Vinyasa Flow, Rocket or Dharma Yoga: which class is right for you?

Vinyasa Flow links each pose to the breath, in creative sequences set to music. Rocket is a strong, vibrant vinyasa sequence that grew out of Ashtanga Yoga, and Dharma Yoga is a classical practice with backbends, inversions, breathwork and deep relaxation. If you are new to yoga, I suggest you start with Vinyasa Flow, but beginners are warmly welcome in all my classes.

The styles at a glance

Vinyasa Flow Yoga

My Vinyasa Flow classes are a series of creative namaskars (salutations, like the sun salutation), lovingly sequenced and choreographed to music. Each pose is guided by the rhythm of your breath, creating a tandava: a graceful dance of breath and movement.

I design each class with a balance of alignment, yoga assists, form and flow. We also practise pranayama (breathwork), yoga philosophy and meditation. We build energy through the body, then come back to stillness at the end. Every class has its own theme, inspired by nature, ancient Indian philosophy or classical yoga texts.

I completed my 200-hour Vinyasa Flow teacher training with Claire Missingham.

Rocket Yoga

The Rocket was created by Larry Schultz (1950 to 2011). Larry studied Ashtanga Yoga in India with Pattabhi Jois for many years. He then rearranged the traditional Ashtanga sequence and modified the poses, so that newer students could practise postures from the advanced series too. The sequences are called the Rocket because "it gets you there faster".

There are three Rocket routines:

• Rocket I is the most accessible for beginners. There is less focus on deep stretches and binds (where you clasp your hands around a leg or behind your back).
• Rocket II adds more backbends, twists and arm balances, for yogis who want more of a challenge.
• Rocket III mixes the first two and adds inversions from the advanced Ashtanga series. Its nickname is "Happy Hour".

The routines are advanced, yet they are open to all levels, because there are plenty of ways to modify each pose. You build your practice step by step and let the body open gently. As Larry said, "You are stronger than you think you are."

I completed my 50-hour Rocket Vinyasa Yoga training with the Progressive Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga School in 2025.

Dharma Yoga

Dharma Yoga was created by Sri Dharma Mittra in New York City. He has taught yoga since 1967, and in 1975 he opened the Yoga Asana Center in New York, known today as the Dharma Yoga Center. His own teacher was Swami Kailashananda, also known as Yogi Gupta. I completed 500 hours of training with Sri Dharma Mittra in New York City.

Dharma Yoga is a classical yet contemporary form of Hatha-Raja Yoga. It is rooted in Indian philosophy and in ahimsa (universal compassion). This graceful, soulful sadhana (practice) brings together dynamic vinyasa and hatha yoga, with beautiful backbends, light inversions and arm balances.

Pranayama (breathwork), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and yoga nidra (deep, guided relaxation) are an essential part of the practice too.

Yin to Bliss

Yin is the slow, quiet side of my teaching. The shapes are held, passive postures. We slow down, become present and let go into each shape.

I teach Yin with the Taoist idea of chi, the same life energy we call prana in Sanskrit. Chi flows through the body in pathways called meridians. Each practice also includes mindful breath awareness, pranayama and meditation. I trained in Yin Yoga with Sarah Lo.

Yin to Bliss is not on my weekly timetable. You can practise it at home, on demand, in the Love Yoga Online Studio. It sits well beside a flowing practice: come to a Vinyasa Flow class in the week, then slow down with Yin at home.

Which should I start with?

Three of my four weekly classes are Vinyasa Flow, Rocket & Dharma Yoga. The Sunday 10.15am class is Vinyasa Flow only.

• New to yoga: start with Vinyasa Flow, on Sunday at 10.15am.
• You want a stronger practice, or you love breathwork and meditation: come to a Vinyasa Flow, Rocket & Dharma Yoga class on Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday at 9am.
• You want a longer class: Tuesday is 90 minutes. The other classes are an hour.
• You want to slow down: try Yin to Bliss on demand.

If you are a complete beginner

Beginners are warmly welcome at Love Yoga classes! I offer plenty of modifications, so you can work at your own level and build your practice step by step.

One of my yogis, Natalia Child, came to Vinyasa Flow as a beginner. She wrote that I explain "every pose and movement in intricate detail".

If you would like to try yoga at home first, the on-demand classes in the Love Yoga Online Studio let you practise at your own pace.

Quick answers

Is vinyasa yoga good for beginners?

Yes. I offer plenty of modifications in every class, so you can go at your own pace. If you are brand new, my Sunday 10.15am Vinyasa Flow class is a good place to start.

What is the difference between vinyasa and hatha yoga?

In vinyasa you move from one pose into the next with the breath, so the class flows. Classes called hatha usually hold each pose for a few breaths, with a pause between poses. Dharma Yoga brings elements of both together.

What is power yoga?

Power yoga is a common name for a strong, dynamic style of vinyasa. I do not teach a class called power yoga. If that is what you are looking for, try Rocket, a vibrant vinyasa sequence based on Ashtanga.

Can I practise both yin and vinyasa yoga?

Yes. Vinyasa Flow moves with the breath, and Yin to Bliss is slow, with poses held for longer. With the £50 or £35 Love Yoga Online Membership you can come to class in person and practise Yin on demand at home.

Class times and booking

All my classes are at The Tree Room, 12 Trinity Street, Colchester CO1 1JN.

• Tuesday, 7.30 to 9pm: Vinyasa Flow, Rocket & Dharma Yoga, £12
• Wednesday, 7.45 to 8.45pm: Vinyasa Flow, Rocket & Dharma Yoga, £10
• Sunday, 9 to 10am: Vinyasa Flow, Rocket & Dharma Yoga, £10
• Sunday, 10.15 to 11.15am: Vinyasa Flow Yoga, £10

Book a month of classes in advance and you receive a Love Yoga discount. Call me on 07377 917475 or book a class here. You can also see all class times and details.

Can't make it to class? The Wednesday and both Sunday classes are also live on Zoom, and the Love Yoga Online Studio has over eighty on-demand classes. Membership is £50 a month for unlimited in-person, livestream and on-demand classes, £35 a month for one in-person class plus livestream and on-demand classes, or £20 a month when you join with a friend.