Don't worry if you are not sure which style is which
About The Classes Offered
At Zanzibar Yoga Festival, we celebrate the vibrant world of yoga and its many styles. Experience the soothing Hatha and dynamic Vinyasa, each offering unique benefits. We also offer non-yoga classes, and encourage you to explore a bit of everything.
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Use this page to guide you to find the right fit for your wellness journey. Whether you're experienced or a beginner, there's something for everyone.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha brings together precision of alignment, anatomical detail, and the fusion of yogic philosophy and scientific understanding. It emphasizes physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. serves as a foundation for many other styles of yoga, focusing on the balance between body and mind. Through a combination of asanas (postures) and pranayama (breath control), Hatha yoga promotes overall well-being.
Hatha is accessible for practitioners of all levels.
Yin Yoga
Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga that focuses on holding poses for longer periods, typically ranging from three to five minutes. It targets the deep connective tissues, such as ligaments and fascia, promoting flexibility and joint health. This practice encourages mindfulness and relaxation, allowing practitioners to cultivate a sense of inner peace and balance.
Yin yoga is suitable for all levels and can be a wonderful complement to more dynamic forms of exercise.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic and flowing style of yoga that emphasizes the connection between breath and movement. In a typical Vinyasa class, practitioners transition smoothly between poses, creating a continuous flow that can be both energizing and meditative. This practice often incorporates a variety of postures, allowing for creativity and personal expression.
Vinyasa yoga is suitable for all levels and can help improve flexibility, strength, and overall well-being.
Power Yoga
Power yoga is a dynamic and physically demanding style of yoga that emphasizes strength, flexibility, and endurance. It combines traditional yoga poses with a vigorous pace, making it an excellent workout for both the body and mind. Practitioners can expect to build muscle, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance overall well-being.
This energetic practice is suitable for those with an existing knowledge of vinyasa, looking to challenge themselves while enjoying the benefits of yoga.
Restorative Hatha Yoga
Restorative yoga is a gentle, calming practice designed to relax and rejuvenate the body and mind. Unlike more physically intense forms of yoga, restorative yoga focuses on deep relaxation through longer-held poses, supported by props like blankets, bolsters, blocks, and straps. These props help the body fully relax into each posture, allowing muscles to release tension without effort.
The goal of restorative yoga is to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" functions. This can help reduce stress, promote healing, and improve overall well-being.
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All levels welcome.
Qigong
Qigong is a form of energy cultivation. Qi in Chinese means “life energy" and Gong means "to cultivate”.
It is considered one of the pillars of Chinese Medicine, but also the basis of most Chinese martial arts, which draws its principles from Daoism and Buddhism.
It is a means of moving and exercising the body, regulating breath and calming the mind and the heart. It is a practise that is medicinal, martial and spiritual.
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All (truly all) levels welcome - note that Qigong can be done from a chair if needed, so is perfect for those battling injuries.
Energising Yin Yang
​An energizing Yin Yang class blends two complementary styles of yoga: Dynamic "Yang" incorporating active, flowing poses that build strength, stamina, and gentle heat. This phase stimulates the body's muscles and increases energy.
The practice transitions into the "Yin" phase, which focuses on deep, passive stretches held for longer periods, targeting the fascia and promoting relaxation. The class balances vitality and calm, leaving participants feeling revitalized and centered.
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All levels welcome.
Free Meditation
When visiting temples in India, you will come across rooms that offer continuous meditation. People come and go, but the space remains calm and inviting.
We have recreated such a space to offer a peacefull locaation for individuals to meditate in stillness - at any time, for any lenght of time.
Participants can choose their own meditation practice, focusing on breath or other techniques to calm the mind. It provides a supportive environment for mindfulness, stress reduction, and inner peace, allowing each person to engage in personal reflection and deep relaxation.
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All levels welcome.
Gentle Yoga
Gentle yoga is a soothing and transformative practice that nurtures both your body and mind. By focusing on slow, deliberate movements and mindful breathing, it helps improve mobility, enhance flexibility, and build strength in a natural way.
This practice calms your mind, reducing stress and leaving you with a profound sense of relaxation. Regular sessions of gentle yoga can promote better sleep, alleviate anxiety, and contribute to an overall feeling of balance and happiness. It's the perfect way to care for your well-being, creating a harmonious connection between body, mind, and spirit.
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All levels welcome
Water Breathing
The gentle yet powerful pressure of water on the body enhances blood circulation and supports optimal heart function. It also strengthens the respiratory muscles, promoting better overall lung capacity and health. Through a variety of focused breathing techniques, we will embark on an immersive journey to explore the connection between breath and water, unlocking its therapeutic and revitalizing potential. This practice not only deepens your connection with water but also cultivates calmness, balance, and a renewed sense of vitality.
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All levels welcome.
African Dance
The vibrant and rhythmic movements of African dance offer a full-body workout that energizes both the body and soul. This dynamic practice improves heart rate and blood circulation, strengthens your core, tones your muscles, and enhances flexibility. Beyond the physical benefits, African dance is a powerful way to relieve stress and reduce anxiety, helping you feel grounded and revitalized. It fosters a deep connection to nature, the environment, and the rich cultural heritage it represents, making it not just a form of exercise, but a celebration of life and tradition.
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All levels welcome, although this is an active class so please be prepared to move. A lot ;)
Breathwork & Meditation
Discover the transformative power of intentional breathing and mindfulness in this calming and restorative class. Through guided breathwork techniques, you’ll learn to harness the natural rhythm of your breath to reduce stress, improve focus, and cultivate inner peace. Each session seamlessly transitions into a deeply relaxing meditation, helping you quiet the mind, connect with your inner self, and experience a profound sense of clarity and balance. This class is perfect for all levels, offering a supportive space to release tension, enhance mental clarity, and foster emotional resilience. Join us to breathe deeply, unwind, and reconnect with the present moment.
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All levels welcome
Pilates
Pilates is a low-impact exercise method focused on strengthening muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility. It emphasizes core strength and involves controlled movements.
Suitable for all fitness levels, Pilates helps enhance overall body awareness and can aid in rehabilitation and injury prevention. It's a great way to build strength, awaken the deeper muscles and improve balance in a mindful way.
Animal Flow
Animal Flow is a ground-based, bodyweight movement system that combines elements yoga, gymnastics, and animal-inspired movements to improve mobility, strength, and overall wellness It involves coordinated floor-based movements, often linked into "flows" or chains of energy and movement, and is designed for all fitness levels. Drawing inspiration from Capoeira, this practice incorporates fluid, dance-like sequences that enhance coordination and rhythm. Participants will not only build physical strength but also enjoy a playful approach to fitness, it a fun way to connect with their bodies and improve their overall well-being.
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Not suitable for all levels, must have prior fitness ability and no injury. Be ready to sweat!
Meditative Beach Walk
A serene journey along the shoreline, where silence becomes a gateway to mindfulness. Beginning with a gentle meditation, grounding ourselves in the present moment before setting off.
Feel the sand beneath your feet, the soft breeze, and bask in the gentle warmth of the morning sunlight. Allow your senses to awaken and connect deeply with nature.
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As we wander, you are invited to collect seashells and other treasures gifted by the tide and together. We will create a natural beach mandala, a reflection of the beauty and harmony around us. Of course, returning the shells to their natural home afterwards. Full circle.
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This can be guided or unduided, allowing you to immerse in this practice at any time that suits you.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra, often referred to as "yogic sleep," is a state of conscious relaxation that guides practitioners into deep, restorative state of rest. It helps reduce stress, enhance self-awareness, and promote emotional. During a session, participants lie down comfortably while following guided instructions leading to a profound sense peace and rejuvenation, both physically and mentally.
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Will be guided by live music!
All levels welcome.
