YogaOnCrete Yoga Holidays » Yoga practice

Yoga practice

Health is wealth, peace of mind is happiness, yoga shows the way

Swami Vishnu Devananda

Outdoor morning yoga practice. By J. Lorentzen.

The style of yoga practiced will vary according to the teachers and programme for the week, so please check the retreat calendar before you book.

Hatha yoga

Hatha yoga classes comprise of a series of asanas (physical postures), usually held for some time, pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditative techniques (sitting in silence, concentration techniques), through which deep relaxation and the development of awareness of the body and mind in the present moment are encouraged. This is gradually transferred from within the class context into everyday life.

Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga

Whether the standard form (primary or more advanced series) based on the teaching of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois from Mysore, India, or a variation on it, the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga aims to bring together the “eight limbs” of Ashtanga yoga as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: yama (moral observances for interaction with others), niyama (moral observaces for interaction with oneself), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), pratyahara (sensory withdrawal), dharana (one pointed concentration), dhyana (meditation), samadhi (self realization, union with the supreme Self). A dynamic and energizing style of practice, it creates a deep internal heat that cleanses and purifies the muscles and organs, while the breath is linked to the movement in a graceful dance, on which the mind comes to rest.

Iyengar yoga

Iyengar yoga was developed through the pioneering work of B.K.S. Iyengar, who freed the classical yoga postures (asanas) from their Indian mystique and with the use of props made them suitable for Westerners, who want to have a clear understanding of what happens in a yoga posture. A typical Iyengar yoga class focuses on precision of movement, correct alignment, and the study of the ‘muscle and mind’ actions and resistance necessary to enter a state of concentration. Breathing awareness is emphasized in every asana in order to deepen the experience. Through consistent practise the student overcomes his or her physical and mental/emotional limits and develops a deep awareness of the body, power, control, patience and physical and mental harmony. During the workshop different groups of asanas will be proposed to the students; the class will always start and finish with 5’ to 10′ of breathing and meditation.

Vinyasa yoga

Vinyasa Yoga is an evolving style of Hatha yoga in which the breath leads the body through movement. In a typical class there is a warm-up sequence, standing postures, sitting postures, backbending or inversions, twists, and a finishing sequence. Vinyasa yoga promotes health, balance and strength in the body, all while nourishing peace in the mind.

Yin yoga

This form of yoga was developed by Paul Grilley, who studied yoga in relation to connective tissues and energy meridians. It is a "quiet practice", meaning that contrary to the heating, energizing practices of Vinyasa and Ashtanga, this style yoga is cooling and stabilizing. It is an excellent practice for finding deeper ranges of motion and increased flow of energy. In Yin Yoga, a posture is held for a minimum of 3 minutes. This allows the stretch to access the tough connective tissues of the body which are resistant to opening up. The practice cultivates stillness in the body and stillness of the mind.

Prana-Vinyasa Flow

Prana-Vinyasa Flow is defined by yogini Shiva Rea as a movement system that cultivates inner and outer strength and fluidity, vital energy and relaxed being, and activation and receptivity. Students are empowered to experience prana (the universal source of breath, life energy) combined with creative, fluid, and liberating sequences as the navigating source of yoga practice. A typical class starts with a movement meditation to awaken breath/body awareness and then ventures into traditional and unique namaskars to warm up the body. The middle part of class focuses on standing poses, balancing poses, and backbends, followed by supine poses, forward bends and inversions. The closing sequence includes either pranayama, traditional meditation, or a final movement meditation to lull the practitioner into a peaceful savasana.

Evening class on the beach.

Karma yoga

A community atmosphere is integral in creating the warm, group feeling of our holidays, but is also in line with yogic teachings of selfless service. You are therefore more than welcome to offer a little help with household tasks during your stay, if you would like to do so, or even come as a karma yogi and get your stay and classes for free! Contact us for more details if you are interested in the later option.

Kirtan

Kirtan comprises of mantras, energetically powerful words in Sanskrit, chanted to music. It is the joining of sacred sounds with soulful intent and is a unique way to build up the energy, open the heart and experience joy.

Contemporary/Creative Dance

The contemporary/creative dance classes are based on elements of contemporary dance techniques, such as Release, Contact Dance and Improvisation, as well as on Capoeira and Body Work. During the classes, participants will develop their awareness of their own body and its movement possibilities, as well as of the space in which our bodies move.

The warm up aims to bring participicants into a relaxed but energetic state, in which the concentration is turned inwards, through simple movement excercises, which can include moving meditations, alignement excercises or body work. Next the class will start moving through space. Excercises vary each day, so some simple set movement material may be taught or an improvisation exercise might be given. The focus is turned onto using the whole body and beginning to see and use space. After that Svenja will teach a movement sequence. The last part of the class focuses on participants’ own movement. It will include improvisation excercises, focusing on solo or group improvisaion. At the end there will be a short exchange on the participants’ experiences during the class.

Complementary therapies

Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic Massage is a treatment for people who require deeper and more detailed bodywork. It is an integration of several different massage techniques mixing gentle Swedish style relaxation with firm, precise Deep Tissue massage and localized trigger Shiatsu acupressure points.

Therapeutic Massage is a solution to many of the physical and stress related problems, and a proven and valued method of curing and healing – rather than pampering.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese scientific therapeutic massage technique using hand and finger pressure to the meridian acupuncture points and meridians (lines of energy) and different other oriental techniques to release the blockages of and balance the "chi" energy, which is considered our life essence. Shiatsu is beneficial in treating many conditions: - Relieving stress and tension - Calming the nervous system - Relieving aches and pains - Removing stiffness and increasing flexibility - Stabilizing the emotional and psychological condition - Improving vitality and general health. It allows the body to release deep tensions and find a different source of energy, and it gives a great sense of global body awareness, as it also improves the possible connections of the different body parts. Therefore, shiatsu is a very deep and efficient tool to prepare the body for yoga.

Integral Healing Therapy

Intuitive body work – energy reading – spiritual guidance

Integral Healing Therapy is a powerful inner work, including intuitive body work, energy reading and emotional releasing.

During the energy releasing process, you will be guided to connect to the Spirit within yourself, to facilitate insight and self-understanding. It is in this spiritual connectedness and union that healing will happen, and you will be able to start creating a new self.

Metamorphic technique session

Transformation of negative energy patterns

The Metamorphic Technique offers us a new and fascinating way to work with our mostfundamental energy patterns that were formed at the conception time and during the 9 months of gestation. It loosens this energy structure to enable the power of life to take over. It is about transforming old, negative or unhelpful patterning that was established during our formative time – the prenatal period. It gives you an experience of purpose, inner strength, confidence and connectedness. But it is always your own life force that will bring about whatever transformations of the energy patterns are needed, guiding you from who you are right now to what you can be and already are in potential.