About my classes
The studio is a calm and luxurious space, come and restore your body, mind and spirit. I have gentle lighting, candles and music to help you relax and have the most peaceful replenishing experience.
YOGA CLASSES
Which yoga is right for me?
I teach the following types of yoga within my home studio classes
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Restorative
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Yin
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Slow Flow vinyasa
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Hatha Yoga
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Chair yoga
Restorative
This is a deeply relaxing form of yoga, with only gentle stretching, no balancing and very little movement as each pose is enjoyed for 5 to 8 minutes. You’re body is fully supported by bolsters and blankets and this is a passive form of yoga where the body is not being worked - deeply relaxing.
Yin
Many people haven’t heard of Yin, it’s an ancient practice that follows the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. It focuses on the meridians or energy pathways that run through the body, stretching them and stimulating them. Typically a pose in yin is held for 2 to 6 minutes and is mainly down on the mat. Bolsters and blocks are very handy to help you in yin practice as you find your ‘edge’; stretching enough to challenge yourself but not too much. This is art and really teaches us to listen to our body to find a balance between effort and ease.
Hatha & Relaxation Yoga
This is classical yoga with asanas (poses) that engage strength, balance and flexibility - delivered more slowly than flowing vinyasa but still utilising the breath to coordinate with movements. I incorporate elements of restorative yoga to bring you deeply into relaxation. My Hatha class* for seniors, is designed to be all inclusive and can accommodate seated yoga for anyone who would like to enjoy yoga this way.
*I hold a Hatha class on a Wednesday morning and it is aimed at seniors who want to take things gently whilst challenging themselves as much as they feel comfortable with
My classes are a blend
My classes tend to combine two types of yoga. This is a really enjoyable yoga experience, especially if you want to do some movement but want to enjoy being still too. I start with the more physically challenging version and end with the most relaxing one. I always integrate some breath work and Yoga Nidra which is a guided body scan to help you enter a meditative state. My hypnotherapy training is a handy skill for delivering meditation and relaxation within my yoga classes.
Vinyasa
Unfortunately my studio gets a bit warm when dynamic vinyasa is being practised, I don’t teach power flow at home, but I do incorporate slow flow vinyasa into my classes especially at the start of a class to warm up the muscles and joints and bring you into the yoga zone. There are balance poses that require strength and flexible poses that challenge your bendiness. Whatever your level, everybody can enjoy slow vinyasa and for me, one of the most amazing aspects to this practice is the coordination of the breath as you flow between poses. You may have heard of sun salutations, my slow vinyasa teaching will always include these and they’re one of the best bits!
FAQs
Do I need to bring equipment to the yoga studio?
You don’t need to bring anything at all, unless you would like to. We supply luxury mats, buckwheat bolsters, round padded bolsters, blocks, straps, blankets, pillows and eye coverings - all here ready for you. We have comfy chairs for those wising to partake of chair based yoga in the Wednesday morning Hatha class. We wipe our surfaces and launder our coverings to ensure they are fresh and clean ready for you to use.
What should I wear?
I'm personally most comfortable in a pair of sports leggings and top. As long as you can move and you won't get too hot, anything comfy and supportive is fine. It's good to have a hoodie or a jumper handy for the final resting pose at the end of the class to keep you warm. We do yoga bare footed - if you want to wear socks make sure they’re proper yoga socks with grippy soles.
Studio Etiquette
In the yoga studio it is a quiet and peaceful environment. We do sometimes have a little giggle and a sense of humour but generally it is a calm place to be where everyone quietly practises to their level and can come to a place of mental stillness.
Can I go early and miss the relaxation?
This is the most important part of the class when everything you have done is integrated and the body and mind come together in true restoration. So I’m a bit strict about dashing off! It also disturbs the atmosphere for the others so wherever possible I would ask that the class environment is respected.
Inclusivity
I am very passionate about inclusivity - it’s a precious thing to me and I warmly invite all to my classes. If you or your loved one needs a little more support or has special needs all you need to do is talk to me and let me know - probably best ahead of the class so I can prepare and get thing right for you.
After many years of caring for patients, I understand health conditions and I’m used to supporting the hard of hearing and visually impaired as well as people living with coordination difficulties, dementia or those who are neuro-atypical. Send me a message and get in touch. Yoga is for everyone.
All of my classes whether in studio or online are run with care and I want you to be no-one but yourself, and to feel you are very welcome, because you are!