Change of Pace at The Yoga Space

I found last Wednesday's 45 minute Vinyasa yoga practice at The Yoga Space so enjoyable that I decided to head back over there today and bring my work colleague Jess with me to join in the fun!

One nice thing about yoga is the ability to share the benefits of your practice. During class you are expected to tune in to your own body and focus on your own movements. But before and after class you'll generally notice a real variety of actions and attitudes in any given studio. Some people clearly love to share, engage and interact with the people around them both pre and post-yoga. Others remain quiet and meditative before, during and after their practice. Whatever your method, it's totally cool and it's totally up to you. Just be sure to own your practice (by 'own' I mean 'make it your own!') and get out of it what you need.

Today I was seeking company, motivation and to share a practice I loved with someone who I knew would appreciate it. Bringing Jess along to this session with me was the ideal way to share the benefits of my practice in the company of a great friend!

Unfortunately Samantha informed us today that her 4:30pm session on Wednesday afternoons will no longer be running at this studio. However she will still be leading some classes at The Yoga Space, as well as in other locations too. Therefore I won't share the details of this class below (you can check out my post from last Wednesday 5th October if you're super keen) but stay tuned and I will hunt down another of Samantha's awesome classes in upcoming weeks!

• THE YOGA SPACE WEBSITE: www.yogaspace.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Space for you at The Yoga Space

Really enjoyed a calm and quiet 45 minute Vinyasa Yoga practice at The Yoga Space on Hay Street this afternoon.

The Yoga Space is a cute little upstairs studio just off Hay Street, great location because it's only a super quick Red Cat ride or short walk from downtown Perth City. Since I'm currently working shifts I was able to break away a little early today and catch this class. There was only three of us there, but as I left the 5:30pm class was arriving and there must have been at least 20 people lining up for that later 90 minute session. It's clearly a popular venue!

It was lovely to participate in a brief practice in the early afternoon. Was also great to have such a tiny class so we each got lots of one-on-one attention from the teacher, my postures and alignment definitely benefitted from that. Plus I left the studio when it was still light and sunny outside, so my mood was definitely brightened too. A refreshing experience all around!

VINYASA translates to 'breath synchronised movement' and is a practice which dynamically links breath and movement. The teacher instructs the class to move from one posture to the next on an inhale or exhale, ideally allowing each pose to flow together. Most vinyasa classes will include the simple cat-cow stretch as well as sun salutations which are slightly more complex.

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Wednesday afternoon, 4:30-5:15pm. The Yoga Space. 11/1251 Hay Street, West Perth.
• COST: $10.00 for a 45 minute class
• TEACHER: Samantha
• BRING: Everything is supplied by The Yoga Space so there's no need to bring a mat. But as always with yoga be sure to wear an outfit that offers you a lot of flexibility, freedom of movement and good coverage.
• BEST BITS: Since my previous yoga sessions have all been 90 minute classes I really appreciated this 45 minute short and peaceful practice. A great choice for beginners with a patient and supportive teacher.
• THE YOGA SPACE WEBSITE: www.yogaspace.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

"Ommmm" at Yoga Om in North Perth

If you haven't noticed I've been testing out a LOT of incredible 'finding fitness' options in Perth in recent weeks. I've even already started to exceed my own expectations, smashing far beyond the number of classes I envisioned I would attend. Which is awesome of course. It's always good to have a goal, then a stretch goal, and be able to actually start to see progress towards achieving it!

However another thing that is extremely important is to learn balance and moderation. Admittedly not always two of my most fine-tuned attributes. As a self-confessed moderate-to-high 'full steam ahead' personality I have at times struggled to draw the line, learn to say no and realise when enough is enough. 

For one thing I can't actually seem to blog fast enough to keep up with the fitness classes I've been going to! To date I've attended 9 completely new classes all over Perth city in a mere 2.5 weeks. At the same time as starting new full-time work. For me my work and my 'finding fitness' intentions are very well aligned, but still that's a lot for anyone to take on in a super quick time frame.

So to be honest I think today at Yoga Om I actually hit my limit... The North Perth venue is a really gorgeous space, with a high ceiling and a raised stage for the yogi who leads the practice to demonstrate from. The spiced smell of incense drifted through the room and the lighting against the wooden floorboards was lovely. Just such a shame the studio is so nearby a main road with constant traffic distractions. Which in addition to my aching body and splitting headache really hindered my ability to get the most out of this lovely practice.

I suppose the art of yoga practice involves elevating your consciousness above such obstacles. But it is also about striking the right balance. I should have realised earlier that my aches and pains were more than just general post-fitness tenderness and actually quite extreme strains from days on end of overdoing it. I suppose this practice made this fact quite evident to me, which in itself is the kind of clarity and realisation that a good yoga practice should deliver. So overall? A strenuous success by all accounts :)

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Thursday evening, 5:45-7:15pm. Yoga Om. Ste C4, 32 Endeavour Road, Hillaries 6025.
• COST: $18.00 per class on a casual basis 
• TEACHER: Sava
• BRING: Nothing required as the venue supplies yoga mats, blocks, straps and blankets. But it's always nice to bring an extra layer like a vinyasa scarf or cosy jacket to snuggle into after savasana.
• BEST BITS: I liked that the teacher was elevated on a slight platform stage in front of us so we could follow each pose. The hour and a half long practice was a constant journey through a range of poses, each slightly more ambitious than the next. With my aching joints and feelings of utter exhaustion I did find the practice a challenge, but definitely a fulfilling one. 
• YOGA OM WEBSITE: www.yogaom.net

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★  

Frantic Friday calmed by Yoga

This morning began at a crazy pace... Slept through my alarm and frantically raced to the bus which then ended up being 20 minutes behind schedule. This meant I also missed my train. Not a great way to start the day.

Luckily enough I did factor in a bit of extra travel time and was still able to arrive for the mid-morning Beginners/General yoga class at The Yoga Company in Subiaco.

Don't be fooled by the title... this 'beginners' class definitely caught me by surprise! I met up with my friend, colleague and fellow yoga-lover Esther at the studio and I'm quite sure we both expected a gentle, peaceful and calming start to our morning. Needless to say we both really enjoyed the class but definitely left humbled by the flexibility and core strength expected of us throughout the session.

Lessons learned today? Always provide myself a big enough 'time buffer' before work or play so that even if it all goes wrong I still have at least a few extra minutes up my sleeve to make it right again. Also learned to never underestimate the complexities of a yoga practice. Although yoga is meditative and restorative, it is also extremely challenging - both mentally and physically. If you have somehow developed misconceptions about yoga being "easy" then I suggest you make your way to Hala's studio and be prepared to change your tune.

YOGA originated in India as a physical, mental and spiritual discipline with the aim of attaining tranquility and spiritual insight. A yogi is someone who practices yoga or has a high level of commitment to the yoga philosophy. If you are able to incorporate yoga into all aspects of your life on regular basis you could be a yogi too!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Friday morning, 9:30-11:00am. The Yoga Company. 400 Roberts Road (corner of Station Street), Subiaco.
• COST: $20.00 per 1.5 hour class
• TEACHER: Hala Bitdorf
• BRING: Nothing required. I brought my own mat and towel, however Hala provides mats, belts, chairs, blocks and blankets at her studio. Definitely bring comfy shoes and warm, loose clothes to wear post-practice. so you can drift out of the studio with a cosy and content soul.
• BEST BITS: The practice went for 1.5 hours and I felt mentally and physically challenged throughout.
• THE YOGA COMPANY WEBSITE: www.theyogacompany.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★