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Freestyle Fitness Yoga – Info Pack

 

Class Objectives

  • Flexibility
  • Strength
  • Balance
  • Control
  • Body weight management
  • Relaxation

 

Breathing

Although in the Freestyle Fitness Yoga (FFY) class, we don’t refer to Sanskrit terms, in Yoga terms, breathing is referred to as ‘pranayama’.  Prana refers to the breath and ayama means ‘stretch’ or ‘extend’.  Pranayama is the control, harmonisation and integration through the regulation of breathing.  Breathing via the nose only is encouraged during FFY.  However, it would be unrealistic for those who exercise in different types of classes (eg Fitness Pilates) to change this practice.

The synchronisation of movements and breathing fall into 3 stages:

 

  1. Beginner: each breath should be balanced and not forced.
  2. Intermediate: as you become more familiar with postures and sequences, you can afford to elongate your breathing and make it a little more pronounced.
  3. Advanced: participants may choose to synchronise many of the postures with their breathing.

 

 

Warm up Heat Sequence

If you have ever attended a Yoga or a Body Balance class before, you’ll know that they incorporate a sequence called The Sun Salutation or Salute to the Sun.  In FFY, this sequence, which is called the Heat Sequence, comes after a thorough warm up and can also be used to raise energy levels and keep class participants warm throughout.  In the Heat Sequence, you will learn the postures and manoeuvres separately in their simplest form with basic options first.  As the class progresses, different options will be offered in the same sequence for those who want a more challenging option.  Whichever option you choose, please be aware of your posture.  The moves in the Heat Sequence will not change so you will have a lifetime to progress them.

 

In class

There will be a mixture of floor based exercises and stretches AND standing postures and sequences.  In mat/floor exercises, you can expect to improve your flexibility during this section.  You will hold the stretches from 30 seconds to 1 minute.  This is also an ideal time to include some Fitness Pilates exercises to strengthen the abdominals and back.  In standing postures, the emphasis is on strength and balance.  The postures will also be linked together in sequences and transitions will follow on naturally.