Peter Burton – Hatha Yoga – Brunswick, West Hove and Portslade u3a and u3a Yoga Subject Advisor
- I have been practising yoga for more than twenty years after taking it up to help address knee and hamstring injuries (too many marathons!) and a shoulder injury (overzealous circuit training at the gym!).
- I have practised many different yoga styles over the years, including Scaravelli, Iyengar, Yin Yoga, Hot Yoga and Vinyasa Flow, with a wide range of teachers. In my 60s I decided I wanted to deepen my knowledge and share the benefits of yoga with other people, so I trained as a ‘Vinyasa’ Flow Yoga teacher. I am registered as a Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals UK (YAP)
- As someone living ‘in the third age of life’ myself, I love teaching older yoga students and absolute beginners, both in classes and 1:2:1. It has been wonderful to observe the courage, enthusiasm, and commitment of older practitioners and to see friendships develop within the u3a yoga groups. I never forget that people join yoga for a wide range of reasons and that they bring a wide range of abilities. The joy of practising together is that everyone is included and everyone learns from and supports each other.
- I have a particular interest in human anatomy and in my private yoga teaching practice, I specialise in teaching people with injuries, ailments and health conditions. Through study and experience, I have learned that yoga can always be adapted and practised in ways to suit and benefit each individual, regardless of age or health. It is my strong belief that yoga is for everyone and that everybody can do yoga!
NEVER PRACTICED ‘HATHA’ YOGA?
- Ask for some information about the sessions and teacher in advance – there may be an information sheet you can read beforehand - you may be able to do a trial or observation session.
- Sessions may involve standing, sitting and lying down – if all of these are not suitable for you check with the teacher.
- Sessions often include grounding and body awareness, brief meditation, breathing practices (pranayama), a range of postures (asana) and a final relaxation / restorative posture (and sometimes a little chanting or mantra).
- A Hatha YIN yoga class has fewer postures practised on the floor which are held for longer.
- A Restorative yoga class is great for beginners as it has fewer postures practised lying down with an emphasis on relaxation and letting go. You will need props like pillows and cushions to practice.