Vinyasa Krama
Madeleine teaches breath centric asana in the lineage of T.Krishnamacharya, from studies in Vinyasa Krama as taught by Srivatsa Ramaswami & A.G Mohan, and Vini yoga – Yoga Therapy as taught by Gary Kraftstow.
In this methodology – one moves in and out of postures – each movement occurring on an ‘in’ or ‘out’ breath, before holding the posture for a number of breaths. One benefits both from the stretch engendered through holding the posture, as well as working the muscles either side of big joints which is very balancing.
The beauty and power of Breath centric Asana is that it links body and mind through the breath. The practise not only delivers the desired physical benefits, but keeps one away from the distracting chatter of the conceptual mind during the practise, where absolute attention on feeling and the breath guiding the movement keep the focus. It is like doing a dynamic meditation, leaving one feeling calm, grounded, refreshed and most importantly Integrated. The other huge benefit is that one learns to have a conscious relationship with breathing – with the abstract yet primary source of life. Learn to breathe in your Life Elixir – fully, calmly and consciously. Not only will your nervous system appreciate this with steady resilience, but also your physiology and entire health. As the yogis say – our life span is dictated by a preordained number of breaths, so don’t hyperventilate to an early grave!
In the busy and noisy world of today, there are very few simple practises available which bring one back in sink, and integrate the different facets of our being. Mental health issues of any description involve some degree of fragmentation. Yoga in its essence is about yoking – or joining. A large part of this process is getting the different dimensions of ourselves – physical, energetic, emotional and mental following the directive of an integrated core.
Anyone can join her class, but predominantly this is for the over 40’s, where injuries, childbirth and years of vocational and/or sporting activities have distorted one’s posture and joint congruence through imbalanced muscle tonus. Madeleine’s aim is to help people re-find their power and restore them physically to their original functional selves. Through small movements that mobilise joints with precise felt alignment, there is no limit to the re-establishment of movement and posture. Any age can benefit as long as there is the commitment to try and persevere. For areas that are stuck through injury, or long held postures, then the structural body work or Rolf method of structural integration that she offers, with its thorough and progressive treatment protocol may be needed.
