What is Yoga?

Yoga is lots of things and takes on lots of forms. So to answer this question, this is what you can expect from the yoga classes and courses at the Total Care Studio. Our yoga classes are an hour long and a made up of series of postures and poses that strengthen the body, balance the mind and soothe the spirit.

Your yoga classes are about yoga taking time out to look after yourself , indulge in some ‘me time’ and give your body what it sorely needs after the stresses and strains of everyday life. After a gentle warm-up, we do a few Sun Salutations which brings in a cardiovascular element to burn calories, focus the mind and heat the body. Once warm, standing poses strengthen, tone and shape the body whilst building a courageous mind.

As the body heat builds we add twisting postures and balancing poses which detoxify the body and strengthen the core. Then we slow it down, add some back strengthening, stretching and a good long relaxation!

The classes and courses at The Total Care Studio are limited in numbers so that your yoga teacher can really get to know you and your body. The yoga taught at the studio is a truly holistic therapy and tailored to each student so that any particular conditions/injuries can be addressed. You will see your yoga practice develop quickly as you experience the various benefits of a tailored class.

Would you benefit from yoga?
There are so many concerns that one can address as it is an individual practice and each person can look to improve many conditions both mental and physical. As a guide yoga can treat or reduce the symptoms of back pain, RSI, tension headaches and migraines, insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks, reduced range of movement limitations, fibromyalgia, hamstring strains, IBS, chronic stress and hypertension.

What are the benefits of yoga?

• Improved flexibility by using both active and passive stretching techniques. This lengthens muscles, which improves both joint and muscle range of motion and is great for injury prevention.
  
  
• Improved strength. By holding ones own body weight in certain poses strengthening of the muscles will occur.
  
  
• Pain prevention. By improving both strength and flexibility some pain conditions that are caused due to weakness can be improved. The stretching poses of yoga can reduce pain from muscle tension. Yoga also improves your alignment, which can help reduce pain from conditions such as scoliosis.
  
  
• Body Awareness. With time the practice of yoga improves your awareness of where each body part is connected to another and aids in improving the bodies posture.
  
  
• Stress reduction. The focus required on body alignment, the breathing and the yoga poses helps to clear the mind of thoughts and therefore can allow the mind to completely relax for the duration of the lesson. The physicality of the poses also increases blood flow, improves body tension and can therefore also decrease stress levels.

Your teacher: Laura Fisher
BA Hons. Registered Yoga Teacher 300 Hours

Laura is a qualified yoga teacher having studied extensively with both the Yoga Alliance and the British Wheel of Yoga. Laura is one of Southampton's leading yoga teachers and is best known for inspiring people to use yoga as a tool to enhance their physical and mental health and well being.

Laura is trained in two very different styles of yoga, Vinyasa Flow and Restorative Yoga. Vinyasa Flow is a strong, dynamic yoga practise which is great for active/sports people to enhance strength, flexibility and focus. Restorative Yoga is a much gentler practise which is ideal for people recovering from injury and illness enabling them to return the body to optimum strength and well being.

For more details on our Pilates classes click here