udghāṭayetkapāṭaṃ tu yathā kuṃchikayā haṭhāt |
kuṇḍalinyā tathā yoghī mokṣhadvāraṃ vibhedayet
‘As one opens a door with a key, so the yogi forces opens the door of liberation with Kundalini’
-Hathapradipika 3.105
Authentic teachings made relevant for YOU the modern student
CHANGE TO SCHEDULE!
For the next three weeks Leanne's Ashtanga Journey class will be a 75min live stream from Yoga Blend studio in Plymouth. To join please email Leanne for a link and pay £12 in your usual way. Dates being Sundays the 6th, 13th and 2oth of June.
'Ashtanga Journey' 90min virtual class
(60 or 75min options see below)
ZOOM LINK TO ENTER LEANNE'S VIRTUAL CLASS
Live Zoom
Suitable for All Levels
Every Sunday 9.00-10.30 am (GMT)
£15
If you cannot afford to pay the full price this time please give what you can honestly using Paypal with this link @ashtangageek
Other Classes
Change week to week watch this space!
Friday 11th June
5.15-6.15pm Gentle Yoga
6.30-7.45pm Restorative and Yoga Nidra
book here- @Yogablend studio/stream
Leannes's evolved 'Ashtanga Yoga Journey' class
This class uses a systematic crescendo of postures and transitions followed by some pranayama, meditation, chanting/prayer and relaxation. The classic combination of steadying the senses, working from the energetic core, and breathing with the sound, known as drishti, bandha and ujjayi, cleanse and open the physical body, calm the mind and revitalise the vital energy within us- prana. Students are encouraged to have a soft mental approach and personalise the practise always according to reality/ability/ energy level.
Note this class is a modern adaptation of the Ashtanga Vinyasa method and is not restricted to it’s set sequence, but uses parts of the sequence that are accessible and relevant to all and that work the body in all planes of movement.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a twentieth century style of yoga that incorporates a thousand year old Ashtanga philosophy which provides eight key external and internal phases/ techniques the yogi must journey through to achieve the state of yoga- Samadhi or Enlightenment.
-Philosophy of the practise
-Samastitihi and Chanting Opening Prayer
-Surya Namaskar
-Ashtanga Standing Postures
-Ashtanga Seated Postures
-Finishing Shoulderstand Sequence
-Classical asanas with Pranayama/Meditation
-Chanting closing prayer/ devotional gesture
-Savasana
You may come for just 60 or 75 min, please let Leanne know at start of class.
If you prefer to practise to music you may choose a playlist prepared by Leanne, simple contact her and ask for the music links or choose a playlist designed for class below!
Leanne has no rights to this music please use it for personal use only.
Is Ashtanga Vinyasa suitable for beginners?
Yes! This style of practise is incredible methodical and full of common sense and repetition. You will not be asked to perform complicated poses too soon and the poses work in a sequence where each builds upon the lesson/ technique of the last. Leanne's caring and methodical style of teaching means you are in safe hands. She will allow you to learn through following the practise itself and by giving you enough help to keep you safe on the mat but not too much information that you feel bombarded. It all comes with time and the beauty of the Ashtanga style is that it repeats, every single time. This gives you time to learn coordination, balance and strength as well as learn where you are on the mat, meaning that you will soon feel relaxed and confident. You will see that as soon as the sequence starts to become ingrained, you will focus more on your breathing and going with the flow. Leanne particularly encourages you to be 'unstuck' that is to not fret, judge, expect, worry, or try too hard, these are all contrary to the teachings of yoga, but to simply 'be' where you are, breathing and present, moving from one breath and movement to the next, in the present moment. *If you are a beginner with injury or condition please contact Leanne to provide details so that she is aware and can advise you on modifications or arrange an initial private session.
Info
Leanne's own classes are provided live online through Zoom
Online classes for studios will need to be booked separately via the studio.
Payments are non refundable unless the class be cancelled.
Advisories
*LEANNE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PRACTISE OR YOUR BODY, PLEASE PRACTISE SAFELY AND WITHIN YOUR ABILITY
*CLASSES ARE SUITABLE FOR ALL LEVELS PROVIDED THAT YOU LISTEN TO YOUR OWN BODY, IF THE BREATH IS NOT STEADY PLEASE TAKE REST
*WE DO NOT WISH TO EVER EXPERIENCE PAIN OR STRESS IN PRACTISE
*IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TAKE SAVASANA ( LIE DOWN) TO CLOSE THE PRACTISE TO LET THE BODY AND MIND ADJUST AND SETTLE AND THE MUSCLE TISSUE TO RECOVER AND ADAPT
*DO NOT PRACTISE WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF PREGNANCY, AFTERWARDS IT IS ADVISABLE TO DO SOME RESEARCH
"Leanne is a very gifted teacher who creates a very personal and spiritual experience during the class. I liked her inspirational quotes and readings and combined with a well designed playlist make the class special. I recommendation for yin devotees who want to relax after a stressful week!"
- Stephen
"Leanne provides opportunities for us to challenge ourselves and progress in our practise. She gives guidance and tips on how to move into a posture safely and powerfully. I always look forward to her classes"
- Vivienne
"Leanne is a wonderful yoga teacher. She combines her vast knowledge with the soothing but confident tone needed to both relax her students and enable them to get the best out of every session. I really enjoy her Ashtanga classes because there is a set routine and so I can relax and get into the flow and I can get deeper into the postures is subsequent sessions. I also love Yin because it gives my body, especially my back the release it needs after being sat at a desk all week. Leanne's classes are meditational and she also has some powerful playlists that really help to calm the mind."
-Debbie
"Thank you so much, I needed that more than I thought I did and that final meditation felt so different, I was so light and my head was floating on my body. It was amazing!"
- Lou
"Thank you so much Leanne, such a wonderful start to the day to have that time to just BE. It was a much needed change from working/ cooking/ cleaning/ home schooling/ shopping and I feel rejuvenated. Can't wait for the next one"
- Claire
words from the students
"All the tips are useful and you get to the point! Probably helped with knoweledge of philosophy too to break things down in a a simple way!
- Georgie
Yin at the Emily Bowes student halls, Tottenham, London
tradition
Modernity
modern students
mixed level
group led
class
the quiet approach
Beginners
inclusivity
universality
The great work
breath
spine
bandha
drishti
non- attachment
The Eight Limbs
Evolution
Ashtanga Vinyasa
relevance
caring
leanne as your teacher
Leanne's mission as a teacher has been to find the way to teach authentic Yoga through today's standardised modern group yoga classes; To offer a yoga class that remains traditional, but is useful and adaptable to the student. After studying yoga scriptures and at the same time living in a very different world to the era and culture that produced them she has often come to question her faith in how yoga is now taught and her purpose as a teacher.
She has often felt torn and confused at how the word ‘tradition’ seems to suggest obedience, rigidity, blind faith and something set in stone; whereas the natural world we live in and it’s societies are constantly evolving and changing.
Neither wanting to be generic and wishy- washy nor strict and rigid in her teaching, she has developed a style that focusses on the core hatha yoga techniques ( which are not fancy poses at all) and the traditional 'Ashtanga Yoga' eight- limbed philosophy ( a methodical approach to the steps of yoga) which she transmits in a caring, encouraging and approachable way. She uses the Ashtanga Vinyasa system but allows freedom for adapting and altering the practise to better suit the varying goals, needs and limitations of each student.
She says that the modern yoga scene and it’s teachers aka representatives and guides must remain true to the yoga philosophy and welcome all without prejudice, and offering a safe learning environment where students may learn about themselves through their bodies and hopefully learn the fundamental techniques and tools which will guide them ever onwards, or ‘upwards’ along the yoga path if they wish to take it.
'The Self abides in the inner chamber of the heart, always at peace,
whatever forces of prakriti may storm outside'
- Bhagavad Gita
