Hatha Yoga Class
Hatha Yoga focuses on Body, Mind and Breath to create balance in your whole being.
About Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is a classic style that involves the incorporation of Breathing practices (Pranayama) to help strengthen lungs and build general health, Physical Body Postures (Asana) that assist in building strength, flexibility and coordination in the body and move us towards better health and wellbeing, Additionally various meditation and relaxation techniques are offered to assist in our busy lives to minimise stress and anxiety. Each Yoga class is taken with a mindful meditative focus.
- Yoga is for all ages, levels of ability and for Men and Women.
- Consistent practice will enhance your general health and wellbeing.
- Yoga helps develop awareness of triggers for holding stress and anxiety.
- 1 hour + 15min deep relaxation/meditation.
Learn why is it worth it
How Hatha Yoga Helps
Hatha yoga is the physical aspect of yoga. A hatha yoga class will usually incorporate the practice of physical postures (asana’s) to develop strength and flexibility as well as various breathing practices (pranayama), meditation and relaxation techniques.
Why is it called "Hatha Yoga"?
In Sanskrit (the ancient language of India) the word yoga means “union”.
Ha = Sun and Tha = Moon
In Hatha Yoga the aim is to unite the body, mind and spirit, and creating balance in all “aspects” of one’s life. There are many different types of yoga. However, in the West what is commonly practiced and referred to as yoga is actually “Hatha” yoga.
Your Class Instructors
Learn with confidence - our instructors bring years of experience and care to every class.
Liz Kraefft
HATHA YOGA INSTRUCTOR
30+ years
Yoga has not only helped in meeting life’s challenges, keeping the body and mind strong and healthy but has also provided Liz with a wonderful community of yoga students, friends and colleagues from which to share the mutual love of Yoga.
Liz feels strongly that there are no barriers to practicing yoga and each individual, within personal limits, can enjoy the many benefits
Member of
- IYTA (International Yoga Teachers Association)
- YA (Yoga Australia)
-
SINCE 1984
-
Attended Kuring-gai Yoga School
After attending regular classes from 1984 with various teachers things changed when in 1994 began attending Yoga in Pymble at Kuring-gai Yoga School. This was the beginning of the realisation that Yoga was a wonderful modality for healing and growth as well as a pathway to happiness, contentment and resilience.
-
-
2003
-
Graduate Diploma of Yoga Teaching
Since graduating from the IYTA Diploma of Yoga Teaching 2003 Liz has been continuously teaching yoga and exploring the depths of the Yoga teachings. There is much to learn and so this will be a wonderful journey and evolution.
-
Graduate Advanced Diploma in Yoga
In 2014 Liz completed the IYTA Graduate Advanced Diploma in Yoga and in 2018 completed a 50 hour teacher training course in Yin Yoga, which has further enriched her Yoga training.
-
-
2021
-
Currently Studying
Currently studying a year long IYTA Pranayama and Meditation Teacher Training Course due for completion in September 2021 which has consolidated her own Meditation and Breathing practice. As well as teaching class in Pymble, Liz lectures on Adult Education and Class Planning as part of the IYTA Teacher Training course, and is a member of the Curriculum Committee.
-
Margaret North
HATHA YOGA INSTRUCTOR
40+ years
This is your time to nurture yourself…
said her teacher at the first yoga class Margaret attended. This struck a deep chord for this unfit, stressed mother of three small children, suffering 15 years of chronic back pain.
In time, much fitter and calmer, her back pain later to vanish completely, Margaret realised that yoga offered all the tools necessary for personal evolution – a more flexible, stronger and fitter body, mental and emotional calmness and understanding, and access to inner strength, wisdom and peace.
Margaret’s classes are noted for their humour and individual attention as she passionately shares her considerable knowledge with each of her students guiding them towards yoga’s physical benefits and peacefulness.
Rita Humphries
HATHA YOGA INSTRUCTOR
20+ years
Rita encourages her students to get the most out of their practice believing that yoga is for everyone. She believes that through the practice of pranayama, asana and relaxation all students can gain enormous benefits by keeping the body active, and energized while at the same time finding peace and stillness.
Member of
- IYTA (International Yoga Teachers Association)
- YA (Yoga Australia)
-
2000
-
Welcome to Yoga
Rita was introduced to yoga in 2000 whilst living in the UK. She immediately realised the benefits that yoga had to offer and immersed herself in her own daily yoga practice while attending classes. Through the practice of yoga, Rita discovered a sense of wellbeing physically, emotionally and spiritually.
-
-
2009
-
Graduated
She continued her yoga journey upon returning to Sydney at Kuring-gai Yoga School with Margaret North and eventually undertook a teacher training course with the IYTA (International Yoga Teachers Association), completing the Diploma Teacher Training course in 2009 and has been teaching consistently since.
-
-
2014
-
Studied with Judith Lasater
She has studied with Judith Lasater numerous times and in 2012 she successfully completed 22 hours of study with Judith to become a Relax and Renew Trainer (restorative yoga).
-
-
2018
-
Completed Certificate
In December 2018, Rita undertook a Certificate of Completion in Senior Chair Yoga with IYTA.
-
-
2019
-
Studied with Sarah Owen
In January 2019 Rita studied with Sarah Owen, completing her 50 hours in Yin Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher training.
-
-
2024
-
Ongoing Study
Rita continues her ongoing professional development by regularly attending workshops and courses. She continues to study with Sarah Owen, attending workshops and enhancing her knowledge in Yin Yoga.
-
Cathy Young
HATHA YOGA INSTRUCTOR
20+ years
Cathy has been practising yoga regularly for over 20 years.
She has followed the teachings of many esteemed yoga teachers including TVK Desikachar, Kausthub Desikachar, Judith Hanson Lasater, Donna Farhi, Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani and Sinder Pal Kaur.
Cathy is passionate about yoga and meditation and sharing with her students the benefits that these practices bring to the mind, body and spirit.
Cathy believes that yoga is for everyone and caters for all levels of students.
-
Since 2008
-
Attended Kuring-gai Yoga School
She qualified as a yoga teacher in 2008 after studying the Diploma of Yoga Teaching (IYTA) and has been teaching with Kuring-gai Yoga since this time.
-
-
2012
-
A long time meditator
Cathy is also a long time meditator and has been meditating regularly with our very own Marg North since 2012.
-
-
2012/2013
-
IYTA Contribution
In 2012/2013 Cathy was a member of the committee that revised the IYTA Asana Handbook.
-
-
2014
-
Certification
In 2014 Cathy completed her Advanced Teacher Training Certification. (IYTA) International Yoga Teachers Association.
-
-
Since 2018
-
Currently Studying
In 2018 Cathy also undertook meditation teacher training and hosts a regular meditation group. Cathy also facilitates a group called Yoga for Yoginis which comprises local yoga teachers that meets monthly to share teachings, practise together and to provide a community for like minded yoga teachers.
-
Lynne Tome
HATHA YOGA INSTRUCTOR
30+ years
Lynne has been a practitioner of Hatha Yoga for over 30 years having been introduced to yoga and meditation and their transformative qualities in her early 20’s. The practice and philosophy of yoga are an integral part of her life and Lynne is passionate about sharing this with her students and giving them the skills to take their yoga ‘off the mat’ and into their daily lives.
After having personally healed her own body from back injury with regular asana, Lynne understands the benefits and wider application of safe practice and working to one’s own capacity.
Lynne qualified as a Yoga Teacher with the IYTA (International Yoga Teachers Association) in 2007 and has since taught in both Australia and Europe.
Her teaching is influenced by ongoing professional development and yoga studies with many different teachers. She is also Student Coordinator for the IYTA Diploma of Yoga Teaching.
Lynne strongly believes that Asana, Pranayama and Meditation are the tools we need to bring about integration of Mind, Body and Soul for optimum health and wellbeing.
Member of
- IYTA (International Yoga Teachers Association)
Our Yoga Studio
Ku-ring-gai Yoga School was established in 1979 and has been delivering Yoga in the Upper North Shore of Sydney consistently during this time.
Transport information
-
By public transport
Exit Pymble Railway station to the Pacific highway and turn left. Cross the road 70 metres along the highway at the traffic lights at the intersection of Livingstone Ave.
-
By car
Approach along the Pacific Highway and turn into Livingstone Avenue at the traffic lights by the group of shops adjacent to Pymble Railway Station.
-
Studio Parking
Everton Street and Livingstone Avenue provide plenty of parking. If you travel from the north, park in the 2-hour carpark alongside the railway station and walk across the highway. Please do not park in Church grounds except in the 7-space covered area off Everton Street.