Welcome to YOGA IN HORNSBY

Esther ID:A11752

Hello, welcome to Yoga In Hornsby.  Thank you for your interest.

Term times run with the school term.  

We are currently in Term 2 (Monday 27 Apr-Fri 3 July 2020).  All classes including yoga nidra, private classes and yoga therapy are via Zoom Live which has been been gong surprisingly well (we much prefer it to the videos)!  Privates can be done via other modes, like Sykpe or facetime if you prefer. 

Term 3 begins on Mon 20 July- Fri 25 Sep. (10 weeks).  I will wait to hear what restrictions are in place to let you know options but if we are allowed back at the studio, we will still have to maintain certain measures to be on the safe side. I will give you the option of continuing on Zoom too in case you are not comfortable with returning by then.

If you'd like to sign up for a spot, email me your preferred time slot (see tabs to left to check preference) and I will confirm your spot and send you information.  We will be keeping to 'normal' as much as possible so although it was fun to try the video subscription for the remainder of term 1, it seems that everyone preferred by far (including me) to connect face to face and keep to the regular spots.

The enrolment form is under the tab to left 'more about yoga' or I can email it to you. Yoga nidra is $150 for 10 classes and Yoga classes are $222 for 10 classes which will be recorded in case you miss it.

During Term 3 (Monday 20 Jul-Fri 25 Sep), we will be meeting up weekly as before (choose your time slot).  Either at the studio (tbc) or/and Zoom again (find a space to practice at home - carpet or mat or chair depending on preference and class).  You may like to have a candle, flowers, inspiring quotes to help create a beautiful space for yourself.  You will click on the link I email and enter the password and then we will start.  I will record the session for anyone who misses the class.

If you are late to enquire and if there are still a few spots left, there's the option of joining late (taking off the price of the missed weeks).  If you miss a week, there's the option to make up on another day/evening as available by letting me know in advance and finding another class that suits you.

The enrolment form is under the 'More about Yoga' tab to the left & I ask that you update these atleast once a year and keep me update me of changes to information in-between.  If you are not a current student but wish to partake in the online term this term, the practices are very gentle & modifications are offered for certain conditions, but if you are unsure, you should check with your health professional as a precaution before practicing.

Sessions are 1.5hrs and include postures for balance, strength, mobility/flexibility and breathing practices as well as relaxation/meditation which is wonderful for releasing physical, mental and emotional tensions including stress. 20 mins of yoga nidra is said to be the equivalent of 2hrs sleep and it prepares the body and mind for sleep (a lot of people report back that they sleep very deeply on yoga nights)!  There are both beginners classes (suitable for complete beginners as well as on-going practitioners who can develop strength etc using staged practices etc) and stronger progressive classes which are very strong and include inversions, salutations and more advanced meditative and breathing techniques. Don't worry if you think you can't do it or are too unfit or too inflexible etc. as there are classes/stages for everyone and options to practice from chair/box or standing instead of floor if this suits you better.  Ask to be directed to a gentler/stronger class as they can vary a lot.  There are often advanced practitioners that choose to be in gentle classes as well as first timers.  A person may do a very physically challenging posture but, without awareness it is a beginner's practice just as a gentle (seemingly 'simple' practice can be advanced and have powerful effects when practiced with intention and awareness).  It is important to remember we are all different and have different bodies and needs and what is right for one person could aggravate another.

I am a qualified Yoga Therapist and also offer private lessons as well as individualised yoga therapy sessions (recognised by AAYT) where we work together towards making up a program to address your specific physical/emotional/mental/spiritual health concerns or goals using ancient techniques of yoga, that is achievable and fits in with your lifestyle.  Three sessions are recommended in the space of 6 months but sometimes 1 session is enough, I find this is especially true with children, possibly as there is less 'build-up' of tension/patterns.  There is a face-to-face session and you will take away a detailed personalised programme (including instructions, diagrams or photos of you doing the practice) and any recordings of breathing, relaxation or meditation that can be used as often as you like at home. I will follow up on your progress in case we need to modify anything and to help keep you motivated!

The Hornsby Heights studio (pictured above) is tucked away down the end of a screened walkway at 15a Somerville Road, Hornsby Heights.  There is heating / air-conditioning for more extreme weather and classes are small and meditative with a focus on the breath.  Beginner classes are also suited to complete beginners as well as those who have been practicing for a while as these more experienced practitioners have the opportunity of deepening the practices and stages accordingly.  

I also offer 30min deep meditative relaxation class (Yoga Nidra) which is great for those needing nourishing and restoring - it is a really beneficial practice to do if you have difficulty sleeping or don't yet have the energy for yoga or are looking for time out from your busy stressful life/job/caring for others/recovery from illness or just simply to top up your reserves or help with effects of sleep deprivation.  Search the tab to the left to explore what yoga therapy is and what a yoga therapist does as this is also great for those needing support through recovery or to develop a personal programme towards total wellbeing.  

I have practiced yoga for over 20 years and eventually started my yoga teaching training journey in 2003 whilst pregnant with my first of three children.  I qualified as a Hatha yoga teacher (Aranya Tibetan tradition). I completed 11 years of extended training in the Satyananda tradition which is my preferred style and the style I teach though I occasionally draw from other sources if I feel it will enrich the class.  It is a classical style of yoga rich in meditation and breathing techniques and adaptive for different needs.  Yoga has helped me in so many ways and I am passionate about sharing the benefits with others. I am a fully accredited teacher in 2 traditions and I am also a member of Yoga Australia, SYTA, AAYT and regularly update my skills attending workshops and further training.

Yoga provides us with tools to face the challenges of life.  Each person is unique and faces different physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges.  Yoga supports us through life's ups and downs so that we can live it rather than just survive it. There are variations and modifications to suit us all.  There are also many different paths of yoga to suit each personality type.  I attempt to share with you practices to bring into every day life in the hope you will benefit as I have.

YOGA IS FOR EVERYONE* (many people worry they are too inflexible/unfit/overweight/old but there are options & stages to suit everyone who can breathe - you can make it your own practice - it's never too late :) 

I believe the ancient techniques of Yoga have something to offer all of us regardless of age, creed, physical ability, life experience.  There is a wealth of ancient resources which can improve: 

• physical strength
• flexibility & mobility
• body composition
• balance
• stamina & endurance
• clarity of mind
• stress relief
• total wellness
• evolution of body, mind and spirit
• energy
• mindfulness

Asanas (postures) - Physical Wellbeing
Releases energy blockages in the body, relieving tiredness, tightness and discomfort.  Activates healing energies into joints etc.  Improves balance, strength, flexibility, endurance and body composition. Throughout the yoga lesson we practice mindfully using breath to draw our awareness into the practice and noticing the effect of the breath on the mind. 

Pranayama (breathing techniques) - Emotional/mental Wellbeing
Breathing techniques and practices draw awareness to a deeper, more subtle level having a positive effect on the mind and emotions, alleviating symptoms such as stress, anxiety, hot-headedness, lethargy, in-correct breathing, etc.  I can't emphasise the benefits in this age of stress, busy minds and busy lifestyles!

Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation)  
Deep relaxation leads to a more receptive mind which is when change can really start to happen and we can let go of further physical, emotion, mental tension.  Deep relaxation prepares the mind for meditation helping us to achieve clarity of mind and increasing our awareness. The effects of emotions on the mind is lessened once we start to recognise patterns of thought and response to these thoughts and instead we learn to be the master of our mind and emotions.  This yoga nidra is the original Satyananda Yoga Nidra (R) which is a registered trademark, devised by Satyananda.

* Health conditions require doctor approval (Medicare rebates available with a healthcare plan until April 2019).

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Location of Studio / Classes
Home Studio: 15a Somerville Road, Hornsby Heights (private purpose built studio)