The functional approach to Yoga and movement works with the fact that your body is uniquely shaped and constructed, from fascia, tendons, ligaments and muscles, to bones and everything in between.

With the practice you are encouraged to adapt postures and movement to your body. Your unique differences, abilities and natural limitations are acknowledged as part of the practice so that your body flourishes from movement that suits it down to the little toe.

The experience of moving with your body and not against it provides for more freedom, not only physically but mentally and beyond, as you slowly move from resistance to acceptance, and find a natural flow within yourself.

Read about how I moved into Functional Yoga

Yin Yoga, also a form of Functional Yoga, works at a much deeper level in the connective tissue of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, joints and bones), and also the energy channels within the body called the meridians.

The practice is mostly floor-based, using poses that are held for a long period of time. On a physical level it works to shift stress toxins, tension and tightness out of the tissues. On an energetic level, the practice helps to regulate the flow of chi throughout the body, including within the internal organs.

Yin Yoga is a practice of surrender. It's very reflective and meditative, offering practitioners a deeply releasing and balancing experience for the whole being - body, mind and soul.

Restorative Yoga, also a form of Functional Yoga, encourages "being" and not "doing"...

A floor-based practice which uses props to support the body. Poses are held for a long period of time to encourage deep relaxation and complete rest for the body. With this level of support, the deep rest experienced by the body can gently filter into the mind and emotions, helping to ease stress, mental tension and anxiety.

Restorative Yoga is a gentle and nurturing practice that has very calming and healing benefits.

Mindful Movement has at its heart a continuous connection to the body.

Aligning with the same principles of Restorative Yoga, Mindful Movement encourages "being" with the movement, rather than focusing on "doing" the movement. My Mindful Movement practices are inspired by Yoga. However, the practice itself can be any type of movement, as long as the "mindful" connection with the body is maintained.

Whether standing or floor-based, the practice is very freeing, allowing for free expression of the movement according to the body which is working with it. This is also a way of moving functionally to ensure that the movement is always adapted to suit the individual body.

If you'd like to delve deeper into what inspires my personal practice, whether it's going back to the early days of Yoga with philosophy texts, or exploring how practices have evolved to incorporate the amazing world of human anatomy, I have listed a few personal favourites below for you.

YOGA PHILOSOPHY:

Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison

The Bhagavad Gita, A Walkthrough for Westerners, Jack Hawley

The Heart of Yoga, T.K.V. Desikachar

The Upanishads

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Sri Swami Satchidananda

RESTORATIVE YOGA:

Relax and Renew, Judith Hanson Lasater

Restorative Yoga for Life, Gail Boorstein Grossman

YIN YOGA:

The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga, Bernie Clark

FUNCTIONAL YOGA ANATOMY:

Your Body, Your Yoga, Bernie Clark

https://paulgrilley.com/bones, Paul Grilley