~ Style of Yoga ~

Susan Allen, who is teaching at the Yoga Ground, completed her training in India in the Sivananda Yoga tradition. She has been teaching in Ireland since 2002 before returning home to NZ in 2007. Sivananda Yoga introduces students to many facets of the yogic discipline. These include yogic postures, breathing techniques, meditation, chanting and yogic philosophy.

Yoga is a way of life; its practices have the power to totally transform your life. Yoga provides balance and quietness in this busy world. It teaches practical techniques for rejuvenating the physical body, for de-stressing the mind and for balancing the emotions. Most significantly Yoga teaches us to look inwards, to experience and realise our true nature.

The main part of each 1.5 hr class is a variety of yogic postures - these are a combination of Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar), and postures from the Sivananda, Ashtanga and Iyengar traditions. Breathing practices, some chanting and a relaxation form the remainder. Classes at the Yoga Ground are a perfect balance between the physical aspect of yoga and the creation of a meditative, quiet space.

People often inquire about how energetic the classes are. The classes are a combination of familiar postures as well as more challenging poses, with variations given for more advanced students. The aim is to increase vitality at the same time as one's sense of well-being. Emphasis is always on the breath with awareness of body and mind. This way the body becomes energised, the mind becomes centered, and awareness is increased.