What does the practice involve?
Long holds classes in Madrid
Postures are held for extended periods.
1 studio · 3 facilitators
Practice coverage updated Oct 30, from connected schedules for the next two weeks. Schedules refresh separately.
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Long holds in Madrid
Long holds in Madrid are slow, quiet classes where postures are kept for minutes rather than seconds. The practice draws on yin yoga, and most of the classes take place in the evening in Trafalgar. Expect an hour of stillness, deep stretching and a steady focus on release.
Where to start: Casa Kavi - Yoga, Movimiento, & Café in Trafalgar
It suits you if
- you want to wind down after work
- you prefer stillness over fast movement
- you want to stretch slowly and deeply
At a glance
1studios
3facilitators
Read more about Long holds in MadridWhat a long hold practice is, How the classes run in Madrid, Who the practice suits
What a long hold practice is
Long holds are built around postures kept for a long time, often one and a half to two minutes in the yin classes. The aim is not strength or speed. The body is given time to settle into each shape, so the stretch can reach deeper tissue and the mind can slow along with it.
The most common style is yin yoga, which appears in nearly all the classes. Some classes move through the body's fascia and its long lines of connection, while others draw on ideas from Chinese medicine and pair them with a gentle sequence. Yin and yang balance and hatha appear in a smaller share of the classes.
How the classes run in Madrid
Most long hold classes in Madrid are in the evening, with starts between 7:15pm and 8:40pm. Classes are typically an hour long. Nearly all are taught in English, and the busiest days are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
The classes are concentrated in one place. Casa Kavi - Yoga, Movimiento, & Café in Trafalgar hosts most of them, with a handful of facilitators leading the practice. The rest of the city has few long hold options in this period, so the Trafalgar studio is where to start.
Who the practice suits
Long holds suit anyone who wants a slow practice at the end of the day. Nearly all the classes are described as calm and focused on release, and about a third are open to all levels, so a newcomer can join without prior experience. The emphasis on flexibility and joint mobility makes the practice a good fit for people who want to move more freely.
The practice may be less suited to those looking for vigorous movement or a fast pace. Most of the classes ask for stillness, and the holds can feel long if you are used to a more active style.
Long holds in Madrid: questions and answers
When do most long hold classes in Madrid start?
Most of the long holds in Madrid sit in the evening. The classes start between 7:15pm and 8:40pm, which suits anyone who wants to slow down after work.
Are the long hold classes in English?
Yes. Nearly all the classes are taught in English, so the language is not a barrier for most visitors and newcomers.
What style of long hold do the classes use?
Yin is the style that stands out most. Its postures are held for a long time, often around one and a half to two minutes, and the classes focus on the connective tissue and the body's long lines.
How long is a long hold class?
The classes are about an hour long. Each one moves slowly through a sequence of postures held for a long time, with the emphasis on stillness, time and release.
Where can I find long hold classes in Madrid?
Casa Kavi - Yoga, Movimiento, & Café in Trafalgar is where most of the long hold classes take place. Its schedule holds the classes that the guide describes as calm and restorative.
Is a long hold class good for beginners?
Nearly all the classes are described as calm and restorative, and about a third are open to all levels. Several are gentle enough to suit someone who is new to yoga, though a few are pitched at more experienced practitioners.
Who leads the long hold classes?
Only a few facilitators teach these classes. Alicia Nieto, Paula Petricca, Severine Han and Beatriz García have the most classes, and each brings a slightly different focus to the long hold practice.
Why do people practice long holds?
Most people choose these classes to stretch, release tension and wind down. Many also come for the feeling of rest the postures leave behind, which can help with sleep.