CLASSICAL YOGA
Dharma Yoga
Dharma Yoga is a classical Hatha-Raja style practice based on the teachings and lineage of Sri Dharma Mittra. These classes offer a more complete practice that may include mantra, rhythmic breathing, philosophy, more challenging poses, partner yoga, meditation, and deep relaxation. This is a connected group that works together to explore the practice more deeply, to celebrate the grace of Being, and to Be Receptive to the more spiritual purposes of yoga practice.
What is Dharma Yoga?
Dharma Yoga is a classical, yet completely modern and moving yoga style that aims to bring the practitioner towards Self-Realization - a unification of body, mind, spirit, and ultimate life purpose.
The yoga posture component encourages healthy exercise and exploration of the physical body through steadily advancing postures, breathing, and deep relaxation.
All Dharma classes encourage personal development through traditional yoga practices with an emphasis on yoga philosophy and the use of breathing techniques, concentration, and meditation as part of each session.
Dharma yoga is based on the lineage of Master Yogi, Sri Dharma Mittra who lives and teaches regularly online and in-person from the Dharma Yoga Center, NYC.
Why do Dharma Yoga?
The aim of this practice is to give you the pathway and tools needed to advance your yoga practice. Along with teaching you step-by-step methods of reaching your physical fitness and flexibility desires, Dharma Yoga provides a context for yogic ways of living in the modern world; creating a complete yoga practice through lifestyle.
The vibe of these sessions is devotional, enthusiastic, and playful. You will have the opportunity to become acquainted with your inner curiosity about the power of yoga, and meet with like-hearted individuals who are striving to ‘Be Receptive’.
Dharma Yoga Wheel
This class uses the Dharma Yoga Wheel™ - a versatile and effective tool invented by master yogi, Sri Dharma Mittra. For strengthening, it can be used as a weight in postures and as leverage to cultivate core strength through balance in common yoga movements. It also helps to isolate the sensations needed to practice smooth transitions in order to achieve more advanced yoga postures and “floating” techniques. For more therapeutic use and deep stretching, the Dharma Wheel is used to massage the back muscles, opening the entire back along the spine, as well as the front of the body helping you to delve deeper into (your own range of) flexibility in backbends. The Dharma Wheel is also used as a prop to support traditional standing and balancing postures.
What is the Dharma Yoga Wheel?
The Dharma Yoga Wheel™ was invented by Sri Dharma Mittra in 1977 as a tool to loosen the muscles of the back, to help reshape the posture, and provide support in deep backbends. Since its market popularity began in 2015 through his son, Yogi Varuna, the DYW™ has become an incredibly valuable tool for yoga practitioners worldwide. Senior Teacher Anne Marie began teaching with the DYW here in Sheffield in 2015 from her personal practice and training with Sri Dharma and Yogi Varuna in New York City which began in 2011.
What is a Wheel Class?
These 60-minute classes incorporate the use of the Dharma Yoga Wheel as a tool to increase mobility and flexibility of the spine, help you achieve back-bending postures, and find new ways of developing strength and flexibility in your practice. Through focused use of the Wheel to Stretch, Strengthen and Flow, the DYW™ classes are sure to benefit yogis of all levels and experience. Dharma Wheels are provided for class use and are available to purchase from the Soul Fire shop.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga could be considered the original version of Vinyasa Yoga.
This is a Primary Series class that is taught in the traditional counted sequence, moving seamlessly from posture to posture with an emphasis on breath and bandha. A challenging yet deeply invigorating practice.
The Primary series is focused on twists, hip opening and forward bending and is often viewed as a practice of cleansing and renewing yourself both on and off the mat.
Victoria has studied and practised in Mysore where the practice originated with Ajay Kumar, as well as completing an intensive course with Michael Gannon and has maintained a personal Ashtanga practice for 18 years.
*Please come with the awareness that you will be encouraged to move actively, taking the preparation needed to warm up prior to class, and/or to take modifications where needed.
You will be guided and always have the option to opt out of postures, or physical assists/adjustments where offered.
Please communicate your needs to the teacher with our consent cards, and through words to mention any personal modifications required each week.*
