Class Timetable | Venues | What to Expect and FAQs | Hatha or Tantra

In this section I am aiming to give you a better understanding of the two styles of Yoga that I teach, and how that difference translates into the classes.

In general Tantra classes look more into the spiritual, energetic and meditative aspects of Yoga, therefore holding the asanas for an extended period of time and talking a lot about the cakras, energy flow and sublimation. Whereas Hatha classes are more physical and technical in the postures and there is only a little discussion of the energetic aspect.

Hatha or Tantra Classes?

If you are wondering which of the classes, Hatha or Tantra, is for you, then please read this, and if after reading it, you wish more details please contact me directly and I will be more than willing to discuss this with you.

Hatha - These are general style classes, which focus mainly on the physical positioning of the asanas. There is usually a short period of breathing techniques in a seated position at the beginning of the class, then some warm up exercises which aim to get the body ready for your asana practice, this will include Surya Namaskara - sun salutations. We then concentrate on specific postures, beginning with standing poses and then onto floor postures, the level of the class dictating the difficulty of the positions performed. The technical aspects of the asanas will be considered and each class will focus either on a specific type of asana or a part of the body. Verbal instruction and physical adjustments will be made during the class to assist you in finding the correct body position. In the more advanced levels the asana practice will end with the inverted poses (e.g. sarvangasana - the shoulder stand, or sirsasana - the head stand). The class will then perform a guided relaxation (lying in sivasana - the corpse pose).

Tantra – Tantra, as a word, is commonly misunderstood in the West and not recognised as a disciplinie which uses the manifestation (ie the physical body, energy, mind, etc) to evolve and understand the nature of reality. Under the umbrella of Tantra, comes all the physical types of Yoga that we are familiar with in the West (Iynegar, Ashtanga, Hatha, etc) and also Kriya Yoga, Karma Yoga, Laya Yoga, etc. So in fact, the vast majority of Yoga which is practiced in Yoga classes in the West, is ultimately Tantra Yoga.

In these classes we focus on the esoteric aspect of Yoga. The classes contain discussion of the energy flows of the body, chakras, the correct focus of the mind, and extended lengths of time in each asana/posture. There will be a talk at the beginning of the class on the different aspects of the Yoga system, from Yoga philosophy to specific key asanas taking approx 10 mins. The class will begin with specific warming exercises, sun salutations, and then lead to a very structured asana program where we hold the postures for up to 5 minutes each, before meditating or performing pranayama, and then the final relaxation.

These classes are run in blocks of 6, however if you are familiar with the class, or energy work in general, drop-in students are allowed if specific permission is given.