Class Noticeboard
No classes on Monday 31st August as it is a bank holiday
Pranayama Workshop - Sunday 20th September
Core & Twisting Workshop - Saturday 24th October
- see blog for more info on the workshops, or email me
My weekly class timetable...
Yoga classes for everyone
Yoga is for everyone, you don’t have to be flexible, strong or fit to get involved and feel the benefit.
Strength without flexibility leads to injury and restricted movement. Conversely, flexibility without strength leads to lack of stability and joint problems. We need balance in our body. Yoga provides this. So cyclists, runners and athletic types benefit from the stretching, whilst naturally flexible (but possibly weaker) people benefit from the strengthening and toning aspects of yoga.
New to yoga or looking to find out more about our classes? Find out more >
Yoga for Men
Most of the known founders of yoga were men, however nowadays many classes seem to be made up almost entirely of women. I want to break the stigma and misconception of men practising yoga and provide everyone with a space in which they feel comfortable.
It is increasingly common for male athletes from various disciplines to practice yoga to help them stay strong and injury free through years of training, performing and competing. It’s the combination of strength, flexibility, stability, balance and mental control which is so valuable.
Men often have distinct physical needs in yoga – typically tight hamstrings, hips, shoulders and back. Over the years I’ve worked with hundreds of men to help target these problematic areas.
Saying you're too inflexible to do yoga is like saying you're too weak to lift weights - that's the whole point! Yoga isn’t performance based. It’s about bringing your body to a healthier state of balance…if you are tight it loosens you up, if you are weak it strengthens you, if you are sluggish it livens you up, if you are stressed it teaches you how to breathe better and ease tension.
So if you’re worried your body won’t suit yoga, think again. There is always a way to modify a pose to suit your level of fitness, strength, shape and flexibility level so that you get the same benefits as everyone else out of every pose.
I teach lots of men who attend the mixed yoga classes, but I'd like to encourage more men to give yoga a go and discover how fantastic it is at helping you remain injury free, strong and agile at any stage of life.
INTERMEDIATE YOGA CLASSES
You will continue to practice poses you have learned so far, and gradually build on this foundation, learning more and more challenging poses.
Poses are broken down in various ways to help you get those ‘lightbulb moments’, you will also hold poses for longer – allowing you to tap into the stillness. I emphasise linking breath and movement to direct your attention inward and help you to work with greater awareness and intelligence.
Instructions may become more detailed and subtle than you are used to, but if there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask!
ONE TO ONE SESSIONS
One-to-one yoga sessions are a great way to ease yourself into yoga if you are a complete beginner, ensuring you move safely in and out of poses, really maximising the benefits yoga offers.
They are also an opportunity to take your practice to the next level, providing an environment where you can ask more questions, deepen your understanding of poses and have a personalised practice created for you.
The best times tend to be late-morning and during the afternoon in the week but please email if you’re interested and I’ll always do my best to work with your schedule!
Pre-natal & ante-natal yoga sessions
Being pregnant is a precious time to nurture yourself and your child within. It can also be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging. You may feel fearful and find it difficult coming to terms with the lack of control over your changing body.
Yoga can help you feel more in control. You will be doing specific poses which are helpful during each trimester and learn various breathing techniques for pregnancy and labour. Practising yoga whilst pregnant helped me to still be me.
I felt strong, capable and prepared. The yoga poses (asana) prepared my body, whilst the breathing techniques (pranayama) enabled me to stay calm throughout labour. I honestly can’t recommend yoga highly enough for pregnant women. But, a word of caution, make sure your instructor is highly qualified and experienced, as this is not a time for someone to be practising incorrectly.
Once your little poppet has popped out, there are specific poses and sequences to help you gradually find yourself again, build yourself back up and feel awesome once more!
My etiquette for class
Dress Code
You should wear comfortable, fairly close-fitting clothes that don’t restrict your movement; shorts or leggings and a vest or T-shirt are ideal.
Preparation
You’ll do all your classes in bare feet, so please make sure they are clean! Also, do treat and cover any infectious foot conditions such as verrucas/athlete’s foot.
Food & drink
Leave four hours after a heavy meal and one hour after a light snack. Please do not bring any food or drink to class.
Focus
To help you and everyone else get the best from the session it's important to be on time for class - and remember to put your mobile phone on silent!
Sarah recommends that you consult your GP regarding the suitability of undertaking an exercise programme and following all the safety instructions required before beginning to exercise. When participating in an exercise or exercise programme, there is the possibility of sustaining a physical injury. If you engage in this exercise programme, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities and assume all risk of injury to yourself. All contracts subject to and governed by English Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.