Yoga Bradford classes have a relaxed, informal atmosphere and a number of different classes on offer so you can find a yoga style to suit you. You don’t need to be flexible or strong to start and we welcome people of all ages and abilities. Every great journey starts with the first step and yoga is a spiritual practice that can lead to deep and profound personal transformation so click on a style below to find out more.
Styles
Ashtanga
Beginners yoga course
Restorative
Rise and Shine gentle yoga
Slow Flow
Vinyasa Flow
View our Timetable for more information.
Ashtanga
Ashtanga is a dynamic yoga style, originating from Mysore in India in the mid 1900s by Pattabhi Jois. This yoga style has a set sequence of postures, designed to develop stamina, strength and flexibility. The sequence starts with sun salutations, followed by standing and seated postures, ending with finishing postures and relaxation. Ashtanga is more than just a physical practise; the ancient philosophical texts, the Yoga Sutras written by Patanjali, detail the 8 limbs of the practise (“Asthanga” meaning “eight limbs” in Sanskrit). These texts provide details on lifestyle to enlightenment, encouraging you to take the practise off the mat and into life.
What can I expect in an Ashtanga class?
The breath is the centre of the practise and in each class we will work through the set sequence of postures, synchronising each movement with the breath, and holding each posture for 5 breaths. This synchronisation of movement and breath (called “Vinyasa”) develops calm and focus for the mind, and builds strength and stamina in the body so be prepared to move and sweat! Even though Ashtanga traditionally follows a set sequence of postures, each class may have a particular focus e.g. a certain posture or a certain body area (e.g. hips, shoulders) and therefore some postures will vary from class to class but always with enough repetition to build familiarity and to enable progression from week to week. Modifications for postures are always offered to enable to you to feel supported and practise safely.
Benefits
Moving with the breath generates heat and improves circulation. The postures build strength, stability, stamina, flexibility and focus and this dynamic style is very energising for the body. But the benefits are greater than just physical! The focus on the breath and the awareness of the sensations in the body help us to develop and practise a state of mindfulness, which in turn promotes a sense of calm in the nervous system. This calm, awareness extends beyond the mat and allows us to remain mindful and calm in life, no matter what mental or physical challenges we face.
If you are new to yoga, this class will be very challenging therefore it is recommended you have previous yoga experience or you complete the beginners course or you attend the Rise and Shine or Slow flow classes to start your yoga journey before attending the Ashtanga class.
Beginners Yoga Course
If you would like to learn the traditional style of Ashtanga yoga, over the six weeks we will break down the fundamentals of a well-rounded practice: asanas (physical postures) and body alignment, movement and transitions, pranayama (breathing techniques), basic meditation and some philosophy and history of yoga.
Course structure: The beginners yoga course is taught in a six week sequence. Each class will include a complete basic yoga practice with emphasis on the following:
- Week 1: Introduction to meditation, breathing techniques & sun salutations
- Week 2: Forward bends and seated postures
- Week 3: Side-bends, twists and balances
- Week 4: Heart-openers and back bends
- Week 5: Introduction to inversions
- Week 6: A typical class with pranayama (breathing) and meditation techniques
Some supporting information will be provided in class/via email so you can deepen your knowledge and understanding.
What can I expect in a beginners class?
- We will start each class with a short mindfulness meditation to connect with our breath and allow the mind to settle.
- We will then review the function and benefits of the postures included in the weekly theme
- Following this we will learn and practise some physical postures (asanas), including Sun Salutations to build heat and strength, followed by some seated postures to develop flexibility. Modifications/alternative postures will be offered to ensure you can practise safely and choose the best pose to suit you. In some postures I may physically adjust you to ensure safe alignment and/or to deepen your stretch in the pose. If you prefer not to be adjusted, or the adjustment feels too strong, then just let me know.
- Finally we will rest in Savasana to calm and relax the mind and body, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Benefits
The 6 week beginners yoga course will help you build strength, flexibility, improve posture, balance and mental focus whilst practising in a relaxed and friendly group setting. Once you’ve completed the course you will have the experience, confidence and knowledge to attend the open level yoga class and start to build a regular yoga practice.
Book into the Beginners Yoga Course.
Restorative Yoga
Deeply relax, slow down and relieve stress by enjoying long, meditative stretches comfortably supported by props, bolsters and blankets. Your only focus in the class is to really let go, be present and focus on the breath.
What can I expect in a Restorative class?
Restorative yoga is all about slowing down and opening your body through passive stretching. In this yoga style, you will hardly move at all, doing just a few postures in the course of an hour, whilst completely supported by props so you can hold poses for longer periods of time.
After you are set up in a pose with all your props, you will hold the pose for an extended period, often up to 10 or 20 minutes. In these passive poses, the focus is on ease and release. You may even fall asleep. This can be a sign that the nervous system is re calibrating to a “rest and digest” state vs. “fight or flight.” You will continue to focus on your breath throughout. We may only do four or five poses over the course of an entire class.
Since we will not be warming up the body in the way we would in Ashtanga or Vinyasa flow, we will wrap up warm and use extra layers and blankets to stay cosy.
Benefits
This passive stretching enables deep physical, mental and emotional relaxation and it enhances your mood and wellbeing. The postures are designed to restore health and vitality by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. This part of the nervous system is responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” functions; slowing the heart rate and increasing blood flow to vital organs to promote healing. When we practise restorative yoga it can be so restful you will feel like you have had a sleep.
At the end of the session, your body will feel open and refreshed. You may even be a little sore the next day from the deep stretching. Restorative yoga can help:
- heal the effects of chronic stress
- recover from illness or injury
- balance energy and quiet the mind
Restorative yoga is open to all levels of experience and is great if you want to really slow down, or if you are feeling under the weather and want to give yourself a break.
Look out for the next restorative pop-up class via the workshops page.
Try Yoga Bradford Restorative classes online!
Rise and Shine Yoga
The Rise and Shine hatha yoga style is slow-paced, gentle yoga style to both stretch and strengthen the body. The postures will stretch out the body from head to toe, waking up your whole body leaving you feeling both energised and calm. This class is open to all and we offer variations of postures to suit all levels.
What can I expect in a Rise and Shine class?
The Rise and Shine class opens with a mindfulness meditation and intention-setting, which will focus the mind and bring a sense of positivity. Each posture is accompanied by deep breaths, calming the body and mind and allowing you to relax into the postures. The slow pace will help you find the space between poses while the deep breaths retaining the gentle rhythm of a flow yoga class. The class finishes with simple breathing techniques to energise and invigorate the mind. You will feel both calm and energised – a great way to start the weekend!
Benefits
This slow and steady yoga style allows you to tune into the body and mind to bring a sense of focus and calm. The postures are intentionally gentle so there is no physical strain or challenge, just a feeling of letting go of physical tension and mental chatter so you feel refreshed and energised.
Slow Flow Yoga
The Slow Flow yoga style is a meditative form of Yoga, which synchronises movement and breath together. The pace is gentle to help you find space between poses. The movements accompanied with the breath retain a rhythmical, flowing feel to the class whilst the slow pace enables you to drop deeper into the postures.
Slow Flow classes are a combination of Vinyasa Flow (see below) and Hatha yoga, with fewer transitions than Vinyasa yoga and more flow than Hatha yoga.
What can I expect in a Slow Flow class?
In the Slow Flow classes, we open with a mindfulness meditation, followed by postures that are linked together in a flowing sequence. Each session will focus on a different theme e.g. releasing tension from the neck and shoulders, or they may focus on a particular posture. There is a focus on the breath throughout the class, with long, deep breaths to promote relaxation and a sense of calm. We hold postures for several breaths and as we move, we synchronise movement and the breath together. All classes finish with a lovely, relaxation leaving you feeling calm and rested.
Benefits
Each class will provide a well-rounded practise, improving strength and flexibility for the whole body. The slower pace helps to create strength and balance whilst activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This is also known as the body’s “rest and digest” system, which brings a sense of calm and peace. The mindfulness approach of this class will enable you to observe the sensations in the body and to notice the activity of the mind. This means you can create more space in between thoughts and make a conscious choice as to how to respond to anything that arises, both internal (in the mind) and external (in life).
The more gentle nature of this class is great for beginners. It is also wonderful for intermediate and advanced students who feel like slowing down and sinking deeper into their practice.
Try Yoga Bradford Slow Flow classes online!
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Vinyasa means “breath synchronised movement” and in this yoga style the postures are linked together in a flowing sequence. This fast-paced, dynamic, flowing sequence is designed to build strength, stamina, flexibility and focus.
What can I expect in a Vinyasa Flow class?
Each Vinyasa Flow class will have a particular focus each week e.g. core strength or focussing on a specific posture. The pace, intensity and sequences will therefore vary from class to class. In some classes we will lead you through a slower, alignment-based sequence so you can explore each posture in more depth. In other classes we may be more vigorous with fast movement-based postures and sequences. Postures will be held for a varying number of breaths and it is the breath that is the central focus and is the anchor around which everything flows. This is a challenging yoga style so expect to move and sweat!
Each class will vary in the postures included but will still include a wide range of movements to increase strength and flexibility and enough repetition each week to develop familiarity with the postures and aid progression from week to week. All classes finish with a lovely (well-deserved!) relaxation leaving you feeling calm and at ease.
Benefits
This dynamic style builds strength, stamina, endurance and cardiovascular fitness and the postures develop tone and flexibility in the muscles. The focus on the breath means that this style of yoga can feel like a moving meditation, enabling you to tune into the sensations in the body and the thoughts and reactions that arise in the mind. When you become aware of these habitual patterns, you have the potential and opportunity to make changes. This can change the way you behave and feel, on and off the mat, bringing a sense of peace and calm.
Try Yoga Bradford Vinyasa Flow classes online!
Click on the links below to find out more information.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Preparing for class
To ensure you get maximum enjoyment from the class, there are a few things that will help you prepare:
- Wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move in; nothing too tight or restrictive
- Ideally you should practise yoga on an empty stomach i.e. approximately 3 hours after food
- Bring some warm clothing to wear for the relaxation at the end of the class
- If you have any illness or injuries, check with your GP to make sure you are safe to practise
- Bring your own mat if you have one. We do have mats at the studio that you can use
We are all gloriously different and have our own path to follow so listen to and honour your body. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, this is your personal journey and you are exactly where you need to be. Back off from the posture if there is any pain/discomfort and always maintain a smooth, flowing breath. But most important of all – enjoy yourself! Any questions? Just ask 😉