Helen teaches flow Yoga based on Ashtanga Yoga. Ashtanga yoga is the most talked about form of yoga today. Celebrities such as Madonna, Sting and Demi Moore are amongst those who rave about the benefits of this system. Ashtanga is a dynamic form of yoga combining postures with breath to develop strength, flexibility, stamina and concentration. It is designed to realign the skeletal system, cleanse the body and relax the mind. Coordinating breath with movement creates a purifying heat which detoxifies the body and nourishes the internal organs.

The pure form of Ashtanga yoga is said to be between five and fifteen hundred years old. Sri Krishnamacharya was the first yogi to decipher the original text the  Yoga Kurunta and went on to share his discovery with his student Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. The traditional method of teaching is passing down the method from Guru to student. Sri K Pattabhi Jois, who is now in his eighties, is still teaching many students daily with the assistance of his grandson Sharath at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore.

An Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga practice begins with a repeated Surya Namaskara (salute to the sun) which is followed by a series of postures linked together with the flow of the breath.

In yoga, movement is initiated from the inside, or core, of the body rather than relying on outer muscular strength. Yogic postures, or asanas, stretch, lengthen and tone muscles. We create core strength by using inner body locks called bandhas, which means 'grips'. We use Mula bandha the root lock, and Uddiyana bandha, which means flying upwards. Working with the bandhas throughout the practice helps to lengthen and protect the lower back and create internal heat.

Throughout the practice we breathe Ujjayi, or victorious breath. This also creates internal heat and produces a meditative sound to practice to.

Today there are variations on the pure form of Ashtanga. If it is Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga you are after then Helen can teach as close to the traditional style as possible, although with some minor adjustments the form is accessible for all.

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