Yoga Classes
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Gentle Hatha Slow Flow
For anyone who would like a slower, gentler practice.
Monday 10.10am - 11.25am (75 mins) St. John’s ARC, Market Street, Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0AJ
Mondays 3.15pm - 4.30pm (75 mins) Yoga in Life Studio, 15a Brook Road, Sawbridgeworth, Herts CM21 9HA
Tuesdays 8.45am - 10am (75 mins) Yoga in Life Studio, 15a Brook Road, Sawbridgeworth, Herts CM21 9HA
Prices - classes are in courses of 4-6 weeks. Price is £12 per class bookable by the block.
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Chair Yoga
For seniors and anyone managing chronic illness or dealing with pain or fatigue.
Approximately 50 mins of yoga postures, breathing and relaxation; followed by Sangha (community) time with tea or coffee and a chat.
Mondays 11.45am and 1.10pm St. John’s ARC, Market Street, Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0AJ.
£9 per class bookable by the course
Tuesdays 10.30am High Wych Memorial Hall, High Wych, Sawbridgeworth, Herts CM21 0HZ
£8 per class bookable by the course.
Classes are in courses of usually 4-6 weeks.
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Beginners Yoga
Learn the basics in a small class where you can be assured of personal attention.
Tuesdays 1.30pm - 2.30pm (60 mins) Yoga in Life Studio, 15a Brook Road, Sawbridgeworth, Herts CM21 9HA
Price - classes are in courses of 4-6 weeks. Price is £12 per class bookable by the block.
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Yin
Slower, deeper more meditative style of yoga. Suitable for students who may have a separate Yang style of practice and looking to take their yoga deeper by spending time at their edge in stillness. Other benefits include bringing balance to their practice with a focus on their joints and fascia; to release energy blockages, or benefit their nervous system and relieve stress and anxiety.
Mat based class. If you are interested but unsure if this practice is for you, call me for more information.
Last Tuesday of the month 7pm (75 mins) Yoga in Life Studio, 15a Brook Road, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9HA
£15 per class
1. Yoga makes you feel better
You will always feel better after a yoga class - it's a simple as that - but it's important to choose the right class, and to pick the right class you need to know a bit about yoga. Pick a class for your level and approach it with an open mind and you will feel better, different, more open, present and happier. My Introduction to Yoga course will include aspects of different yoga styles to start your yoga journey.
2. Yoga makes your body stronger, more supple and healthy
Practicing yoga over time increases our flexibility, mobility and range of movement. We become more aware of our posture, our strength increases, and our balance improves. Hatha is at the root of most styles of yoga and provides the full range of benefits, however the amount of strength, flexibility and suppleness will depend upon the style of yoga you choose.
3. Yoga helps you quieten your mind and to feel calm
By focusing attention on the alignment of the pose, timing the movement with the breath, or practicing breathwork or mediation techniques, we help to keep your mind on what's happening now. Practicing mindfully helps us to stop thinking about other things and concentrate on being present in our practice. It is a great way to get out of your head and into your body.
4. Yoga helps you to stay focused
Because your mind will be quieter and clutter-free it is easier to direct your energy to where you want it to go. Yoga helps us to be able to focus on something and concentrate. Dharana or concentration practice trains the mind to become aware and present and research has shown that after a yoga class you are generally better able to focus your mental resources, process information more accurately. https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/mobility-fitness/yoga-for-concentration-cognition-and-memory/
7 reasons to start your yoga practice
5. Yoga helps you to accept whatever life brings
Life experiences are not always positive, difficult things happen to all of us and cause us pain. Yoga has taught me that everything changes and that the painful things in life come and go. I have leaned into my yoga at challenging times of my life and have found it to be a source of strength, stability and support, helping me stay present and positive.
6. Yoga helps you to make better choices
A regular yoga practice will make you more aware of how things influence you and more able to make positive choices for yourself. For example, you are likely to find you naturally want to choose foods which support your health and yoga practice. You may find yourself having more strength to move away from negative situations, and from friends from whom you feel negative energy, and towards friends who have a positive influence.
7. Yoga makes you more aware
Yoga helps you become more aware of who you are, to know, accept and love yourself unconditionally. You will become more aware of what is good for you, what you really want and what is important to you. Self-awareness is one of the characteristics of Emotional Intelligence and an important factor in achieving success in different areas of your life.
Etiquette in the Yoga Space
Taking a yoga class can be challenging or unfamiliar, particularly if you are a beginner or used to fitness classes which don’t have a spiritual tradition. So, understanding these points of etiquette can help you, and others in the room, settle into the rhythm of classes more smoothly.:
1) Arrive in time
Give yourself 10-15 minutes to arrive in class and get settled on your mat. Less time than this may mean you feel flustered, especially in winter when you have several layers to peel off! Being settled on your mat in good time will help you become centred and ready to enter your yoga zone.
2) Be respectful of others if you are late
Sometimes you’re late and it just can’t be helped because of circumstances beyond your control. However, if lateness is becoming a regular thing for you, look at how you can adjust your preparations to give yourself more time. If you are late, remove your shoes and come into class very quietly and place your mat nearest the door so that there is minimal disruption to others.
3) Minimise conversation
The yoga room is traditionally a silent space, so be considerate of those who prefer a quiet and peaceful start to their class, perhaps in seated meditation or lying down to prepare.
4) Respect someone else’s mat
The mat is a sacred space so avoid walking on someone else’s mat; and don’t walk on your own mat with your shoes on.
5) Keep your practice space tidy
Keep the yoga space safe and tidy by placing all belongings away from the practice area
6) Turn off your phone
Yoga is a practice of drawing inwards. One of the eight limbs of yoga is ‘Pratyahara’ which translates as ‘withdrawal of the senses’ and it happens naturally when you become immersed in your yoga practice – your focus and attention draws inwards so you are barely aware of external sights, sounds or disturbances. You can help this process along by turning off your phone.
7) If you need to leave class early
Let me know before class starts if you will need to leave early and take a spot nearest the door to minimise disruption to others.
