My background and style of yoga
I have had a personal yoga practice for over 10 years and have completed a 200 hour Ashtanga Vinyasa Teacher Training Certification with Sampoorna Yoga based in Goa, India.
Yoga contains practical tools that can benefit every aspect of well being. My yoga practice has helped inform my work as a therapist, a father, husband and athlete.
People come to yoga for many reasons; exercise, flexibility, relaxation, connection and all of these things and more can be achieved through regular practice. I have found it to be greater than the sum of its parts and people often gain unexpected benefits. Whenever we stop spreading ourselves so thinly and give ourselves permission to focus our attention on a single task with consistency we can achieve amazing results.
My Vinyasa classes string together a sequence of yoga postures, each movement synchronised to a breath, transitioning between poses on either an inhalation or exhalation. The classes can be expressive, aerobic and energising or more restorative and relaxing, tailored to the needs of those in attendance.
I believe in making yoga accessible for all and that it is important to be able to take away simple tools that can easily be made into a home practice should you wish. With this in mind my classes are not simply a rigid following of strict sequencing and alignment. I take inspiration from modern movement culture, dance, functional movement, Qigong and Tai chi. I do not believe in forcing bodies into a posture to make a pleasing shape for instagram photos. Rather I work with individuals to modify the yoga postures to their shape, allowing them to experience the benefits whilst minimising the risk of injury.
Prior to beginning a physical yoga practice, I practised meditation and mindfulness. In this field I have been particularly influenced by the simple but profound work of Thich Nhat Hanh. I have found meditation, mindfulness and breathwork a useful tool in my work as a youth worker, therapist and yoga teacher. I can also deliver these techniques as stand alone sessions in a variety of settings.
If you would like more information on upcoming yoga classes or are interested in booking a class, feel free to contact me to discuss.
Children and Families Yoga
Yoga is a great way for children to develop their physical and emotional wellbeing in a fun, supportive and non-competitive environment. Family yoga can be something that helps support healthier relationships and be shared by all ages, bringing generations together, an increasingly rare thing.
I am proud to be a certified Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher and can offer classes tailored to children, young people and families. This includes:
- 1:1 yoga classes with both individual young people and individual families
- Children and young people’s yoga classes across various age groups
- Family classes where children and their parents/carers attend together
- Children’s classes centred around mindfulness for focus, concentration and stress reduction to enhance learning
- Children’s yoga parties
- Children’s yoga outdoors
The benefits of children’s yoga
- Improves posture, strength and flexibility
- Increases self-confidence and self-image
- Helps to develop emotional resilience
- Increases body awareness, balance and coordination
- Helps develop self-discipline and control
- Increases concentration
- Helps children learn practically about their bodies/anatomy and emotions
- Encourages teamwork, empathy, compassion and respect
- Develops healthy relationships with others
- Teaches stress reduction and relaxation techniques that can be applied outside of sessions
- Develops an understanding of wider environment, nature and animals
- Most importantly yoga can be great FUN!!
Classes include:
- Stories
- Games
- Traditional and contemporary Yoga postures
- Movement
- Exploration
- An emphasis on teamwork with group and partner work
- Mindfulness, meditation and relaxation
- Breathwork
- Acrobatics
If you would like more information on upcoming yoga classes or are interested in booking a class feel free to contact me to discuss.
Links to class schedules will follow shortly