Fierce Grace is free of the limits of some of the rigid yoga systems. It allows the body and mind to follow their wisdom and flow, while providing a framework that brings physical excellence.
Fierce Grace is a 5-class yoga system based on Ashtanga, Power, classical hatha yoga and Bikram yoga and sequenced in ways that adhere to ancient yogic principles as well as the latest cutting edge research on attaining optimum results in the minimum time. Interval Training Timing and Super Slow wisdom have been woven into the classes. The 5 ‘moods’ develop us mentally and emotionally by allowing all aspects of ourselves room for expression.
We believe there is not one perfect class that does everything. If there was it would be four hours long and have about 150 poses in it. We believe the body needs nudging and opening from many different angles. It needs some male disciplinary aspects and some female looser expansiveness. It needs ‘yang’ stretches that stretch muscle and ‘yin’ stretches that stretch connective tissue. I have tried to combine all these things in the 5 class system.
We believe you cannot commit the body to moving one particular way. If you do, you are heading for physical issues later on. The body was designed to move in every way possible, so the 5 classes are designed to move us slowly/quickly, statically/in flow, in relaxed opening ways/using strength, passively/with force, circular/linear movements and deep stretches both relaxed and with muscular tension to get into every muscle joint fibre and stretch fascia in every direction possible.
This brings a healthy, strong, lithe body that moves fluidly. The repetition of a wide array of poses, based on a core structure of ‘template’ poses brings the best of both worlds, both the male side (discipline, structure, strength, force, repetition) and the female side (enjoyment, playfulness, flexibility, experimentation and softer stretches).
Ultimately the Fierce Grace system is one class, the ‘perfect’ class, 150 poses, taught in 5 sections. The 4 general level classes consist of 100 poses. With the ‘Fierce’ advanced class the system introduces the practitioner to approx. 150 poses, creating the arena in which every inch of the body is touched, expressed, cleansed and opened.
STRUCTURE
The core poses we believe bring the most profound physical changes to the body run through all the classes as a template, like a skeleton, so the 5 classes weave together to address our every need while maintaining the core principles of correct musco-skeletal alignment and the balance between strength and flexibility. The poses that cross all systems are like the spine holding everything together and the different poses and moods of each class are the muscles and nervous system, moving, changing and strengthening.
5 CLASSES
I have devised these 5 classes to provide opportunity for us to explore a wide range of our human possibilities.
The 5 classes are our opportunity to explore different ways to work in yoga. There is no one way. We are too complex. We change every day. Strength, flexibility, power, surrender, softness, effort, focus, oblivion, pleasure, intensity and ease all play together, one coming to the fore, then receding. Some classes or days are more one aspect than another, like a piece of music with different instruments taking the lead while others support. So to truly practice yoga, we need different opportunities and different emphases to experience these different aspects of ourselves and allow yoga to strengthen and balance us completely and allow us to use a tool for enormous growth and self expression.
Deep Core is Earth, soft, grounded, deep and gentle
Classic is Air, direct, clear, informational, structured and male
Fierce Grace is Water, flowing, feeling, circular, deep and free
Fixis Fire, energetic, outward, light, quick
Fierce (Beast)is all 4 elements brought together in union, moving from one to another, moving from one to the other waking us up on every level.
There are no rules. One day you might practice the Beast with softness and sensitivity or Deep Core with the courage of a warrior. Our energy changes daily. But here is a guide to how one might approach the 5 classes
Deep Core
Stay soft, an opportunity to stay in the moment and let go of ego. As floor poses are less ‘goal oriented’ we can concentrate on how we feel. Deep stretches, skeletal alignment, and a chance to take attention within. If we only turn attention outwards, on the mirror, on the shape of the pose, with energetic effort, we will become unbalanced. Core is a chance to slow down, take stock, check alignment, recharge the gas tank, check the ego at the door, be truly honest and accepting of where we are today. This is the ‘Grace’ part of the practice – flexibility, breath and relaxation
Classic
This is a more male practice. It prevents us being lazy, builds muscle, power, strength and stamina. An opportunity to expand our energy and flush away limitations. Aligns the skeletal system. Enjoy building your force and power but practice staying clam within and not get crunched up and contracted or go further than will allow your breath to stay free and easy. Let the more disciplined approach of this class build your focus and force.
Fierce Grace
We work on blending female and male- linear strength poses and stamina poses with flexibility poses, circular twists and relaxation. Music helps connects us to our feeling. Try to work on the the enjoyment that using using body, breath and feeling brings. Give yourself permission to make micro adjustments in each pose to look for tight spots, this class is about empowering yourself to do what feels good. Use the music to drop your thinking mind. Feel the play between the male and female in you, by pushing yourself while staying sensitive to the pleasure of the pose.
The Fix
Energy. The short nature of this class allows us to work to our maximum and develop our fitness, stamina and energy projection via breath intensity and focus. As its only 50 mins, you can afford to push yourself and go out glowing.
The Beast
Stamina, endurance, energy, flexibility and patience! Take all you have learned and explore it. You have learned the alphabet, now sing. This class allows full expression of the body, attention, focus, breath and expansive energy. If you can’t do some of the harder poses, practice non-judgment and patience and back off – doing an easier version. If you can do them all, enjoy but practice no ego!