Yoga Bradford

Tonight we will move towards taking flight by playing with the arm balance Bakasana (crow)

I love arm balances! I love the combination of strength, exhilaration and calm you feel as you teeter on the brink of balance... taking a chance and upping the ante is all part of the beautiful process of yoga.

Yes, you may topple the first time you attempt something challenging and new - but to show-up and to try is more important than any "achievement" of the posture.

Having the courage to take a risk, to accept that everything is in constant motion, to learn to expose yourself to this mini "stress" in a manageable environment can teach us wonderful lessons about ourselves and our reactions.

Embracing this healthy risk-taking is where we learn how to face resistance, where we learn to adapt and cope and where we can find true security.

Most of the class will be prepping the body with hip and shoulder opening and some strength work, so if today is not the day to fledge, then you can stay firmly planted on your mat until the time feels right ✨️💚

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Weekly Class Schedule
All classes are in-studio and on Zoom

Saturday 10:30-11:30am
Rise and Shine Yoga (open to all levels)

Saturday 11:45 – 1:15pm
Ashtanga Yoga

Saturday 1:30 – 2:30pm
Beginners Yoga 6 Week Course
(See website for next start date)

Thursday 6 – 7pm
Slow Flow Yoga (open to all levels)

Thursday 7:15 – 8:15pm
Vinyasa Flow Yoga

In tonight's classes we play with different variations of plank and build up some heat and arm strength with chaturangas, all the while focussing on our smooth supportive flowing breath.

Reminding ourselves that these challenges aren't permanent. Tolerating discomfort so we build mental resilience to take with us off the mat to help navigate life's road bumps and remember that we are often stronger than we think ✨️

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Weekly Class Schedule
All classes are in-studio and on Zoom

Saturday 10:30-11:30am
Rise and Shine Yoga (open to all levels)

Saturday 11:45 – 1:15pm
Ashtanga Yoga

Saturday 1:30 – 2:30pm
Beginners Yoga 6 Week Course
(See website for next start date)

Thursday 6 – 7pm
Slow Flow Yoga (open to all levels)

Thursday 7:15 – 8:15pm
Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Join me in studio at the German church or online on zoom tonight as we flow through a sequence encompassing stretches for the hips and shoulders with a smattering of twists.

Twisting is a great way to boost circulation, detox the body, relieve congestion and boost the immune system (great for lingering lurgy and hay fever sufferers!). But tightness in the hips and shoulders, the anchors for the spine, can limit our capacity to twist. By focusing on releasing tension in the shoulders and hips we can improve the mobility of the spine and enjoy a deep, twisted release =)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Weekly Class Schedule
All classes are in-studio and on Zoom

Saturday 10:30-11:30am
Rise and Shine Yoga (open to all levels)

Saturday 11:45 – 1:15pm
Ashtanga Yoga

Saturday 1:30 – 2:30pm
Beginners Yoga 6 Week Course
(See website for next start date)

Thursday 6 – 7pm
Slow Flow Yoga (open to all levels)

Thursday 7:15 – 8:15pm
Vinyasa Flow Yoga

*Shameless cross-post ahoy* I have been spending more time than usual at my workbench over the last few weeks preparing for

Lots of looking down and rounding forward has meant my neck and shoulders are needing some extra TLC...

So join me tonight in studio or via zoom for some lovely neck and shoulder release stretches...mmmm...Many of us hold tension in our jaw, neck and shoulders and we carry it around with us without realising. This tension not only creates physical tightness but can affect our quality of sleep and our general wellness. So whether you are tight from over-using your body, or from sitting all day, we will work through some lovely neck and shoulder stretches to ease the strain and release the tightness and breath easy. Staying mellow still in this lovely warm weather!

As I am exhibiting at Kirkstall Art Trail this weekend, there are no classes this Saturday 18th July. If you fancy popping by to Art Trail to say hi, I am at venue 3, 80 Morris Lane. It will be great to see you on or off the mat!

Has the heat sapped your mojo?! When I am too hot I just want to hide under a bush in the shade! I feel heavy and lethargic and moving can feel like a real effort. But a little bit of movement can often shift my energy and help me regulate and re-balance my system. When it's so hot, we want to balance the hot/sharp/light qualities of the heat with cooling/slow/graceful qualities.

So join me tonight in the lovely cool German Church (or online) for a cooling flow where we will use cooling breath and slow movements to breath into the back and side of the body, balancing out the heat and finding comfort and ease as we nurture and restore balance to the body and mind 💙

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Weekly Class Schedule
All classes are in-studio and on Zoom

Saturday 10:30-11:30am
Rise and Shine Yoga (open to all levels)

Saturday 11:45 – 1:15pm
Ashtanga Yoga

Saturday 1:30 – 2:30pm
Beginners Yoga 6 Week Course
(See website for next start date)

Thursday 6 – 7pm
Slow Flow Yoga (open to all levels)

Thursday 7:15 – 8:15pm
Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Just a few places left for Summer Soother!

Summer represents the "Yang", outward expression of energy, expansiveness, movement & activity.  Life and energies are at their peak; it is a time for growth, expansion and light ☀️

Summer is the time to put plans into action and feel motivated and energised.  The height of Summer is also the height of extroversion; a time to embrace all the pleasures that life has to offer.  It's a time to say ‘yes’ to invitations, to get stuck into projects and passions, to travel and explore, and infuse as much fun into your day as possible.   It's a time to engage with the activities that make you feel excited and joyful... a perfect time for yoga!

Join me for an afternoon of yoga:

☀️ calming mindfulness meditation & breath work to energise you and cultivate a sense of physical, emotional & spiritual well being

☀️ gentle slow flow to generate heat & gently open the heart space and lungs with backbends to create a sense of spaciousness and relax the nervous system

☀️ light vegan refreshments. 

☀️ slowing down with a seated session and longer held postures to relax & work more deeply into our flexibility so we can enjoy the harmony of effort and ease to support physical and emotional wellbeing.

☀️ Guided deep relaxation

Book via link in bio. Message me for more details 💚

Tight hips is one of the most common reasons people tell me they start yoga. It can feel like a huge mountain to climb because releasing tension, especially around the hips, takes time. But a little regular stretching is the best way to start feeling the benefits, not trying to push further and deeper until the body is ready.

Staying tuned into the sensations and collecting feedback from the body allows us to make the best choice about how deep to go. Allowing yourself to feel enough sensation without it being overwhelming. Shallow breaths, tension around the mouth and jaw and clenching teeth means the body is resisting and you won't get the most effective stretch. Take a step back, take deep belly breaths and let yourself soften and sink on each exhale and you will feel the body slowly release and let go.

In tonight's practise we slowly flow through some hip stretches and "enjoy"(!) some lunges and squats while harnessing the breath to allow us to gently venture deeper x

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Weekly Class Schedule
All classes are in-studio and on Zoom

Saturday 10:30-11:30am
Rise and Shine Yoga (open to all levels)

Saturday 11:45 – 1:15pm
Ashtanga Yoga

Saturday 1:30 – 2:30pm
Beginners Yoga 6 Week Course
(See website for next start date)

Thursday 6 – 7pm
Slow Flow Yoga (open to all levels)

Thursday 7:15 – 8:15pm
Vinyasa Flow Yoga