Restorative Yoga
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​Restorative Yoga adapts yoga postures using foam-pads, cork-bricks, belts, bolsters and blankets to support your body in optimal alignment. It invites a fuller range of movement by simply 'opening' rather than stretching your physical structure. It needs a comfortable, quiet warmth and stillness to allow your physiology to re-set in a deeply-restful state.
There are fewer poses, held for longer and practiced at a slower pace than in vinyasa classes. Staying close to the ground, allowing the body to rest, focussing on texture and shape of both body and breath, allows an introspective approach and the release of muscular tension. Props are provided in class and at home you can use pillows wrapped in bath towels, cushions, dressing gown cords. This approach gives the body time to absorb the practice and find space at the centre of our being where new insights may emerge presenting an opportunity for you to explore your comfortable limits and find your own yoga practice.
Yoga for Back Care
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Yoga for back care is a considered practice using yoga to support functional necessities of life like comfortable sitting, good balance, posture and strength. It is suitable for anyone who wants to maintain a healthy back from top to tail. Most people over 40 would benefit however this is not a back treatment class. If you have new pain, injury, unremitting pain, bladder/bowel symptoms, weight loss, sweats, loss of appetite or feeling unwell, you should consult your GP for investigation of the cause.
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Sprains and strains along with mild non-specific back pain are very common, and not necessarily barriers to doing yoga. Your spine is designed to move. We modify traditional yoga postures combined with movements derived from physiotherapy and pilates to strengthen and balance the spine when lying, sitting and standing. We go slower, work with what feels good, no pushing or competition, and return frequently to the neutral shape to rest and absorb the practice. The class ends with one of the many relaxation poses.
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Hatha Yoga
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Modern postural yoga has evolved over hundreds of years and contributes to the many new styles and approaches available today. My intention is to create a safe space for you to explore your comfortable range of movement by teaching the best alignment for you in poses that allow your breath to flow easily. The result is a sense of spaciousness and calm which allows you to reflect and ask yourself what you really need for a healthy and satisfying life.
Hatha can be translated as forceful, but this is not my style. Each class has a theme with steady, methodical movements, preparing and building towards a pose, adjusted so that everybody can feel the benefit of stillness and calm.
