Info for new starters

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a system of physical, mental and spiritual development that originated in India over 5000 years ago and is currently practiced by over 450,000 people in the UK. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word meaning 'union'. In the west, it commonly describes the physical practice of exercises to prepare body and mind, but this is really just the tip of the iceberg.

Everyone can practise yoga, regardless of age, ability or creed. People come to yoga for various reasons: to keep supple, lift their energy, increase strength and stamina, for relief of specific conditions, to increase mental and physical well-being, to help concentration and aid relaxation, find spiritual awareness and many other reasons.

The Class is mixed ability, suitable for beginners and improvers. All are welcome, although I do not teach specifically yoga for children or pregnancy. I teach yoga aimed at bikers, since this group can benefit from yoga in so many ways, and often are carrying injuries that can be eased through regular practice. You do not have to be a biker to come though!

What to expect:There will be some exercises either sitting, kneeling or lying on a mat, and some standing. Some postures are ‘passive’ i.e. quiet, and relaxing, and others are more ‘dynamic’ and will get the blood moving a bit more! We begin gently before moving into the more dynamic work, then easing off and warming down, before coming for relaxation for the last 10 minutes or so of the session. I adapt the postures for people so that everyone can work at their own pace and within their own capacities.There is no chanting or religious element to the yoga class, and there is no headstand at this level.

Please do not eat for 2 hours beforehand, and avoid heavy meals for up to 4 hours beforehand, (if you’re struggling, something light like a banana or piece of toast will be ok if you really can’t wait!) unless you have food needs from a metabolic condition that requires some blood sugar input.

Your own pace

Yoga is not competitive. It is not about ability. The class contains people with mixed abilities, some with injuries, and some with asymmetries in their bodies. Yoga is about listening to your own body, and extending your own capacity, it is about helping you to find the greatest degree of flexibility for you, in your body, at that point in time. It is important therefore, that you listen to your body and become aware of where your limits are at that point: progress will come.

Flexibility can also depend on how warm you are, the time of the month, and the time of the year.

There will be some things that you will be able to do reasonably easily almost straight away, there will be other things that take longer to come; this is normal. You may well feel benefits during your first session. It is also normal to start feeling your body changing over the first 3 weeks to 2 months, whilst other areas are likely to develop over longer periods, such as a year or more.

Aches and Pains: It is normal to ‘feel’ the work that you have done over the next day or so. You will be exploring parts of the body that perhaps have not been active for a while. Whilst you can expect to feel, maybe, some level of discomfort, either during or after the session, you should not extend this to pain. If you feel pain, stop immediately.

What to wear: It’s best to wear something comfortable and flexible. Practice is generally done barefoot. Most people choose to wear tracksuit bottoms/leggings and a t-shirt or sports top. You may also want to bring something warmer to put over the top during relaxation.

Medical Conditions: Please let me know if you have any medical conditions that may impact on your practice. All such information will be treated in strictest confidence.