Singles Yoga – Is this Yoga? Class Dynamics

I often get asked about how I feel the connection events such as Singles Yoga fit against a common viewpoint which often perceives Yoga as an ‘individual’ practice.

Well, the fact that it’s often practiced individually has little to do, in my opinion, with what yoga is essentially all about.

The essential meaning of yoga is ‘unity’ or ‘wholeness’ but most forms of yoga may focus on a perception of connection within yourself, or occasionally with nature around you (observe the archetypal image of a yoga student sitting by a lake or on a mountain ledge).

However, the people around us are also part of nature. Doesn’t it make sense to bring this quality of presence and unity to the relationships we have with the people around us, too?

In my eyes, yoga ‘practice’ isn’t just something that we do on a mat for an hour a week. It’s the practice of bringing unity into our life and moment to moment experience. (Also expanded in the blog post What is Yoga)

Essentially, then, we need to practice this through all the levels of connection we need to be a healthy human being. So this goes through a whole spectrum of connection with Earth, with our body, with our breath, with a partner, with our group or tribe, and with the Ether (Sky above) — in other words, we do it with what’s beneath us, what’s around us, and what’s above us!

Class Description

I’ve done a few video blogs which detail what we might do in class, but for those who also like the written word, this is how it might flow. I don’t always get into talking so much about the more subtle energetics of what might go on in class during the video blogs so this is a chance to know more about it.

Basically, I like to structure the class so you get to engage through a really full spectrum of connection — both within your own body through to meeting someone else and also connecting with the group as a whole. You will practice bringing that yogic essence into connection.

Calm your nervous system – on your own

Initially we usually do a sequence in order to relax you within your own body, balance left and right brain activity, calm the nervous system, and observe your inner ‘mental’ landscape and fluidity of breathing. (When we are stressed, breathing becomes constrained — building awareness of this is essential information to help you in life!)

Subtle energy exercises

Sometimes as part of this we may also do some more subtle energy exercises. We may bring awareness through each chakra or complete microcosmic orbits (which is a Taoist energy exercise) which also helps to anchor your energy and awareness into your body.

Activation and energisation

This is usually followed by an energisation and activation sequence to move stagnant or obstructed qi / prana from the system to clear the mind and help physical longevity.

You may notice quite a significant change after this as the nervous system and internal organs have relaxed and our brain wave patterns change so we get a sense of feeling much more “embodied.”

Partner Yoga Sequences

Then we are feeling more ‘present’ so then we are ready to connect! At this point, we may move into partner yoga or connection exercises.

Whilst being fun, I also encourage keeping the focus on maintaining a sense of embodiment and relaxation — and not tightening up while being in contact with another person. This is another good practice for life in general. And of course, the partner yoga will stretch you!

Connection exercises / sharing

There may also be exercises in the partner work expressing and connecting the differing polarities of male / female energy through breath work or the dynamics of a partner yoga pose (practicing both giving and receiving).

Sometimes there may be a brief opportunity to share what your inner experience was whilst doing the partner or connection exercises. During this section, I also like to do an exercise such as eye gazing where we are connecting on a bit more of a ‘soul’ level with the people we may be working with.

Deep Relaxation

Afterwards, there is a guided deep relaxation, also involving an exercise passing your awareness through / relaxing each muscle group and internal organs, followed by passing light back through the body to subtly energise our energy body and raise our overall vibration.

Social

Then we head down the road for a social together!

That’s what I call exercise. 🙂

Richard