What is Gentle Yoga?
Gentle yoga is essentially what it sounds like—it is a gentle yoga practice. It is performed at a slower pace, with less intense positions, and includes extended time for meditation, breath work, and relaxation. This class offers a variety of gentle yoga including poses on the floor and/or using a chair. A gentle class includes more warm up movements (flowing/breath with movement) and some poses held for longer times. There is a stronger emphasis on stretching, seated poses and low-impact movements in these classes. This class may include a fusion blend of YIN, Restorative, and Nidra. Variations of poses are offered during class; choosing what our body needs just for that day.
Benefits of Gentle Yoga
Gentle yoga classes can be an excellent option for beginners to explore the physical body. Gentle yoga can strengthen muscles and joints and improve flexibility despite the name. Gentle Yoga may assist preparing the body for a good nights rest and help reduce stress from the day.
Is Gentle Yoga for me?
Short answer - YES!
A slower and gentler practice of yoga allows a person to move at a comfortable pace, does not push them to do anything that may make them uncomfortable, and creates less strain on their muscles and joints.
Gentle yoga can be practiced by just about anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. It is especially great for people with injuries, pain, mobility or health issues. In addition, it is a great class to start with as a beginner. A gentle yoga practice is a great choice for anyone who is afraid they are not flexible or fit enough to do the yoga poses.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
A slower and gentler practice of yoga allows a person to move at a comfortable pace, does not push them to do anything that may make them uncomfortable, and creates less strain on their muscles and joints.
Gentle yoga can be practiced by just about anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. It is especially great for people with injuries, pain, mobility or health issues. In addition, it is a great class to start with as a beginner. A gentle yoga practice is a great choice for anyone who is afraid they are not flexible or fit enough to do the yoga poses.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
What are some other types of Gentle Yoga?
Descriptions of some other types of gentle styles of Yoga:
Yin
Contrary to how it sounds, yin yoga isn’t exactly “easy.” In this class, students hold poses (mostly on the floor) for 3-5 minutes at a time to access deep layers of muscle, stretching the connective tissues and achieve deep physical release. For some, the length of time spent in a posture can be mentally challenging, contributing to improved focus and concentration. In a yang style, stretches are held for less than a minute with a focus on pushing in to the pose with muscular engagement. In yin, the focus is on relaxing in to poses with as little effort as possible. In a Yin-Restorative class props are added to assist with some of the poses.
Restorative Yoga
Also known as nap time Yoga. In restorative classes, students hold poses for up to 10 minutes (or more), supported by props so that your body can fully relax. The goal of restorative yoga is not necessarily to stretch, but to give in to opening through support so that your muscles, nervous system and mind can truly let go and release into relaxation.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a form of guided meditation also known as “yogic sleep”. It’s usually practiced lying down (or in a reclined position) with a teacher guiding the session. It may seem like a guided meditation at first however Yoga Nidra is slightly different.
The goal is to move into a deep state of conscious awareness sleep, which is a deeper state of relaxation with awareness. This state involves moving from consciousness while awake to dreaming and then to not-dreaming while remaining awake — going past the unconscious to the conscious.”
A session of Nidra can give you the feeling and energy of a good night's sleep.
Chair Yoga
This class uses a chair for most or all of the yoga postures. A chair is used as a prop, making this a gentle class for anyone who prefers to practice seated in a chair.
Yin
Contrary to how it sounds, yin yoga isn’t exactly “easy.” In this class, students hold poses (mostly on the floor) for 3-5 minutes at a time to access deep layers of muscle, stretching the connective tissues and achieve deep physical release. For some, the length of time spent in a posture can be mentally challenging, contributing to improved focus and concentration. In a yang style, stretches are held for less than a minute with a focus on pushing in to the pose with muscular engagement. In yin, the focus is on relaxing in to poses with as little effort as possible. In a Yin-Restorative class props are added to assist with some of the poses.
Restorative Yoga
Also known as nap time Yoga. In restorative classes, students hold poses for up to 10 minutes (or more), supported by props so that your body can fully relax. The goal of restorative yoga is not necessarily to stretch, but to give in to opening through support so that your muscles, nervous system and mind can truly let go and release into relaxation.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a form of guided meditation also known as “yogic sleep”. It’s usually practiced lying down (or in a reclined position) with a teacher guiding the session. It may seem like a guided meditation at first however Yoga Nidra is slightly different.
The goal is to move into a deep state of conscious awareness sleep, which is a deeper state of relaxation with awareness. This state involves moving from consciousness while awake to dreaming and then to not-dreaming while remaining awake — going past the unconscious to the conscious.”
A session of Nidra can give you the feeling and energy of a good night's sleep.
Chair Yoga
This class uses a chair for most or all of the yoga postures. A chair is used as a prop, making this a gentle class for anyone who prefers to practice seated in a chair.
