Yogasphere at Port Stephens - classes and courses

This page contains information on:

the style of yoga classes we undertake - vinyasa
when classes are held - dates and times
where classes are held - locations

what is vinyasa yoga?

Yogasphere located at Anna Bay and Corlette (close to Nelson Bay) in Port Stephens, offers vinyasa yoga - a fluid form of yoga that involves linking movement in and out of postures with the breath. Each carefully considered sequence more or less stays the same throughout the duration of a course. This means the full benefits of a vinyasa-style yoga practice (i.e. a dynamic meditation) can be achieved

will this style of yoga be suitable for me?

Vinyasa yoga tends to focus more on movement and can therefore be slightly more physically challenging than other forms of yoga, but, with a little enthusiasm, this particular fluid vinyasa style is completely 'doable' for most people who can get in and out of bed, sit down on the floor and get up again, and walk up and down the stairs without issue. Positive differences in strength, flexibility and calmness will be noticed within one month and when we feel strong and have more movement, we are happier and have more energy. However, if you have a serious musculo-skeletal injury or other chronic health condition, this style of yoga in a class situation may not be suitable for you and it is advised that you speak to your doctor and perhaps organise a remedial type private yoga class instead. One-on-one workers compensation and/or rehabilitative classes can be arranged. This may also be advisable for those people who have not exercised regularly during their lives, are a little older perhaps and/or are looking for more gentle exercise. Importantly, please be advised that group classes are aimed at people of all levels and ages who possess an average/reasonable level of fitness and an average/reasonable range of movement and enjoy being challenged. It is wise not to give up once you've started though - Rome wasn't built in a day! Most people need to commit fully to at least one sequence or 4-6 classes before everything begins to improve - balance, coordination, strength and flexibility. Then the lights go on! Expect to feel a little frustrated the first few times as with any new activity but try sitting with all those thoughts and feelings that come up - generally the ego talking - without buying into them.

class times and relevant information

Course: Monday 6.30-7.45pm Beg/Gen, Corlette
Casual: Tuesday 6.00-7.00pm, Birubi Beach (Dec-Jan)
Course: Tuesdays 6.30-7.45pm Beg/Gen, Anna Bay Public School Hall, Anna Bay.
Casual, all welcome (slower/general level vinyasa): Thursday 10.00-11.15am, Corlette
Course: Thursday 6.45-8.00pm Gen/Int, Corlette
Casual (medium/general level vinyasa): Saturday 8.30-9.30am, Corlette

session dates, costs & discounts

AUTUMN/WINTER YOGA 2012 - NEXT COURSE DATES

The next lot of six-wk evening yoga sessions begin Monday 14 May (Corlette Hall), Tuesday 15 May, (Anna Bay School Hall) and Thursday 17 May (Corlette). Cost is $70 if you book in a week prior to the course starting (cost increases to $75 per person after this). If you book in to two nights of yoga cost is $130 (there is no Paypal option for this discount - please email me for bank details).

****PLEASE BE AWARE THAT I WILL NOW BE AWAY, ATTENDING AN IMPORTANT WORKSHOP IN WHAT WAS TO BE WEEK SIX OF THE CURRENT COURSE. THERE WILL BE NO CLASSES ON AND BETWEEN SATURDAY 28TH APRIL - SUNDAY 6 MAY. ALL CLASSES BACK TO NORMAL THE WEEK BEGINNING 7 MAY WHEN WEEK SIX WILL RESUME. APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

CASUAL WEEKLY CLASSES

Casual, drop-in classes are held at Corlette Hall, each week, Thursday (slower/medium level vinyasa - all welcome) at 10am and Saturday morning (general vinyasa class) at 8.30am. Cost is $12 or you can purchase a five-class pass for $55. Please note that Thursday morning class can be busy. Please turn up at least 10 minutes before class starts if possible.

Participants in all classes need to be physically healthy and have a reasonable level of fitness. Balance, coordination, range of movement and flexibility will improve with regular practise.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list in order to be reminded of dates etc please send an email to nikki@yogasphere.com.au.

*IMPORTANT: You do not need to apply for an account to contact me or to pay by Paypal.

You can book in and pay any time before the next course begins (book in at least a week before the course starts if you would like a discount). Paypal calculates all discounts at check-out.

Generally, Courses run for six weeks at a time and are held on a Monday evening at Corlette Hall, 49 Sandy Pt Road, Corlette, 6.30-7.45pm (Beg/General), Tuesday evening at Anna Bay School Hall, 6.30-7.45pm (Beg/General) and Thursday evening at Corlette Hall, 6.45-8.00pm (General/Intermediate - no absolute beginners please). You can take a chance and turn up on the night, but in order to guarantee a spot, it is important to book in and pay in advance as numbers are limited (it is not necessary to book in to all nights).

*Important - please bring your own equipment to Anna Bay

You will need a proper sticky yoga mat (not foam or mattress-like or thin and slippery) and your own blankets, blocks, cushions, bolsters and belts if you like to use them (all optional but blanket very useful). Old ties make great yoga belts.

Mats are available to purchase for $25 but let me know beforehand if you would like one so I can bring it along. Please note, all equipment is available to borrow at Corlette Hall.

Beginners/general

Yogasphere group classes are suitable for most people with an average/reasonable level of fitness and range of movement (please see above if you are not sure whether classes would be suitable for you). If you are not so fit and haven't stretched for a while, please leave your ego at the door and come into class with an open mind, an open heart, patience and a willingness to be kind to yourself and your body! In these classes, we always start with an easier variation of a pose and sometimes optional "add-ons" are offered. Because every "body" is unique, some people may find that they need to modify some exercises and/or stick to the easier variations. It is extremely important that you always take responsibility for your own body. Competitiveness, pride and/or worrying about what others are doing means it can be hard to stay focussed on you!

private classes

General group classes may not be suitable for every "body". If you know that you need special attention, perhaps because you have a musculo-skeletal injury or other health condition, you will need to speak to your doctor first and maybe organise a private, remedial type class. You can also organise a private class if you would like to try yoga but you are not sure what to expect. Private classes can be arranged for one person, for a small group or for corporate groups. Please contact me for more information.

general/intermediate

General intermediate classes can be attended by anyone who has been coming regularly to these classes. Classes are not that different to beginners/general but a commitment to the practice (tapas) and an understanding of all the basic yoga poses and how we tend to sequence them is required. You will also need to understand how to modify the practice for yourself when necessary without personal instruction.

casual slower vinyasa - Thursdays

All ages and levels attend this class and everyone is most welcome. However, the class may not be suitable for anyone beginning an exercise regime after many years or for someone who has little or no range of movement.

general level vinyasa - Saturdays

All welcome and all levels catered for, but a reasonable level of fitness or yoga experience beneficial. Everyone is encouraged to work at their own pace and to rest and modify poses if necessary. Feel free to bring a sense of humour along to class - it's meant to be fun!

What to bring

If possible, bring your own sticky yoga mat, blanket and cushion (optional). At Corlette Hall, there are plenty of mats and blankets available to borrow. Wear loose, comfortable clothing - layers are good as you will get quite warm during the physical practice. However, the body temperature will drop again during relaxation.

why courses?

We all get better at what we practise regularly and yoga is no different. A commitment to the practice (tapas) plus a little enthusiasm goes a long way! In particular, vinyasa yoga is far more beneficial when taught as a course. This is because students are better able to learn the postures involved in each sequence and therefore, eventually, achieve a meditative "flow" (sequence changes every six weeks) and avoid injury. It is not always possible to achieve this in casual classes because certain poses/concepts will need to be continually work-shopped and/or altered for every newcomer which can slow down the class - again to ignore this runs the risk of injury. Casual drop-in classes also mean that long-term, committed students may not have an opportunity to move on with their practice so it is important, if you book in to a course, that you try to turn up to every class.

Make-up classes/refunds

Every effort will be made to organise make-up classes, but as it depends on space, there are no guarantees. Make-up classes need to be done during that particular course session and no more than two per person per session. Unless there are specific, unforeseen circumstances, payment for courses is not refundable or transferable once a course begins.

sunset yoga at Birubi Beach, Port Stephens

From December each year (weather permitting) casual yoga classes are held just down from the Blue Juice Cafe on the golden sands of Birubi Beach. Everyone welcome, $10. A glorious location to enjoy a stretch!

locations

Click here for details on where Yogasphere classes are held in Port Stephens.