Yoga
I teach hatha yoga, yin yoga, yoga for pregnancy and chair-based yoga to groups and one to one
In all my yoga sessions there are certain principles I work with, regardless of the style of yoga:
Connecting and moving with the breath
Being mindful of movements and allowing space for relaxation.
Inclusive yoga - I’m committed to physical and social accessibility in yoga and believe in HAES (health at every size).
Every body has the potential to be a yoga body and will be welcomed on to the mat (or chair) regardless of age, fitness level or identity.
Below you’ll find descriptions so you know what to expect before you attend a group class, and can decide which would suit you.
Please note: If you’d like me to teach at your workplace or a private event please get in touch.
Yoga
In general group classes I teach mindful movement.
The yoga practice is fluid and functional, slow and precise. The breath leads the movement. The body gently stretches and strengthens.
In class you will breathe and move, letting the breath lead the movement, keeping attention on the body, the inhale, the exhale, bring the mind back to the body. I don’t ask students to move particularly quickly but we do repeat movements and build strength (gently); I focus on the core and the spine as the centre of the body; you will lengthen your limbs and muscles but not overstretch.
I aim to bring a sense of grounding and balance.
I always move the body within our pain-free range; we repeat these movements and sometimes remain static and we (hopefully) find a stillness in the mind.
The practice can be adapted to your needs along the way - this is viniyoga.
We might start by standing and end by lying for a moment of relaxation and to mark the time between practicing yoga and re-entering the world.
On studio schedules these classes are labelled slow flow, mindful movement, Hatha yoga or (simply) yoga.
Yin Yoga
In yin yoga we move towards stillness.
The practice is, on the whole floor based and done sitting, lying and kneeling, with the very occasional standing pose.
Poses are held for 2-7 minutes to impact the fascia - deep connective tissue. We observe bodily sensations, turn the attention inwards and, as always, pay attention to the breath.
The use of props is very much encouraged in yin yoga.
Be generous towards yourself - when lying down support your knees with a bolster or rolled up blanket, the back of your head with a blanket. Supports and props allow us to reduce discomfort and therefore distractions, so we can focus on stilling the mind.
I trained with Norman Blair but I bring my own flavour to yin yoga.
In keeping with all my classes, I focus on the breath, adapting and embodying the practice. In my yin classes there may be more movement than you find in others.
Pregnancy Yoga
Classes for those during pregnancy are tailored to support the body, mind and spirit as you change throughout the weeks before giving birth. It’s also a chance for you to meet other pregnant people and to share experiences.
In these classes we practice in circles or semi-cirlces rather than rows. There’s an opportunity to tell everyone how many weeks pregnant you are and how you’re feeling.
I trained to include pregnant students in my regular classes during my yoga therapy training in 2011 and took further training with Uma Dinsmore Tuli in 2017.
During pregnancy I advise taking a yoga class specifically tailored to those who are pregnant to allow you to receive the most appropriate and best support.
Pregnancy yoga is such a wonderful practice that it’s almost unfair it’s only for pregnant people!
I trained for five years in yoga therapy and firmly believe that yoga should be adapted to suit your needs.
You, the student, are central to this practice.
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