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Get your yoga on

SINGAPORE — While the exact history of yoga is a subject of much debate among serious practitioners, there is no doubt the tradition originated thousands of years ago. Many of the basic asanas (postures) — generally grouped as Hatha yoga — form the basis of various types of modern yoga we see today.

SINGAPORE — While the exact history of yoga is a subject of much debate among serious practitioners, there is no doubt the tradition originated thousands of years ago. Many of the basic asanas (postures) — generally grouped as Hatha yoga — form the basis of various types of modern yoga we see today.

And the practice has certainly evolved with the times to keep up with the increasing appetite for challenging, novel and fun workouts students demand today.

Here is a selection of creative yoga classes:

CAT YOGA

Fancy soft fur tickling your legs while you attempt trikonasana (triangle pose), or having a purring cutie pie sit on your tummy as you relax in savasana (corpse pose)? Combine animal therapy and hatha-style yoga at a novel cat yoga class held regularly at cat cafe Neko no Niwa. Don’t worry — no animals will be harmed!

Try this at: White Cat Yoga, whitecatyoga.com

SUP YOGA

SUP stands for stand-up paddling, itself a growing boardsport, and here, participants practise yoga on water — well, on a SUP board — that is either anchored or drifting at sea. As the board is unstable, SUP yoga has been said to help train the core muscles, which would be activated when one is trying to balance. The sensation of floating coupled with the sounds of the ocean can be calming for many people.

Try this at: SUP Yoga Singapore, supyogasingapore.com

AERIAL YOGA

In this class, traditional and modified asanas are executed in mid-air with the help of hammocks or fabric slings, which helps develop one’s flexibility and strength. Students can also attain inverted poses more easily as their weight would be supported by the sling. Proper instruction is required in order to practise safely (read: don’t do this at home).

Try this at: Platinum Yoga (platinumyoga.com) or Pure Yoga (pure-yoga.com)

WALL-ROPE YOGA

This form of yoga, also known as yoga kurunta, uses a specialised system of ropes, pelvic swings, bars and other props to assist students to understand the proper alignment of their bodies in various postures. They might also get a deeper stretch during practice as postures are held for longer compared with the usual hatha yoga class.

Try this at: Masters’ Yoga Sadhan; 77A Tanjong Pagar Road

KUNDALINI YOGA

A blend of spiritual and physical practices, sessions involves chanting, breathing exercises, meditation and of course, postures. Each session can invoke different emotions as participants awaken the kundalini energy within them – according to Tantra principles, kundalini (serpent) power is coiled at the base of the spine. When it is drawn upward through the seven chakras, the awakening of this energy can lead to an expanded state of consciousness. This practice requires no prior yoga experience and is suited for people looking for something different from the usual asana-based classes.

Try this at: Pure Yoga, pure-yoga.com

IYENGAR YOGA

Developed and named after BKS Iyengar, Iyengar Yoga is a detailed form of practice where structural alignment of the body and precision in postures are emphasised. Students make use of props such as blankets, blocks and straps to attain the correct asanas safely. An Iyengar class tends to involve comparatively more verbal instructions and active correction of any misalignments or postures.

Try this at: Cocoon Studio; 315 Outram Road, Tan Boon Liat Building # 02-07, cocoonstudio.com.sg

 

While all these might be interesting, if you are a newbie, there are some things you need to know to get started. Here are some tips from yoga practitioners that will make your yoga journey easier to manoeuvre.

GET GOOD GEAR

Comfortable and sweat-wicking clothing would be most ideal, said Omgoing’s co-owner Alicia Loh, adding that most ladies prefer wearing capris or leggings for their classes. For hot yoga classes, opt for a pair of well-fitted shorts, as it helps to keep you cool, said Vivre Activewear’s Sylvia Lim. Get a good mat, suggested Soulscape’s Marc Dass. “You don’t want to be slipping when you sweat. It helps with concentration in class.”

BE GOOD TO YOUR BODY

Don’t forget to listen to your body, said Loh. Don’t be afraid to rest in child’s pose or just sit in any comfortable pose, if you feel you need a break or if you are feeling dizzy — you can always join the class again when you are ready, she added. Most importantly, she shared, go for yoga classes without feeling external peer pressure, and “try not to be fixated on mastering a certain pose, as yoga is a journey and being flexible is never a pre-requisite for any yoga class”.

BROWSE FIRST

With plenty of yoga studios to choose from these days, Loh suggests trying a variety of classes at different spots before committing to one. Small boutique studios have minimal frills but the class sizes are smaller, while larger studios have bigger classes but they offer greater variety as well as facilities such as lounge areas. “Most studios do have options like trial classes and drop-in rates so that would be a good time to ‘shop around’ for a studio that best fits your needs based on the type of yoga classes, teachers, accessibility and also pricing,” says Loh.

CHOOSING RIGHT

Picking the right yoga studio is like picking a spouse, said Soon Li Ling from Kate Porter Yoga, adding that there needs to be chemistry. “Does the place make you feel comfortable? Are the teachers well-equipped to handle your needs and do they spare time to talk to you? There is no weight, fitness or flexibility requirement for you to come to class — but are you made to feel competitive or lacking?” Yoga offers you the chance to manage and develop your own body and mind so pick a studio that allows you to do so at your own pace, Soon added.

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME

Self-practise is not advisable, says Lim, as “there are breathing techniques and adjustments on poses which only a professional teacher will be able to guide you on”, so newbies should sign up at a yoga studio. Before you start your yoga journey, you can get tips from Soulscape (http://soulscape.asia), said Dass.

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