What does the practice involve?
Long holds classes in Ericeira
Postures are held for extended periods.
See upcoming classes and the studios that offer them.
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Coming up
Wednesday 4 November
Friday 6 November
Where to find it
Long holds in Ericeira
Long holds in Ericeira means yin yoga, a practice where poses are kept for several minutes at a time. The classes are slow and grounded, and most of them begin in the late morning. Ericeira keeps this style at the center of its movement scene, so the practice feels consistent from one studio to the next.
Where to start: Shasha Yoga & Movement in Ericeira or The Organic Way : Cafe | Cantina | Mercearia | Studio | Sauna | in Ericeira
It suits you if
- you prefer slow, floor-based practice
- you like morning classes before the day starts
- you want a calm class open to every level
Read more about Long holds in EriceiraWhat a long hold feels like, Where and when to practice, Who leads and who it suits
What a long hold feels like
Yin yoga asks you to stay in a shape without pushing into it. The poses are passive, and the aim is to let gravity and time do the work. Over the course of a 75-minute class, the muscles soften and the connective tissue has space to lengthen.
Most classes are calm and restorative in feeling, with some offering a sense of release. A smaller number focus on flexibility. The mix suits anyone who wants to slow down rather than build strength or speed.
Where and when to practice
Shasha Yoga & Movement and The Organic Way are the two studios with the most classes here. The Organic Way is a larger space that combines a cafe, cantina, studio and sauna, so a class can sit inside a wider day out. Shasha Yoga & Movement keeps its focus on the movement itself.
Both studios run their yin classes mostly in the morning, with the 11:45am start the most common. Five Element Yin Yoga appears at both, bringing the element and meridian ideas into the practice.
Who leads and who it suits
The classes are led by Lies Okkerse, Nina Dâmaso and Anna Kozics, who teach most of the sessions on this page. Because the group is small, you can get a sense of each facilitator's approach over a few weeks.
The classes are open to all levels, so you do not need to arrive with flexibility or experience. Passive holds ask you to listen to your body, which is the same skill that helps a first-timer feel at home.
Long holds in Ericeira: questions and answers
What kind of class is long holds in Ericeira?
Yin in Ericeira is a slow, floor-based practice. Poses are held for extended periods, usually around 75 minutes, so the body has time to soften into each shape. Nearly every class on the page is a yin class, and most are described as calm and restorative.
When do most people practice?
Most classes start in the morning, and the busiest start time is 11:45am. Nearly all of the classes fall before midday, with none in the evening or on weekends. Wednesday and Friday are the days when the most classes run.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes. Most of the classes are open to all levels, so a first session does not need any prior experience. Holding a shape for a long time is quieter than a flowing class, which makes it a gentle place to begin.
Which studios teach these classes?
Two studios stand out: The Organic Way, which combines a cafe, cantina, studio and sauna, and Shasha Yoga & Movement. Both are in Ericeira and both offer yin classes of about 75 minutes.
Who leads the classes?
The classes are led by a small group of facilitators. Lies Okkerse, Nina Dâmaso and Anna Kozics teach the most classes on the page, and their sessions are the ones to look at if you want a steady rhythm of practice.
What makes one class different from another?
Many of the classes are built around releasing tension and creating a sense of calm. Five Element Yin Yoga takes a different route, drawing on Traditional Chinese Medicine ideas about the elements and meridians alongside the long holds, which gives those sessions a more reflective feel.