Welcome to Serenity Yoga

Overview



Yoga has been my passion for more than 30 years and I have been sharing yoga through teaching since 1998.  I hold a  Turiya Yoga Teaching Diploma and Senior Teacher Registration with Yoga Australia.

I endeavour to combine elements of Turiya’s classical teachings and westernised approach in a very down-to-earth and relaxed style. Wherever possible I try to explain the purpose of practices in terms of both the physical and mental benefits and hopefully “de-mystify” yoga.

Students are encouraged to practice only within the boundaries of what is comfortable and suitable for them and the oft-repeated golden rule is “If it hurts, don’t do it!” While specific verbal instructions are given, I do not physically manipulate students in positions. Students are encouraged to simply do what feels comfortable and to make whatever adjustments are necessary in a pose.  A gentle, sensitive and mindful approach is encouraged and Serenity Yoga can cater for many different ages and fitness levels.

I utilise joint conditioning movements, traditional yoga stretches and poses, breathing exercises and a wide variety of meditation and relaxation practices. I also use Kum Nye exercises from Tibetan Buddhist tradition and  practices from the Chinese Chi Kung tradition which I have studied for a number of years.

A typical 90 minute class consists of a brief period of relaxation at the start of the class to settle the heart rate and respiration rate.
Then a series of joint-conditioning practices are used as warm-up and preparation, followed by traditional yoga poses and sequences.
The last 30 minutes of the class are used for 10-15 minutes of seated meditation followed by 15-20 minutes of supine relaxation.

If you are a new student you should complete at least one term of Beginner classes even if you have done yoga before. There are many different styles of yoga and even within a particular style there is a huge diversity of teaching approaches. The verbal instructions and written handouts supplied during the Beginner term provide valuable background information which will help you get the most out of classes. The Beginner classes also provide an opportunity to learn practice sequences commonly used in the Intermediate classes so that students can practice with a minimum of instruction. The meditation and relaxation times are shorter in the Beginner classes which allows you to adjust to my voice and style of instruction and provides you with an opportunity to gradually develop your meditation and relaxation skills to the point where you are comfortable with the longer periods of meditation and relaxation used in the Intermediate classes. The Beginner term also gives me time to get to know you, and any physical challenges you may have, and to suggest how you might tailor practices to better suit your needs. You are welcome to attend your first class on a trial basis to determine whether the style of yoga I teach is suitable for you and then pay for the term only if you decide to continue.

I would love to see you at Serenity Yoga!

Bernadette Puglisi 

Timetable

Term 2, 2024
22nd April - 26th June

Enrolments for Term 2, 2024 are now open.
Intermediate Yoga classes are only open to those who have completed at least one Beginner Term at Serenity Yoga or those who have a background in Turiya Yoga.
New students will only be accepted in the Gentle Yoga class.
Unless otherwise advised classes will be run on public holidays. 

Bookings are required for all classes.


Gentle Yoga

Monday: 10:00-11:00am

Recommended for seniors, those with mobility issues or those who just prefer a more gentle style of yoga.


Beginners Yoga

None scheduled this term

Intermediate Yoga

Monday: 6:30-8:00pm

Tuesday: 10:00-11:30am 

Tuesday: 6:30-8:00pm

Wednesday: 10:00-11:30am 


FAQ



Can I try a class?
I offer all new students the chance to attend their first class as a free trial. There are so many different types of yoga and it can be hard to find what you want so come and try a class in the first three weeks of a term – but bookings are required as class numbers are limited.

Can I join a class at any time?
Not at the Beginner yoga level. Classes are run in terms and the Beginners classes are intended to provide an introduction to all the basics needed for moving into an Intermediate yoga class. New students need to start in the first three weeks of a term so they don’t miss too much of the groundwork. Students who have attended Serenity Yoga or Turiya Yoga classes in the past may re-enrol at any level at any time. Students who have attended other forms of yoga are advised to attend one Beginner term to become familiar with the Turiya style (discuss with Bernadette). Those wishing to attend Gentle Yoga classes may start at any time but again, bookings are required.

I’ve done yoga before – can I join an Intermediate class?
As mentioned above, I prefer new people to start at the beginning. There are so many different styles of yoga that you may find a new style to be completely different to what you have done in the past. Although I have been practising yoga for more than 30 years now, if I were to attend another style I would want to start at the Beginner level because you never know what you don’t know! If you do just one term of Beginners then you and I both know that you have the necessary background and safety information.

How long do I need to stay in Beginner level classes?
New students only need to attend one term of Beginner level classes. The Beginner Term is designed to be a ten-week introduction to yoga in general and specifically to Turiya Yoga. It is important to attend all (or most) of the classes in the Beginner Term to cover the introductory material and receive all the handouts which provide more information. Upon completion of the Beginner Term you can then either repeat it in the following term if you wish, or if you feel comfortable with the format of classes and the material covered, you can move into the Intermediate classes – it’s up to you. The Intermediate classes follow the same format as the Beginner classes but are on-going in nature, with new material being introduced on a regular basis.

Do I need to bring anything?
Ideally, you should bring your own mat, blanket, cushion etc.  however, I do have spare equipment available if you forget yours.  You should also bring a water bottle.

What do I wear?
Clothes designed to stretch such as gym or track suit pants and t-shirts. In cooler weather it is advisable to wear layers so that you can rug up during the meditation and relaxation elements and peel off during the physical elements.

I have a back injury – can I do yoga?
That will depend on the type and severity of the injury however I have many students with various back conditions that have found yoga very helpful. Where certain postures are too difficult I can usually recommend an alternative practice and you will always be encouraged to only do what feels comfortable.

I’m pregnant – can I do yoga?
Not at Serenity Yoga unless you are an existing student in the first trimester of pregnancy and this is not your first pregnancy. There are many risks to be considered when undertaking a new exercise regime when you are pregnant.  I encourage pregnant women to seek out an antenatal yoga class as that will be designed specifically for your needs.


News & Events

Due to family commitments I will not be running any Beginner yoga classes for the forseeable future.  Previous students will be accepted in any class (where spaces are available) but new students will only be accepted in the Gentle Yoga class.  



Term  2     22nd April - 26th June (10 weeks)  
  





Warm-up Videos

Vidoes are only available to existing or past students - a password is required. Please contact Bernadette to obtain access.

Seated Warm-ups

Standing Warm-ups

Supine Warm-ups

Asana Videos

Vidoes are only available to existing or past students - a password is required. Please contact Bernadette to obtain access.

Asana Week 1

Asana Week 2

Asana Week 3

Asana Week 4

Asana Week 5

Asana Week 6

Asana Week 7

Asana Week 8 

 Asana Week 9

Asana Week 10

Fragrant Chi Kung

Hand Magic

Exploring Techniques 1

Exploring Techniques 2

Exploring Techniques 3

Chakra Sequence

Meditation/Relaxation Videos

Vidoes are only available to existing or past students - a password is required. Please contact Bernadette to obtain access.

Meditation & Relaxation Week 1 

Meditation & Relaxation Week 2

Meditation & Relaxation Week 3

Meditation & Relaxation Week 4 

Meditation & Relaxation Week 5

Meditation & Relaxation Week 6

Meditation & Relaxation Week 7 

Meditation & Relaxation Week 8

Meditation & Relaxation Week 9

Meditation & Relaxation Week 10 

The Journey Meditation

The Inner Smile Meditation

The Space of Peaceful Stillness

Meditation

The Breath in Your Hands


Chakra Meditation and

Relaxation

Coordinating Consciousness

Ocean of Space Meditation

Philosophy Videos

Vidoes are only available to existing or past students - a password is required. Please contact Bernadette to obtain access.

The Koshas

The Yamas and Niyamas

Fees

The following information applies to in-person classes only. For information on video classes please contact Bernadette.
There are two payment options for classes.
You can elect to pay either by the term or casual (per class).
Casual students are not guaranteed a place and will only be accepted in a class if there is sufficient space available as priority will be given to term-paying students.
The term fee entitles you to one class per week.  The amount of the fee varies from term to term depending on the number of weeks in the term but it equates to $15.00 per 90-minute class and $12.00 per 60-minute class. The term fee must be paid by the second week of the term.
The casual fee is $20 per 90-minute class  and $15 per 60-minute class.
You can pay by EFT or, by cash at classes (sorry, no card facilities and no cheques).

Bookings are required for all classes. Fees below relate to Term 2, 2024.

YOGA

90 minute class

 $150 (10-week term) or $20 per class (casual)


GENTLE YOGA (Monday 10am)

60 minute class

 $120 (10-week term) or $15 per class (casual)


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