Deep Stretch Yoga
SAVY Yoga has been serving the city of London and surrounding areas since 2011 under the most qualified and experienced faculty in LONDON and CANADA, and one of the most qualified and experienced faculty in the WORLD! To serve the people of London in a better way, instead of serving some run-of-the-mill pseudo-yoga routines, we offer some very useful and healing, authentic Yoga/ Meditation/ Pranayama routines, ranging from gentle to very challenging Yoga, for the beginner to the advanced student alike.
Here, we bring to you an introduction to Yoga classes being taught at our SAVY Yoga Studio.
Through demonstration, discussion and experiential movement, you will gain key understanding of proper postures and how to keep your body safe. As common sense dictates, one can function properly only if one is disease-free and is in a healthy state of body, mind and spirit. So, for us, your health and disease-free state comes first of all. Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas, Pranayama, Swara, Mudras, Marmas, Kriyas, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana – our Yoga is much more than mere ekanga Yoga comprising gymnastics and sauna!
Yoga Classes at SAVY bring to you the taste, values and expertise of the true traditional Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga from India. Inspired adherence to the eight pillars or steps of yoga bestow one with a calm mind and fit body and lead one towards attaining an emancipated life. In more physical or materialistic terms, Yoga is more than capable of keeping one physically and mentally fit and disease-free. It has become the new hot and favoured way to sweat it out for better health. SAVY Yoga is a humble step in that direction.
Deep Stretch Yoga
What is Deep Stretch Yoga
Deep Stretch Yoga includes Yoga postures for deep stretching of body combined with breathing patterns which facilitate deep stretch. It is based on classical Hatha Yoga postures and breathing patterns. It is a slow-paced style of yoga with postures, or asanas, that are held for longer periods of time.
Deep Stretch Yoga is based on the Yogic/ Ayurvedic concept of ida and pingala, or the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems in the modern science lingo – the opposite and complementary principles in the microcosm. Ida nadi represents the resting, relaxed state – the stable, unmoving, hidden aspect of things; pingala nadi represents the fight or flight scenario, the changing, moving, revealing aspect.
Deep Stretch Yoga has been used for thousands of years to improve meditation practices. These yoga postures, when held for a longer duration, instill deep calm and help us get in touch with the inner consciousness and manifest their benefits at the physical, mental and spiritual levels. The practice of Deep Stretch Yoga trains us in the habit of slowing down, paying attention and listening – listening to our body, to our mind, to the soothing sound of the Ujjayi breath. Deep Stretch Yoga goes hand in hand with the practice of mindfulness and helps to fine-tune the various skills that bring us back to the here and now.This routine shows the way towards gentle and prolonged stretching and coordinated breathing, and breathing exercises, that results in deep relaxation. Advanced practice stimulates, balances and energises the Marma points and Chakras and leads on to awakening of kundalini.
Deep-Stretch Yoga is a lesser known form of ancient yoga which usually consists of a series of long-held, passive floor poses that mainly work the lower part of the body—the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine, and educates the connective tissues of the body to stretch and the mind to focus. The poses are typically held for up to five minutes, sometimes even longer, but the benefits start with holding poses for more than 70 seconds. Focus on these tissues has a better effect on stretching and exercising of the bone and joints areas of the body.
It was not uncommon for the Gurus in olden times to ask their disciples to hold one pose for a day, without moving! In its extreme form, some Hatha Yogis hold one pose for at least 12 years continuously!
In faster changing sequence of postures, mainly the muscles in the body are stimulated, encouraging strength and physical health. But, over time, if deep stretch is not practiced, the muscles and the joints of the body become more susceptible to injury. As one ages, a lack of flexible joints in the body increases the risk of pain and injury. Deep stretch yoga increases one’s ability to perform other forms of yoga by having better lubricated, flexible joints.
The most major difference between deep stretch and other forms of yoga is the effect on the mind. Deep Stretch Yoga creates a better sense of balance, connectedness and peace of mind.
Not all yoga postures are suitable for Deep Stretch Yoga. This is due to the fact that in Deep-Stretch Yoga, various positions are held for a longer duration.
Physiology
Muscles account for about forty percent of the resistance against the body’s flexibility, while connective tissue accounts for about fifty percent. The intensity and physical benefits of Deep Stretch Yoga practice depend on two variables:
- Duration of the asana, and
- Temperature of the muscle.
Asanas are usually held for five minutes, but can be held for longer periods too.
Deep Stretch Yoga should be practiced when the muscles are not yet warmed up. Less elastic muscles, when cold, allow more stress to be transferred to the connective tissue. Muscles are kept relaxed to avoid muscle spasm, which could result from engaging muscles for long periods.
Who is Deep Stretch Yoga For
People of every age can do and receive the benefits of Deep Stretch Yoga. This type of practice is beneficial to a wide variety of people. In fact, everyone who wants to get deeper into the practice of Yoga should do this routine regularly. Some find holding poses for longer duration difficult, but the benefits outweigh the difficulties.
This is for you if you are tired, over-stimulated, if your energy is too erratic, your mind is overactive, you are craving for energy or you feel you have too much of it! With laptops, phones and other mobile devices bombarding our senses all the time, it’s easy to end up staying switched on all the time, with a mind that is constantly busy processing all that information that you throw at it.
These exercises teach you how to regulate those sensory inputs. These also make you ready for getting deeper into yoga and meditation in a very subtle way. Deep Stretch Yoga is beneficial in eating disorders, osteoporosis, in-patient drug treatment centers, drug addiction rehabilitation centers, or even for those seeking pain treatment and trauma recovery.
With the regular practice of this kind of yoga, you would be amazed to see how the yoga practice helps you not only in making a difference in your lives but also helps in overcoming so many health issues. Regular practice of Yoga ensures a long and healthy life.
Principles to follow for Deep Stretch Yoga
- Tristhana. Bandha, Drishti and Ujjayi should be adhered to.
- Alignment. As this is a more advanced practice, you have to be more careful about the correct alignment.
- Be gentle. Move slowly and gently into the pose. Don’t gun for the maximum in the pose right in the beginning, and never stretch so far as to cause pain.
- Be compassionate. Consciously try to ease into the pose, and maintain stillness. If you have to fidget or shift position too much, loosen it and take it a bit easy on you. Be compassionate to yourself.
- Be still. start with holding a pose for at least 70 seconds and progress to 5 minutes or more.
- Be patient. Even when the body is yearning to race out of the pose, take your time and come out of the pose slowly.
Benefits
Deep-Stretch Yoga benefits the mind, body and spirit in a variety of ways. These may include:
- Stillness: feeling calm and balanced
- Stress and anxiety reduction
- Optimized circulation
- Improved flexibility
- Deep fascial release
- Greater joint mobility
- Balance to the internal organs
- Improved flow of Prana
- Regulated energy levels
- Prevention of osteoporosis
- Better bone health
- Greater strength
- Improved overall health
- Greater stamina for everything
- Slowed signs of aging
- Ease and deepening of meditation
- Deeper relaxation
- Improved practice of other forms of yoga
Basic Deep Stretch (Restorative/ Yin Yoga) classes are offered regularly as a part of Basic Yoga program.
- Time: On Fridays – 9:30 AM – 10:20 AM (Please confirm time with the Studio)
- Where: Online, Live Stream
- Formats: As a part of Basic Yoga package or 4 Class package – 1 Class every week for One Month . We recommend combining this class with at least one more suitable Yoga class per week.
- Batches: One batch per month.
- Commitment: A commitment to complete the program without missing any class (except in an emergency). Missed classes will not be compensated in any way.
- Cost: It’s available under Basic Yoga program or as a 4-Class package. Please check the pricing here.
More advanced Deep Stretch (Restorative/ Yin Yoga) classes and Teacher Training courses are offered separately.
Special Deep Stretch (Restorative/ Yin Yoga) classes are also offered in private sessions.
Please check the exact schedule and time below.
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Please contact us to learn more about Yoga and Ayurveda. We would love to hear any suggestions or comments that you might have. Space is limited in courses and participation will be on a first-come-first-served basis. So, respond early to participate in this exciting, life-transforming Yoga experience.
Note : You should check with your health care professional before starting this or any new exercise program or breathing routine. This is especially important if you have any pre-existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, migraines or heart or lung ailments. Women who are pregnant or think they might be pregnant should consult their physician before performing any of the breathing or physical exercises.
The information contained in the program is not intended to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice. Any use of the information in these programs/ workshops is at the reader’s discretion, risk and responsibility. The studio, author and the publisher specifically disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or application of any information contained herein. A health care professional should be consulted regarding your specific situation.
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