Karen Calder Yoga

A few from the archives!
October this year will mark 17 years of becoming a fully fledged Iyengar teacher and 9 years of leasing and running Loft Studio
I thought now was a good time to share a little bit about both of these things.
Iyengar yoga is a form of yoga that encourages the use of props to enable every student to maximise their potential, without risk of injury. Iyengar teachers typically take a minimum of 6 years to qualify and our training is ongoing. In 2012 I began additional training to become a therapy teacher within the Iyengar system, qualifying in 2023 (these things take time!)
As well as my regular timetable (below) I teach Saturday morning workshops with a therapeutic approach to specific areas or conditions e.g. neck and shoulders, hips, knees, Chronic fatigue, PTSD.
Check my website for surther information

https://karencalderyoga.co.uk

Loft Studio may be Troon's best kept secret! Situated on the site of King Edward Mine Museum it is fully equipped, peaceful and with lots of parking.

Classes are as follows

Mon Over 50's 10.30am-12
Beginners 6.30-7.30pm
Tues General 6.30-8pm
Weds Intermediate 10.30-12.30pm
Thursday General 10-11.30am
Restortative/therapy 12-1pm
General 6.30-8pm

1 hour classes are £10 drop in £45 block of 5
90 mins £13 drop in £55 block of 5
2 hour £15 drop in £65 block of 5

Please dont hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

The annual clean, repair and repaint well under way Loft Studio
The Cornishman came in to fix some things and by fix, I mean make a big hole in the wall 🤔😳
I have dusted the beams (those of you recently involved in throwing belts over same, will be very glad to hear this I know!)
The mats and blankets are all washed and, I hope, will be dry for our start back on September 7th 🙏❤️🙏
Painting begins in earnest tomorrow but I still have some free time to chase that little boy across the beach 🥰
Looking forward to being back in just over a week! X

Green Man Festival
Almost certainly, the best festival in the world. Ever.
Ethical, genuine, charitable, promoting so much fantastic new music and completely independent.

Just need a year to recover for the next one!

The end of last weeks very backbendy class, was already starting to look like, this weeks restorative and pranayama class.
What better way to end the school term? Almost ready for the great bolster wash of 2026?! And they’ve multiplied this year….

So good to be back to work last week. A strong emphasis on leg work a little shoulder help from our friends. I love the picture from Thursday class, Val showing that there really is a prop for everything.
Back out for my first proper walk today ❤️Look forward to seeing you all this week
🙏❤️🙏

Here’s my official race photo. In black and white because I am ‘glowing’

I was so happy at this point and for at least 45 miles, even after the knee battering!

This week my ego has taken the battering. I didn’t finish. I am gutted. Even more so when I think about how many people were waiting for me in Conniston - cry face!!

Yoga teaches us to work hard, to be the best we can be. But it also teaches to know when to stop, to listen to the wisdom of the body.

At the time I was so sure I was done but now, with hindsight I also know I could have finished. An irreconcilable difference - keeps life interesting right?

All classes running this week, can’t wait to see you all. Don’t mention cheese toasties…. 🙏❤️🙏

My grand day out. Made 47 miles in 17 hours 20 minutes but could not got over the final hill. Gutted but it was the right decision at the time. I’d fell and hurt my knee, it was cold and very wet and I was done. Going to do those last three miles tomorrow so that I can honour my 50 mile pledge and today I will be mostly doing yoga and going to the sauna!
Classes with Becca and Ali today and with Nick the rest of the week.
🙏❤️🙏

ML 50 here I come - ready or not.
Not.
But here a few walks from the past year. With the Cornishman, the Cornishwoman, wonderful friends and the best family anyone could ever ask for.
Not a second of being outside was ever wasted. No one ever got to the top of the cliff, hill or mountain and said they wished hadn’t bothered.
So I’ll set off tomorrow in that spirit. I’ll be outdoors with cool humans. I have no attachment to an out come (OK, small lie, I’ll be gutted if I don’t finish!)
It is likely to take me 23hours and 55 mins of the allowed 24hours and even if I don’t finish, it’ll be a blast trying!!
See you on the other side 🥰

Waiting to register in Coniston. Not my start but hopefully my finish!

Last week we focused on moving forwards…..slowly. Taking the time to work deeply on the thoracic spine, considering the cooling, lunar aspects of a forward bend practice. Making a shape, improving the shape and taking the breath to that shape. The inward journey.
This week I am preparing for a very different journey. My 50 mile hike in the Lakes! I will see you Monday and Tuesday (it will be leg work, make no mistake!) For the rest of the week and next week you will have lovely Nick (and on Monday 27th lovely Becca and lovely Ali)
thank you to all who have sponsored me so far I am very grateful 🙏