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Instructors featured in this story are Anna Sjostrand and Shaun Hannocks of Pure Yoga, Singapore.

Practices

Yoga
Heat
Hot Yoga was introduced in the US in the
early 1970s. It is done in a heated room and
is suitable for practitioners of all levels. Pure
Yoga in Hong Kong brought it back again
in the year 2001. Shaun Hannocks, Senior
Teacher at Pure Yoga Singapore, tells us about
this not-so-new phenomenon.

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Yoga is a tradition which celebrates the individual

the mind and the spirit. Yogas various techniques are used to

and the individuals choices to nd a path towards peace and

create harmony in these areas. Stress is a result of disharmony in

harmony suitable for their own mind and body. According to

the mind, the body or the spirit. Consistent Yoga practice can help

Shaun Hannocks, the commercialism of yoga has only served to

to reduce this disharmony.

bring more awareness of this ancient practice to the mainstream


public. The wide choices currently available to the modern yoga
practitioner and access to more yoga classes is a positive thing.

Can Yoga or Hot Yoga help you to lose weight?


How does Yoga give you energy?
Proper exercise is achieved through the Yoga postures, which

How would a rst-timer to Yoga know which one to try?

systematically work on all parts of the body stretch and tone the

At Pure Yoga we educate our rst-timers. The rst-timer can talk to

muscles and ligaments which enhance the exibility of the spine

the teachers to see what class or style of Yoga might be appropriate.

and the joints, and improve blood circulation. The postures are

Trying several styles is advisable.

designed to regulate the physical and physiological functions of


the body. Practicing Yoga makes your body relaxed, gives you more

What are the specic benets of practising Hot Yoga?

strength and energy, and rejuvenates the various systems of the

Practising Hot Yoga enables your body to burn fat more effectively.

body. A Yoga Posture goes together with proper breathing. Each

Fat may also be redistributed and burned as energy during the class.

movement and stretching should be guided by your breath, making

The heat produces an ease in movements of the joints, muscles,

your movement and breath coordinated, and feeling like one and

ligaments and other supporting structures of the body. Capillaries

the same. The execution of the Asana is benecial to the body, and

dilate in the heat; and hence oxygenate the tissues, muscles, glands

at the same time contributes to inner and mental growth.

and organs more efciently. This helps in the removing waste


concentration and determination in this challenging environment.

Why do women generally practice Yoga more than men


do?

Sweating promotes detoxication and elimination through the

In India, where Yoga orginated, practitioners have mainly been men.

skin - which is the bodys largest eliminating organ. Just as when

In the West, women have initially been more open to discovering

your body raises its temperature to ght infection, the raised

the benets of Yoga. In recent years, we are seeing more and more

temperature in the room will assist in improving T-cell function

men taking up Yoga. Yoga needs only to be experienced by the

and the proper functioning of your immune system

individual once or twice before they truly feel its power!

What are some of the key Sanskrit phrases used in Yoga


and what do they represent?

How many times should one practice Yoga a week?

Namast

condition should be discussed with your teacher. Anywhere from

Asana a Yoga pose

3-6 times per week done consistently will create very positive

Chakra a point of intersection of the main channels of energy

changes in a persons life and health.

products. It is also a good way to train ones willpower, self control,

It depends on the person. It will vary from person to person. Your

ow in the body
Guru teacher
Hatha yoga a path of yoga that emphasises the practice of
asanas

What health problems do one look out for whilst in a


Hot Yoga class?
Whatever condition you have, you should always tell the teacher

Prana life force; vitality

about them. There are certain postures to avoid if you have heart

Pranayama the controlling or regulation of breath

problems or high blood pressure. The hot class almost forcibly

Savasana an asana; often the nal asana in class, laying on

brings one to health. Health is a sensitive issue for a lot of people.

ones back with palms facing up.

Most people nd it difcult and challenging to direct their attention


to their health. The hot class makes you drink enough water daily,

How does Yoga help to release stress?

to naturally help the excretion of toxins from the body. If you dont,

Yoga is concerned with the relationship between the physical body,

you will feel dehydrated and nauseous.

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The many different styles and schools of hatha yoga


includes:

POWER YOGA

PRANAYAMA & MEDITATION

help to align your bodys skeletal structure, and strengthen your

A powerful class focusing on movement with breath, using deep

Breathing is life. Without it we simply would not exist.

muscles. Deep breathing fuels the postures, and at the same time,

breathing techniques and linking postures together to create

Pranayama or Breathing Exercise promotes proper breathing.

affects the state of your mind and emotions.

HOT YOGA

dynamic sequences. This class provides the student with an

Breathing can inuence our prana or vital life energy.

Hatha Yoga postures taken in a heated room. This style of class

energizing and detoxifying practice. It is a challenging exercise that

Pranayama is the science of breath control, a series of breathing

YOGA DANCE

is ideal for any level of practitioner, from the rst-time student to

physically and mentally challenges you to connect to your inner

exercises intended to meet the needs of each individual.

Uninhibited, we express ourselves more fully. A Yoga Dance class

the advanced yogi. A class gives excellent cardiovascular work out,

strength and peace.

incorporates traditional yogic mudras, choreographed dance

ASHTANGA VINYASA

movements and music into a fun, invigorating session which usually

oxygenates the blood and detoxifyies the entire body. Drink lots of

KIDS YOGA

In the tradition of Sri K. Pattahbi Jois from Mysore India it is

lasts one hour. All are welcome!

water and prepare to sweat!

This class is a time to align the young and creative minds of our kids

a classical sequence of yoga postures. Its combines power and

allows deep stretches, and builds strength, and at the same time

with some fun and powerful yogic techniques, to focus the mind

exibility with movement, internal locks and breath to produce an

PRE & POST NATAL YOGA

YIN YOGA

and build coordination. Basic poses are learned in a very playful

energetic and detoxifying effect.

This class is designed to meet a would-be mothers needs and

Exploring the bodys subtle energies. Long, deep stretching

environment while helping to maintain natural exibility.

cultivates a peaceful and meditative mind. Most forms of Yoga

those of a new mother. Its a fantastic way to strengthen and

HATHA YOGA

relax the body, ease the mind and connect with your baby in a

practised today are the Yang style. They emphasize muscular

MYSORE

Hatha Yoga is the traditional classical Indian style of Yoga. Ha

safe and supportive environment. Feel inspired and nourished in a

extensions and contractions. By contrast Yin Yoga targets the

A traditional method of Ashtanga Yoga, ideal for self-practice.

means sun, tha mean moon and yoga means union. Hatha Yoga

community of women sharing the experience of pregnancy, birth

connective tissue of the hips, pelvis and lower spine. Yin postures

Students practice the Ashtanga sequence at their own pace with

is commonly translated as the yoga that brings union (yoga = union)

and motherhood.

are held for several minutes at a time. This type of practice

assistance from the teacher.

of the pairs of opposites. With physical strength we integrate the

complements the more muscular styles of Yoga.

breath and move with the breath, together with union we bind
the different body parts together in various positions. The postures

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