MAUNA

Yoga class @Herentalsebaan 85

• Classes are on Monday and Thursday. 18h30 and 20h.
   

• Please send me a message (until 20min before)
   

• Yoga mats are available, but if you want it more covid-19-proof bring your own
   

• Please arrive 15-5 minutes in advance, the door closes at the start of the class.
   

• For your own comfort it is advisable not to eat a heavy meal 2 hours before class.
   

• Please inform the teacher about injuries and pregnancy
   

• A single lesson is 10, -
  10 lessons subscription is 80, -
   

• There is no ATM available.

Yogaasanas

'Asanas' means body postures in yoga. These asanas are ment to keep the body healthy and to calm down the mind. Most people know yoga as asanas, but yoga is also breathwork, self control, behavior, inward focus, meditation, awareness.

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The asanas physically 'stretch and extend' to develop flexibility, balance, endurance and vitality. The focus needed for this also increases attention and alertness.

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The asana practice becomes inaction of the mind in action of the body, so you can have action in inaction, a focussed mind. I'll come back to this in the chapter of meditation.

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There are hundreds of asanas executed in different ways. I'll shortly discuss some of the different ways to execute them: Yin, Vinyasa and Hatha. Most of the other kinds are a combination of these or consist of certain sequences of poses.

Yin is a meditative practice and focuses on stretching tissues.The poses are static and passive.

Vinyasa is a dynamic creative flow of yoga postures where we synchronize breathing and yoga postures. 

Hatha consists of static asanas but more active variations than Yin yoga with a "vinyasa" warm-up, called sun salutations (Surya Namaskara). 

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Mauna Yoga is based on Hatha yoga. But I also teach Yin and Vinyasa classes since 2019.

HathaYoga

The practice of Mauna yoga is based on Sivananda yoga (Swami Vishnudevananda), which is a form of Hatha yoga. 

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Hatha yoga is a form of yoga that consists of asanas (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises). The asanas are more static than vinyasa with more active variations than yin. The warming up is a dynamic flow of postures, where we synchronize them with our breath.

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Hatha yoga helps to build strenght and to relax. The techniques and poses have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, hormone system, organs, the skeleton and gives a general relaxation. If you find this interesting, check out my blog.

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I start a Hatha yoga class with pranayama, a little warm up, surya namaskar, active static poses and end with savasana. Savasana is a relaxing pose to absorb the benefits of the practice. It also symbolizes Samadhi, a moment of inner peace. This sequence is also a perfect way to get ready for meditation.

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Yoga is for everybody, but you should always listen to your own body. Don't force yourself.

You determin the intensity of execution, depending on your body, it differs every day ❤.

PranaYama

Yama means 'to have control'. Prana means 'vital life energy'. Pranayama teaches us to breathe consciously. You control your nervous system by controlling your breathing.

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According to old tradition you are supposed to start lying down and begin with abdominal breathing. Good deep abdominal breathing gives control over your respiration and calms your mind. Deep inhalation brings more oxygen into your blood, drops your heart rate and lowers stress. This gives a better focus, concentration and makes you feel better. Breathing is a dynamic bridge between body and mind.

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So it is healthy for body and mind to work on controlling your respiration. If you are interested in a number of pranayama exercises, check out my blog. More pranayama exercises practicing together is also possible in workshops or individual guidance.

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I start class with abdominal breathing, lying on our back. During the yoga asanas I use deep abdominal breathing and sometimes I start class with Anuloma Viloma. This is a breathing exercise in which you breathe through one nostril and then change side. You breathe out and in through one nostril and alternate with the other. It gives balance to the nervous system because both sides are activated, it makes your mind calm and increases oxygen levels in the blood.

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Try pranayama against fatigue.

The better you breathe, the more energy you have.

Meditation

Meditation is learning to focus the mind. To train attention and awareness. It is learning to observe without judgement. Like learning any other skill, it takes practice.

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Most meditations work with the breath, because deep breath and focus on the breath calms the mind down. It helps to close the eyes and sit in a quiet place.

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Meditation is not about stopping our thoughts, but about developing an awareness that our attention wanders off. So you have action (mind) in inaction (sitting still).

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It is proven that 45 min of pranayama and 20 min of meditation a day significantly reduses resting pulse rate and blood pressure for healthy people between 20 and 60 years old. See my blog for more information (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221193/).

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Meditations are arranged occasionally and can be organized together. When I organize a meditation session I always start with pranayama.
I think this is the best way to meditate, to start with some pranayama and asanas and meditate after. 

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individual
guidance

With individual yoga guidance I adjust the yoga experience to your needs. More therapeutic sessions are also possible.

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The original context of yoga is to train the body and mind to self observe and become aware of their own nature. It is meant to be a system of increasing awareness and decreasing disease. But many gyms that offer yoga emphasize the physical exercise without teaching the essential self-awareness that differentiates yoga from other exercise.

Individual yoga guidance helps you to become aware of what your body and mind need. It is possible to devellop a yoga practice that goes beyond the physical.

I support my guidance to you with my expierence as a dramatherapist, yoga teacher and with yoga literature. In life we need different forms of exploring ourselves. Every day is different, like your body and mind. I help you to walk your own path (in a safe one-on-one environment).

Contact me to make an appointment.

Workshops

Why a yoga workshop?

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Yoga has much more to offer, than asanas (postures) and relaxation, which doesn't get much attention during a normal class. During a workshop there is the possibility to go deeper into pranayama exercises, meditation, healthy food and theory.

Next to that, specific exercises can be offered for certain physical complaints.

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The duration of the workshop can be determined in consultation. At least an hour is recommended.

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A yoga workshop is adaptable to companies, schools, people with disabilities, youth activities, friends/family, children older than 3 years and for different events.

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A large free space is needed, this can be discussed. Yoga mats and blocks can be rented at Mauna yoga.

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Contact Mauna Yoga for more information.