My Yoga
The yoga sessions I facilitate are very holistic and incorporate different schools of yoga as well as sports rehabilitation science. I combine my Hatha Yoga teacher training with degree studies in Sports Therapy and Massage. My Integrative Hypnotherapy studies are used in the stress and relaxation element of the yoga sessions, known as ‘Yoga Nidra’.
Sessions are tailored to suit those attending. I have delivered chair-based classes for people with mobility and balance problems, some of whom are elderly, as well as standard yoga classes for people who are fit and healthy. Quite a number of people who have attended my yoga sessions are runners and people who enjoy strength training exercise classes. I have also delivered sessions for people who are overweight and inexperienced in exercise and I have really enjoyed watching them benefit from regular yoga sessions.
Yoga can be very beneficial to those who have long-term conditions. I have used yoga to help people who have: Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia, post-natal depression, anxiety and depression, hyper-mobility, autism and Asperger’s, insomnia, breast cancer (during and post-treatment), post-traumatic stress syndrome, back injuries, alcohol and drug misuse, COPD.
My Aim
I use a lot of props in my yoga sessions, such as yoga chairs, bolsters, yoga belts, yoga bricks and blocks as well as blankets. All of these are used to make poses more comfortable and accessible, based on each individual person’s needs and abilities.
My aim is to make yoga accessible and safe for everyone. Sessions are planned in advance but I work in a very flexible way, responding to mood and energy levels on the day.
The yoga sessions I offer consist of low-impact, focused, holding poses, rather than fast or flowing types of yoga. Although the kind of yoga I offer is low-impact, it can also be very challenging and can be used to build strength and core stability. All yoga sessions finish with a period of guided relaxation and/or meditation and sessions often include breathing exercises.
My Sessions
The sessions I offer can be on a one-to-one basis, or, to make it more affordable you could come with a few friends. I work from my small home studio so the atmosphere is very intimate, cosy and well-equipped. The sessions are scheduled to suit whoever attends and with this in mind there is a lot of flexibility around what day and time you can have your weekly sessions.
I also offer one-off sessions for people who are just curious to try yoga for the first time, with no further commitment. Home practice handouts can also be provided if you would like them.
What is Yoga?
From the British Wheel of Yoga website:
“The Sanskrit word yoga is translated as ‘union’. The practice of yoga helps to co-ordinate the breath, mind and body to encourage balance, both internally and externally and promote feelings of relaxation and ease. Yoga classes offer students postures and movements to stretch, strengthen and flex the body, to develop breath awareness, to relax and sometimes to meditate. Some classes may be low impact while others can be very demanding.
Benefits of yoga include:
- Improved efficiency of lungs and cardio-vascular system
- Improved posture, flexibility and strength
- Improved concentration
- Enhanced feeling of well-being
- Better quality sleep
- Reduction of anxiety and depression
