Everyone can practise yoga regardless of their mobility, flexibility and strength. You do your yoga and I will offer posture modifications to support all students.

Our bodies are dynamic and vary from day to day so listen to your body and respect it’s messages.

It is your responsibility to inform me of any issues, illness or injuries. New students are invited to completed the online new student questionnaire and you will have time before sessions to speak to me. You can also use the online contact form.

Public classes will take place at Cemetery Approach Community Hall, a bright modern building set within the community gardens. It is light, spacious and fully accessible with a kitchen for fresh water and lots of free parking directly outside. The venue has high standards of health and safety and is fully risk assessed.

During finer weather, and to celebrate seasonal events, additional pop up sessions will be held at local parks and beaches.

All equipment is provided – this includes mats, straps, bricks, blocks, bolsters, blankets and eye pillows.

Do make a commitment to this protected time and space to connect with yourself. 

Bring some water, and try avoid eating a large meal before attending class.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows a full range of movement. This does not have to be gym wear and I encourage students to look into themselves rather than at each other

We all need to have our phones nearby, but keep it on silent if you can.

Do aim to be on time – it’s better for your practice to arrive relaxed and also respectful to others. Doors will be open 15 minutes before the class starts.

Coaching is a non-directive form of personal development and empowerment focussed on nurturing self-awareness. It is a process of dialogue and questioning. The coach helps the client work towards a more fulfilling life by recognising what is really valuable to them and setting meaningful, achievable goals to achieve this.

Mentoring is another a process to support personal development. The mentor shares their own knowledge, skills and experience to encourage the client to recognise their own potential, grow in confidence and set goals.

Your free first session (20 mins) is an opportunity to identify what you want to get from coaching and/or mentoring what you want to achieve in your life and what needs to change. This is where we start to get to know each other and agree a way of working together that will ensure you get the most from your future sessions. I will also explain the coaching agreement, code of ethics and policies that support this process.

During our first meeting we will agree the structure of your personal development programme, based upon your current situation and where you want to progress to. This may be a one-off session or a series of meetings over a set period of time.

It is important that you have a quiet, private space for our online sessions and will not be disturbed or overheard. This will help you to relax and be open which is part of the process. The process is completely confidential and I will never share your personal information, unless there is a safeguarding issue. Records of sessions will be kept in line with GDPR regulations.

Cancer Research UK have promoted a review of studies into yoga for patients with cancer conducted by the University of York in 2010.  This review found that yoga could help reduce anxiety, depression, fatigue and stress.  It also found that yoga can improve sleep quality and spiritual wellbeing for patients.

Traditional yoga poses can be adapted for all levels of ability and the particular issues faced by those experiencing cancer. The physical and psychological benefits of yoga as an aid to recovery and in reducing the risk of recurrence are numerous. Yoga practice can help strengthen the immune system, rebuild bone density, avoid and manage lymphedema, decrease anxiety, detoxify, reduce pain and help the  body repair damage caused by cancer treatments.

Nobody comes through their cancer journey emotionally unscathed. Anyone who has experienced cancer is faced with the additional challenge of rebuilding a healthy relationship with their body, which may have fundamentally changed. The gentle practices of yoga help us to reconnect with our physical and emotional selves in kindness and respect.