FAQs

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Mary-Lou's style is a slow-flow Hatha.  Mary-Lou offers clear explanations connected to posture, alignment, how to combine breath with movement, as well as how to access the more spiritual side of yoga during her classes. Mary-Lou's Yin Yang Yoga classes are a combination of Hatha Flow and Yin Yoga. Mary-Lou's Yin Yang Yoga Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove class is perfect for you if you have always wanted to know how to practice Yoga but might have felt put off or confused by the wide variety of styles available.

As a Yoga Teacher in Brighton and Hove, Mary-Louise thinks of Hatha Flow Yoga as the 'trunk of the tree' from which all other styles of yoga sprout! The poses are called asanas and each work in a specific way towards better skin alignment as well as the strengthening of muscles and bones. 

"The really exciting part is that the poses work to open and nourish the energy channels in the body. This is where the magic of yoga begins since opening (especially) the main channel (running alongside the spine), we encourage optimal energy to flow freely around the body."

Hatha can be translated to mean ‘ha’ meaning “sun” and ‘tha’ meaning “moon.” The balance of these energies in the body can hugely influence our state of mind. A balance of our 'masculine' (or Yang) aspects (active, hot, sun) with the 'feminine' (or Yin) aspects (receptive, cool, moon) helps to bring us into balance. "

Through Hatha yoga, we learn to strengthen our physical bodies as well as to develop balance and flexibility." Mary-Lou's Yin Yoga Brighton and Hove classes as well as her Yin Yang Yoga Brighton and Hove classes offer the opportunity for each student to access and explore each side of this spectrum.

In Daniel Simpson's Book, The Truth of Yoga, he says: 'The Sanskrit word for hatha (pronounced "huh-tuh") translates as "force," and thus a "forceful" form of yoga.  However, texts that instruct it say it should be practiced shanaih shanaih, which means "gradually," "slowly," or "gently."' 

Hatha can also be thought of a balance between solar and lunar qualities.  Mary-Louise encourages her students to find a dynamic interplay between softness and strength inside the poses. 

Hatha Yoga is a wonderful tool for self-transformation since it requires us to link our attention with our breath.  In this way, we learn how to stay with the body in the present moment and to develop mindful, non-judgemental, awareness. 

As we begin to become more finely tuned to the fluctuations of the thinking mind, we move towards 'whole body awareness.' This practice helps us to stay in the 'rest and digest' part of the nervous system which not only helps to eradicate the effects of stress but allows us to move in such a way that we are less likely to push the body further than it is ready to go.

Residing in the present moment, by linking breath with movement, can over time help us to develop resilience against stress. 

If one of the reasons you have not yet attended a yoga studio class is that you are unsure whether you will be the only one in the room who is new to yoga... both my Revitalise Classes are worth a try!

If you are new to Yoga, Mary-Louise welcomes you equally to her Yin Yoga Brighton and Hove class as much as to her Yin Yang Yoga Brighton & Hove class at Revitalise. People often think that Hatha Yoga is the easiest form of yoga but it can also be strong! Mary-Louise looks to offer each one of her students the opportunity to learn how to create a 'Self Practice', regardless of which class they attend. Each student is invited to move from pose to pose at a steady pace and will be offered the chance to build strength, flexibility, and balance, across the two class styles. Mary-Lou also weaves as a Mindfulness Meditation techniques into her sequences so that the practice can become, over time, moving meditation.

A slow Hatha Flow will inform the Yang phase of a Yin Yang class.  Students will be invited to engage the muscles and link flowing movement with the breath.  At a steady pace, the practice becomes a doorway to connect back to the self and learn the body's language. This is a wonderful platform for any practice and especially prior to a move towards the 'dance-like' styles of yoga such as Vinyasa flow.

Mary-Lou loves to teach Yin and Yin Yang Yoga at a gentle pace with options for each pose.  This means that each class participant can choose their level of intensity. Her Yoga classes are not like the faster moving, more vigorous, yoga classes you might find in a Vinyasa Flow class.  Instead, you will ne invited to build strength and flexibility whilst at the same time, being shown how to develop a peaceful relationship with your own body. Instead of an intense journey of endurance, this will be a well-structured practice, gradually opening up the joints alongside the mind. 

Mary-Louise's classes will introduce you to practices of deep breath work which combine with a mixed level asanas. Poses are always modified with the Beginner and Intermediate students in mind.  All levels are welcome!  

A yoga mat is not essential. You may find that over time, there are some poses which feel more enjoyable when your surface is less likely to let you slide.  

You may wish to keep your socks on at all times during a class.  However, it may be that bare feet offer you the opportunity to feel more connected to the ground and less likely to slide around.  I would advise wearing some form of leggings, shorts, or tracksuit bottoms which allow you to bend comfortably at the knees and a top which allows you to bend at the elbows. 

Mary-Louise's Yin Yoga and her Yin Yang Yoga Brighton and Hove classes offer the chance to use the studio equipment at Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove.

Yoga props can be really useful in offering support or accessing some of the pose modifications.  However, there is no need to go out and buy props since cushions, blankets, books, and even a belt from a dressing gown can prove just as useful for when you build your practice at home in conjunction with the studio classes at Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove. 

Beginners in Yoga as well as for the more seasoned Yogi are welcome to all of the classes at Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove.  Some use of props from time to time will be suggested and it is up to each student to use them or not.  Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove is well-equipped with all the yoga props you could possible need for any yoga class.

As a Mindful Meditation Teacher and equally, as a Yoga Teacher in Brighton and Hove, Mary-Lou recommends building a practice that works for you and you alone.  Over time, you may find that your yoga practice feels more supported by the use of props.  If you want to invest in some prop to support your home practice, Mary-Lou would recommend purchasing a bolster or block to start.  

Mary-Louise's Yin Yoga and Yin Yang Yoga Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove classes offer the chance to use the studio equipment at Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove. You may choose not to use yoga props at all.  Remember:  "Your Mat, Your Yoga!"  

Simply put, it's half Yin Yoga and half Hatha Flow (please see above for descriptions of each above). The Hatha Flow section may include some sequences which some may recognise as more of a Vinyasa-style (breath-synchronised, dance-like) movement however such as a Sun or Moon Salutation.  

These sections are gently paced to allow the mind and body to tap into the pure enjoyment of movement. Mary-Louise opens each class with a short meditation or breathing exercise and closes with a period which promotes a state of deep relaxation. The sessions are designed to get the energies in the body flowing and balanced in a smooth way for a refreshing, relaxing, and positive start to the day.

In Mary-Lou's capacity as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher as well as a Yoga Teacher in Brighton and Hove, she loves to remind her students that each person is invited to build their very own personal practice through the tools she offers: "Your Mat, Your Yoga!" 

Each individual yoga journey has behind it personal reasons for coming to the mat.  Some students use yoga as a form of exercise, some look forward to it as a time of quiet, introspection, and meditation. Many students love Mary-Lou's classes as a way to meet like-minded people and for social enrichment. 

Mary-Louise's Yin Yoga Brighton and Hove classes as well as her Yin Yang Yoga Brighton and Hove classes each offer the chance to use the studio equipment at Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove. 

Whatever your reason for coming to the yoga mat, Mary-Louise would like to support you in a nourishing practice, designed to offer you tools for optimal physical health and mental wellbeing. 

You are in complete control of your practice at every moment of the class. Mary-Louise teaches as a steady pace, allowing there to be a depth of focus to each pose and each transition between poses.

Each student is treaded respectfully and as an individual. Student may choose to build more or less heat in the body on any given day and may find that it is enjoyable, at times, to get that 'sweaty top lip!'  The poses in the Yang phase promote strength, flexibility, and balance as we harness the solar, active, stronger aspects of life, reflected in the body. 

This wonderful combination of styles (Yang with Yin) is designed to promote a balanced sense of well-being.  As a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher as well as a Yoga Teacher in Brighton and Hove, Mary-Louise loves to teach and practice the Yin Yang combination as it harness the solar as well as the lunar energies in the body. In everyday language, this means, there are moments that will be still and meditative and others where the muscles will be engaged!

Mary-Louise's Yin Yoga Brighton and Hove classes as well as her Yin Yang Yoga Brighton and Hove classes each offer the chance to use the studio equipment at Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove.  If you are attending Mary-Lou's Online Yin Yoga, please gather around you cushions, a blanket, and perhaps a rolled-up towel to support yourself in the held, yin poses.

It is not essential for your to bring your own mat to class since the studio at Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove has mats and cleaning equipment for after each session. The studio is kept scrupulously clean at all times and there is good ventilation in the space.  

Mats are kept at a safe distance. You may wish to keep your socks on at all times during a class and that is completely fine.  Again, it may be that you find that bare feet offer you the opportunity to feel more connected to the ground and less likely to slide around.  

As a Mindful Mediation Teacher as well as a Yoga Teacher in Brighton and Hove, Mary-Lou would advise wearing some form of leggings, shorts, or tracksuit bottoms which allow you to bend comfortably at the knees.  Mary-Lou would also advise wearing a top which allows you to bend at the elbows and comfortably reach your arms above your head. 

Mary-Louise's Yin Yoga Brighton and Hove classes as well as her Yin Yang Yoga Brighton and Hove classes each offer the chance to use the studio equipment at Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove. 

Yoga props can be really useful, especially for the Yin phase of the practice.  Mary-Louise's Yin Yoga Brighton and Hove classes as well as her Yin Yang Yoga Brighton and Hove classes each offer the chance to use the studio equipment at Revitalise Yoga Studio Brighton and Hove.  

You may prefer to bring your own along (a blanket or rolled up towel can prove very useful).   If you want to invest in some item to support your home practice, however, I really recommend a bolster or block.   

As a Mindful Mediation Teacher as well as a Yoga Teacher in Brighton and Hove, I would recommend having an extra layer ready for the relaxation pose at the end as the body is likely to cool down during the deep relaxation phase of the practice.