New Courses 2023

Please scroll down the page for specific course info

What is Yin Yang Yoga?

Yin Yang Yoga blends two styles of yoga into one practice, bringing together the benefits of passively holding yoga poses with more dynamic sequences and standing postures.

Yin and Yang are the Taoist concepts which describe the two relative qualities present in everything. Yin is more internal, passive, cooling and downward. Yang is more external, dynamic, warming and upward.

When these terms are applied in yoga, Yin Yoga is a slower practice where poses are passively held for longer. It works on the deep, dense (Yin) connective tissues and joints in the body. Yang Yoga, in contrast, refers to a more active practice. This works on the (Yang) muscles and blood flow, building strength, stamina, and flexibility.

For a balanced yoga practice, we need both Yin and Yang elements in our weekly schedule.

The practice of Yin Yang Yoga

A Yin Yang yoga class may start with Yin yoga to calm the mind and to work on the joints before the muscles are warm.

Alternatively, the class may start dynamically (Yang) and end with longer held poses to relax and calm the nervous system. The sequencing of the class can have a powerful effect on your energy levels and how you feel after class. 

Benefits of a regular Yin Yang Yoga practice

  • Stimulates the meridians (energy channels) bringing balance to the organs in the body
  • Improves flexibility and joint mobility
  • Calms and balances the mind and body
  • Reduces stress and anxiety
  • Works deeply on the connective tissues (fascia, tendons, and ligaments)
  • Can prepare the practitioner for meditation practice

Supporting Women on their Menopause Journey

Many women can feel extremely isolated and alone when going through the menopause, our sessions together will be an enjoyable way to connect and share your experiences with other women. Laugh and embrace the changes whilst also learning and benefiting from Menopause Yoga, providing everyone joining us that often much needed sense of Community.

This course is specifically tailored for all women who are either experiencing peri-menopause;

 https://patient.info/news-and-features/are-you-going-through-perimenopause or for those who are in menopause; https://patient.info/womens-health/menopause.

During our time together I will be guiding you through a ‘Grounding, Balancing & Restorative’ practice. Not only will the practice make you feel great, but it will provide you with a thoughtful and introspective insight of the various ‘tools’ that can be used daily to help you manage much more comfortably your menopausal symptoms.

Those who have turned to yoga therapy for relief have found that while asanas (postures) may not directly influence estrogen production, specific postures can help control unpleasant symptoms. Therapeutic restorative postures can relax the nervous system and may improve the functioning of the endocrine system, especially the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the thyroid, and the parathyroid gland, which help the body adapt to hormonal fluctuations.

Also, around menopause changes in the genital organs occur rapidly. With aging there is a decrease in the amount of muscle and connective tissue including that of the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor girdle is an often-neglected part of our anatomy and when it grows weak, the forces of time and gravity take their toll and we gradually fall prey to a host of problems. However, when the pelvic floor is well-toned and activated, this wrap of muscle between the pubic bone and the tail bone supports a surprising range of health benefits.

A regular yoga practice can make a world of difference in a woman’s experience of menopause and a solid practice before and during this phase can ease the transition. Whether you are a seasoned Yogini or are a complete beginner, if you practice yoga before and during menopause then all the poses that are especially useful for coping with uncomfortable symptoms will become familiar and you can reach for them like an old friend. If you are familiar with restorative poses, then you have the very best menopause medicine at your disposal.

Our weekly sessions together will include, but will not be limited to:

  • Cooling Pranayama (breathing exercise) to calm the Nervous System and to help combat hot flashes, reduce anxiety & stress, improve fog brain.
  • Strengthening & Stabilizing practice to support your Pelvic Floor Girdle, building strengthen from with-in safeguarding you from pelvic floor weakness and dysfunction.
  • Therapeutic Restorative Yoga for your ‘Rest & Digest’, to soothe the nervous system, help manage emotional symptoms and improve your quality of sleep.
  • Yoga Nidra (yoga sleep) to soothe both Body & Mind and improve your quality of sleep.
  • A take home ‘tool kit’ of techniques.

Please wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move in, and I would suggest not eating 2- hours prior to our time together. Please bring along your own mat, all other equipment will be provided.

Yin Yoga

  • Strengthens and tones the body
  • Improves flexibility and circulation
  • Increases stamina
  • Calms the mind down by inviting us to synchronise movement with breath
  • Removes tension and obstacles in the body to allow breath and prana to flow