What kind of yoga?

Yoga means unity and is about the interconnectedness of all things. The Sanskrit root of the word yoga is 'yuj' meaning to ‘yoke’ or ‘join' - to connect. The yoga system offers a vast spectrum of practices that lead us toward connection - with our self, with nature and with others.

Classical yoga teaches us that yoga is the stilling of the turning of the mind and the resultant state of pure awareness. In its earliest manifestation yoga was primarily a seated meditation practice. In the later tradition of haṭha yoga, a range of practical methods were developed in which the body is utilised as a tool by which to calm the mind and to transcend & become free from the mundane world.

Postures, purification techniques and breathing exercises are some of the techniques employed. Haṭha yoga enables the body to become strong and flexible and the mind to become steady and clear. Today in the west, there are a huge number of popular styles of yoga - most of these are essentially different approaches to haṭha yoga and which are informed by the ethics and philosophy of classical yoga.

At Yoga Torquay we give thanks and respect to the Indian origins of yoga. We believe that yoga is ultimately a spiritual practice in which mental clarity and freedom are available through practice and self enquiry. Our teachers have decades of experience and have each practised and trained in a variety of modalities.

You can use the tab on the left to scroll through and find out more about some of the classes we are currently offering. Don't be afraid to experiment with different classes and teachers. You'll know when you've found the right class for you.

Thanks for reading.
Hari Om

At Yoga Torquay we offer a dedicated class for beginners so that those who are new to yoga can learn the foundations of yoga progressively and within an inclusive and supportive class environment.

You will learn about the key techniques of physical yoga such as breathwork & movement, postures & relaxation and will also be introduced to the philosophy which underpins and supports all yoga practices. This class is suitable for absolute beginners, those who are fairly new to yoga and also those who like to take things gently.

Beginners classes are taught by James who greatly enjoys sharing yoga with those new to the practice and who has now been teaching yoga to beginners for over 14 years .

Beginners classes are not currently running due to the UK lockdown. Once the studio is able to reopen once more we will be offering a six week course for beginners.

For more information about this course and/or to register, please send us a message and we'll get back to you soon: contact us.

Hatha yoga is renowned for its numerous physical practices and health benefits. It is the root tradition from which most modern styles of yoga originate.

It is a path of physical transformation & spiritual emancipation in which the body is utilised as a tool towards the goal of 'moksha' - liberation. Hatha Yoga has been practised in India for at least eight centuries.

Postures and breathing exercises are the principle methods employed. Hatha yoga enables the body to become strong and flexible and the mind to become steady and clear.

Hatha yoga tones & strengthens muscles and improves joint mobility. Flexibility is naturally increased and the spine is encouraged towards a state of optimum health. Respiratory function is improved, immune system boosted and the parasympathetic nervous system activated to foster restorative calm. Hatha also works on a subtle, energetic level: releasing blockages, replenishing depleted reserves and increasing vitality.

Hatha yoga classes will usually comprise a variety of breathing techniques, warming up exercises and moving sequences combining movement and breath as well as held postures and deep relaxation.

Hatha yoga classes are taught by James and Alice. Alice is currently teaching a weekly online Hatha Yoga class on Zoom. Click here to register for this class >

If you'd like more information before starting this class, then please send us a message and we'll get back to you soon: contact us.

Vinyasa is a Sanskrit word meaning 'to place in a deliberate way'. A key feature of the practice is the purposeful combination of conscious movements with conscious slow & deep breaths. A variety of held yoga postures are ordered sequentially and linked together through these vinyasa movements.

Vinyasa yoga is a fairly dynamic form of hatha yoga and is an excellent mode of concentration and meditation. In this class you will learn the key elements of vinyasa and a broad variety of postures & vinyasa sequences. Classes conclude with focused breathing - pranayama - leading to a blissfully replenishing relaxation.

Vinyasa classes at Yoga Torquay are taught by James Russell. James has practised various forms of vinyasa based yoga for around twenty years - including traditional Vinyasa Krama and Ashtanga Vinyasa.

For more information about starting this class, please send us a message and we will get back to you soon: contact us.

Iyengar Yoga is characterized by great attention to detail and precise focus on body alignment. B.K.S Iyengar pioneered the use of "props" such as cushions, benches, blocks, belts, and even sand bags.

These props function as aids allowing beginners to experience asanas more easily and fully than might otherwise be possible without several years of practice. Props also allow tired or ill students to enjoy the benefits of many asanas via fully "supported" methods requiring less muscular effort.

Standing poses are emphasized for beginners in Iyengar Yoga. They build strong legs, increase general vitality, and improve circulation, coordination and balance, ensuring a strong foundation for study of more advanced poses. Inversions are also very important & taught in the Iyengar system.

Unlike more experiential approaches where students are encouraged to independently "find their way" to the asanas by imitating the teacher, an Iyengar Yoga class is highly verbal and didactic, with miss-alignments and errors actively corrected. B.K.S Iyengar has trained thousands of teachers, who complete 3-5 years of rigorous training for the introductory level of certification (higher-level certification may take a decade or more).

Iyengar Yoga classes are taught at Yoga Torquay by Maxine Lunn. Maxine is a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher who has studied in Pune, India - directly with Geeta Iyengar, the daughter of BKS Iyengar. Maxine passed introductory level 2 in 2012,  intermediate junior level 1 in 2016 & intermediate junior level 2 in 2019, She has over 20 years Iyengar yoga practise to share in her classes and she is also available for private one-to-one lessons.

A gentle and replenishing physical yoga practice - ideal for those who like to take things a bit more gently and slowly. Suitable for all levels of experience.

Gentle Yoga is founded on the principle of 'ahimsa' - non-harming. These classes teach physical yoga in an accessible format which is suitable for complete beginners, those with mobility issues, or injuries and the over 65's.

In these classes there will be a gentle warm-up, inlcuding some joint movement exercises, some gentle stretching, balancing, breathing and deep relaxation.

Gentle yoga classes are taught by Alice Chapman. Alice has been teaching yoga for 12 years and is also an experienced yoga therapist - so you're in safe hands! Alice firmly believes that yoga is something which should be available everybody. For more information about starting this class, please send us a message and we'll get back to you soon: contact us.