SwimWorld’s Director, Anna Loypur, says swoga not only help to improve the way you move – but help you re-calibrate and find your zen after a testing two years.
A lot of people say that yoga and swimming are two things you should never give up on – but what happens when you combine the two?
Of all disciplines, arguably yoga has been prone to the most ‘mash up’ classes. I am sure you can name a bunch of weird and wonderful classes that have trended over the years – from goat yoga, aerial yoga, SUP yoga, doga and even slackline yoga.
While all a bit of fun, many of these hybrids don’t really add any extra benefits to yoga’s positive impact on your physical health and mental wellbeing.
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Following an incredibly challenging and trying year – especially so for mums and dads juggling home-schooling and work – this swim school decided to unite the benefits of swimming and yoga and create a new class, carefully structured to help our community relax, recharge and restore harmony and balance in their lives.
What is Swoga and why was it created?
The new “Swoga” class, which we’ve named Aqua e Vita begins with dry land meditation and relaxation before entering the pool for a distinct yoga flow sequence and mindful swimming experience.
Now, you may be wondering why we decided to do this. Well, we were hearing from our clients that months of lockdowns and homeschooling their children made it especially difficult to take the time-out needed to introspectively reflect and relax.
Aqua e Vita was developed to encourage those who have been stuck at home, to ease their way back into life gently, through a guided fusion of mindfulness and movement that capitalises on the health benefits of weightlessness, buoyancy, and joint encapsulation through water.
What can I expect from a Swoga class?
It is so important to start the class off with a meditation to totally free your mind from stress and other distractions. Then, when you are feeling calm and collected, you can then move through the poses underwater – working different muscles than you would on land with minimal impact.
We also recommend to finish the class with ‘meaningful connection time’, where our students can reflect on the experience with each other and enjoy a well-deserved refreshment.
How should ‘Swoga’ be structured?
A 20-minute opening is composed of:
- Dry guided mindfulness, self-compassion & relaxation: To respect and honour body, mind, soul and understand our human existence. It’s about being good to yourself; this is your moment in your day. Incorporating Pranayama to connect with the life energy that is the breath.
- Preparation and entry into the pool: A mindful practice of being present in everyday life.
The 20-minute water segment is composed of:
- In-pool joint rotations: To mindfully prepare the body for movement.
- In-pool yoga Asana: Physical practice of yoga including standing postures for empowerment and balance posture for focus. A time to re-engage your inner strength. This practice prepares your body and mind for mindful swimming.
- Mindful swimming: Incorporating all that has been practised into a mindful swimming experience.
The end is composed of:
- Mindful connection: Meet in the café for a refreshment of your choice and connect with others from your class.
Anna Loypur is the Director at SwimWorld, a swimming school in Melbourne’s Glen Waverly that caters for children from 4 months old and up, as well as adults who may be a beginner, or want to improve their technique and endurance. Follow SwimWorld on Instagram and Facebook for more updates on swoga.
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