We aim to provide a yoga class to meet the needs of all members of the community. No matter what your age, fitness level or experience with yoga we have a class that is just right for you.
SERVICES
Welcome to Wavell Heights Community Yoga
Our Yoga
We always like to open by emphasising how honoured we feel to be yoga teachers. Yoga has shaped our lives and enriched our experiences deeply, and we are privileged to share this journey with you.
We offer two unique forms of hatha yoga for you to experience. Cecily's lifelong practice of yoga shapes her beautifully balanced hatha yoga class for all levels. She is committed to building strength, and openness in her practice, and her savasana (relaxation) is a gift absorbed by her students.
Alison shares a practice inspired by the Universal Principles of Alignment from the Anusara Yoga system. She is current working towards gaining an affiliate certification in the method. In Alison's class you will explore a full experience of stepping into the flow of grace and fully participating in the opening of your body, mind and spirit.
Both of our instructors have trained at My Health Yoga with Carrie-Anne Fields, with Cecily holding a Level 2 certificate, and Alison a Level 1.
Classes
Hatha
Yoga is a unique practice that brings wellbeing, healing and renewal to body mind and spirit. Unlike any other physical practice yoga is unique in generating motion without stressing and straining the body. It enlivens and regenerates the body and mind whilst never creating tiredness - you will finish your yoga class feeling better than when you began. It's what we do!
Each class is a blend of physical postures (asana), breathing techniques known as pranayama, relaxation and meditation. Some classes are invigorating and dynamic, some are more gentle restorative and introspective.
Our hatha yoga classes are held at the Wavell Heights Uniting Church Basement, 147 Rode Rd. We feel very lucky to have access to such a yoga friendly space, close to busy Chermside, Kedron and Nundah on Brisbane's northside. We provide mats, blocks, belts and eye pillows but welcome you to bring your own.
Anusara
At the outset we should emphasise that our teachers are not certified in the Anusara method (yet!). If you wish to take a class with a certified instructor in Brisbane please visit Julie Smerdon at Shri Yoga.
At the heart of Anusara yoga is a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness. In this philosophy we take the premise that everything is a manifestation of Supreme conciousness. Ultimately this yoga is about celebrating our embodiment, and co-creating in a reality that is full of joy and celebration
Anusara yoga was founded by John Friend in 1997. Widely respected, the school has a prescence in North America, the UK, Europe, Asia, and Australia. With hundreds of thousands of students and thousands of teachers worldwide, Anusara yoga is now practiced on every continent throughout the world, excluding Antarctica. With its closely knitted community and industry-leading standards in teacher certification, Anusara yoga is highly respected throughout the greater yoga populace as a preeminent 21st century yoga school.
The 11 Elements of an Anusara Yoga Class
1. The Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness underlies the methodology of teaching Anusara yoga. Consequently, Anusara yoga teachers, first and foremost, look for the good in all things, especially within themselves, and their students, Anusara yoga teachers help enhance and reveal the beauty and Divine qualities that are already present in the students' poses. They do not try to "fix" or "correct" students alignment. Instead, they are dedicated to serving each student and helping them unveil their innate goodness, worthiness, and Supreme nature. Furthermore, Anusara yoga teachers are committed to helping build and empower each student's self-esteem, while inspiring light-heartedness, playfulness, and joyful creativity within the yoga practice.
2. Each class begins with an invocation/centering as a devotional recognition of the grace-bestowing power of universal Spirit within and around us.
3. Each class has a heart-oriented theme, which has a meaningful connection to the grand spiritual purposes of the asana practice. The theme usually centers on cultivating a virtuea quality of mind or heart, which is a microcosmic reflection of our Divine nature. Each theme gives a direction for the attitudinal energy that infuses every action and breath in the poses. Effectively, all the poses in Anusara Yoga are expressed from the inside out. The theme is intertwined with the postural instructions throughout the class.
4. Teachers apply an elegant, concise set of alignment principles called the Universal Principles of Alignment throughout an Anusara yoga class. A central idea within the Universal Principles of Alignment is the 3 As: Attitude, Alignment, and Action. This foundational concept within the Anusara method infuses every pose with a meaningful intention connected to the grand purposes of yoga, creates awareness of specific postural alignment, and fosters balanced action between stability and freedom. The first Principle is opening to Grace, while Muscular Energy and Organic Energy are the two complementary forces that provide each pose with balanced action between stability and freedom. Secondary alignment principles include Spirals and Loops, which help to bring refinement and precision to each pose.
5. Movements and actions within every pose are coordinated with the breath.
6. Teachers walk around the classroom observing attitude, alignment, and action of all the students. They check postural alignments in each pose in reference to the Universal Principles of Alignment beginning with the foundation and general form of the pose. The teacher first gives verbal adjustments and then physical adjustments to the students if necessary in order to enhance their poses. In addition, students may modify poses or support themselves with props if necessary to achieve the general form of pose.
7. Teachers offer succinct, clear postural demonstrations when necessary to either support the specific heart theme of a class or to clarify alignment instructions.
8. The Anusara yoga method is designed to serve students of any level of experience or ability, from children to seniors, and students with special therapeutic needs to advanced practitioners. Therefore, the philosophy, postural instruction, sequencing, and pacing of instructions presented in the class is appropriate to the level of students present. All students are guided to achieve the general form of the pose in order to ultimately experience some expansion of inner freedom and consciousness.
9. Although there are no set postural routines in Anusara yoga, classes are designed using principles of sequencing. One of the principles includes progressively sequencing poses to help students of all levels advance in their practice. Students are not given more advanced poses until they can perform more intermediate poses with good alignment.
10. Classes are concluded with Savasana and/or meditation in order to help better assimilate the teachings and honor the spiritual experience of the class. A concluding centering is used to reiterate the heart theme. Students are left with a blessing or a reminder on how to continue to embody the heart theme off the mat in their daily life.
11. Ultimately, each student leaves an Anusara yoga class feeling better about him or herself, empowered and delighted by the revelation of his or her Divine nature (Chidananda).
Reference: www.anusara.com
Pregnancy
"Through the ever-unfolding gifts of yoga, the process of giving birth becomes not only an invitation to deepen one's innermost connection to the Universe but also a celebration of the profound, regenerative, and sacred power each woman holds." - Sue Elkind
Pregnancy is a time of great change. We ride the waves of emotion, some days thrilled at the prospect of welcoming this new life, others terrified at the enormity of the task ahead. During this time it is essential to feel supported, strong and secure in the knowledge that you are meant to be doing this, and you don't have to do it alone.
Alison's prenatal classes emphasise building strength and openness for pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Each class includes breathwork (pranayama), physical postures (asana) and a long, soothing relaxation (savasana). We conclude the practice with morning tea, which provides you with the opportunity to meet other Mums-to-be.
Postnatal
Postnatal yoga is a wonderful way to connect with your new body and to bond with your new baby. Plus it's a great way to make new friends. Our next course will commence Tuesday, May 24, 10:15-11:15am at the Northgate Hall, corner of Scott and Ridge Streets, Northgate. It is advisable to wait 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery, and to obtain doctor's approval following c-section (usually 8 weeks+).
The class will comprise of breathing practices, gentle yoga to restrengthen abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, relaxation techniques and chanting. Our yoga practice is balanced with frequent breaks to play with, sing to or massage our babies, and the asanas (postures) are easily adapted to allow "touchy feely" babies to be held during the class any time they need to be.
The class is open to babies up to 12 months. Please let us know if your baby is crawling or walking so that we may be sure that the area is safe.
The cost of the course is $80 for 6 weeks and the course will run for 7 weeks to make up a maximum of 1 missed class. If you attend all 6 weeks your 7th week is $10.
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Cecily Slade:
Qualified Level 2 Hatha Yoga Teacher - My Health Yoga 2008
Alison Sykes:
Qualified Level 1 Hatha Yoga Teacher - My Health Yoga 2007
Level 2 Radiant Child Yoga Program
Postnatal Yoga - Samadhi Yoga
Prenatal Yoga - Urban Yoga
MAP
Hatha Yoga, Pregnancy Yoga, Yoga
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