Yoga Instruction Session Overview and Formats

My Yoga Background and Style Yoga Practices Used in Sessions Private Sessions: Individual, Couples or Small Groups Group Classes

My Yoga Background and Style

Despite the fact that all Yoga disciplines are seeking the same end result, the philosophy and the practices can vary. Therefore there are many different schools which cover different styles and paths.

The schools that I currently teach from are Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Advaita Vedanta and Tantra. These four schools offer slightly different approaches, but are very interrelated. Tantra is the primary school which I practice with the Advaita Vedanta, Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga elements being used to support the Tantric Approach. Below are brief definitions of these schools:

Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is based upon a philosophy of Non-Duality. Simply put Non-Duality states that God or Consciousness is all that exists. It explains the world we live in as being a manifestation of that One Consciousness. This is the philosophy that causes people to proclaim that "We are all One" or "I am That".

Advaita Vedanta's philosophy is often expressed by saying that life is an illusion and only Brahman (The Absolute, God) exists. Advaita Vedanta then teaches that Enlightenment or Self-Realization is the ability to directly perceive, without interruption, that Brahman is indeed in all things, and that God is indeed the only thing that actually exists.

Tantra
Tantra is a vast study that follows a Non-Dual approach. Tantric approach has been found in Hindu, Buddhism and Jain traditions which shows its flexibility with regards to religious and spiritual beliefs. In Tantra the practitioner seeks to understand the nature of creation and develop a conscious experience of the Divine Energy which manifests this Universe. This is done by consciously connecting with the Divine essence in all things and purifying the body and mind so that Divine connection is experienced more clearly. Regular Tantric practice transforms ordinary experiences into moments of Divine Joy and Bliss over time and eventually the Nature of the Self becomes revealed in all things.

Tantra includes such practices as Tantra Kundalini Yoga and Tantra Kriya Yoga. Hatha Yoga and its practices also come directly out of Tantric Traditions. You can read more about Tantra Yoga by clicking on "Tantra Yoga" after you have finished reading this page.

Hatha Yoga
This approach follow Tantric ideas of uses various internal and external cleansing techniques, Asanas (Yogic Postures) and Pranayamas (Yogic Breathing Techniques) to help purify the physical body as well as the psychic energy (prana) pathways in the body. As it advances, greater importance is placed upon increased awareness and control of the Prana in the Body/Mind system in an effort to fully balance the internal energy polarities.

Ashtanga Yoga
Also called "Raja Yoga" or the "Eight Limbed Yoga", Ashtanga Yoga is based upon the Sutras (written text) of Patanjali. Like Hatha Yoga, it also includes Asana and Pranayama as key practices in the beginning. Patanjali's Yoga was created from the perspective of the Nature of the Mind, rather than Union with God.

This is an 8 step path, starting with Yamas (Social Discipline) and Niyamas (Self Discipline) as a foundation, and building through the last 6 steps: Asanas (Body postures), Pranayama (Breath Control), Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation), and finally Samadhi (Salvation).

The practices of Ashtanga Yoga help the practitioner to develop control over the Senses, the Emotions and Thoughts. As Control over the thoughts and mind increases, true meditation begins spontaneously. The practitioner continues to learn increased focus of mind until the Mind is able stay fully focused on its True Nature. At this point the individual Mind becomes fully identified with the Universal Mind.

Tantra Yoga in association with Advaita Vedanta has been my main study. Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga were brought into my experience as an extension of the Tantric Path. It is next to impossible to be purely of one school. All schools influence each other, and likewise I am a product of the culmination of my understanding of the different schools which have affected my personal path. These various schools of Yoga have been important to my personal education and experience, and provide me with a variety of tools and perspectives to offer my clients and Yoga students. When working with yoga students, I offer the specific techniques and practices which I feel will best benefit the group or individual based upon the intention of the Yoga Practice for that person or group.

Yoga Practices Used in Sessions

The Yogic techniques and tools used in a specific session or class will depend upon the interests and comfort levels of the individual or group involved. Yoga practices will be chosen to help meet the goals and intentions of that person or group. Not all sessions will include everything, but here is a list of basic elements that sessions can include:

Prayer
Prayer or an affirmation helps to set the tone and intention of the Yoga session. This can be formal prayer of your own choosing, the singing or reciting of a Sanskrit prayer, or it can be silently affirming a positive intention for you practice.

Chanting
Chanting calms and focuses the mind. It purifies the mind and creates positive vibrations within the mental field. In this way chanting acts in a way that is similar to an extended affirmation. Various Sanskrit Mantras can be use for different effects and intentions.

Asana (Yogic Postures)
Asana is the first thing that most people think of when someone says they practice Yoga. These are the physical positions or postures which relax, open and purify the body. The focus of awareness, intention to relax and the integration of the practice with the breath distinguish Yoga Asana practice from "stretching" as a part of aerobic exercise.

Pranayama (Yogic Breathing)
These are breathing techniques that purify and balance the energy pathways of the body. As the practices advance, techniques are used to learn control over the energy (prana) itself. Pranayama is an important tool that uses awareness of breath as a conscious bridge between Body and Mind.

Meditation
Meditation is the practice of stilling the mind and reflecting up the nature of experience and the Mind itself. Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga use the Asanas and the Pranayamas to help systematically relax the body and mind as a way of preparing for meditation. Learning to meditate involves various stages of refining the mind to more and more subtle states of awareness and eventually brings about a deep experience of peace.

Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra means "Yogic Sleep" and is a practice involving guided meditation and a systematic relaxation of the body so as to induce deep and complete relaxation while maintaining full awareness.

Tantra Practices
I may also offer various practices from the Tantric schools to help individual students progress in a needed area or to explore and experience an area of specific interest. This may include a specific ritual to be used, practices based upon Tantra Kundalini Yoga or Tantra Kriya Yoga, or a simple practice which can be integrated into daily life.

Yoga Education
A strong foundation in Yogic philosophy greatly enhances practice. For those interested, I will teach various philosophies and paths including Tantra, Advaita Vedanta, Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion), Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge), and Karma Yoga (Path of Action or Service).

Private Sessions: Individual, Couples or Small Groups

Private sessions provide a way to get more personalized attention in your yoga practice. It also provides away to get Yoga instruction when it is most convenient for your schedule.

Working together we will develop a personal practice for you by selecting techniques and practices from the list above which best suites your personal goals and intentions.

We will continue to monitor your progress and make adjustments as your practice advances.

Private Sessions are available in an individual On-on-One format, a Couple format, or a Small Private Group format (up to 10 people).

Individual, Couple and groups smaller than 4 people can have sessions either as my location, or in the privacy of an individual's home. Over 4 people require you to provide the class space in an individual's home.

For the Beginner, you can use Private Sessions to get started and receive individual instruction and a yoga program that is designed for you and your goals.

For someone struggling to be consistent, use Private Yoga Sessions regularly to help maintain momentum and commitment in your program.

For the regular practitioner, use Private Yoga Sessions at regular intervals as a way of checking in to ensure you are maintaining proper form and techniques, as well as to get new techniques to continue advancing.

Group Classes

Weekly Yoga Class Schedule

Due to limited class size and an intimate setting, you must pre-register for each individual class date.

Select a class below and click "Register Now!" to check class dates and availablity.

Unless otherwise indicated, all classes will be held at Jeff's Home Studio in Avondale Estates and are $15 per class.

Click on the Class Name or scroll down the page to read the class description

This class moves from an active warm up, through a more intense workout style focusing on leg and upper body strength and toning, and then finishes with stretches to open the whole body while focusing on hip and spinal flexibility. Awareness of breath and sensation are emphasised throughout the class.

Clothing is removed towards the beginning of the class with awareness given towards freeing the participants of the masks and limitations that we sometimes feel are needed in our daily lives. This freedom allows us to find deeper self-acceptance for our body and our unique expressions.

Each man is given space to honor, experience and deeply heal his own body and mind through this practice.

It is asked that you have some basic knowledge of yoga to participate. Please bring your own Yoga Mat and a towel to class.

Click Here for Nude Yoga - FAQs

This is a traditional Hatha Yoga practice which is open to anyone, male or female. It is structured for people new to yoga, allowing more time for demonstration and feedback.

The class is a balanced practice of strengthing and gentle stretching with focus on awareness of breath and body sensations. An introduction to chanting and pranayama are included in the class.

The pace and difficulty of the class will increase as the participants become more experienced.

Please bring your own Yoga Mat and a towel.