Adult classes

The courses given by Cathy, Gambuja, Julie, Laurence and Peter, are designed to accompany you in your group or individual practice.  This space offers you the possibility to be on the best of terms with yourself and others in an atmosphere of mutual respect.  The practice enables you to discover the health benefits which yoga brings in daily life (prevention and a healthy lifestyle) and awareness of your limits, taking into account the individual circumstances which will be discussed by the student with a teacher before taking part in the classes.

Equipment (blankets, mats, chairs, belts...) is available to facilitate the pupil' s progress in the postures (asana) and respiration (pranayama).  In the group classes, working in pairs can lead to a different kind of awareness of our bodies.  Likewise, the monthly workshops and the training courses enable you to go further in your practice.

Presentation of Utthita Trikonasana	Being attentive...

Here are some frequently asked questions...

There are several types of classes on offer : how should I choose the most suitable one?

Indeed we propose mainly classes of postural practice and pranayama (breath control) with different variations and levels:
- The basic classes are in relation to level of ability and experience: beginners, intermediate (2nd, 3rd year), general (3rd year and upwards) and advanced (with the approval of the teacher). A change of level each year is only a guideline but, with or without any previous experience of yoga, sport or dance, an “Iyengar beginner” period is strongly recommended, a period which will be more or less long depending on individual circumstances. There is also the possibility to practise at two different levels.
- The relaxation class remains a relatively gentle class all year round (relaxation, respiration, meditation) and is aimed at beginners who require special attention getting started in yoga, or for those who, for reasons of health or pregnancy for example, need a more gradual approach.
- The pranayama class is entirely devoted to the practice of breathing exercises. It is for practitioners of all levels but will always be a complementary class in addition to one or more basic postural classes.
- The special workshops are aimed at those who have specific difficulties or who wish to develop in depth certain series of postures. For example: work on the knees; preparations for Padmasana (lotus posture); advanced backbends; intense stretches, etc...
The list is not complete – the schedule of themes will be drawn up with the students concerned at the beginning of each term.
Nevertheless a session of recovery and pranayama is planned once a month in the basic classes.

Until what age and in what conditions can one practise yoga?

Indefinitely...  because the practice can be adapted to any age and any physical condition, in the framework of group classes.  Special classes for pregnant women and the elderly are available. Private lessons are also on offer to allow for a more intensive session, or to cater to your needs: desire for a more personal space; possibility for couples to practise together; lessons adapted to a physical or psychological difficulty. An array of supports and props (blankets, belts, benches...) allows everyone to participate without compromising the fundamental rules of good practice.

What are the benefits of yoga? 

Will it improve my health?  I' ve a bad back, I' m nervous, I have digestive problems...  Will it help me to lose weight? Yoga encourages self-confidence and willpower without concern for performance.  It enables the harmonious development of the skeletal and muscular structure of the body, strengthens the nervous system, nourishes and stimulates the endocrine glands which govern growth and development.  It improves the circulation of the blood and the irrigation of the brain, which increases mental capacities.

Is it a cerebral discipline?  Will I be less depressed?  Less stressed?  More focused?

Yoga is above all a sensory activity in which the intelligence of the whole body is stimulated.  It' s a matter of stimulating the organism or calming the mental excitation and physical fatigue generated by a stressful environment, by means of sequences of postures in which the attention is focused on the respiration and respect of the body.

How many times a week should I come?

One or two classes a week as well as individual practice are recommended in order to reap the full benefits.  No special measures are necessary in order to take part in the classes, but a regular presence is essential for their effectiveness.

I' m too stiff!  I' ve never done anything!  It' s dangerous: I can' t balance on my head!  Isn' t it too tiring?  It' s for girls!  It' s gymnastics!  It' s not sporty enough!  Can it complement a sport, dance, t' ai chi?

Yoga aims to develop both suppleness and strength and offers the possibility to go beyond one' s initial limitations.  This sometimes requires a lot of patience, indeed the acceptance of certain blocks.  Being extremely supple is not necessarily an advantage for a beginner as this can also pose problems such as ligamentary difficulties or frustration on a sensory level.  The different levels of classes allow a progression in the teaching and, even in group classes, personal adaptations are possible.  Particular attention is given in the beginners' classes to ensure a solid assimilation of the basics.  You might discover a new pleasure in movement! Yoga aims neither for perfection nor competition and everyone progresses at his or her own pace.

I' ve wanted to do it for years but I don' t have the time!

No problem, we' ll wait for you...  Some people take several years before making this wish come true and sometimes much longer before being able to practise on one' s own at home.

I can' t stay put for more than 5 minutes!  Yoga' s just about relaxation and I don' t like that!

Yoga is also about managing and appreciating one' s time.  Hyperactivity often hides a flight from reality or an anxiety.  To deal with that, one can start by practising for just a minute, choosing one' s favourite posture!

I can’t keep my eyes closed!

It’s true that certain experiences, images and beliefs can be associated with this difficulty. As a rule, we keep our eyes open during the practice and at the end, during the relaxation, when it’s recommended to close the eyes, sometimes this will occur naturally. The teacher will respect your choice.

Is it a religion, a sect? It’s for cranks!

No, it is intended to be a universal system without rituals, but is associated with Hinduism as it comes from India. One can incorporate one’s personal faith and vision of the world even if one considers oneself atheist. Indian culture is not at all essential, but the Sanskrit terminology is kept as an international language. You can therefore feel at home in classes anywhere in the world!
We understand the fear and reticence associated with certain groups and practices with sectarian tendencies: indeed, abuses have taken place, but yoga is not about prejudices. On the contrary, the practice is designed to develop clarity and a critical mind in order to maintain one’s integrity. We recommend that you visit the different Iyengar websites and come and visit us (open days, trial classes, discussions) in order to form your own opinion.

And spirituality?

It’s a big word but one which shouldn’t scare you. The postural and respiratory practice, by developing the quality of our observation of physical, emotional and energetic sensations and by revealing our mental creations leads us to another state of consciousness: awareness of the reality of the present moment, acceptance of oneself and of others and their differences, release of that which burdens the mind, use of rationality without rigidity of thought, development of one’s intuition, possibility to express one’s feelings...
Which for us constitutes the first and most important steps on a spiritual path without any need for conversion!

What do you mean by energy?

Yoga enables us to manage and channel our energy while at the same time learning to relax and to tone oneself up. Our ability to perceive the circulation of energy is not always immediate and spontaneous because, as human beings, we often function on “automatic pilot”. The practice allows us to improve and sharpen our perception, to discover for ourselves various manifestations (colours, differences of temperature, images...), to learn to use this capacity and even to modify any disturbances. This energy manifests itself in our psychology and, by way of example, yoga can offer the possibility for shy people to open up and express themselves.