Sasha started practicing yoga to help ease her stressful lifestyle working in IT, and to complement her more conventional exercise options at the gym. After 17 years in 2003, she made a career change by taking up a Hatha Yoga teacher training programme, studying with Bob Smith (author of Yoga for a New Age) and Ki McGraw from the Hatha Yoga Center of Seattle.
Since then, she has developed her personal practice - mainly in Ashtanga Yoga - with teachers local to and visiting Oxford (see www.oxfordyoga.co.uk for workshops in Oxford, plus Oxford and National Ashtanga classes.) She works mainly in health clubs but also does public classes and intensives as well as yoga retreat holidays.
Sasha Norton views the practices of asana and pranayama as a preparation for the deeper practices of concentration and meditation.
Yoga is a systematic training of the physical body, breath, senses and mind in attempt to achieve spiritual union and self-realization. Although this may not be the aim of every practitioner ('and indeed was never my intention when I first turned to yoga for stress relief'), the techniques and methods are also effective in relieving physical and mental tension and encouraging a greater sense of well-being. Strength, flexibility and stamina are welcome by-products.
Sasha's preference is for a dynamic, physically challenging style of asana practice leading to a deeper state of relaxation and preparation for meditation. However, this is carefully balanced with the students' own needs and abilities and classes are constructed in an organic way to meet these needs. Where possible, the following elements are covered in each session: sun salutations, (flowing) standing postures, balances, core stability, backbends, twists, inversions, forward bends, savasana (relaxation) and pranayama (breath work). A variety of postures and techniques are used as appropriate, with modifications as necessary to suit individuals.