Public Classes |
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NataRaj Yoga offers public yoga classes in a range of levels and different styles; and private classes to meet the specific needs of individuals or small groups. All our classes are taught by Internationally certified teachers with broad professional experience. Each teacher brings a different style to their classroom, so visit our Teachers page to find out more about what to expect. |
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Yoga, Dance and Pilates |
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Yoga, as the physical practice taught at NataRaj, is a series of postures that develop strength, flexibility and awareness of the whole body. Yoga poses, or asana, are one small part of the Yogic tradition of spiritual advancement, meant to prepare the body and mind for deeper concentration and meditation practices. Asana at NataRaj fits into the spiritual tradition on the premise that higher states of consciousness are simply clearing your mind of thoughts and coming to see things as they are. Physical postures condition the body to let go of deep tension, anxieties and habits that that create chemical disturbances in the brain and counterproductive thought patterns. Students of asana yoga practice listening to their body, learning about how it moves and how it cannot move, and the miracle of the practice is in the emotional and spiritual insight that surfaces as the physical practice deepens. Spiritual doctrine is not taught at NataRaj: through asana practice, each student opens the door to his or her own experiential truths. Community Yoga Classes and MeditationYoga is about openness, and NataRaj Yoga opens its doors to the community at large three twice a week for yoga, Yoga Nidra and Meditation. Community Yoga on Sundays is a chance for visiting teachers and teacher trainees to offer donation-only classes to the Phnom Penh community. Please note these are not always experienced teachers, but they are senior students who are following a teacher training program with master teacher Hart Lazer. Yoga Nidra is presented by senior teacher Oskar Nery on Wednesday evenings; "Yoga Nidra" means Yogic Sleep, and is the practice of deep relaxation using gentle movement, breathing exercises and guided meditation techniques. The studio doors open for free meditation space on Fridays and Sundays. Those with some meditation experience are invited to come and sit in the peaceful environment of of the yoga studio. There will not always be a meditation teacher available, though, so this pracice is self-directed.
Besides yoga, NataRaj offers other styles of movement classes that promote health and body awareness in ways that are complimentary to asana.Pilates is a form of exercise that focusses on strengthing core abdominal and back muscles. Movement and Dance uses music, rhythm and contemporary dance phrases for people to enjoy their body and get a workout. This class is intended for people with little or no contemporary dance experience; but we encourage other experienced dancers to get in touch with us if they are interested in starting a more advanced group. |
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Introductory classesMonday, Wednesday, 18:30-19:45; |
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INTRO yoga classes are geared to beginners, including people who have never done yoga before. Everyone is invited to attend INTRO level classes, including pregnant women and individuals recovering from injuries and operations. BEFORE you begin a class with a new teacher, please inform the instructor of any health conditions or injuries that may be relevant to the practice, including blood pressure or mental conditions such as anxiety. Many people who are beginning yoga choose to start with private classes. This is recommended for anyone suffering from or recovering from illness, injury or operations. Private classes will introduce newcomers to the basic principles of the practice in such a way that you will understand how to approach a faster-paced public class safely and accommodate it to your own needs and capacity. |
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Experienced Yogis |
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If you have some experience with yoga and feel ready for a faster-paced and deeper class, try open level. All our instructors have very different teaching styles, so shop around, try a few classes and create a rhythm in your week of flow and technique, upbeat and fast-paced and then calm and meditative. You might find a combination of teachers suits you best, or just one is a perfect fit. Come to an advanced classes only if you have already taken classes at NataRaj and have spoken to the teacher, or are an experienced practitioner ready to respond to a new teaching style and vocabulary. An advanced vocabulary is used to explain the movements and poses, and confidence in Sirsasana, Urdhva Danurasana and Surya Namaskar A is assumed. |
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What You'll Need |
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When coming to yoga, wear or bring comfortable clothing, either loose-fitting or stretchy, that will not inhibit your movement in deep stretches. Bring a towel, and a bottle of water: while it is generally not advised to drink water while doing yoga, when practicing in tropical heat care must be taken. Everyone is encouraged to drink water an hour before and for two hours after class. We do have change rooms and basic shower facilities at the studio. While towels are provided for those who forget theirs, we encourage our students to bring their own if possible. NataRaj Yoga provides yoga mats and props to all students free of charge. We do sell inexpensive yoga mats to those who prefer the hygienic benefits of using their personal mat. |
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Private Classes |
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We offer personalised classes for individuals or small groups on an appointment basis, either at the studio, or, when possible, at your home, office or hotel. Private classes are great for beginners, advanced practitioners who want to deepen their practice beyond what is offered in studio classes, or for those who’s work or travel schedule does not fit the public class schedule. |
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Yoga Therapy |
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Yoga is a versatile and wholistic practice, and proven to be a beneficial form of therapy assisting in the recovery from illness, injury, operations or other forms of trauma. Combining range of motion, strengthening, confidence building and stress managment techniques, yoga addresses not just one particular part of the body that a practitioner is most aware of, but finds structural and mental imbalances that can also be addressed in the healing process. Please note that yoga is not a cure for physical distress. While yoga movements are a useful form of physiotherapy at a superficial level, for deeper and more permanent work, yoga becomes a way of thinking about the body and forming a lasting relationship with one's self that generates a healthier lifestyle and self-image; it is this change that affects a profound healing in the motivated individual and moves him or her away from the primary causes of her suffering. It is a very personal journey, and each set of classes will be different. For this reason, we recommend that anyone coming in for yoga therapy consult first with the teacher and sign up for a minimum of four classes to begin with. |
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