Unity Yoga

Beginners Yoga

This Hatha Yoga class is suitable for anyone who has never tried yoga before or who wants to go back to basics. In Beginners Yoga you will learn some basic Asanas (postures) and posture flows and gain a basic understanding of important alignment principles. As well as Asana, a class may include some basic Pranayama (breathing practise) and each class finishes with guided Deep Relaxation. The emphasis of the Beginners Yoga class is on building confidence and ease in the postures, to deepen natural breathing, increase relaxation and introduce the practices of yoga in a manner that is accessible, clear and fun!

Hatha Yoga

Hatha, meaning sun (ha) and moon (tha) is the coming together of the masculine, active (ha) energy and the feminine, receptive (tha) energy. It is a strong physical practice that was traditionally used to prepare the body to sit for long periods of meditation. Here in the West, Hatha yoga is the yoga of postures and breath control, asana and pranayama. It forms the basis from which other yogic traditions have originated, like Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga.

The postures and breath control in Hatha yoga seek to strengthen, stretch and tone the body and also to bring greater breath or energy awareness. It allows you to fully engage in life with a strong body, connected to an open mind.

For a fun and active start to your weekend, Hatha yoga will help you to shift the aches and pains built up over a busy week, allowing greater harmony in the body. Enjoy yoga in a friendly, open and relaxed environment.

Infinite Tai Chi

INFINITE TAI CHI is a holistic & relaxed form of exercise taking its inspiration from nature & the elements, focussing on the body’s energy centres & the breath thru relaxed yet energising movement. This ancient Chinese art form provides wellbeing, grounding, strengthening & stability as well as harmonious calming of the mind as a moving meditation. INFINITE CHI KUNG is a series of nurturing warm ups done in preparation for Tai-Chi. Literally translated CHI means “energy” or “life force” & you will discover the benefits this practice brings to your daily life almost immediately ! Classes are low impact & suitable for all ages & levels of experience. Join Michelle in relaxing, revitalising & renewing your whole system & EXPERIENCE THE INFINITE HARMONY, TRUTH & SPIRIT WITHIN.

Iyengar Yoga

The Iyengar method of yoga is very much in the traditional style; however it has been shaped and modified over time to make it available to people of all abilities and levels of fitness.

B.K.S Iyengar began his yoga training as a teenager in India and was soon after teaching. Over the years he came to recognise the importance of correct alignment in the poses and the benefit this brings to the body and mind. He began to introduce the use of props often simple household objects such a wall, chair, low table, ropes etc, etc. By skilful use of these of these props under the guidance of a teacher even people with very limited movement can gain the health that comes from the practise yoga Asana’s (poses).

Props also help the student to stay in the pose for a longer length of time therefore benefiting more from the pose.

Mr Iyengar began to bring his yoga to the west in the 1960’s and Iyengar yoga is now practised all over the world.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga includes all elements of the ancient teachings of yoga: Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Mantra (sound), Mudra (hand positions), and Meditation. These aspects are combined into series of exercises called Kriyas. Some Kriyas are dynamic and energetic, others are slow and meditative. Kundalini Yoga develops flexibility, tones muscles and strengthens the nervous, glandular, and immune systems. It increases mental energy and gives you a deep inner calm, strength, and grace. This ancient system draws upon a vast body of teachings brought to the U.S. by Yogi Bhajan. All levels.

Restorative Pilates is an 8 week comprehensive course of progressive modified Pilates taught by a chartered physiotherapist, Angela Hannon. Restorative Pilates has been developed by physiotherapists linking between recent spinal stability research and the original work of Joseph Pilates and his contemporaries. The advantage of restorative Pilates is that you work on muscle control rather than strength with the exercises working muscle groups in patterns that are functional. The result is a body that works more efficiently. In addition to this the other benefits and results include:

• correction of poor mechanics that underlie injury
• improved posture and flexibility
• firmer and flatter stomach muscles
• better trunk stabilization
• enhanced breathing control
• greater resistance to injury
• overall body toning
• safe injury management
• identifying the cause of injury

Pilates is known as the thinking person’s exercise. How you move is the key to producing results. Therefore the program is based on correct body alignment. The focus is on coordination, moving properly and ‘core stability’. It is a research based approach.

The 5 key elements are:

• Lateral breathing
• Centering
• Ribcage placement
• Shoulder blade placement
• Head and neck placement

Additional achievements in Pilates include:

• Increases stamina
• Improves circulation and respiration
• Increases bone density
• Increases energy
• Boosts the immune system
• Increases well being
• Reduces stress
• Strengthens pelvic floor muscles
• Balance in the body
• Flattens a flabby tummy

It is recommended that you have a one to one session with Angela prior to starting the course as an assessment and for screening. This can also give you an opportunity to learn the important key principles of alignment and correct core activation, in an individual setting and familiarize yourself with the style of Modified Pilates.

Note: This course is recognized as Physiotherapy treatment and is covered by health insurance.

Yoga for Pregnancy

Support and empowerment for a transformative time in a woman’s life.

• Practical and simple techniques to support women through all stages of pregnancy and childbirth.
• Breathing techniques for vitality, relaxation, stress relief, pain management, calming the mind and releasing held emotions.
• Physical practices to strengthen the body and ease tension.
• Special attention to pelvic floor, abdominal muscles & back.
• Awareness of body, heart & mind, with attention to creating positive thought patterns.
• Prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for birth.

PRE-BOOKING NECESSARY – PLEASE CALL TAMZIN CANNIFFE @ 087-233-5738

Yoga Fundamentals 2

This class is suitable for anyone who has attended at least 12 yoga classes.  In this class we will build a deeper confidence in the Asanas and sequences that were covered in Fundamentals 1 as well as learning new Asanas and sequences. This class will begin to introduce the practice of Meditation as well as different kinds of Pranayama (breathing) practices.