  
SURFING HOLIDAYS IN PORTUGAL & THE ALGARVE
Combined SURFING & Yoga Holidays in praia da Luz
THE PRAIA DA LUZ YOGA CLASSES
Improve your flexibility, centre yourself with peace of mind and quell those negative thoughts with daily yoga sessions on the beach watching the sun go down on another beautiful day. Our yoga and Pilates instructors have studied physical education and teach the art of Sivandanda Yoga. They are also qualified in other forms of yoga and can tailor the class according to the level or needs of the students. Discover a part of yourself you never knew about.
Quick links: Sivananda Yoga | The 5 points of yoga | The yoga classes | The 12 basic postures
Sivananda Yoga
This style of yoga named after teachings of Swami Sivananda, is a style of yoga in which the training focuses on preserving the health and wellness of the practitioner. Sivananda training revolves around frequent relaxation & emphasizes full, yogic breathing.
The Sivananda training system aims to retain the vitality of the body, retard the decaying process and decrease chance of disease, by simply and naturally cultivating the body. The system philosophies are summarized in 5 principles.
Five points of Yoga
• Proper breathing: Pranayama
• Proper exercise: Asanas
• Proper relaxation: Savasana
• Proper diet: Vegetarian. A yogic diet is encouraged
• Positive thinking and meditation: Vedanta and Dhyana
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The Yoga Classes
A basic yoga class consists of different postures (asanas) where physical and mental tensions are released and endurance, strength and flexibility are developed. Proper breathing exercises increase vitality while relaxation techniques help to relax body and mind. A session averages 90 minutes, and the traditional program may be followed flexibly by the instructor, allowing for some variation.
Proper Exercise is one of the 5 fundamental points of Yoga as taught by Swami Vishnu-devananda founder/Guru of Sivananda Yoga. As Yoga regards the body as a vehicle for the soul on its journey towards perfection, Yogic physical exercises are designed to develop not only the body. They also broaden the mental faculties and the spiritual capacities.
The Yogic physical exercises are called Asanas, a term which means steady pose. This is because the Yoga Asana (or posture) is meant to be held for some time. However this is quite an advanced practice. Initially, our concern is simply to increase body flexibility.
The body is as young as it is flexible. Yoga exercises focus on the health of the spine, its strength and flexibility. The spinal column houses the all-important nervous system, the telegraphic system of the body. By maintaining the spine's flexibility and strength through exercise, circulation is increased and the nerves are ensured their supply of nutrients and oxygen. The Asanas also affect the internal organs and the endocrine system (glands and hormones).
Traditionally, Yogis practice Surya Namaskar, the sun salutation, before the Asanas. Although there are as many as 8,400,000 Asanas, the practice of the 12 basic postures brings out the essence and all major benefits of this wonderful system.
These 12 Basic Postures are
1. Headstand (Sirshasana)
2. Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)
3. Plough (Halasana)
4. Fish (Matsyasana)
5. Forward bend (Paschimothanasana)
6. Cobra (Bhujangasana)
7. Locust (Shalabhasana)
8. Bow (Dhanurasana)
9. Spinal twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
10. Crow pose (Kakasana) or Peacock pose (Mayurasana)
11. Standing forward bend (Pada Hasthasana)
12. Triangle (Trikonasana)
At the end of the session one must do a deeper, final relaxation.
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