Yoga Classes for All Abilities in Newcastle Gateshead
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About us
FluidYoga is a dedicated yoga space in Newcastle-Gateshead. It was founded by Moira Fitzpatrick together with her son Rudi in 2011 with the aim of providing a genuine experience of yoga for all members of the community. The main focus of the studio is on ashtanga yoga, complemented by regular Hatha Yoga classes and “Fluid Yoga” sessions - a unique blend of yoga forms based upon Moira’s wide ranging experience.
Why “Fluid”?….We wanted to reflect the true experience of yoga in our name. It is a common misconception that all yoga is about being still in the same posture for a long period of time. Whilst this is true of more traditional types of yoga, it is not always the case. Yoga can be a dynamic, flowing physical experience, particularly ashtanga yoga in which the postures (asanas) are linked by a series of movements (vinyasas). The practice becomes like a mandala of movement, or a flowing dance between the body and the mind.
The concept of fluidity also reminds me of an analogy which my meditation teacher would often use – that of being able to treat obstacles in your life as though they are rocks on a river bed and you are the stream flowing around them. You can choose to allow obstacles to disturb you, to stop you in your tracks, or you can see them simply as opportunities to learn, to train your mind, to recognise that you can be happy regardless of what life throws your way, because true happiness can only come from within, and you are the only one who can be in control of your own mind!
Finally, “fluid” also means to be changing…this truly reflects the state of our being. Everything about our existence is constantly changing and it could be said that our wellbeing is entirely dependent upon our ability to accept and embrace that change, whether it be in our bodies, in our minds or in the world around us. At FluidYoga, our aim is to practice yoga in its original context, as a step on the path of the evolution of your consciousness. Whilst taking full advantage of the truly inspiring developments in yoga which have come about as a result of the interaction between the philosophical approach of the East and the more scientific approach of the West, we hope to never lose sight of the first and true purpose of yoga – to prepare the body and the mind for the journey to higher states of awareness.
Classes
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic form of yoga which follows a set sequence of asanas (postures) during each session, which lasts around 90 minutes. Each asana is maintained for five breaths with dynamic transitions from each asana to the next. Together with the yogic breathing technique employed throughout the practice, this dynamic approach generates a high level of heat naturally within the body, allowing the muscles to be easily stretched and toned. The massaging effect of the postures has a further detoxifying effect on the internal organs, with toxins then being effectively eliminated from the body by the heat generated. Thus the first of the ashtanga sequences – The Primary Series – is known as Yoga Chikitsa (yoga therapy), designed specifically to purify the body.
All this is in addition to the usual benefits of yoga – a strong, flexible body is what will emerge from any sustained yoga practice. More than this, your “mind muscles” will also benefit from the regular workout required to properly sustain the asanas and to practice with dedication and humility, resulting in a strong steady mind to match your strong steady body.
Practitioners of Ashtanga can progress at their own pace through the traditional “Mysore style” self practice classes [link to class descr]. There are three levels of the Ashtanga system: The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body; the Second Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies and opens the nervous system and the subtle energy channels within the body; the Advanced Series A, B, C and D (Sthira Bhaga) requiring higher levels of strength, flexibility and control, integrates all aspects of the system.
Wherever you are on your yoga journey, whether you are practicing yoga in India or in Newcastle, every time you practice Ashtanga you will come to know yourself better. It makes no difference whether you are super-flexible or you cannot touch your toes; as is said in the ancient teachings of the Bhagavad Gita: “in yoga, no effort is wasted”. It is this effort which will carry you on your journey – you will see amazing, tangible results in many ways, but most of all you will get to know your own body and your own mind – the discipline of this practice will bring you to understand yourself, so you can be aware of what motivates you, why you find certain things easy or difficult. Yoga shows you how to work with both your strengths and weaknesses with awareness and compassion, to be content in the present moment, to be happy with yourself and your world. What else is there to want in life?
Fluid Yoga
All levels of experience and ability welcome…see our schedule for class times…£7.50 per class or 6 classes for £37.50
Using the dynamic “vinyasa” flow technique of Ashtanga Yoga, the precision alignment of Iyengar Yoga and the focus on subtle energy awakening of traditional Hatha Yoga, this unique blend of yoga styles provides a grounding core session which will give you a full body work out whilst offering the opportunity to explore other aspects of yoga practice. The intensity of your session is entirely in your hands.
We will explore the use of the breath to regulate the intensity of your practice and to warm the body, allowing deeper stretches and clear focus. Using the vinyasa technique whereby the breath is co-ordinated with the movements of the body you will experience a flowing practice, using the transitions between postures to realign the body and to maintain your focus. We will also take time with each posture to consider correct alignment. Ultimately your yoga session will become a mandala, a garland of poses and motion.
Moving away from the set sequences of Ashtanga allows us to vary the sessions to focus on different types of posture or different areas of the body. For example we can focus on hip or chest opening postures, forward bends or back bends. Whatever the focus of the class is, your teacher will explain variations for poses so that they are accessible to all.
Hatha Yoga
The term “Hatha Yoga” has come to refer to the more traditional forms of physical yoga practice as have been taught and practiced in India for at least three thousand years. Other forms of yoga such as Ashtanga Yoga or Iyengar Yoga are in fact types of Hatha Yoga.
The emphasis in the traditional form is on extending and balancing the subtle energies in the body, working to align the flow of energy with that of the cosmos. In one of the many meanings of the Sanskrit word “Hatha”, Ha=sun and Tha=moon, thus representing the balancing of these two opposite and complementary energies as conceived in the ancient cosmologies.
There are hundreds of different postures (asana) in Hatha Yoga, each of which will work to stretch, massage, strengthen and open the body to allow these subtle energies (prana) to flow freely and naturally through energy channels (nadis) in the body. Blockages (granthis) in this network of energy channels are removed as a result of sustained practice, and consequently the practitioner feels light and energetic.
The intimate connection between mind and body is a fundamental aspect of all yoga. The mind must turn inward to achieve and maintain the asanas; single-pointed focus and determination are balanced with calmness and deep relaxation. As the granthis are opened and released from the physical and subtle bodies, the tensions and disturbing emotions which caused them are also released from the mind; this is the truly therapeutic purification which is Hatha Yoga
Pranayama, Meditation & Satsang
Pranayama is often described simply as doing breathing exercises and, at its most fundamental level, this is exactly what it is.
On a physical level, pranayama will exercise your lungs and your diaphragm, clearing all stale air which accumulates in the bottom of your lungs and therefore allowing your whole body to benefit from a fresher supply of oxygen. As a result your body will feel more open and active; your mind will feel brighter and more energetic.
In addition, the breathing techniques also work on the pranic body. A literal translation of the Sanskrit word “Pranayama” is “expansion of the prana”. Prana is the subtle life force energy which pervades our whole universe but which is concentrated in slightly varying forms within and around our physical bodies. In Eastern philosophies, it is literally what gives our bodies life. Pranayama increases our level of prana by drawing it from the air around us. You will therefore literally feel more alive.
Further than this, however, the breath is the one of the few of our bodily functions which can either operate entirely sub-consciously or consciously; it has been described as a bridge between the subconscious and the conscious mind. The pranayama techniques developed over thousands of years aim to bring the breath entirely under conscious control. This requires consistent focus of the mind and one-pointed concentration (itself a form of meditation). Control of the breath IS control of the mind. Your body becomes a tool of the mind rather than its master.
As you develop greater control of your breath and your mind, your ability to concentrate on anything you choose will also improve. Your performance in any activity will become more focused and efficient and your memory will improve.
Satsang
“Satsang” is a Sanskrit term meaning, in simple terms, “discussion”. It is an opportunity to talk to other students and your teachers about the practice and philosophy of yoga.
Each week, our satsang will focus on a different topic and will be followed by a short meditation session.
Service Categories
Ashtanga Yoga, Breathwork, Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga
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