As unique individuals we come to the yoga mat for a variety of reasons and we have a unique history, anatomy and physiology. The elements of alignment, strength, flexibility, breath and awareness are offered to meet each person where they are in the moment and to facilitate optimal balance in all systems and on all levels of being.
Alignment principles awaken our awareness of how various parts of our selves are integrated and interconnected. We line up in a way that respects our individual body structure, supports our joints, and clears pathways for the optimal circulation and flow. Elements of alignment encourage us to find freedom in our bodies as we release fascial restrictions and access deep structural strength, support, and integrity. 
Our yoga is in service of much more than our individual selves. Through the practice we foster the recognition of our connections to each other, to our environment, and to the world. Through the process of yoga we naturally begin to make more life affirming and compassionate choices in all aspects of our lives.
Our yoga becomes an offering from the heart.

Yoga is a valuable approach to relieving and preventing back pain. The exercises and postures are presented to offer sound biomechanical principles of aligning our joints and supporting healthy spinal curves and appropriate stengthening and lengthening of our muscles and connective tissue. Breathing awareness aids our natural breath to be recovered and utilised to both energise and soothe as best meets our needs. Mindfulness and relaxation are a key part of our sessions as we end with guided relaxation and restorative yoga.

Each session includes practices that are aimed to:
• connect the mother with her growing baby
• improve strength, flexibility and circulation
• increase positive hormones
• achieve deep muscle relaxation
• relieve common ailments of pregnancy
• optimally position the baby
• practice birthing positions
• releasing fears and anxieties surrounding childbirth
• develop relationships with other expectant mothers in the community. 

Most of us lead busy lives and live with chronic stress which is detrimental to our health and well being, resulting in many symptoms including muscular pain and tension, digestive disorders, headaches, and sleep disturbance.  Restorative yoga shifts us out of the stress response into the relaxation response, nourishing and healing the body and quieting the mind. In a restorative yoga pose the body is fully supported by bolsters and blankets in an asana or yoga posture so that little physical effort is needed to maintain the position.  Restorative postures are generally held for anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes or more, allowing the benefits of the pose to fully permeate the body, mind, and heart. Restorative yoga is incorporated into all Yoga from the Heart classes and some specialised Restorative sessions are offered.

Clare is a Restorative Yoga Trainer certified by Judith Hanson Lasater and offers much gratitude to Judith for her guidance and heartful sharing of her 40 years of teaching experience.

For more information about restorative yoga you can visit restorativeyogateachers.com