Yoga is an ancient system for health, well being, personal and spiritual growth. It has much relevance in today’s fast paced and stressful world as a way to achieve balance, and contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Many people around the globe practice many forms of yoga for this reason.
With regular practice you will experience the benefits of yoga. Yoga provides a counterpoint for the fast paced world in which we live, bringing you back into the moment , bringing you back into balance.
Yoga has been proven to have a positive impact on your flexibility and strength, range of motion, balance, insomnia, pain and back conditions. Stress related conditions, high blood pressure, and your sense of self worth and well being are also benefited by a regular practice.
Yogic breathing increases lung capacity, lowers blood pressure and helps to induce the relaxation response.
Meditation techniques bring you into the moment, aiding concentration, and enabling you to let go of stress and negative thinking patterns. Your creative energy increases. When you release tension, the energy used to hold the muscles or repetitive thinking patterns tightly, is released.
Yoga enhances sports performance, and by balancing the body- working both sides of the body and the core, working your body in an holistic way, will help prevent injuries. The yoga style at the Art of Yoga balances flexibilty and strength building for the muscles, joints and ligaments.
The health, well-being and stress management benefits are there for everyone to experience regardless of age, gender, or current level of fitness. Yoga starts just where you are.
Yoga promotes a healthy central nervous system ( brain and spine), healthy endocrine system and healthy internal organs, giving you greater energy and vitality. Through yoga you get to know your own body and mind, therefore treating problems within the body – mind at the source.
You do not need to be flexible to begin and practice yoga, regular practice increases your flexibility and strengthens and tones the muscles, ligaments and joints. This can ease pain and stiffness in knees, hips, shoulders and neck , reducing tension headaches and migraines over time.
Yoga Studio
Here at The Art of Yoga we have developed a beautiful studio for you to enjoy. The studio is maintained exclusively for yoga, meditation or like- minded practices and workshops, it retains a lovely calming energy for this reason. Purpose built in 2008, the studio was an exciting move from previous locations, allowing for students to develope their practice if they choose. The studio is fully equipped- we provide yoga mats, cushions, blankets and is fully carpeted, it has eco friendly air conditioning to create a warm and welcoming environment for you.
We also can provide books on yoga to purchase by arrangement.
The studio has a small yoga library, books and magazines are available on loan to all enrolled students.
Located in Helensville, there is plenty of parking out the front, with shops and cafes within an easy walking distance. The studio is extremely comfortable. We have taken great care to create a calming environment, with eco- friendly heat pumps, shower and changing facility, soft carpet to sink into shavasana/ relaxation, and plenty of space to stretch out in. We have utilised a previously unloved space and turned into a beautiful yoga space that is conducive to both the physical and internalising work of yoga.
Yoga Teachers
Principle teacher Linsey Smith has studied with Ashram Yoga to the Advanced Level ( 2001, 2005), attained Prenatal Yoga Certification, and has studied with Judith Hanson – Lasater PhD,Pt, in both Therapeutic and Restorative Yoga in 2008 and 2010. She has a wide range of yoga experience including attending the 2011 Yoga Journal Conference in San Francisco, attending workshops with Shiva Rea, Dharma Mittra, and Gary Kraftsow. Linsey has been teaching since 2001.
Our classes are very much focused on the student, they contain both static or held postures and dynamic, flowing postures with emphasis on moving with the breath. Breathing exercises help each student to renew their energy and let go of tension that can be held in chest, abdomen and upper body. Classes finish with a deep relaxation led by Linsey, this is often the students favourite part of the class! Yogic relaxation helps you to let go off stress and tension on a physical, mental and emotional level, this is a very important aspect of maintaining a healthy body and mind and increasing your enjoyment of life.
Why learn yoga with Linsey? Below is a testimonial from one of our students-
“Linsey’s friendly, self-contained studio is meditative and calm and welcomes with soft lighting, colourful cushions and blankets. A qualified and dedicated teacher, Linsey brings her energy, training and presence to each class. Her soothing voice leads us through classes, sometimes vigorous and sometimes not vigorous, but always with a surprise or two.
At the finish I am always amazed at my feelings of ease and inner peace.
For me, stepping on to my mat is cause to breathe deeply and relax. Soon after I begin I notice my body relaxing and a feeling of letting go. There is no high stress or high demand and I can enjoy being where I am. The practice gives me a wonderful flow-on effect making me feel better for the rest of the day.” – Linda Unsworth
Yoga Classes
Our Classes are OPEN LEVEL. They are suitable for most people, options are provided to allow everyone to progress and practice safely at their own pace. If you are unsure please contact us to discuss your needs. We teach in course blocks or terms,there are four terms per year corresponding roughly with the school terms. If you are pregnant please phone first to discuss which class would be most suitable for you and your baby.
Classes are inspired by the Satyananda system of progressive and holistic yoga, they incorporate techniques for the whole person and include; asana (yoga exercises), pranayama (breathing techniques), mudra(gestures),mantra (sound), and yoga nidra (deep relaxation) or meditation. Linsey incorporates her training in Therapeutic and Restorative yoga with Judith Hanson-Lasater into the classes, also her many years of experience and passion for yoga.
You will gain:
Greater flexibility,
Strength and stamina
Deeper focus , concentration and better memory
Awareness of better posture and the benefits of this on the back and whole system
Awareness of better breathing and how this affects vitality
Greater vitality over all, in a sustainable way.
Casual/drop in option is available when space allows- please phone or email us first to find out if there is a space -and sign up for our newsletter below to receive regular updates on availability of classes, workshops and the latest news from the studio.
We provide all mats, blankets and cushions, just come in comfortable clothing, try not to eat for 1 -2 hours before hand.
Come to The Paua Room entrance, the studio is right next door.
Term One - Begins February 14th 2012
Bookings for Term One 2012 are Now Open!
Tuesday 6.30pm -8.00pm – OPEN LEVEL 8 Week course
$108.00 Early Bird Special- paid by February 4th - a nonrefundable deposit of $20 is required to secure your place , with balance paid by February 4th. As this course is very popular unfortunately we cannot offer casual spaces. $120.00 after Feb 4th
Thursday 9.00am – 10.30am – OPEN LEVEL – 8 Week Course From Feb 16th
$108.00 8 Week course, payable by February 11th, $120 after Feb 11th- or casual $17.00 (when space allows)
Early Bird Price extended to Saturday February 11th!
Please phone 09 420 9898 for bookings or send us an email to book, we will send you all the information you need to make payments on line or in person.
Once your booking and payment have been received we will send you a confirmation and more details on the classes.
Linsey facilitates workshops at the studio, for those who would like to extend their knowledge and experience in yoga, and offers private lessons by arrangement.
Please sign up for our FREE newsletter below to receive regular updates, yoga news and tips, and info for 2012 classes and workshops!
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For more information on any aspect of our classes and prices please contact us.
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