost and provide us with an arsenal of tools to help us better navigate everyday stressors. By building breath awareness, our attention is drawn inwards and we become fully present in our bodies – a perfect opportunity to clear our headspace and switch off!

Suitable for all levels

Pilates Yoga Movement (PYM)

We provide a fully equipped Pilates studio which was founded by one of the foremost teachers of and authorities on Pilates and yoga in the UK, Anne-Marie Zulkahari. The PYM teachers support and encourage clients to be inquisitive about their bodies to enable them to acquire a deeper understanding of how to move efficiently, with grace and strength. We work with clients at the level that is needed – whether it be peak fitness, managing chronic conditions and pain, restorative practice or recovering from surgery. Visit the PYM website for more information.

Restorative Yoga

This class is about slowing down and non-doing. It allows the body to open and to free the breath through gentle and passive stretching in supine and seated poses. Various props are used to support the body throughout the class, supporting the poses for extended periods. It is open to all levels from beginners to experienced students. It is gentle and restful and helps to release and restore. In this way it complements more active yoga practices and our daily city life.

Suitable for all levels

Scarvelli Yoga

Vanda Scaravelli was born in Florence in 1908. It wasn’t until she was in her 40s that she began to practise and study yoga with Iyengar and subsequently with T.K.V. Desikachar from whom she learnt about the importance of the breath. She developed her own independent practice and found a way to re-interpret the classical yoga postures as taught by Iyengar, through her discovery of the profound relationship between gravity, breath and the spine.

Scaravelli is a very deep way of connecting with your body, which over time, can bring about profound change. It is also a very safe way of doing yoga – classes are small, allowing the teacher to give individual attention to each student and to make sure that they are fully grounded, non-competitive and non-ambitious in their approach to yoga. The classes work through a variety of postures combining forward and backward bending, twists, spirals and rotations to develop strength, flexibility and balance.

Suitable for all levels

Shadow Yoga
A revolutionary school of Hatha Yoga, founded by Zhander Remete. Students begin by learning basic, yet challenging natural movements; undoing restricted patterns of movement, breathing and thinking, which all go hand in hand. Beyond the basics, there are three set sequences, called ‘preludes’. Emphasis is on positioning through feeling, co-ordination of the arms and legs with the breath, and cultivating mental attention. Progressively these become more refined, co-ordinated and spiralling in nature. This leads to further refinement of the mental attention and the release of more deeply held restrictions, preparing one for the practice of yoga-asana.

Shadow Yoga offers something quite different to anything else out there, whilst being firmly grounded in the authentic teaching of Hatha Yoga. It revives knowledge and practices that have been all but lost in our modern times, when this wisdom is more relevant than ever. And yet, it is well-adapted to the needs and limitations of modern city-dwelling people. It teaches us how to use physical activity, with correct breathing and mental attention, to remove the obstacles within ourselves (physical/mental/emotional), which otherwise prevent us from leading lives of contentment. These are the first steps towards gaining mastery over the body, mind and energy. This practice truly supports us in whatever life goals we are pursuing and in overcoming the hurdles along the way.

Classes
Generally taught as courses of 6 weeks/more for students to make gradual yet steady progress in this comprehensive system. If you are injured or pregnant, please let me know, as you may require a special class or individual instruction.

Beginners: 0-6 months yoga experience. Provides a foundation with the basic movements: joint warm up sequence, basic stances for strength and flexibility, and coordination with the breath to develop mental focus. The best place to start Shadow Yoga, even if you have previous yoga experience, as it is very different to what is commonly taught.

Level 1: 6 months to 1 year of yoga experience. Introduces the stances of the first prelude, Balakrama (Stepping into Strength). Can be suitable for those who have not done Shadow Yoga previously.

Level 2: 1-2 years experience of Shadow Yoga. Working with the Balakrama and the second prelude, Chaya Yoddha Sancalanam (Churning the Shadow Warrior)

Level 3: 3 years+ experience of Shadow Yoga. Working with the first two preludes, as well as the third, Kartikkeya Mandalam (Garland of Light)

Vinyasa Flow

Vinyasa Yoga is creative flow of ‘asanas’ (postures), linked together by synchronising the heating, detoxifying (Ujjayi) breath with intelligent, dynamic movement and alignment. Strengthening and toning, whilst releasing tension and toxins from both body and mind. Ending in deep relaxation (Savasana), coming back to a place of centre and ease.

These yoga classes are designed for today’s’ life styles; to strengthen, tone, re-energise and soothe; peeling away tension and toxins from the body, mind and soul. Leave feeling uplifted and refreshed with a deeper sense of calm and clarity.

Suitable for all levels

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga Classes are the perfect balance to your Vinyasa / Dynamic Yoga practice.

In Yin Yoga we allow ourselves to slow down. Working through a series of supported postures which are held for longer periods of time, usually 3 – 5 mins; working deeply into muscles, joints and targeting the deep connective tissue and fascia, of the body. In this practice we use lots of props (bolsters, blankets, blocks etc) to support the body to comfortably open. This practice is ideal if you have stiffness or injury. It’s also the perfect antidote to fast-paced London life or if you practice a lot of dynamic ‘yang’ yoga or sport.

Suitable for all levels

Yin Yang Yoga

Understanding the need for dynamic movement (Yang) but also to slow down to replenish and allow for deep rest (Yin), Yin Yang yoga is the perfect balance.

Starting with a flowing, dynamic and strengthening Vinyasa Yoga (Yang). Getting the body and energy moving, then flowing effortlessly into second of half of our class; a wonderfully nourishing, releasing and restoring Yin Yoga practice.

Suitable for all levels

Yoga

This is a general yoga class, which is based around posture practice, breath work and some meditation. These classes are not defined as a particular style as they have been developed by the class teacher who has studied a variety of styles within the yoga tradition so that this class reflects his or her personal approach. After this class, the body will feel less tense and you will leave with a quieter mind and a sense of peace and calm.

Suitable for all levels

Yoga and Guided Meditation

This gentle class is ideal for beginners and beneficial for the more experienced, whatever your age or level of fitness. There are no fast changes from one intricate posture to the next. Instead, you’ll learn how to listen to your body so you can move at a pace that’s comfortable for you. As well as the traditional yoga poses, this class will also involve the breathing practices known as pranayama and meditation.

Suitable for all levels