ABOUT YOGA

Heaven on Earth Yoga Classes

Hatha Flow

Heaven on Earth Yoga Classes

Savasana

Heaven on Earth Yoga Classes

Restorative yoga

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. ~ Helen Keller

Gentle Slow Therapeutic Yoga Poses - Karen Claffey 2026.

Seated Tree Pose for Pelvic Floor

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga in 2026

Therapeutic Pose for Sciatic Nerve Release

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga 2026

Lymphatic Drainage Sequence

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga 2026

Spinal Release Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar

Karen Claffey -Heaven on Earth Yoga 2026

Butterfly Pose on the Wall for Hormonal Balance

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga 2026

Child Pose Supported

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga 2026

Restorative Yoga Pose

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga 2026.

Advanced Yoga Poses - Karen Claffey and students circa 2003 to 2007.

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga in 2003

Vishvamitrasana

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga in 2005

1 Legged Danurasana

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga in 2005

Flying Pigeon

Karen Claffey -Heaven on Earth Yoga in 2005

Vasisthasana

Karen Claffey - Heaven on Earth Yoga in 2005

Heaven on Earth Experienced Yogis

Karen assisting student in Danurasana ll - Heaven on Earth Yoga 2006

Heaven-on-Earth Advanced Yoga Class

Students in Hand Stand - Heaven on Earth Yoga 2007.

Posture in Sanskrit is 'asana' meaning ‘pausing in steadiness,’ 'moving into stillness,' and 'sitting quietly.'

The physical Hatha Yoga postures commonly practiced today were described in yoga texts, including the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, between the 5th and 15th centuries. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika portrays each pose as a means to address different health issues; for example: a seated twist to improve the spine and digestion.

Images and text below from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika:

Though this is a steady sitting position, it affects the whole body. Pranashakti is directed in a particular manner suitable for meditation. The nadis (meridians) at the back of the legs are stimulated. These nadis carry energy to centers in the spinal column and the energy is distributed from there. When you sit in any meditative pose you are stimulating the main nadis.

The sciatic nerve is gently massaged influencing the lumbar region.

The abdominal muscles are also influenced and the inner body temperature is affected.
Swatmarama does not forget to state that the body should be straight,
i.e. in alignment. This is of prime importance in any asana practice. For
meditation it is essential that the spinal column is straight so that
nervous impulses can pass freely to the brain. Furthermore, the main nadi, sushumna, is situated within the spinal cord and the impulses must also be able to run straight up this nadi when the energy wants to rise. If you bend or lean to one side, either ida or pingala will be suppressed and the other will become predominant. The aim is to activate sushumna, therefore, the body must be in alignment and in a balanced position so there is no blockage to the flow of prana.
The symbol of the swastika represents fertility, creativity and auspiciousness.

Padmasana specifically balances prana, and siddhasana maintainsblood pressure and balances both the pranic and mental forces. Padmasana is the ‘destroyer of disease.’ It brings about changes in themetabolic structure and brain patterns and this helps create balance in thewhole system. Like siddhasana, it also presses and stimulates theacupuncture meridians of the stomach, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys andliver. Perfect functioning of these organs is essential for good health.

Dhanurasana is very important for stimulating the solar plexus. It regulates the digestive, eliminatory and reproductive organs, massages the liver and pancreas and is therefore useful for yogic management of diabetes. The kidneys are stimulated and the whole alimentary canal is toned. By lying on the diaphragm with the arms stretched back, the heart is given a gentle massage and, because the chest is fully expanded in this posture, its useful in the treatment of various chest ailments. It stimulates and regulates the endocrine glands, particularly the thyroid and adrenal glands, and it induces production of cortisone. The backward bend of the spine adjusts the vertebral column, straightening a hunched back and drooping shoulders. It is also recommended for treating certain types of rheumatism. Dhanurasana helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and also to correct female infertility, if the cause is not due to deformity of the reproductive organs themselves.

Power Yoga aka Vinyasa Yoga, or Vinyasa Flow was originally taught in the early 1900's to young boys, as part of their wrestling program. Krishnamacharya is credited with the art of linking movement with breath. However, his teaching style was strict and punishing.

Doing Yoga brings health and lightness of body, and a pleasant posture, and produces mental equilibrium and steadiness.

A balanced practice involving a variety of asanas exercise every muscle, nerve and gland in the body – offering profound healing benefits, as well as strength and suppleness.

The names of asanas are significant as they illustrate the process of evolution, or the varieties of species on the Earth. Some are named after the plant kingdom – tree (vrksa) and lotus padma); some after insects – locust (salabha) and scorpion (vrschika); some after aquatic animals – fish (matsya), tortoise (kurma), frog (bheka) or the crocodile (nakra). There are asanas named after birds – cock (kukkuta), the heron (baka), the peacock (mayura) and the swan (hamsa). Mamals have inspired asanas – dog (svana), horse ( vatayana), camal (ustra), and lion (simha). Crawling creatures are included – serpent, or cobra (bhujanga); and legendary heroes – Virabhadra (warrior) and Hanuman, son of the wind. Sages are remembered – Bharadvaja, Kapila, Vasistha and Visvamitra; as are Hindu Gods, and Avataras, or creations of divine power. By assuming these many forms - a great variety of creatures, from insects to perfect Sages – the same Universal Spirit breathes equally through all. By recognizing that the highest form is that of the Formless, the yogi finds unity in universality.

Benefits of a regular Yoga practice

Hatha

Strengthens and tones the body
Improves flexibility and circulation
Increases stamina
Calms the mind down by inviting us to synchronise movement with breath
Removes tension and obstacles in the body to allow breath and prana to flow

Gentle Stretching & Yin Yoga

Gentle stretching has been scientifically studied and proven effective in reducing anxiety, depression, metabolic syndrome, chronic pain, and a variety of other dis-eases.

Stimulates the meridians (energy channels) bringing balance to the organs in the body
Improves flexibility and joint mobility
Calms and balances the mind and body
Reduces stress and anxiety
Works deeply on the connective tissues
Can prepare the practitioner for meditation practice

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga taps into the parasympathetic nervous system; the branch of the NS responsible for “rest and digest”, and turns off the sympathetic NS “fight or flight” branch which is the state most of us in this high-speed, super-stimulated, tech-distracted,
stressed-out world are living in! Tapping into the parasympathetic nervous system is ideal because this is when our body is in healing mode; allowing our body to rest, digest and relax.

Benefits include:

Improved memory and mental clarity
Enhanced mood states
Superior sleep quality
Boosting of the immune system with improved capacity for healing and homeostasis
Increased flexibility due to release of muscle tension.
Gentle yoga practices also foster qualities of compassion and acceptance toward self and others.

Click for PDF Yoga Poses including photos, benefits, precautions, instructions; and therapeutic applications.