Most forms of Yoga such as Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Iyengar or Power Yoga can be classified as Hatha Yoga. The word itself derives from Sanskrit and means “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha), the Yoga of balance. Classes named Hatha often contain a mixture of Yoga postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama) in order to prepare the student for meditation.
Hatha Yoga is not only a mere form of exercise. There is much more to the practice than bending, folding and twisting the body. It aims to help the practitioner to connect directly and experientially with their body, mind, and spirit.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a practice that follows the main principles of staying longer in a pose and keeping the muscles of the entire body relaxed. Opposed to most Yoga styles Yin aims for a minimum of effort in order to achieve a maximum of relaxation. The practice of Yin Yoga addresses the connective tissues which can be found all over the body and include ligaments, fascia as well as tendons – just to name some of them. Due to their lack of elasticity postures are held over a longer period of time, ranging from 2-10 minutes in an average class.
Yin Yoga leaves great space to experience the body and allows us to experiment with it. It helps to tune into the physical structure such as breath, providing enough space to find our individual edge without trying to fix it.
It’s a quiet and meditative approach that focusses on surrendering to the present moment instead of moving and taking control all the time. The practice aims to let go an aesthetic approach to create a new level of experience from deep within.
Yin Yoga is a modern practice compared to other schools of Yoga. However, its roots can be found in old ancient Tradition of Taoist Yoga. Paulie Zink, a martial arts teacher from the USA has introduced Yin Asanas in the 1970s. Whereas Zink’s practice was still a balanced Yin and Yang exercise, his student Paul Grilley focussed only on the long-held Yin sequence mainly practiced on the floor. Grilley’s practice and teachings were first called “ Yin Yoga” by his student Sarah Powers who brought this new approach to London. Ever since this gentle and meditative practice has made its way around the world and experiences an increasing popularity.
Franziska works with the understanding that everybody is unique with an individual mindset and body. The flow of her classes always gets inspired by her students needs the moment she meets them in person – combining the aforementioned styles of Yoga. She aims to provide a safe space to create an experience from within using the body as a tool to expand her students’ consciousness with guided awareness.
