Yoga & Fitness
The fitness centre and pilates studios are operated by masters in their field and are conceived as a centre of development for holistic and wellbeing knowledge. We can provide you with the most professional guidance, please book your time with one of our professionals.
The fitness centre is equipped to the highest level including the latest cardiovascular machinery.
The Oriental Spa believes that the greatest healing experience of the body and mind comes from within. Our philosophy is geared towards the correct practice of Yoga to awaken your inner potential and bring about a transformation of your whole being.
There are a great variety of styles and classes available, making Yoga very difficult to define. However, all physical styles of yoga (Hatha Yoga) ultimately serve the same purpose; to bring about a greater receptivity of spirit. Our class schedule incorporates a varity of these styles.
We are dedicated to teaching the authentic method of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Although this is our main focus we also offer other styles of Hatha Yoga with leading teachers in their respective fields. We aim to be facilitators of Yoga, allowing practitioners to come together, practice, discuss, and articulate their understanding of Yoga. Our Yoga studio is set in a tranquil environment that cradles your journey of exploration to the inner treasures of your soul.
Our distinguished teachers provide a wide array of classes (see table below). Our class schedules are updated regularly and are open for practitioners of all levels, from the complete novice to the advanced practitioner.
Mysore Style is the traditional way of Ashtanga Yoga taught by Pattabhi Jois in his AYRI (Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute) in Mysore, India. The practice goes through a series of postures that are repeated until they are perfected. The opening sequence (sun-salutations and standing postures) remains the same for all levels of practitioners, but the asana sequence (seated postures) is divided into six series with an average of 25 postures each, each corresponding to a different level of practice.
In a Mysore style class, students practice at their own pace while the instructor adjusts each individual according to their needs, allowing each student to move within their own limits.
A Mysore style class is open to students of all levels. However, beginners should be prepared to move through the sequence slowly and learn the sun-salutations and standing postures properly before undertaking the more challenging postures.
In this beginners class the opening sequence of Asthtanga is taught including sun salutations and standing postures. Much emphasis is given to breathing techniques, as awareness of the breath is indicative of what the body is experiencing. When the body is stressed the breath becomes shallow, when excited it becomes elated, but whatever the circumstances a deeper more relaxed breath allows us to be more connected to our inner being.
The main focus in the beginner’s class is to re-discover breathing techniques and introduce the postures gradually, slowly building a firm foundation and allowing for further exploration of this dynamic practice.
A basic understanding of breath, sun-salutations and standing postures is necessary for Level 1. The pace is quicker than the beginner’s class and more time is spent on flow, moving in and out of postures and allowing the dynamics of the practice to settle in. Focus is given to the interlinking of postures called Vinyasa (re-placement) and keeping a steady flow of breath, even when challenged by the physical exercises. The end of every class will explore inversion postures, prior to relaxation.
A fun up-beat class with emphasis on movement, flow and postures. It is dedicated to practitioners who find it difficult to practice in the morning or afternoon, but can find some time on their lunch break to escape their busy schedule. It is a shortened version of the Primary series and although it is quick, students are guaranteed a rejuvenating period at the end of the class.
A good grounding in the basic postures and breath work is necessary. The focus is on postures and less on details. The class will keep a steady rhythm for each posture and allow the student to surrender to the process of ‘doing’ and experience the gradual effect it has on the mere body and mind, including increased flexibility.
The class is conducted in accordance to the ‘count-through’ style of Pattabhi Jois. Each posture and sequence has a particular count that is called out by the teacher. The pace is steady and firm and a good experience of Ashtanga Yoga is recommended. Not for complete beginners.
Focus on relaxation and surrender, de-stress and unwind and open to a deeper awareness of the breath. The class is structured according to the creativity and outlook of the teacher. Longer time may be spent in each posture, a certain theme may be the focus of the day, but whatever it is, be alert, because every class will be a little different.
Focus on relaxation, how to de-stress and unwind and be open to a deeper awareness of the breath. A lot of time is spent on the floor lying down focusing on relating to our spine and centre as we move and rotate our external limbs. Asanas, or seated postures, are gentle and held for longer periods of time in order to bring about greater introspection.
Level 3 - This is a vinyasa-based class in which various postures are creatively linked together to into a challenging and vigorous flowing sequence. It is based upon the principles of Ashtanga Yoga as we will be working with the breath and bandhas, but it does not necessarily follow the sequencing of the Ashtanga series. This class is appropriate for students who are currently practicing the full Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga and are able to do backbends and headstand on their own..
