Hatha Yoga
‘HA’ – Sanskrit for the sun, surya
Representing heat, high pressure, yang, masculine, solar energy, pingala prana
‘THA’ (pronounced ‘Ta’) – Sanskrit for the moon, chandra
Representing coolness, low pressure, yin, feminine, lunar energy, ida prana
“YOGA” – to yoke, bind
Union of body breath and mind.
Hatha yoga balances opposing physical forces within the body: the sun and moon energies, high and low pressure, warmth and coolness, yang and yin. By engaging the mind, staying present with the breath and practising in an effortless, calm, sustainable way, our prana (life force energy) increases, blood flow is enhanced and we enter a meditative state.
As the quality of our attention becomes more refined, we experience harmony in body, breath and mind, promoting feelings of health, joy and peace.
Yoga illuminates your life, helping you see yourself in a new light. BKS Iyengar
I love yoga
Anywhere, anytime, particularly outdoors in nature, or with a beautiful view. I grew up attending yoga classes and retreats with my mum in country Victoria. I have completed over 750 teacher training hours and have over 40 years of personal sadhana (spiritual practice).
I lived in beautiful Bundjalung country, Northern NSW, for 25 years and was fortunate to study with a variety of renowned yoga teachers, principally Rose Baudin, Kathryn Riding and Simon Borg Olivier.
As a singer, multi instrumentalist and music therapist I have always been curious about yoga, the voice and the healing power of sound. So in 2016 I travelled to India to study the yoga of sound at Nada Yoga School, Rishikesh. I have since studied and taught hatha, meditation, yin, restorative, pelvic floor & hormone balancing yoga, yoga for seniors, chair yoga, kids yoga, partner yoga and corporate yoga. The path of yoga is endless and a richly rewarding way of life.
It is an honour, a privilege and a delight to share yoga.
TIPS
Do more yoga!
Make it a priority in your day even if it’s only 5 minutes – or 1 minute! It could be as simple as stopping to take 3 conscious breaths right now (yes now).
Aim for a minimum of 3 poses a day.
For example cat/cow – there’s 2 already! On all fours, enjoy the ululation of the spine as it curls inwards and outwards. A lovely workout for the spine and way to check in with how all the vertebrae are articulating today. While you’re there you can turn your head towards your hips one at a time (my teacher Rose says to make the shape of a croissant) and voila you have moved your spine in other directions and completed 3 poses.
Consider the spine and its movements.
We don’t often do side bends in our daily lives so side bends and twists are great. It only takes a minute to move the spine in all directions, although it can feel ever so calming to do it in five or ten.
Practise a balancing pose daily.
Maria Kirsten (RIP), wonderful yoga teacher and occupational therapist would suggest balancing every time you boil the kettle.
I had a student in her late seventies who proudly told me she balances on one leg a minute each side while she waits for her porridge to cook.
Schedule in a balance a day. It doesn’t have to be an advanced pose. If you’re wobbly or lack confidence, start with slow, simple, mindful weight transference from one leg to the other.
Go upside down
There’s nothing like an inversion to help calm the nervous system and “change rooms in your mind*.” Find an easy way to place your head below your heart, for example lie on the floor with your legs on the couch or a chair, or take your legs up the wall. Your brainwave patterns will start to slow down. Pay attention to the sensations of breath and allow the mind to quieten.
Above all…..Relaaaaaaaaaax
Lie down, get comfortable and rest. Savasana (the corpse) is a pose. Potentially the most important pose. Practising conscious rest counts as a yoga practice.
“The main physical aim of YogaSynergy is the enhancement of the flow of energy and information through the various channels of the body….Flexibility in this system is to do with the mental flexibility to do each posture or exercise in such a way that it supports your current needs… Practise appropriately for your body in the here and now.” yogasynergy.com
MONDAY
Yoga 9am – 10am RACV Country Club Healesville
Yoga 6pm – 7pm Healesville Living & Learning Centre
TUESDAY
Chair yoga 9:30am – 10:30am Healesville Living & Learning Centre
Yoga 11.15am – 12:15pm RACV Country Club Healesville
WEDNESDAY
Yoga 10am – 11am Healesville Living & Learning Centre
THURSDAY
Yoga 6pm – 7pm RACV Country Club Healesville
PRIVATE SESSIONS
Individual and group classes available on request
Vasudha’s Hatha Yoga Training
Level 2 200h YTT Yoga Synergy with Simon Borg Olivier & Bianca Machliss (2022)
200h YTT Nada Yoga School Rishikesh (2016)
The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is. Self-knowledge has no end – you don’t come to an achievement, you don’t come to a conclusion. It is an endless river. J. Krishnamurti
What people say
It’s a different style and I really like it
It’s fluid and organic, like a dance
It’s sooooooo beautiful
It’s sooooooo amazing
That’s the most relaxed I’ve felt for a looooong time
I feel like I just had a full body massage
I have loved all of Vasudha’s yoga classes that I’ve attended. Whether she is singing to us as we rest in savasana, or guiding us through an active dragon flow for lunar new year, Vasudha brings so much care and healing to her classes, leaving me feeling nourished mind, body and soul. Laura
Vasudha is an extraordinary teacher, offering a deeply peaceful experience, technical support and sensitivity for each learner at their individual stage. Catering for all levels, Vasudha teaches with warmth, gentle guidance and a disciplined, mindful approach. She utilises restorative yoga, chanting, visualisation and movement to create a powerful integrative healing practice. I am deeply grateful for her generosity, professionalism, com/passion and expertise which enriches my daily life. Christine
Let the beauty of what you love be what you do Rumi