What to expect in a Horizon Yoga class


Beginning Well: Our yoga practice begins lying down with a short relaxation to give ourselves a few moments to switch off from whatever has been happening in our busy day, to relax away any tension and to prepare for the practice by beginning to focus on our breathing.
Pranayama. Deep, steady, rhythmic breathing is an integral part of yoga practice and we spend a few minutes doing some pranayama exercises. The sanscrit word pranayama comes from three root words: prana, meaning energy; yama, meaning dicipline or control and ayama meaning extention or stretch.

Warm Up. As with all exercise, it is important to prepare our muscles properly for the practice by warming them up, so we begin by working through a gentle sequence which takes the spine through it's natural range of movement.
"Pranayama thus means the prolongation of breath and it's restraint."
BKS Iyengar Light on Pranayama.
Surya Namaskar: Sun Salutation. This is the classical sequence to warm the body and prepare for the asana or posture practice ahead. We flow through a series of movements which warm the whole body – from our fingers and wrists to our ankles and toes and which takes the spine through it's full range of movement. There are lots of variations of the sun salute, we will usually practice two: the first is a sequence of 11 moves; the second deepens the movements and adds three more.
The sun salute is a flow.
We move in and out of each pose without stopping and as we move we use our breath to lead us, inhaling and exhaling:
"one move one breath"

Asana: Postures or poses. Using our breath to lead us we move into each asana or posture and once settled hold it for several complete breaths – at first maybe only one or two, but with time and practice building up to five or more.

Asanas can be described according to their characteristics: forward bends; back bends; twists; balances; hip openers, inversions. They may be practiced standing, sitting or lying down.

The practice moves through a series of asanas, balancing them with counterposes. In the beginners and refreshers course we progress from basic asanas through variations to the more challenging. Both gentle and more challenging options are always given.
Read more about the benefits of the postures.

The Sanscrit word asana literally means "seat" or "place"

Savasana: Relaxation. Savansana (literal translation - corpse pose), is always the final posture of the practice. We finish as we began: lying down in relaxation. This is the time for the body and the mind to rest, for our breath and heart rate to slow and to become quiet and still.
Savasana
"With this asana tiredness caused by other asanas is eliminated; it also promotes calmness of mind"
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
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What to Expect
in a Horizon Yoga Class
Beginning Well:
We begin with a short relaxation to help to switch off, to relax away any tension and to prepare for the practice by beginning to focus on breathing.
Pranayama
Deep, steady, rhythmic breathing is an integral part of yoga practice. The sanscrit word pranayama comes from three root words: prana, meaning energy; yama, meaning dicipline or control and ayama meaning extention or stretch.
Warm Up.
It's important to prepare our muscles by warming them up, so we begin by working through a gentle sequence pf movements.
Surya Namaskar: Sun Salutation.
A classical sequence to warm the body and prepare for posture practice. We flow through a series of movements which works the whole body.
Asana: Postures or poses.
Asanas can be described according to their characteristics: forward bends; back bends; twists; balances; hip openers, inversions. They may be practiced standing, sitting or lying down.
In the beginners and refreshers course we progress from basic asanas through variations to the more challenging.
Both gentle and more challenging options are always given.
Savasana: Relaxation.
Savansana (literal translation - corpse pose), is always the final posture of the practice. We finish as we began: lying down in relaxation. This is the time for the body and the mind to rest, for our breath and heart rate to slow and to become quiet and still.