What to expect from my classes
My classes will involve flows of movement working on mind-body strength and flexibility. The flows will be different each week to explore new poses whilst also returning to some familiar postures, allowing us to get develop our existing practice. I am alignment focussed in my teaching to ensure that we practice safely, however, it is important to remember that every body is different and that all poses look and feel differently for everyone. It is really easy to get caught up in the way the postures look on others but the most important thing is that they feel good in your own body.
Every day and at different times of the day, our bodies feel different so there will always be various options provided during the class so we can adapt our practice to how our body feels at the time. Even if you come on your mat to spend it with your breath in seated or child’s pose, that time to connect and be present with your breath and body is still incredibly beneficial.
While of course we will do a lot of stretching in class to improve our flexibility and range of motion, my classes also have a real focus on strength. This is so our joints remain protected and our muscles have good enough tension to help us with our movement. There will also be a balance of static and more dynamic postures, each serving their own purpose.
Being still in poses with the breath is incredibly difficult but building on this in the class allows us to transfer this skill to our daily lives, bringing more presence and a sense of calm. Dynamic postures allow us to synchronise our breath with our movements, bringing a focus for the mind, away from the chatter it sometimes brings. As a result, Yoga is amazing for our mental health.
Most importantly, I always encourage play in our classes. This often comes in the form of trying something new, or leaving time in a class for you to play with something you are working on. This brings not only a sense of achievement but some light-heartedness to the practice.