Saoirse Yoga

What we call “Soairse Yoga” is an approach to Yoga practice that has evolved right here in Asturias Yoga. Saoirse is the product of twenty years of daily experience with various Yoga and meditation techniques (principally Ashtanga Vinyasa, Vipassana, Pranayama, Tantra and Yin) and the desire to fuse the most effective elements of each in one daily practice

Saoirse Yoga is a framework for a holistic and balanced Yoga practice, which allows you to fine-tune your sequence to make it the most effective for you personally. Throughout the sequence the ground is prepared, a fertile soil in which the seed of meditation has a chance to flourish

There are a number of important elements that we practice in each session, which include:

  • Core awakening exercises, that connect and stabilize the body and teach us to initiate movement from our centre of gravity
  • Short meditations on the direct effect of the force of gravity and the force that resists gravity (Prana) within our own bodies. This awareness is then used to fine-tune our movement
  • Subtle Yogic breathing exercises (Pranayama) that promote calm and stability in the mind.
  • Asanas, postures, and movement that make up the largest portion of our practice

In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Asana is defined as “Sthira-Sukham”, that is to say, a posture in which we find stability and comfort. We can liken the practice of posture to the tuning of a string of a musical instrument. If it is too slack or too tense it sounds off. When the string is correctly tuned, then it plays a harmonic musical note. Likewise, when a posture is tuned to the individual, then there is Asana, then its effect is that of bringing consciousness and energy.

In Yoga, there are many types of postures that ultimately aim at the same effect (for example, the shoulder stand and the headstand are both inversions and hence the effect of both is similar). Hence for an effective personal yoga sequence, we will include all of the important types of posture, within each type choosing the postures in which we can find stability (i.e. not overstraining) and which oblige us to be present and engaged (i.e. not too easy). Thus we transform the mere practice of posture into Asana. The asanas we practice will require our full attention but at the same time will not introduce stress or instability in either body or mind, hence promoting inner calm and access to meaningful meditation.

Practitioners of Ashtanga Vinyasa and other forms of Asana-oriented Yoga will find Saoirse a powerful tool for advancing their practice. Those who are interested in meditation will discover an exciting dynamic method that naturally prepares us for stillness and clear inner observation.

The Sequence has 8 Phases:

  1. Awakening Prana: Prana is the Sanskrit name for our vital energy in its primordial form. We begin the practice with some Pranayama, Yogic breathing methods for harnessing and directing prana within oneself

  1. Connecting to the Forces: Human Beings stand upright. Gravity draws us towards the Earth and yet we stand erect by means of posture and an upward moving force. We begin our practice using simple postures held for a long period to finely tune into these forces. (the asanas that follow later are a dance between the two). We will also connect to the energy of the heart centre (Anahatta Chakra), the energetic centre of our being and seat of non-intellectual wisdom

  1. Building the Inner Fire: Here we use core exercises to strongly activate the internal fire and Bandhas (internal energy locks). These exercises enable us to access this inner fire as we perform the following postures and practices.

  1. Finding the Flow: This phase is a short selection from the Ashtanga Primary Sequence performed in synchronization with deep flowing breath (Ujjai). This phase builds stability and concentration.

  1. Back Bending: Here we work the spine via a backbending warmup followed by a sequence of ever deeper back-bending postures (the sequence depending on each individual’s capacity). This phase has the effect of facing our fears and potentially releasing blocked emotions, hence facilitating more energy flow.

  1. Inversion: In this phase we perform a long and challenging sequence of inversions. The effect of this phase is to further deepen balance, hone concentration, and to sublime energy (ie: to bring energy into the subtle realms of consciousness).

  1. Letting Go: Here we do nothing! After the building intensity of the preceding phases, we simply lie down, close our eyes and feel. Following the stimulation of the previous phases, this phase is an opportunity to tap into the sub-conscious mind, allow it to merge with the conscious.

  1.  Meditation: All the previous phases are different aspects of preparation for meditation, here we reap the benefits of concentration and inner awareness. This phase is a minimum of 10 minutes but may continue for as long as you wish.

Saoirse Yoga: Origen and Significance

Saoirse is a Gaelic word meaning freedom. Through meditation we have the chance to discover our deepest conditioning and reaction patterns. Realizing these, we can free ourselves from the psychological burdens we unconsciously carried and live more lightly, according to our optimal nature.