Santosha Yoga

Through the conscious practice of physical Yoga postures, pranayama (breath work), and meditation, Santosha offers a space for you to explore the holistic journey into Yoga. You will feel supported and encouraged as you return to your natural place of space and ease - physically, mentally and emotionally.

The physical Yoga asana practice allows us to explore with greater awareness the breath and body as they are in each moment, allowing the busy conscious mind to begin to relax. We can utilise this opportunity to start to see what is going on in the mind, and gently release old patterning, opening to a calmer and more joyful state of being. As the body finds space and this feeds naturally into the mind, we release into the ease and contentment already present underneath the layers of complexity we have built with such wonderful gusto over life.

The deepening presence that yoga naturally brings about in us begins to gift us our life back! We notice the little things more, and joy and gratitude expand. Even difficult external or internal conditions are open for curious exploration, and we find the choice to begin to release what no longer serves us. We can open to the quiet joy of simply being - As we are. What a relief :)

Most practices at Santosha are Hatha Yoga. Classes always include asana (physical postures); rejuvenating, mind-quietening pranayama (breath exploration); and meditation. Hatha classes (all classes besides Restorative) begin gently, moving into a stronger practice, and return again to a gentle state, this time more open and renewed. Santosha classes are well-rounded practices, drawing on the specific and subtle alignment focus of the Iyengar tradition, while incorporating some small elements of flow, and quietening, floor-based postures, to deepen physical and mental release. We often hold both seated and standing postures a little longer to allow us to work more deeply with safe and effective alignment, as well as the beautiful potentialities of the mind. We develop a physical strength and openness, which through the nervous system, directly and powerfully affects our mental and emotional space on a day to day level.

Restorative classes are spent mostly lounging around on the floor, and are physically quiet, meditative practices. They utilise more props to support the body and mind to truly relax. This deep relaxation begins to create lightness and ease in the physical, mental and emotional space. These classes are particularly helpful if you are moving past injuries, or are experiencing insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart issues, nervous tension, and to support and nurture the body-mind in physical, psychological and emotional healing processes.

In all classes, our teachers teach from the heart with respect, patience, joy and love, and encourage you to feel into, and honour, your own body and mind at each moment. You will be offered different variations of postures as appropriate, for you to choose from according to your current feeling as you move through the practice.

We believe strongly that each individual is always both student and teacher, and we're deeply grateful for the beautiful opportunities for deeper understanding we receive through sharing yoga, and the boundless wisdom we learn from in everyone who comes to class.

With love, Ally and all of us at Santosha.