Iyengar Yoga with Adrienne Riel

Adrienne has been teaching yoga in South Oxfordshire, Reading and Henley area for just over ten years now. She has lots of experience teaching beginners and people who consider themselves ‘too stiff’ or ‘not flexible’ enough to do yoga, especially more mature students and men..

She is passionate about enabling those without confidence to stride forwards in their own personal practise to develop at their own pace in a non competitive class. Everyone is made to feel welcome.She has a gift for teaching with compassion and laughter, enabling those who doubt themselves to go beyond their own physical, emotional and spiritual expectations - leaving them full of confidence and delight in their own achievements.
 

‘It’s all about learning your own limitations and realising that each day we wake up our body and mind are different from the day before...’

Adrienne originally studied the Iyengar Method and became a certified teacher in 2009, she still maintains her own personal practice and professional development in her yoga teaching but presently is exploring her own style as she is free spirit ( no pun intended ) - using her experience to offer a fun environment in which students can learn and self progress.

‘ I very much encourage people to build some home practise into their daily lives. Teaching on Zoom over lockdown has taught me a more down to earth style where people can use everyday household objects to enhance their yoga; sofa’s, chairs, walls, baked bean tins, dressing gown belts, doors and walls. I’m a great fan of walls, they teach us stability, alignment, offer support, great for simple inversions...tons of reasons to use a wall..The whole experience of being in peoples houses has been very intimate and lots of fun!’

Your Yoga Holiday

Morning classes will start with simple poses which will gradually move towards more advanced poses, ensuring we are working safely with maximum benefit to flexibility, strength and wellbeing.  We will use blocks, bricks, belts and blankets to help us achieve our full potential.  The class will end with a 15 minute relaxation leaving you energised for the day.

Evening classes will be a shorter session of recuperative passive poses, followed by deep relaxation and pranayama which will compliment the morning practice. 

'If you are travelling by yourself, so am I, so there will always be someone to chat, wine and dine with.  I aim to make everyone feel welcome into our holiday Iyengar yogic family'

"Words cannot convey the value of yoga - it has to be experienced"

Alex Reed - Hatha Yoga

I’m Alex Reed and I started Good Life Yoga in 2013 in order to share my passion for yoga with people who need some balance in their busy lives.

It is my secret weapon against stress, anxiety and aging! Keeping strong and flexible in mind and body is proven to help us live longer and more fulfilling lives.

In my practice and classes I try to bring a fresh thought to each session – to find curiosity and genuine interest in what is happening in our minds and bodies on the mat.

My personal practice is influenced by some incredible teachers who were students of an innovative Italian yoga teacher called Vanda Scaravelli. She took traditional yoga practices deep into her own body and guided her students to do the same. Inspired by the youthfulness, joy for life and twinkle in the eye of these teachers

I try to practice and teach with fresh eyes and an open mind each time, guided by the bodies and personalities in the room.

My goal is to stay young as long as possible and help my students find their joy and youthful spirit too.

What to expect on a yoga break with Alex:

This is a holiday rather than a retreat so while the focus of the week is yoga, there will be plenty of time to relax, socialise and enjoy the local surroundings and on-site activities.

On offer will be two yoga sessions on the majority of days, an energising morning session featuring flowing sequences and a relaxing evening session prior to dinner; this could be restorative practice using bolsters or gentle postures, breathing practice and meditation.

One day will feature an optional silent group walk.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy and make the most of this special time you've set aside for yourself. 

 Allison Alexander Hatha Flow and Yin Yoga

Allison Alexander is passionate about all aspects of yoga, and knows from her own experience how life enhancing and transformational this practice can be.

She loves to share the potential of yoga, believing it can help each of us cultivate deep inner fulfillment, a greater sense of meaning & freedom and a stronger connection with the natural rhythms of life

Her thoughtful teaching encourages you to find the joy of deep connection with the body, the heart, the mind and the soul.

Allison teaches a flow style practice, using the integration of breath and body to move from one wonderful posture to the next, holding the poses long enough to experience them deeply and uniquely for each person. In this way the practice becomes a moving meditation which has the potential to enhance physical strength & flexibility, improve psychological focus & concentration and create emotional peace & tranquility.

Allison has been influenced by the wisdom and experience of many wonderful teachers, and is fortunate to have been trained and encouraged by many knowledgeable yogis who have guided her and continue to do so.

For Allison yoga is a joyful  life long practice to which she is dedicated. She is continually expanding her knowledge and experience. She is an experienced 500 hour Yoga Alliance teacher, teaching Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra.

All practices of Yoga will include asana, pranayama, meditation, and relaxation.

Start your day with an energising, joyful practice.

On this retreat the morning practice will be a grounding and energising Hatha Flow which will include asanas, pranayama, and meditation.
We will create strength & flexibility for the body, focus & concentration for the mind, peace and tranquility for heart and soul.

The evening practice will be a relaxing and restorative Yin and Yoga Nidra.

We start with a slow flow sequence, using the integration of breathe and body to move from one powerful posture to the next.

We will create warmth and heat for the body, focus & concentration for the mind, peace and tranquility for heart and soul.

Once the body is warm and supple we are ready to glide into the slow, held postures of the yin sequence.

Flowing Hatha Yoga with Andi Theophilou

Andi has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and has been teaching for 8 years.

She is a 500hr qualified teacher having trained with Yoga London and Jason Crandell Yoga, pre-natal training with Yogamama and she has recently completed Gary Carter's Anatomy and Movement training.  

She teaches mindful, Flowing Hatha Yoga. Her style is down to earth, playful and explorative, focussing on mindful movement, strengthening the body and calming the mind.

Slowing down the flow allows her students to become aware of their bodies and move with more control - it's challenging! One size doesn't fit all and Andi encourages individuals to adapt the practice to their own bodies and ranges of motion.

Andi also teaches relaxation sessions which are gentle and restorative, incorporating pranayama, myofascial release, meditative movement and somatic movement flows, which help to release tightness and tension in the whole body.

Andi will be offering two yoga sessions per day.

Classes will be flexible depending on the participants and will progress through the week as we build awareness, strength and stamina.

Typically the morning session include pranayama (breathing techniques), a warm up, flowing hatha yoga and will end with relaxation.

Classes will be themed focusing on concepts (e.g. Finding Balance, Effort and Ease), or in groups of asanas (e.g. backbends, forward bends, twists, balance),  the format will be flexible, according to the needs of the group.

The early evening session will be relaxing. This may focus on exploring groups of postures or parts of the body, somatic movement or myofascial release and end with a long relaxation to leave you feeling restored and revived.

www.yogabrockley.co.uk/about

Hatha Yoga with Andrea Turnball

Andrea, after practising yoga for many years and realising how transformative the practice was and how it alleviated the stresses of her busy lifestyle, was well and truly bitten by the yoga bug. She subsequently completed her yoga teacher training withthe British Wheel of Yoga.

For Andrea, yoga is about health and happiness, cultivating balance and living with your heart wide open. 

She teaches Hatha yoga, combining creative sequencing, mindfulness, connection with the breath and relaxation, plus a dose of inspiration to help her students deepen their practice.

Happiness, peace, love and calm already exist within you.  Yoga is a personal journey that allows you to shine through, both on and off the mat.  Our practice will stretch and strengthen our bodies, teaching us to move mindfully and connect with our breath.  It will nourish our souls and teach us the freedom to be still.

Your Yoga Holiday

Our morning practice will be a balanced and holistic flow of sequences to energise you for the day.

Our evenings will be Zenyoga - to unwind with more restorative and relaxing Hatha Flow focusing on healing and letting go.

We will learn and practice pranayama and simple meditation techniques that will help to create a calm, creative and peaceful state of mind. 

We will also include yoga nidra and sleep preparation sessions.

"The Heightened awareness I experience through my practice is what continues to draw me to my mat.  My passion is to share the positive effects yoga has had upon my life in the hope of spreading this positive effect onto others"

" Hi Jilly, I wanted to let you know what a fabulous 2 weeks I had with Andrea and the group in this great location at Palm Tree Lodge.
Her teaching and dedication to the group were outstanding. From our gift at the beginning of the first lesson, all the way through to the beautiful closing class with decorated yoga shala and personalised cards. I have been doing yoga for 20 years and still learnt so much from her teaching and her kind hearted way of being. That so many of the group have already rebooked with her for next year says it all ! Wow.
Thank you"   Melanie - Palm Tree Yoga, Kerala, India January 2020

Anna Georgiou (BWY Dip)

Anna began practising yoga in 1999, and qualified with the British Wheel of Yoga in 2007, followed by a further month's study at the Khrisnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai, India in Feb 2008. 

Prior to her yoga training, Anna studied Reflexology, Massage and Dance. She has also studied with some of the world's leading teachers: Sarah Powers, Donna Farhi, Paul Grilley and Max Strom.

Anna's teaching is influenced by different styles of Hatha yoga.

Her approach is creative and welcoming and she delivers a safe and well rounded class which can be enjoyed by all levels and ages.   With attention to alignment and a focus on breath and movement co-ordination, her class caters for the individual, allowing to build strength and flexibility, promoting a healthy, happy and balanced life!

This retreat will be the perfect opportunity to enjoy two yoga sessions per day, allowing the individual  to build and take their yoga practice to a deeper level. We will explore different types of Asana, pranayama, meditation, and Yoga Nidra (deep yogic relaxation).

The morning session will be dynamic and energising, while the evening session will include more restorative and rejuvenative  work with some Yin postures to help balance the Yang active posture work of the morning. 

There will also be plenty of time to relax during the day, helping to bring harmony back to mind and body!

Anne-Marie qualified in 1984 with Swami Vishnu Devananda of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Neyyar Dam India

What is Yoga?

I always begin my courses with this most important question; what does the word Yoga mean? I ask my class how many of them were told the meaning of this Sanskrit word. I have not had anyone put up his or her hand and say 'me!'

I started my Teacher Training School in 2003. I had studied Iyengar back in 1976 with Maxine Tobias when Iyengar visited the UK. I enjoyed the technique and strict alignment but felt there was something missing. I did not know then that Iyengar was not an integrated Yoga; in other words the pranayama, basic meditation principles, theory and asana brought together in one class. During my years as a Dancer, Drummer and Fashion designer I was lead through a series of Epiphanies to the doors of the Sivananda Yoga Centre London.

That was in 1983. My life changed forever. After keeping to the Sivananda principles for many years I started to train in Astanga with some eminent teachers and found the grace and strength changed another part of my practice. However all the styles I had practiced did not provide for me the teachings and principles of the mind, body and breath that Sivananda did. But I am creative and passionate and desire knowledge and truth from all I do. Yoga is to work together, Mind, Body and Breath

I realised that I had boxes of knowledge stored in my head and heart. I opened them up and Sun Power Yoga was born. I have had the privilege of learning more than one style of Yoga each one giving another dimension to my own personal practice and to my levels of technique but in the end Yoga is a Spiritual Path and in no way could I claim to be a Yoga teacher or trainer if I did not embrace the very essence of Yoga.

I read a book recently by a very knowledgeable teacher. The content and instructions were as good as mine! In other words
I was reading from an experienced teacher with great observational skills and detailed eye for Anatomy. But in the first chapter she said we would find no reference to Yoga theory or its Spiritual roots. I was a little surprised and disappointed. Swami Vishnu always said the Yoga would have to bend to accommodate the Western Mind but I don't believe it should be compromised!

It takes courage to practice the OM at the end of the class but to have knowledge and not to give it is a sin. Deciding who to give your knowledge to should be based on the layering of that knowledge, sprinkling the seeds so that they grow but to deny your students the experience to make up their own minds is just arrogance. I encourage our teachers to be Authentic, Honest, Courageous, to show humility, to learn from their students and to be truthful to them. We want you to be a teacher who wants to teach for all the right reasons not because it may make you money, though that's great too but to know why you are teaching.

Yoga Family

Breathing as One. The Yoga Family means that no matter what our age or background Yoga is an aid to a busy and often stressful life. Families are the anchor to a happy child or an appreciated parent.
Practicing this Ancient Art as a family is healing, restoring and joyful.

Sun Power Yoga is a Family and our school has built a community to support each other and to be respected by each other. In the end it takes not only THE EYE AND THE HAND BUT ALSO THE HEART to be an INSPIRATIONAL YOGA TEACHER. We are made up of Mothers, Fathers, and Grandparents, of young people from all backgrounds, races and religious backgrounds.

We consider it our responsibility to aid the transformation of our students into the people they aspire to be.

The Subtle Body and the Physical Body

Learning to teach Yoga to others requires the knowledge of the body, its Anatomy and Physiology and how the systems of the body work. For me; the work of Sivananda has been profound because as a Medical Doctor, he understood the body and its relationship to the mind.

There is another body too, the Subtle body the body that works with the Chakras and the emotional body. The word Hatha is often misunderstood. It is not a style of Yoga but a Path of Yoga. It is the physical aspect of Yoga Philosophy. Raja Yoga is the road to Meditation and is the highest Road, Karma Yoga the Yoga of Selfless service such as the work of Mother Theresa for instance. Bhakti Yoga the Yoga of Devotion and Jana of Knowledge, these are paths we can take to finding out about our Spiritual goal. So Hatha yoga is a journey from outside in. As we are human we think we carry our body so it is an excellent place to begin!

Knowledge cannot be given by word thought and deed only; you must also add the heart

Antonello Di Curzio is a Senior Yoga Teacher.

His registered as E-RYT 500, ÔÇ£an authorized Director and/or Primary Instructor of a 200 and/or 500-Hour teacher training programÔÇØ.

He underwent extensive training in many areas of the Yoga system under the guidance of the world renowned masters he was lucky to study with.

He also specialises in anatomy, which informs the healthy movement patterns, the postures and variations used and the structure of the practice he delivers.

Antonello teaches a creative, yet therapeutic, form of dynamic yoga that maximises the benefits of the practice and results in a more round and uplifting experience.

Classes unfold organically, so all abilities (except complete beginners) are welcome.

For more information on Antonello visit his website at www.holisticreflection.com

Sivanada Yoga with Barbara Gordon

Born in Scotland, she began her yoga studies in London and from there went to the Sivananda Ashram in Val Morin Canada to study with Swami Vishnudevananda in the Sivananda style of teaching yoga.   

"Having taught for over 40 years I teach from my experience and understanding of the human body that I have gained over this time.

Each person is an individual and this is how I teach. Once I start to work with people I can intuit what each individual needs, every body is different. When working with a group there is the opportunity to develop each person as they require.   

Each class contains asanas pranayama and meditation and according to the group needs it can be adapted to suit. I discuss this at the beginning of your week. "   

  Classes are ideal for beginners or advanced.

Barbara also holds regular Teacher Trainings 3 weeks in length, usually held overseas, culminating in a Yoga Alliance 200 hours teaching certificate.  These can be found in our Training section of our website.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Becky May

Becky first came to yoga in 2001 during her university finals and was blown away by its calming yet energising effects.    

She went on to practise hatha yoga for a number of years, before discovering ashtanga yoga in Coventry in 2006. She immediately fell in love with the dynamic style and its tradition of regular, steady practice to heal the body and calm the mind, and eventually trained to teach ashtanga under the instruction of her teacher, Ervin Menyhart, alongside teacher training with the internationally renowned David Swenson in 2007.   

In 2012, Becky also completed a 200 hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher training in vinyasa krama sequencing with the Freestyle Yoga Project, to enable her to teach vinyasa flow classes alongside ashtanga.  She regularly attends workshops with renowned teachers such as Richard Freeman, John Scott, Kino McGregor, Liz Lark, Hamish Hendry, Joey Miles and Nancy Gilgoff, in order to keep improving both her own practice and her teaching.  She remains an avid ashtangi in her personal practice but enjoys mixing it up in her teaching!       

She has been teaching vinyasa flow and ashtanga classes in Warwickshire for the last eight years and has also led retreats in Morocco teaching yoga to surfers and in France, working with skiiers/ snowboarders, allowing her to indulge her own love of getting active in the great outdoors!    

Becky is also a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner and is fascinated by anatomy and how the body works. She enjoys using intelligent sequencing to work up to challenging postures, allowing the body to open up gradually yet deeply.   

Her classes are challenging but always fun, accessible and inclusive, by providing lots of options through the class and lots of encouragement – the first stage is believing in yourself! Becky also provides a lot of information about the body through the classes and uses her knowledge to tune into individual needs quickly, using intuitive, tailored adjustments.    

On this retreat expect a strong vinyasa flow morning class to get you fired up for the day, and a more gentle evening class with deep stretching and guided relaxation, including yoga nidra.  The week will also incorporate daily pranayama (breath-work) and guided meditation and we will also look at some of the philosophy behind yoga by focusing on a different theme from the yoga sutras each day.   

Her aim is that you leave feeling informed, refreshed, relaxed and inspired!

Beth Win - Urban Yoga Monkey

This intimate weekend break in beautiful Italy will offer 6 yogamonks* sessions that invite you to explore your mind, body and spirit. The practice leads to physical release, emotional expansion and mental clarity.

The Yogamonks method introduces a loving and holistic way in which to move, making your yoga practice inspiring, effective, fulfilling and transformative. Therapeutic massage, accupressure and reiki are available at special retreat-discounted rates

Expect Dynamic Vinyasa that will challenge you to your very core and involve your entire being.

Learn how to practice with precision, move with fluidity and grace as you discover your own path to effortless and expansive living.

"I use the Yogamonks method to stimulate the muscle of awareness as its this awareness that reveals our attachments to our conditionality.

Beneath this however our awareness strengthens our connection to our heart and our true, authentic nature"

For more information on Beth Win visit

www.urbanyogamonkey.com

   Brigitte Riley - Hatha Flow Yoga

Brigitte has been an established yoga teacher for 19 years.

She is a Registered Senior Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals, which is the highest accolade in professional yoga teaching.

She is always evolving her teachings and is particularly recognised for her in-depth anatomy and biomechanical knowledge.

Her expertise lies in correcting mis-alignments within the outer physical body, as well as yoga practices that promote therapeutic healing for the inner subtle body.

Brigitte is also known for her love of fluid creative vinyasa flow, her unique playlists, her inspiring writings, her philosophy on life and her ‘keeping it real’ wisdom. Her authenticity, natural warmth, playfulness and heartfelt approach radiate through in to her teachings.

Her mission is to encourage students to not only open up their bodies, but also their minds, so that they may discover new levels of healing, opportunity, possibility, creativity, transformation and adventure in order to live the most amazing life possible.

Morning sessions will begin with a quiet centering, followed by Pranayama then a Creative Vinyasa Flow practice, closing with Meditation and Relaxation.

  
In the Evenings the sessions will be slower and will vary each day to include all aspects of yoga such as Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Meditation, Somatics, Pranayama and Chanting.

Brigitte’s beautifully designed classes are a culmination of her years of experience and her innate ability to connect with her students. She manages to gently encourage her beginners, yet stretch her experienced yoginis; to be soulful, yet playful, all at the same time. Brigitte’s authenticity and wonderful philosophy make every session meaningful, and her teachings always inspire me to take something forward into my daily life. Whether it’s vinyasa, yin, meditation, or nidra, she brings her own unique magic every time, and her sessions and retreats always leave me feeling ‘smoothed out’ in both body and mind.  – Lorie

Brigitte’s classes are inspiring and profoundly moving, the perspective that she brings is one that always resonates on a deep level with me. The flowing commentary, instruction and spiritual reflections are simply beautiful. There is something hypnotic about her classes because the physical and mental focus are entwined to support each other. Brigitte has a soothing reassuring warmth in her voice conveying expression and real clarity, which gives me clarity over the minor tribulations in my every day life. I continually feel a freshness, depth and new energy to my own practice now, as what I have learned comes back to me in little realisations every now and again. Through Brigitte’s teachings, I actually feel different about myself and the world around me. I hope in the future many more people will get to experience and appreciate the gift of yoga practice with this special lady. – Sharon

Brigitte is an amazing person and brings all her skills, passion, compassion and joy of life in to her classes. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you always learn something new to help you on your journey. – Deborah

Brigitte teaches from the heart, underpinned by a wealth of knowledge and experience. She just seems to know when you need an easier option or when you need to be challenged. Her vinyasa classes can be strong and dynamic or smooth and soulful. Her yin classes will stretch your muscles and her restorative classes leave you nourished. She can guide you in meditation and relax you with yoga nidra. Her urban retreat days and her international retreat holidays will leave you completely refreshed and relaxed. Brigitte is a compassionate and caring person with a love of life and a sense of humour. – Karen

Caroline Wickham - Hatha Yoga Flow

‘Enthusiasm, Energy & Experience’  This is how Caroline’s students have described her and why they enjoy her classes so much! She has a long-standing teaching background, originally trained as Physical Education teacher specialising in Human Movement Studies. She started her Yoga teaching career in Guernsey back in 2006 and has witnessed many shifts and changes in the yoga world. She has enjoyed taking Free Spirit retreats since 2013.  An eclectic mix of Hatha, Flowing Therapeutic and Yin Yoga. Caroline’s classes will be challenging, creative, exciting and with an emphasis on ‘fun’. Her classes will focus on the needs of the students and offering the best suited postures to help heal injuries and release tight joints. The intention will always be maintaining optimal health and good energy flow. This practice is open to everyone, from complete beginners to advanced students and teachers.

Your Yoga
Caroline will make sure you get an all-encompassing experience during your yoga retreat. Each day will commence with the option of early morning meditation and pranayama with opportunities to chant and learn about healing mantra. If you don’t already have a meditation practice, this is a great opportunity to start. There will be a short break before the morning Hatha yoga session, which will consist of vinyasa flow to heat the body and then specific work on selected asana. Each yoga class with follow a theme or have a specific intention so that our work on the mat relates back to yoga principles and into life off the mat.

The afternoon yoga session will complement the morning one so that we maintain a good balance of Yin and Yang, dynamic and yielding, energising and healing.  There will be plenty of opportunity for yoga nidra and relaxation.  Caroline holds the Advanced BWY (British Wheel of Yoga) Diploma and is recognised by the European Yoga Alliance and the International Yoga Federation, the world governing body of Yoga.  She originally qualified as an advanced SunPower teacher with Anne-Marie Newland in 2008. She has also studied under the expert tuition of Duncan Wong, Ana Forrest and Cameron Shayne and recently qualified as a Qigong Yoga teacher with Mimi Kuo-Deemer. She is constantly learning and adapting her teaching skills to suit the individual needs of her students.

Her most outstanding achievement as a Yoga teacher has been a long-standing commitment to teaching in the Guernsey Prison (with  the Prison Phoenix Trust) and helping inmates find meaning, purpose and healing in their lives.

www.poweryogaguernsey.com 

Originally a professional dancer, Catherine Annis has been practicing yoga for nearly 30 years, and is well known for her imaginative and light hearted approach.

She holds a Masters degree in ballet studies and is a qualified Thai massage practitioner, and it is this interest in the body that informs her practice and teaching.

Catherine studied Iyengar, Astanga and various forms of Hatha yoga before gravitating to the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli, and now teaches one of the few Scaravelli inspired teacher training courses in the UK.

Classes are generally slow paced and alignment focused, unfolding gently to release long held habitual movement patterns and reveal the natural freedom of the body, particularly the spine.
    
The yoga is suitable for everyone, including complete beginners and more experienced students. The retreat will be the perfect antidote to busy lives. During our time together we will learn to move with more ease and freedom and explore fresh new ways of looking at our practice.
    
There will be two classes each day, including some meditation and breathing practice. Moving at our own, individual pace, we will learn to relax completely, let go of unnecessary tension, and move closer to the quietness that is inside each of us.

For more information, please visit Catherine's website: www.relaxandrelease.co.uk

A professionally trained dancer and marital artist, with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy; Celest is a yoga teacher with true depth of knowledge and awareness on the body, how it works and what it can do.

Her love for yoga started ten years ago in London and this love for yoga took her on a journey to India, the spiritual home of yoga, seeking to really understand the philosophy and history of this great discipline and art form.

Celest describes yoga as a 'living art' because in her eyes it keeps changing and transforming itself, adapting to the environment and the challenges the practitioners face.

Her teaching aims to deepen intensify her student's understanding of, not only their body; but the nature of their minds as well; always using the breath to bridge the gap between the two. Her passion is working with city professionals; giving them the tools that they need to lead increasingly healthy and balanced lives.

Stemming from her dance background, Celest teaches a Dynamic Vinyasa Flow class that links the asanas (poses) together into a challenging but therapeutic practice.

Interspersed throughout the hour and half practice, she breaks down advanced asanas to suit the individual, always mindful of each student's capabilities, while motivating them to advance beyond their preconceived beliefs of what they thought they were capable of.

It's this approach and Celest's unique personality which has led to the same students learning from her over the last 7 years

Charlotte Watts - Yoga for De-Stress and Relaxation

I am a Senior Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance UK, practising since 1997, teaching since 2007 and trained with the Vajrasati School of Yoga (RYT500) in Brighton. I teach with an emphasis on mindfulness so depth and strength can be fostered within yoga practice as your body needs -  helping release stress, not adding to it..

I have continued to explore this essence of finding our authentic selves through yoga, with further training with teachers including Judith Lasater, Donna Farhi and Tias Little and Mindfulness and Yoga training with Cathy-Mae Karelse.

As a Nutritional Therapist and Yoga Teacher in Brighton and London, I specialise in stress-related issues such as anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, depression and burnout. This has culminated in my latest book The De-Stress Effect (Hay House 2015).

Yoga’s focus on calming the nervous system, attuning to our mind-body needs and dropping beneath brain chatter perfectly complements my nutritional therapy work, especially with an emphasis on mindfulness within both.

In this way I can work with clients in well-rounded and truly holistic mind-body health programmes.

Why is this yoga more ‘De-Stressing’ than others?

It’s a known fact that a regular yoga practice helps relieve stress, so why on earth is this class specifically given the title ‘De-Stress’ you might well ask….. Well, it follows my years of research and teaching, both as a yoga teacher and a nutritional therapist, specialising in all things stress-related. Where we might tend to follow the habits of doing, striving and achieving in life, rather than take this into a forceful yoga practice, instead we have the opportunity to really pay attention to this behavioural conditionings and drop beneath; to listen and respond to what we need.

"The breath leads, the body follows and the mind observes”

Yoga is connection; not the shapes we make or the flexibility we might want, but awareness created and in the first of the Yoga Sutras, ‘stilling the mind’. A physical yoga practice can help us do that, providing a focus for our restless minds and helping us to stay with strong sensations with our breath as a guide.

What actually happens in a class?

Sessions on retreats can vary in tone, energy and emphasis, depending on the time of day and the needs of the group. We always start by arriving and connecting with the breath though. From there we can then start mindfully loosening the body, usually either lying or sitting.  

In a morning class, we can then use this to move into a stronger asana (posture) practice to open up tight upper spines, compressed front bodies, tight thighs, hamstrings and psoas muscles so common in the modern body. This will be wherever we need to safely and effectively encourage postural conditions and habits as our bodies are designed but may not always achieve.

In the afternoon, we will move into a more grounding and relaxing practice – this may be somatic, restorative or yin, but usually melding elements of each to balance movement and stillness, opening and recovery.

In all sessions, we lead back down to a restorative and relaxing practice at the end; to assimilate energy we have created, fully release any stress moved out and to prepare us to take this attitude of non-reaction into our daily lives

See     www.charlottewattshealth.com     for more info

Testimonial:

“Charlotte is a brilliant yoga teacher. She is very knowledgeable about how to restore the body's balance, which makes me feel rejuvenated. She is thorough, gentle, practical and intuitive, knowing just the right comment to assist me at just the right moment.”  - Denise, Brighton

Claire Graham - Hatha Yoga

Claire is passionate about holistic health & wellbeing and making that accessible to all.  

She is a certified Yoga Teacher (E-RYT200, Yoga Alliance; YACEP), Mindfulness teacher, Wellness Coach and BANT certified Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist.  Understanding nutrition and ayurveda has been an enormous part of her personal health journey and she integrates aspects of all these modalities into her yoga classes.

Claire completed her initial 200 hour yoga teacher training in Kerala, India in 2016 with her yoga teacher Rajeev.  She was a student at his studio, Drishti Yoga Shala, in Shanghai, China, where she lived from 2010 to 2018. Now based on the Wirral in the UK, she has been practicing yoga regularly since 2007 and teaching since early 2016.

She completed a 100 hour training in Bali in November 2017 in Yin Yoga, with Sebastian and Murielle of with-yinyoga.com. She is fascinated by yoga and food as medicine, with the potential both hold for self-healing and self-care.
 
More recently she has been immersing herself in the teachings of Mark Whitwell and The Heart of Yoga lineage. This approach is a breath of fresh air, reiterating the flow of yoga as a seamless process of asana, pranayama and meditation led by the breath.  It has had a profound effect on her own practice and life. Through reconnecting to our breath, hearts and bodies we can be in the flow of life, whatever comes up for us, whatever we may face. 
 
During your yoga week, Claire will share her knowledge and love of yoga and holistic medicine with you.  Yoga classes will be Hatha and Yin based. EveryBody is very welcome from complete beginners to those who’ve been practicing longer in whatever chosen style. There is definitely no need for a prior practice to join us. If you can breathe you can do yoga and options are given to suit everyone.
 
Claire will also offer you the chance to sit with her 1-to-1 and develop your own personal practice to take away with you from your time together based onwhat your body, heart and mind specifically need. 

Clare has been teaching yoga since 2000 having trained with the British Wheel of yoga. and more recently with the Khyf (Krishnamacharya healing yoga foundation)

She teaches a vinyasa (flowing) style of Classic Hatha Yoga which is suitable for all levels of students.

Clare holds classes in Dynamic Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Ante Natal Yoga and Yoga for the Physically Disabled. She also teaches yoga for children and restorative yoga. Clare also runs foundation courses for the British Wheel Of Yoga.

Clare always considers the individual needs of each student and often teaches on a one to one basis.

Clare has spent time working in a corporate environment, as well as having an interest in holistic therapies, holding qualifications in aromatherapy, reflexology, Indian head massage and deep tissue massage.

Clare has been practicing yoga for many years and has spent time exploring some of the different schools, including Astanga, Satyadananda and Sivananda, her Primary influence comes from the teachings of Sri Krishnamacharya and his sonTKV Desikachar.

Clare continues her studies by attending workshops and seminars run by the KHYF and BWY and has also recently gained an advanced teaching diploma with the BWY. Clare holds the belief that yoga is for everyone, and that yoga can be modified to suit people's lifestyle, age and circumstance, and what might be right today may not be what is right tomorrow.
 
 
" Yoga should be adapted to the individual rather than the individual to yoga"
 TKV Desikachar.          

Hatha Yoga with Daljit Kaur

Daljit’s yoga journey started in the early 90's when she joined a local class and found that practising yoga was life changing. She chose to start living more holistically, integrating health and well-being with mind and body.

Daljit qualified as a yoga teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga and has been teaching weekly Hatha yoga classes since 2006, promoting a safe and nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery and non-competitiveness.

“Yoga has been life enhancing for me, it’s such an ancient discipline, yet so simple, anyone can do it. I can’t imagine my life without yoga. I want to share this with others through my teaching”.

Teachers that have inspired and influenced Daljit’s practice have used concepts from Feldenkrais, Rolfing movement and Body Rolling. She has also been working with Scaravelli inspired yoga teachers; some of these concepts will be incorporated into the sessions.

       
  
The week of yoga is suitable for everyone including complete beginners.

Daljit aims to create a friendly informal atmosphere combining fun with developing an awareness of alignment, flexibility, breath, relaxation and moving into postures through freedom not force.

The morning sessions will include exploring yoga postures and sequences, encouraging each individual to reach their full potential while adapting postures and practices to suit differing abilities and physical limitations.
     
The late afternoon sessions will focus on restorative practices and relaxation helping to nourish and create a peaceful mind, an open heart and more grounded attitude, all of which can help us to relax completely releasing unwanted tension.

https://yogawithdaljitkaur.com/

 
I recently attended a two week yoga trip in Kerala, India with Daljit, having been on other yoga holidays with her previously. Daljit's passion for yoga and how it can meaningfully impact on peoples daily lives comes across through who she is as a person and her approach to teaching. She is a warm and supportive teacher whose thoughtfulness and care for others is demonstrated within every class I have participated in. Daljit has a style which is inclusive of all people and she creates a lovely sense of community within the groups she teaches. Each holiday I have been lucky enough to go on with Daljit have been wonderful memorable experiences where I have deepened my own love of yoga and helped me develop my own practice further. I am looking forward to the next one!

Frances - Palm Tree, Kerala, India, January 2019

Hi Debbie and team, I just wanted to say what a brilliant time I had this weekend with Daljit’s yoga teaching.  She has been a joy to learn from and I feel my yoga practice has benefitted more in a couple of days than in the 15 months I have been practising so far.  She was patient, explained things brilliantly and brought real joy and care to the whole weekend.  yay for Daljit

Thanks Abigail - Champneys Spa,  2018

Feldenkrais for Yoga with Daniel Gelblum

Dan classes are much-loved and students feel immediate and long-term benefits

Dan focuses on fine movements resulting in rapid progress in flexibility and strength. Students remark at the ease with which they can achieve challenging postures at the end of each class. Dan has been teaching yoga since 1996

He trained in yoga and massage at the Limaye Clinic, Pune, India and the British Wheel of Yoga. He is a well-established yoga teacher in North West London. Dan is also a highly regarded Feldenkrais Practitioner.

This is what Dan says about Feldenkrais:-

" I can’t stress enough how useful Feldenkrais is for Yoga teachers and practitioners.
Through Feldenkrais I found I could do postures that were normally difficult with extreme ease as if something woke up in me, whether it was Yoga enlightenment or higher/deeper levels of consciousness developing or just removing the rust in my joints in a practical way.
From here the fun began - I started to introduce some of the techniques into my Yoga classes and was surprised to see how my students shared similar experiences to me and were suddenly more able not just in achieving Yoga postures, but overall improvements of better organisation, posture, mobility, flexibility, coordination and overall well being.
As a result of introducing Feldenkrais method to my classes, yoga students reported great improvements in other Yoga classes they attended, dance classes, martial arts classes, running, swimming, climbing, coping with stress, improved sleep and the list goes on.
More and more yoga teachers began attending my classes and told me how they were “stealing” my moves for other classes. I was and still am just so happy to spread something so wonderfully beneficial.
As I trained in the Feldenkrais method, I went onto do advanced training and made further self-discoveries in the infinite ways Feldenkrais can be a perfect accompaniment to Yoga and more."

Dan continues to develop this method. Yoga is like a flowing river, running workshops, Yoga holidays, classes in Triyoga, the Life Centre,  sharing this amazing method with enthusiasm.

" I am happy to share this incredible knowledge...thanks for the opportunity...is good karma and for the benefit of mankind!!!"

Daniel Gelblum
Feldenkrais Practitioner
Yoga and meditation Teacher
 Feldenkrais for yoga and beyond!
hathadan.wordpress.com
Feldenkrais.co.uk

Hi Debbie, I want to thank you for this Lovely week at Mavros Malos!  Everybody was Nice, friendly and very helpful at the hotel and the yoga with Dan Gelblum is the best.  Kind regards
Tina - Kissamos July 2018

Daria Germondari - Vinyasa Flow Yoga

My teaching incorporates the classics of yoga: philosophy, meditation, mantra, pranayama and healing fluid asanas aiming to generate awareness, spiritual and emotional growth as well as physical strength.

I come from a dynamic Vinyasa background but prefer to teach a strong, yet slow flow, with room for creative movement, exploration of pulsations, and free form yoga (sometimes taking you off the mat).

Taught to fresh soundtracks, with a focus on getting the basics right, my teaching offers an appreciation for flowing movement, integrating breath and intention for a wholehearted breath and movement experience.

I like to lead a diverse and balanced existence, with yoga acting as my internal compass and guiding me through the wondrous river of life. It’s the truth between it all.

Through my teaching of yoga, I hope to provide a safe space for your own river to flourish and flow.

The morning class will focus on journeying through the 5 life-giving Elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether) deconstructing a different Element each day through a slow but strong Vinyasa practice.

The afternoon class will focus on embodying the relevant Element through a combination of Meditation, Yin and Restorative practices. There will also be time for journaling.

Denisa started training Kung Fu at he age of 7. She discovered yoga at the age of 13 and quickly integrated both practices.

She spent several years studying all four paths of yoga and attended courses and trainings with Anusara yoga, Sivanada yoga, Jivamukti yoga,  Donna Farhi, Clare Missingham, Shiva Rea, Rod Stricker, Julie Gudmestad, Catherine Annis and many more before she decided to become a yoga teacher.

Currently Denisa teaches adults classes across London, runs regular workshops and retreats and dedicates 60% of her time teaching therapeutic yoga to children and young adults with Special Needs.

  
Denisa's classes are strongly physical and yet very meditative, creative and inspiring. The focus falls on recognizing and developing a crystal clear sharp and alert mind which allows for a state of heighten awareness and concentration to occur so the student can then experience the asanas by feeling the inner alignment and pranic flow as suppose to just do the asanas.

Mastery of breath - conscious, specific application of pranayama, pinpoints every single movement in the class and makes Transcendence possible. Hands on adjustments, meditation, reflection on Vedanta and deep relaxation are weaved into the class structure. 

Her retreats are reflective, creative, invigorating, challenging and yet calming and centering. Denisa creates a space that allows the students to immerse him/herself into their yoga sadhana on all levels of existence physical mental emotional spiritual.

One is welcome and invited to softly unfold into luminous stillness and center back in the core of his/her being.

Denisa believes that:
"Through the continuous questioning and unraveling of the 'I' over the years of practice I have come to believe that Every moment is tremendously precious and unique, every moment is the perfect opportunity to learn, grow, expand and progress. Every moment can be a moment of Liberation we just need to look for the courage to take the first step. To me the practice of Yoga is exactly that the path towards Liberation"

www.denisanenova.com

Dynamic Yoga with Diane Davis

NAMASTE~
I have been practising and studying Yoga since 1972, so from that you can tell I truly love my Yoga.

I qualified for my Yoga Teachers Diploma at The International School of Yoga, Kevala Centre. I studied Yoga philosophy, anatomy, physiology, and nutrient, Yoga for the disabled, for Pregnancy, children, the elderly and much more.

My yoga style is Dynamic Hatha Yoga although, as I have also practiced most forms of Yoga, there are elements of Astanga, Dru, Kundalini Iyengar and Sivananda in there as well.

I have been teaching Yoga since 2002 and I have my REPS certificate to advanced teacher level. I also study sports injuries and recovery. I have taught in various leisure centres, The Athletic Club for Gifted and Talented Youths, in colleges, schools and privately.

My Yoga teaching assists a huge range of people including those with illness, injuries, births, stress and those keeping fit and healthy. They include Footballers, Golfers, Dancers, Sports people and Martial Arts, to name but a few, all have said how Yoga benefits and enhances their profession.

It is heart-warming for me, to help so many people, with their Mind, Body and Soul . I am still studying Yoga on a daily basis, as it is a never ending journey of learning.

  
On your holiday, at about 8am before breakfast, we will be having  a 90 minute class of Dynamic Hatha Yoga on some days and on others we will doFlowing Vinyasas.

There will be a second class before dinner where we will practise Pranayama, Meditation and Relaxation.

Om~Shanti
Diane

Dini Martinez - Vinyasa Flow & Yin Yoga

Travelling yogini. Free spirit. Avid sailor. Mother of three angels. Ayurvedic practitioner. Reiki Healer. Yin and vinyasa yoga teacher. Acro yoga lover. Experienced doula. Sustainability dudess. Lunatic dancer. Tarot card reader. Passionate writer... Dini is not one who lives life at halves. Her adventures have seen her live on a sailing boat cruising the Mediterranean with a baby and a toddler on board. Nowadays, closer to home, she is building an off-grid top sustainability home to use as a base between travels with her family in an eco village an hour north of Sydney in Australia    

She has been practicing Yoga and meditation, on and off the mat, since starting university aged 19. Dance and fitness teachings turned towards yoga many, many years ago. Her continuous studies of Ayurveda, work as Reiki healer and Doula, passion for wholesome nutrition and holistic approach to motherhood and life all influence her teachings.  ..  

Whilst many great teachers including Iyengar, Shiva Rae, Simon Borg-Oliver, Cam Storey, Clive Sheridan and Vipassana's Goenka to name but a few , have left traces and inspiration in Dini's practice, her toughest teachers are her children. They play a transformational role in the journey of taking yoga beyond the mat and into a happier and healthier life. Old yoga scriptures are also a resource she often draws back upon.. 

Dini works without a pre-set schedule, but takes what there is and builds on it. One of the beauties of a yoga retreat is that it allows for spending more time on poses and areas that need particular attention. Dini doesn't shy back to gently push her students’ boundaries while holding a safe space to fall back upon. The only 'cannot' is in the mind and once that is dropped, possibilities are endless.  

Often pranayam, mudhras, bandhas and sometimes even kryas make their way into her classes and give students a whole new angle to approach movement, breath and life. Her subtle, Reiki and Thai massage influenced adjustments have created a name for themselves and can aid major shifts in body, mind and Soul.  
 

Morning practices will be flowing through variations of and additions to Surya Namaskars with options to keep it basic, over medium to fully advanced yogis and teachers. Sessions and with pranayama to gain a deeper understanding of your own power to influence your breathe and through it the life force and energy in your body

Evening practices will consist of diverse meditation techniques and restorative Yin Yoga whereby seated poses are held for several minutes, letting go of any muscular tensions and alignment issues. This allows the body to release traumas in different koshas, or layers, possibly stored for years or even decades. As the yin areas of the body like connective tissue, ligaments and bones are accessed in the serene stillness of a yin practice, we open our whole selves up to boundless opportunities.

Be prepared for more than a normal yoga holiday. Transformation and change are the only constants in life. Dini's authenticity and aliveness, coupled with a great love and passion for passing on the teachings of yoga, has inspired many yogis and others around the world to also dare living the life that they dream of.          

Flowing Vinyasa Yoga with Effie Love

Effie has been practising yoga for the better part of the last 15 years. She's studied in Israel, India, Thailand and of course, the UK, where she's been a resident in the people's republic of Brighton for the last decade.  She is also an acupuncturist (BSc (hons), LicAc, MBAcC), and a massage therapist, she has a very deep level of knowledge when it comes to the physical and energetical anatomy of the body, which becomes apparent in her classes.  Effie runs About Balance a low cost, fair trade, wellbeing centre in Brighton - a place that helps therapists to make a living from their work and helps the people of Brighton to achieve affordable well being.  She  also  works as a therapist at the Google offices in London.

She believes yoga makes you a better person, not by magic, or some weird hippie voodoo stuff, but simply because when you practice yoga you give yourself love, you learn to accept yourself, (Ahimsa- the first yama of patanjali yoga sutras) by doing so, you learn, with time, to accept others, other situations, other people, and that makes you a better person, if you like it or not :)  Her approach to yoga is not about becoming more flexible and strong (though you would),it's not about touching your toes (though, again, with time, you would) but it's about learning to turn the focus inside, to how we breath, to how we move, to how we feel, to who we are and to use yoga as a path to freedom.

On her retreat

Morning sessions:  will start with a 30 min meditation (optional) followed by pranayama.  We will then start with warming up our body with sun salutations, and flow into a vinyasa  session that will focus on different areas of the body each day. (opening shoulders, strengthening core, opening hips, lengthening hamstrings, etc.) we will look into the anatomy of each area and understand the complex movement of it (hand outs will be given on course) and what that area needs. By the end of the course you will have a good understanding of the anatomy of yoga and how to maintain a personal practice that will be good for your own body needs…

Evening sessions:  will be made out of a 60 min yin class (related to the morning session) followed by yoga nidra (yogic sleep). Helping you to get your body and mind ready for a sweet good night sleep.

For more information on Effie, please visit her website:

www.aboutbalancebrighton.com

Emma Cole - Hatha Yoga, Flow Yoga, Somatics & Restorative Yoga

Emma is a Senior Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance and experienced her first yoga class in 1999 whilst completing a 3 year training as a professional Dancer.

Emma has been teaching Yoga since 2009 alongside a career as a Dancer, Dance Teacher, Actress and Movement Director for Theatre

Emma is authentic, earthy, warm, vibrant and intuitive. She has studied Hanna Somatics, The Feldenkrais Method, Shiatsu, Body Mind Centreing, Qi Gong, Contact Improvisation, Nature Connection and Yoga Nidra

Her classes are nourishing, comforting, informative, uplifting and inspiring.

She welcomes you to show up exactly as you are.

With her 20 years of experience as a somatic movement practitioner the sessions have a unique flavour that is rooted in substance, creativity, embodied mindfulness and bio-energetics.

All  within the container of asana, pranayama, mudra and mantra

Morning sessions will focus on restoring / generating vitality through energising and replenishing asana practices (Hatha, Flow, Kriya).

Evening sessions will amplify energetic balance through Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra (sleep of the yogis) and Yin Yoga. Expect a sense of homecoming, space to be, space to breathe and recalibration of the nervous system.
 

Daily pranayama (breathwork), somatics, Qi Gong, meditation, poetry and song (optional) will be woven into sessions throughout the week.

Expect a sense of homecoming, space to be, space to breathe and recalibration of the nervous system

Hatha and Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Emma 'Yog Ganga' Robinson

 About Emma

“We don’t use our body to get into the pose, we use the pose to get into our body” - Shakti Mhi

Emma has been teaching since 2008. She has trained in Yogalates, Akhanda Yoga and Tripsichore Yoga and specialises in functional movement to help combat everyday physical and emotional strains and stylised vinyasa choreography and advanced asana.

She is an Osteopath and science geek and believes that moving and thinking well is integral to maintain optimal health.

Dynamic Vinyasa Yoga Weekend
Over this weekend, Emma will take you through a series of classes that focus on the art of Vinyasa Yoga; synchronised breath and movement, from the simpler through to more complex postures and how to move with control and finesse. Not suitable for beginners.
Between classes, practitioners can enjoy the facilities that Champneys has to offer, making this a weekend to explore and indulge your senses in a luxurious environment, lovely company and delicious, healthy meals.
  
This retreat is ideal for those who wish to explore challenging asana; if you have an already strong practice, Emma aims to provide you with a variations. If you’re still yet to master a difficult posture(s) then Emma will endeavour to make them more accessible by breaking them down.
  
This weekend covers the following;
  
•    Choreographed vinyasa sequences to focus the mind and hone the senses. Emphasising that vinyasa yoga is a method of meditation where we can train ourselves to explore our potential through our body and observing the effects of this

•    Dedicated classes that will focus on arm balances, inversions and backbends

•    Step by step instructions of postures so that everyone can work within their range and to their edge without pressure

•    Tips to improve your technique whether you’re new to that posture or looking to improve and/or explore a variation.

•    How to utilise the breath for effective and controlled transitions, avoiding carelessness and thus reduce the chance of injury

•    The importance of core stability and the breathing to support the body’s structure. Practicing with intelligence, with regard for our physical limitations without being held back by them.
   

For more information on Emma’s classes, retreats, workshops and blog check out www.emmalovesyoga.com

Eve Niker - Astanga, Vinyasa and Yin Yoga

Eve Niker is an Astanga, Vinyasa and Yin yoga teacher. She loves to join all of these styles when she teaches her classes that are both dynamic and relaxing.

Starting classes with sun salutations, then going through a variety of asanas and finishing with calming pranayama (breath exercises).

Eve has been practicing yoga pretty much her whole life as her mother is an International Yoga teacher - it runs in the family!

She has been teaching in luxury studios in London and online (2020). She specialises in inversions and arm balances and will help her students achieve new poses with stability and confidence.

Eve prepares classes that help the students find space in their body and calmness in their mind.

As well as a yoga teacher Eve is a RADA trained actress who has performed in the West End and loves to bring her personality to each class making them as fun and rewarding as possible.

"I love Eve's yoga classes, they are the perfect mix of challenging and fun. They are also keeping me sane through lockdown!" - Jemma Sneddon, Circus Performer

"I love Eve's Classes. They are so tentative and she gives so much to each individual." - Lilia Blood, Dancer

"Her warm, wholesome personality balances perfectly with her challenging classes so you come out knowing you've worked hard but with a big smile on your face" - Fed Wooton, Bar Owner and PT

 Gabrielle McNaughton is a Hatha Yoga Teacher and Craniosacral Therapist

She brings an understanding of the body and movement to her teaching, from a previous career in dance working with Rambert Dance Company amongst others.

Discovering yoga in 1997, she studied Sivananda and Astanga and developed a dedicated self practise before training in the Scaravelli Inspired approach.

Teaching since 2006, Gabrielle brings an intuitive and mindful approach to her yoga classes, which encourage a fluid relationship to movement, breath and stillness.

There is a focus on healthy alignment and grounding for a safe and resourced practise, developing core strength for stability, and cultivating a deep and nourishing connection to the breath.

Morning classes will include exploring the energetic and anatomical element of both simple and more complex poses and flowing, meditative Vinyasa sequences to revitalise and awaken body and mind.

The early evening class will be a more restorative practise, which may include inversions, pranayama and relaxation.

www.gabriellemcnaughton.co.uk

Gillian Kamali Iyengar Yoga

I have been practising Iyengar yoga for over 30 years and teaching since qualifying in 1997. I hold the Junior Intermediate level 3 certificate.

I have been extremely lucky to have studied under many fantastic Iyengar teachers and have travelled to India to learn from the Iyengar family in the Institute in Pune.

I love the precision of Iyengar yoga, the emphasis on correct alignment, the links between the various asanas...and how it all makes so much sense!

We use props such as bricks, blocks, belts, blankets and bolsters to help us move towards asanas which challenge.

We can also become very creative with other pieces of furniture if we haven't got all the other props to hand!

Importantly, I love the clarity of mind and ease in the body that practice brings.

There will be two classes per day when we are in Ischia:

a longer early morning class, which will start gently and then become stronger, focussing on a theme, type of asana or part of the body; particular needs of the students in the class will also be addressed. 

Everyone has a favourite asana...and, quite often, a least favourite!

The evening classes will include more gentle,  restorative practice and every class will end with a 10 minute relaxation in Savasana.

Hatha Vinyasa Yoga with Ginny Clarke

Ginny has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching since 2007. In the years following her initial teacher training (RYT200) in the Astanga Vinyasa method, she also trained with Paul Grilley (Yin yoga), Shiva Rea (vinyasa flow) and Dr Timothy McCall (therapeutic yoga).

Ginny's current teacher is Tiffany Cruikshank, with whom she is studying on the 500hr Yoga Medicine program. Focussing her studies in anatomy, biomechanics, Chinese Medicine and prescriptive yoga, Ginny is able to understand the needs of individual students from a multi-dimensional perspective. Her group classes, workshops and holidays demonstrate her flexible and creative approach in making the practice accessible and joyful for all.

 
On this holiday, the morning yoga sessions will start gently to prepare us for flowing sequences with multi-level options for all students. Alongside precise alignment cues and well structured themes, expect some playfulness and the opportunity to explore the deeper, energetic effects of asana.

In the evenings, we will enjoy nourishing Yin Yoga - floor based postures held for time and approached in a way that allows us to restructure our connective tissues - fascia and ligaments whilst regulating the flow of Qi through the organ meridians. Ginny will also introduce you to self-myofascial release techniques using tennis balls and other props.
Meditation, pranayama and deep relaxation will be included each day.

www.one-yoga.co.uk

Just to say that our week at Source of Light was excellent. The food, accommodation, and weather were top notch: and the standard of Yoga teaching was absolutely superb.

Tony & Jan - July 2016
 

All weeks run by Hannah & Charlie are in Aid of Charity

This Champneys Spa Henlow Grange retreat would benefit Rise charity, supporting women affected by domestic violence and abuse. The effects of yoga can be transformative, especially for people experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression or illness. Our non-profit model means we run retreats and workshops for paying customers, and then use our profits to fund free of charge yoga for charities and vulnerable groups.

The Yoga

The yoga on this weekend will be suitable for all abilities, from the beginner to the more experienced yogi. We will have time to take our yoga at a steady pace, exploring breathwork, meditation, and a range of yoga styles. These will include gentle Hatha yoga, a more dynamic Vinyasa flow practice, plus some deeply restorative yoga. Our approach is inclusive and encouraging, allowing time for personal adjustments, and opportunities to explore poses, develop your confidence and really deepen your practice
 

Hannah Lee Weller

Hannah's background is as a dancer and choreographer, and she has studied, taught and produced dance work for over 20 years. She always enjoyed yoga practice alongside this, and the natural progression was to develop her skills and become a qualified teacher, training in Hatha and Vinyasa Flow yoga.  She enjoys bringing her influences of dance, anatomy, yoga philosophy and breath work to her yoga classes. She is particularly interested in how we can develop the skills of yoga beyond the mat, and integrate them into our daily lives.

Charlie Griffin

Charlie is a highly popular yoga teacher, who has been teaching since 2009. She studied yoga and advanced yoga teaching with Frog Lotus Yoga in Italy and India. She also teaches classes in Pre Natal Yoga, Pilates, Body Balance and dance. Charlie uses inspiration from her years as a dancer to improve posture in poses, and gain a sense of grace and fluidity in flow practice, leaving participants feeling strengthened, lengthened and centred.

Hatha Yoga with Shakti Bakti

Shakti Bhakti (Helen Barker) is a British Wheel of Yoga Diploma holder, BWY Foundation Course Tutor, Relax and Renew Trainer, Suksma Marma and Structural Yoga™ Therapist. 

Shakti Bhakti has been teaching yoga classes for almost 20 years and trained BWY teachers between 2003 - 2009. 

She now works with individual students to assist them develop harmony in their lives as well as teaching workshops, retreats and yoga holidays. 

She has personal experience of the transformative power of Structural Yoga Therapy™ being free from pain and having improved strength and mobility after several years of having an injury.

Joint Freeing Series
This series moves each joint gently and systematically through its full and natural range of motion. It has great healing properties and can bring about the release of subconscious patterns of injury and trauma.

Optimising Mobility and Strength
This series of exercises enables students to isolate muscular strength within asana, to maximise joint mobility (particularly the spine and pelvic region) and heighten concentration.

Vinyasas from Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy
Short flowing sequences that develop inner awareness and develop concentration whilst maximising the effectiveness of the asana enabling students to balance the three doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha 

For more information on Helen visit her website at
www.yoganamaste.co.uk

My name is Imelda. I have been practising since the age of 14. Introduced to Yoga by my Mum. Qualified with the British Wheel of Yoga for 27 years. Author of a best selling book "Yoga for a Healthy Body".

The classes I teach are fun and relaxed places to be.  My teachings based on student needs so everyone can develop and progress at their own pace.  I teach a dynamic form of Traditional Hatha Yoga. All classes are led by the breath.

Infused into my teachings are my knowledge and experience of Tai Chi, ensuring each student learns to move in the way nature designed. avoiding injury and unhindered by ageing, sex or strength.

The aim of Yoga is to help you feel good about yourself. Physically, mentally and spiritually. Release physical and mental tensions. Adopt a positive attitude towards life. Re-vitalise and re-juvanate!

On this holiday - The day begins with: Warm ups to tone up. Dynamic flowing Asanas to stretch, lengthen and relieve pain. Breathing to brighten your day. Meditation to enhance each moment of your holiday.  The day winds down with: Restorative Yoga practice. Deep breathing into the postures. Moving meditations. Smiling Mantras.

By the end of your weeks holiday you will take home..

A 10 minute yoga sequence you can practice everyday.
A deeper understanding of Yoga and yourself.
The tools to meditate, anywhere anytime.
And a belly full of Chi!

Jackie Dyson

Jackie has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and qualified as a teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga in 2006. She has practiced in a variety of yoga traditions, and with many senior teachers, all of which have influenced her teaching style. Jackie believes that yoga should be accessible to all and beneficial for everyone.

She teaches all levels from beginners to advanced practitioners. Postures can be adjusted and alternatives offered to allow for any physical challenges, injuries or medical conditions. Equally, extra challenge is offered for those who seek it.

Her classes offer benefits on many levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. On a physical level the postures work with the skeletal and muscular systems, helping us to stay (or become) fit and healthy. The postures also benefit all of the body’s systems resulting in healthy immune, nervous and digestive systems.

Jackie has a keen interest in Mindfulness and also draws on teachings which encourage a quality of attention, perception and awareness, helping to still the mental chatter and provide clarity and focus. The use of the breath is central to the teachings.

Whilst the philosophy of yoga is thousands of years old, it is still very relevant in the world today. Jackie’s teaching style draws heavily on yoga philosophy, which she weaves throughout the classes. She will help you use your yoga as a tool to enhance your daily life, enabling you to better handle the challenges we all face in day-to-day life and to realise your potential.

Jivamukti Yoga with Jacqueline Purnell

Jacqueline has taught yoga for many years all over the world, including training yoga teachers for over 10 years.

She originally trained in Astanga Vinyasa Yoga with the late Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Derek Ireland in India.

Jacqueline is licensed to teach BWY Foundation Courses One and Two and a certified Jivamukti yoga teacher, having trained with David Life and Sharon Gannon. Jacqueline has also worked with Shandor Remete.

On this holiday Jacqueline will be teaching Jivamukti Yoga which is dynamic yoga style - for more information on  this yoga style please follow the link at the bottom of this page.

Mornings classes will include

Breath awareness, flowing vinyasa sequences, alignment exploration, hands-on assistance, relaxation and meditation.

Music of all styles will play an integral role in the morning classes : you might practice to a shifting soundtrack of ragas, global trance, hip-hop, spoken word, George Harrison, Sting, Krishna Das, Donna de Lory, Michael Franti, Bill Laswell, Alice Coltrane and Mozart.

Afternoon classes

Will be workshop style looking at asana particularly inversions and backbends in greater detail, to enhance performance for the classes in the mornings.

For more information on Jivamukti yoga visit  www.jivamuktiyoga.com
For more information on Jacqueline visit  www.richmondyoga.co.uk

Jade Cutler

Jade has been practising yoga for over 35 years, teaching since 1994, having trained in the Sivananda style and is a cofounder of Yoga Akasha in East Grinstead.

She has practised many traditions including Iyengar and Scaravelli. She was really encouraged and inspired by her Iyengar teacher and various others along the way, so today her teachings are a combination of different styles of Hatha yoga.

Her classes are taught at a slow pace, focusing on static postures and breath awareness. Jade has taught young children, teenagers, one to one, pre and postnatal mothers and teaches regular weekly classes and workshops at Yoga Akasha in East Grinstead. She enjoys teaching creative, varied and fun classes, catering to all ages, groups and abilities.

Whilst continuing to practise and learn from each experience, Jades’ emphasis lies in creating a warm and welcoming approach to all classes which clearly benefit her students health and wellbeing.

The yoga is very accessible, even for beginners, and all ages.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel”  Maya Angelou

Dynamic Yoga with Jana Czipin

Jana Czipin was born in Austria and in 15 years of practice has moved through different styles of yoga (Sivananda, Hatha, Astanga).

In 2005 she became a certified teacher from the Mysore Mandala Shala in India and in 2008 she studied at the school of TKV Desikachar (KYM) in Chennai (India), which focuses on Yoga therapy.

On your yoga holiday she will teach a morning class of Dynamic Flowing Yoga, kept flexible and attuned to the needs of the different levels of the students.

The afternoon class will be a Hatha Yoga class with various breathing techniques in Pranayama and different methods of meditation.

Classes are suitable for all levels of students, from beginners to advanced.

 www.ayoga.co.uk

Scaravelli Inspired Hatha Yoga

During this week Jane Manze will encourage students to discover a deeper body awareness by taking time in each posture and being attentive to their breath.

Inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli, Jane invites you to discover a greater flexibility and strength through asanas (yoga poses) and pranayama (breathwork). This dynamic yet attentive approach is suitable for people with any existing yoga practice and for those new to yoga.

Jane was led to Hatha, Scaravelli yoga via a background in martial arts, dance and bodywork.

She has studied yoga both in the UK and in India. Knowledge and experience give her teaching a clarity in identifying and working with energetic and physical limitations and possibilities within the body.

Based in Brighton, Jane currently teaches weekly classes to a wide client base, as well as workshops and international retreats.

Jaz started teaching in 2006 after completing her British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) Foundation course thereafter the Teacher Training Diploma course with Mara Musso in London.
  
She has practiced Yoga for over 20 years and studied yoga for 12 years; Jaz is currently half way through her Yoga Sutra - Chapter 1 Course with Tara Fraser and Wendy Harring.
   
Always looking to further her Yoga and personal professional career Jaz has completed an array of BWY modules and drawing on specialising in Post and Pre Natal Pregnancy and teaching specialised 1-2-1 and hospital base, with People Living with Cancer. 

Jaz is currently anticipating returning to University to do her MBA following her MA in Business in 2012.
   

    
When asked what style of Yoga she teaches her reply was" I teach authentic Hatha Yoga, drawing from the Philosophy and Traditional text" focusing on attention to alignment from her years of attending Iyengar classes and courses.  Fusing many experiences, workshops and training with many inspirational yoga teachers and subsequently finding her own style of teaching with knowledge, fun, interactions and workshop style teaching which is less flow and more detailed learning of the posture and anatomy.
   
The morning practices will start slowly and holistically awakening the body, thereafter bringing up the pace to a more dynamic practice which will be lead and assisted throughout, therefore making it appealing to complete beginners to more experienced practitioner.
   
The evening practices will be based on Jaz's Yin Yoga teaching qualification with Norman Blair, which he commonly calls Yoga below the waist!  Yin Yoga allows students to feel how their body is as they stay in postures and move with mindfulness. A prefect way to drift from the busy day to a smoothening evening ahead.
     
Each practice shall end with a selection of Guided Visualisation, Pranayama, Yoga Nidra and Closing Thoughts.

If you would like to contact Jaz or try one of her classes in London you can do so by going onto her website: seeryoga.uk

Jenny Furby - Iyengar Yoga

Jenny Furby has practised Iyengar Yoga for over 20 years and taught since 2005, and she is now qualified at Junior Intermediate 3 Level. 

Jenny lives and teaches in the Andover in Hampshire.  She is a caring, warm hearted and respectful teacher. 

She is passionate about Yoga and Iyengar Yoga attending regular classes with senior Iyengar teachers, and has studied at RIMIYI in Pune, India.

This yoga holiday will be a great opportunity to explore the many aspects of Iyengar Yoga at a deeper level incorporating asana practise in the mornings, with restorative and pranayama practise in the late afternoons. 

Students of all ages and abilities are welcomed on this yoga week.

Growth and learning is encouraged at the pace you feel you are most comfortable with.  

Flowing Hatha Yoga with Jill Hurley

Jill has been practicing yoga for forty plus years. She is a member of The British Wheel of Yoga and a qualified BWY teacher.

She teaches holistically, using movement, breath and awareness to bring about benefits for the body and mind: benefiting the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of the individual.

Jill is a qualified beauty, massage therapist and counsellor and is now a full time Yoga teacher She has experience in teaching several styles of yoga but most enjoys teaching Hatha yoga flow. The practice is very versatile and can be adapted to suit all ages and abilities.

The practice of yoga asanas (postures) strengthens and tones muscles, develops flexibility, and can improve a variety of ailments. Psychologically yoga increases concentration, stills the mind and promotes wellbeing, tranquillity and contentment.

With practice the benefits of yoga are that the body becomes stronger and more flexible, stiffness and tensions are eased, breathing improves, energy increases, relaxation is easier

Yoga is about learning to come back to yourself. It's about expanding your boundaries, finding your limits and being able to truly relax and be yourself.

It's about taking time to remember who you are but have forgotten while being caught up in the whirlwind of a fast paced life.

   
www.exeteryoga.org

Hi JillI, thank you so much for the fantastic week we spent with you, it was lovely to meet you both. I gained so much from the yoga both physically and emotionally and  I have felt much better since.I also really appreciated how you set the tone for such friendliness amongst the group and for us to all to participate at our own level.

Since being back I have continued with the stretches that I found most beneficial and will now endeavour to find a local class.I also regularly hear your voice asking 'where are your shoulders now?' They seem very happy up by my ears and so I am working on my posture too!

Best wishes Karen (Casa Benedetto 2017)

Vajrasati Yoga with Jim Tarran and Khadine Morcom

Vajrasati Yoga was founded by Jim Tarran in 2000 and is a Yoga Alliance Professionals Teacher Training Plus 500 RYS course which is the highest accreditation available for a teacher training course. In truth the course outstrips even the new high standards required by teacher training plus accreditation with over 1000 hours of training between the contact and non-contact aspects of the course. The course has been co-run by Jim and his partner expert yoga teacher Khadine Morcom - since 2014.

Khadine Morcom - With two decades of teaching experience, continued self-study and a deep embodiment of the core principles of yoga, Khadine teaches straight from the heart with clarity, humility and warmth, supporting students to use the tools of authentic yoga for modern life.

Khadine has been practising yoga for over 25 years, teaching for 19 years and training yoga teachers for 9 years.  She lives her practice, and there is no-one more qualified or able to guide you towards finding your own heart-centre. Her teaching benefits beginners and experienced students alike.

Khadine is a Yoga Alliance Professionals senior teacher and a senior Vajrasati teacher and teacher trainer, and has written for Yoga Magazine UK. She is currently completing a masters degree in yoga and meditation traditions at SOAS University London.

Her teaching style is calming and focused with particular attention given to breath awareness, and the cultivation and recognition of energy and inner states of being. Her classes incorporate practical yoga philosophy in ways that are clear, relevant and useful. Khadine’s classes include instruction in the practices of āsana (yoga posture), prāṇāyāma (breathing practices), dhyāna (meditation) mantra (chanting) and yoganidrā as tools for integration (yoga).

As well as being influenced by traditional yogic texts and traditions, Khadine’s classes take inspiration from anything and everything from being a mother to being an environmentalist or just simply being a being in the world!

Jim Tarran - has been practicing yoga since 1990 and teaching since 1992 after completing his first teacher training course in kathmandu in April 1992 and his second 2 year course in 1996. He devised the Yoga Alliance Professionals registered 500 Hour Plus teacher training course Vajrasati Yoga in 2000 and since then it has grown organically with the combined wisdom of the collective community.

He has been privileged to teach students ranging from total beginners to advanced and everyone in between over the last 30 years and has been so fortunate to have taught yoga in so many countries all over the world from Morocco and Mexico to Italy to India and so many more beautiful lands.

The focus of Jim's classes has been on yoga practices that are familiar to most; āsana (posture), dhyāna (meditation), pranayama (breathing practices), mudra (hand gestures and other'"energy containers" and mantra (chanting). Taking the lion’s share of these is āsana as meditation.

As per tradition he sees yoga essentially as absorption, a process familiar to all as a momentary (or longer) melting of the illusion of separation into the  ‘field’ of which all seemingly ‘separate particles’ from momentary thoughts to a whole sense of separate ‘me-ness’ are excitations. All the techniques are employed to serve the principal purpose of yoga - an awakening to the undivided holism of the nameless essence that forms the commonality and bedrock of all our existences.

Jim and his partner Khadine have been working together running the Vajrasati Yoga Teacher training together for nearly ten years in which time the teaching community has grown from strength to strength.

Hatha Yoga with Jody Lawrance

Jody fell in love with Yoga in 1991 and has been teaching since 1999.

She enjoys teaching all abilities, including beginners and those wanting a gentler experience of Yoga.

She blends long deep stretches to increase flexibility and mobility, thereby encouraging the body to find a new ‘normal’, with postures and exercises to increase muscle tone, strength and stamina.

She prioritises focusing on the breath, so sinking deeper into our practice allowing the body and mind to release tension and stress to access greater stability and joy in our life.

She enjoys the harmony and balance Yoga brings to her daily life and believes it can help us all draw closer to true contentment and inner peace.

Jody loves teaching on Yoga holidays as it is the perfect opportunity for students to sink deeper into their practice, free from life’s usual demands.

She varies her classes and offers modifications to accommodate all students, drawing from her 20+ years of teaching experience to facilitate everyone .

She returns to India regularly to study further with her teachers at the Atma Vikasa Centre in Mysore, most recently for a 2 month Yoga therapy course.

She has trained in: Hatha, Kundalini, Pregnancy, Baby, Ashtanga and Yin Yoga.

She is also qualified in many types of massage including Aromatherapy, Shiatsu and Thai Yoga massage.

For more information please visit www.yogaakasha.co.uk

Yin and Yang Vinyasa Yoga with Jude Medhurst

Jude has been a practitioner of yoga and meditation for many years and has been teaching it since 1999. During that time she has worked with, been inspired and influenced by many wonderful teachers whose knowledge and teachings have enriched her practice - Erich Schiffman, Sharon Gannon and David Life, Shiva Rea and, currently, Sarah Powers.
 

She completed her Teacher Training Course with the Bihar School of Yoga (Satyananda Yoga) under the direction of Swami Vedantananda and assessed by Swami Pragyamurti, the Principal of the School. 

Jude teaches a mix of the Yin style focusing on the gently held postures that work on the connective tissue of the hips, pelvis and lower spine and the stronger Yang practise that enhances muscular movement and conditioning.

The combining of the two helps to create a balanced practice "on the mat" which can be helpful in balancing our life "off the mat". There is much emphasis on the flow of the breath and how we allow the breath to be the initiator for the movement of the body. The sessions also include pranayama, relaxation and visualisation practices plus nada yoga and meditation.

“I’m a great believer in the body being a wonderful teacher itself and I encourage students to enquire, investigate and discover the joy of the practice themselves in any given moment – adjusting and modifying as necessary – remembering that our “best” will differ from day to day. The foundation of this is acceptance – allowing the body to release when it is ready”

The sessions also include pranayama, relaxation and visualisation practices plus nada yoga and meditation.

Julie Bolitho-Lee has been practicing yoga since 2004.  She is also a 2005 Truman Scholar and an internationally published poet.

Julie has a passion for teaching and aims to bring love and offer grace to all of her students.  Her yoga practice flourished after discovering Kripalu yoga, a practice focusing on mindfulness and compassion for self and others..

In aerial yoga, Julie trained at The Purple Lotus Wellbeing Academy - one of the leading  aerial yoga teacher training programs in the UK.  With her background in Kripalu yoga, Julie approaches her aerial teaching with the same compasssion and fun as her Kripalu classes, while taking the utmost care to keep students safe and thriving in their practice.

We'll be starting the weekend off with a restorative practice to settle the body into a place of stillness and to just switch off from the outside world.  Saturday morning will then start by focussing the mind with meditation before breakfast and a yoga class prior to lunch.

Your afternoons are free to walk the lush grounds of Champneys Spa in Henlow, relax poolside or treat yourself to a massage.

Saturday afternoon provides an opportunity to practice an 'Introduction to Aerial-Yoga workshop' an exciting and innovative fusion of Yoga and Aerial Artistry to release your inner acrobat and experience the benefits of supported inversions, backbends and fun circus-inspired tricks and flips!  Suitable for all levels subject to certain health pre-requisites.

Sunday morning begins with a yoga class prior to breakfast, your morning is then free to enjoy the facilities and we will meet again for a delicious lunch together, enjoying the facilities until we depart at 4pm.

Vinyasa Flow and Hatha Yoga with Mindfulness

I began yoga in my teens in the early 1980’s. Yoga suited my love of moving and exploring what I could do with my body and also opened a door to my spiritual self that was deeply nourishing and rewarding.
Then, for a number of years, rock climbing and mountaineering became a central part of my life. I found the mountains were my spiritual ‘home’ and that climbing forced me into the present moment and I was able to live my life with a new immediacy and intensity.

     
Memories of the wonderful peace I had felt drew me back to yoga and I decided to train as a teacher to share this gift with others.

When I completed my teacher training, I needed to broaden and deepen my own practice and worked with a number of teachers where I found a connection with the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli.

     
I have since worked and undertaken courses with teachers in this tradition including John Stirk, Peter Blackaby, Gary Carter and regularly with Marc Woolford. I am also influenced by the inspirational teachings and writings of Sandra Sabatini, Jenny Beeken and Donna Farhi.

Mindfulness

My interest is about the integration of yoga into our lives as a whole. This has led me to undertake training in Mindfulness practices.

Mindfulness teaches us how to be present in each moment of our lives so as not to cheat ourselves of the present by being caught up in thoughts about our past or future.

In accepting and allowing we find a place where life becomes calmer, clearer and where we are more able to cope with difficulties by developing our ability to watch events and our response to them unfold.

I have found resonance with these wonderful teachings and I continue to integrate them so that I can teach them in a way that has informed my own practice and life, so that the teachings are imparted to others in a way that is alive and authentic from my own experience.

www.Julieyoga.net

Karen Calder Iyengar Yoga

Karen has practised Iyengar Yoga since 2000 and gained her teaching certificate in 2009. She really enjoys the challenge Iyengar Yoga gives her and has opted to carry on training and now holds the Intermediate 3 teaching certificate.

She has visited Pune to work directly with the Iyengar family and has attended conventions with both Geeta and Abhijata Iyengar - all deeply humbling experiences.

She has also attended workshops with  visiting senior teachers Glenn Cerescoli and Christian Pissano. "There is always so much more to learn, every time I return to my mat I make a new discovery, there are an infinite number of variables within every pose - it is an incredible journey".

A distinguishing feature of an Iyengar class is the use of props, e.g. blocks, belts and chairs so students with less flexibility or strength are able to work correctly and achieve their full potential.  This means everyone, from beginners to advancing students will gain something from the week.

During the course of the week we will explore the poses in detail and advance and develop practice to suit ability.

"I love meeting new students and introducing them to the joy of yoga and equally enjoy challenging those with more practice.  I look forward to meeting you!"

Feedback

Dear Debbie
I wanted to write and let you know that I had an amazing time in Kerala.  I loved Palm Tree Yoga Centre, the staff were wonderful and Halin was the perfect host.  Karen is a an inspirational yoga teacher: kind, knowledgeable and able to meet the needs of a diverse group of students. She is an exceptional person and teacher and I feel very lucky to have been there with her.  Thank you so much for organising the holiday.
Nicky - November 2022

Hello, I just wanted to leave a review for a fabulous holiday which my mother and I have just spent in Crete with Karen Calder.  This is our second holiday with her, as we were in Ischia last year - also a wonderful trip.Karen is an excellent yoga teacher, who has a lovely kind and caring manner when teaching.  My mother (80) and I (both Iyengar beginners) were gently encouraged into restorative and semi challenging poses by Karen, in relaxed and yet highly professional classes each day. We have returned home with improved posture, a sense of achievement and with a calmer frame of mind.  I would recommend Karen to anyone wanting to learn more and enjoy the process!  She also has a great sense of humour!
Many thanks Philippa

Flow Yoga with Kate Walker

A teacher asked me once what I liked about yoga. I said it gave me a chance to escape from myself. I didn’t like myself very much and those moments on the mat took me away to a peaceful place that the bullshit couldn’t penetrate. I’ve since realised that, of course, the peaceful place is me and all the bullshit is a construct of my mind. What a revelation…enlightenment here I come! Not surprisingly, the ‘little me’ was not going down without a fight and started throwing up all kinds of resistance to me getting downward dog with it.

It’s a process. Going beyond that resistance. And every day is different. But I learnt that listening to my body and practicing in accordance with what it needed at that point in time was the surest way forward (even if it was in a two steps forward, one step back kind of way). I had to let go of what I thought my practice should look like and howI thought I should be as an aspiring yogini and work with where I was at, at each moment. Maybe I never will be the bendiest pretzel in the packet but these days I would rather be the happiest and most compassionate.

I’m Kate, a Yoga Alliance qualified teacher. My yoga practice has been my solace, my teacher and often my greatest challenge as it encourages me to go beyond the safety and limitations of my mind and open my heart to myself and life. I encourage students to be their own teacher by reconnecting to the wisdom of their body by focusing on awareness and observation and allowing the process to unfold without force. I would rather know that you are smiling in child’s pose than see you going red in the face forcing your foot behind your head. I teach Hatha yoga and my classes include asana, pranayama and meditation. I also love, love, LOVE a good yoga nidra session.

I have had the honour of studying with some truly remarkable teachers. I am currently deepening my understanding of yoga by working with Chameli Ardagh and Sara Avant Stover to bring more of a feminine approach to my practice and teaching.

I am also studying Yoga Therapy with the Mohans of Svastha Yoga (long time students of Krishnamacharya). In the past I have worked with Sarah Powers, Simon Borg-Olivier of Yoga Synergy, Lance Schuler of INSPYA Yoga, Diane Long (long time student of Vanda Scaravelli) and Vedic meditation teacher Tim Mitchell.

I am also a certified health coach and offer one-on-one sessions during your yoga week.

www.harmonyxo.com.

Kathy Parsons - Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Kathy is a Toronto-based yoga teacher and meditation guide who specializes in helping people connect to themselves through movement and breath.

When Kathy is not leading yoga classes like Vinyasa Flow, Yoga for Athletes, Yin and Restorative, she is hosting Movement & Meditation Workshops across the city, and hosting retreats around the world

Having been on over 25 international health retreats over the years, Kathy is a self-proclaimed ‘retreat addict’ (and a type-A in recovery).  Kathy left the corporate world in 2014 to provide the ultimate energizing and balanced yoga and retreat experience for others. 

Her teaching specialty is vinyasa flow, and her classes incorporate creative movements that strengthen and lengthen the body while staying connected to the breath.

She also teaches pranayama (breathing exercises), moving meditation, restorative and yin yoga and mindfulness.

Classes are tailored to the students and include gentle hands-on adjustments and assists, inspirational music and a scented savasana massage

 “My philosophy is to provide the space for each student to connect with their mind, body and soul so they finish class feeling simultaneously lighter and more grounded. I encourage students to push themselves to their personal limits, while not taking themselves too seriously. Smiling and laugher is welcome!”

After a successful career in marketing and major gift fundraising, Kathy understands what it’s like to crave stillness and connection in a world that overvalues busyness.

She’s combined her love of business and wellness together with her company:- The Santosha Life:  Cultivating Contentment through Yoga • Meditation • Retreats • Style

www.thesantoshalife.com 

Testimonials:

"I've practiced various styles of yoga for about 13 years, but Kathy is the first teacher who ever made yoga personal for me. For the first time, I experienced the connection of mind, body, breath, and spirit, and it changed the way I view yoga forever. Kathy is so much fun, funny, and friendly in class, and at the same time, teaches in a very loving way".

Elizabeth, NYC

“Kathy has a very balanced and well rounded approach to yoga which can benefit anyone regardless of experience or fitness level. Her humour and relaxed approach creates a very comfortable atmosphere while her experience and knowledge of yoga helps each of her students grow and improve.

Peter, Germany

Hatha Flow and Yin Yoga with Kay Parker

With 10 years of practicing yoga, my teaching encompasses a wealth of knowledge and understanding of a variety of yoga forms.

My upbeat approach encourages students to connect body and mind through breath, with an emphasis on safe alignment.

I work with students to get the most out of their yoga practice, offering variations for the more advanced students, modifications for beginners and hands-on adjustments where appropriate.

I have studied anatomy, philosophy, yoga therapy, somatics and breath work and attend regular workshops with teachers from different yoga traditions, incorporating this learning into my classes in a way that compliments my own style of teaching.

Morning practice will start with centering and breath work. This will be followed by a theme based flowing practice sometimes incorporating yin yoga.

Evening sessions will be relaxing in nature and will generally focus on somatics, restorative or yin yoga as well as guided relaxation.

"Just back from a wonderful week at Mavros Malos with Kay Parker whose daily yoga was a exactly what I had hoped for. Mornings were Hatha, evenings Yin. The week was a perfect balance of stretch, breath, restorative and the teaching and facilitation was excellent. All with a perfect Cretin ocean backdrop, plenty of sunshine, lovely vegetarian food , wonderful hosts and a group that were just fab. Wish I could tap into Kay’s yoga in the UK.  I will definitely be booking with Free Spirit Travel again xx thankyou namaste "

"Thank you Kay for such amazing yoga, I really love your style of teaching.  I was concerned if I'd be able to manage 3 half hours a day, but you created a balance that was perfect.
It is also so lovely to come back home fitter than when I arrived, and with a nice tan ha ha  "

Ken Eyerman - Yoga with Feldenkrais Awareness

Ken Eyerman has more than 35 years experience teaching Yoga & Bodywork, is a trained practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method © and is author of 'Massage' published in 1987. An American based in London since 1980, Ken has developed his own style of teaching, bridging the space between flowing Hatha Yoga and the gentle understated, spiralling Feldenkrais movements. Ken teaches his unique 'Yoga with Awareness' holidays internationally.

Ken has developed a fluid technique that taps into your individual needs, releases energy and works to heal injuries or chronic discomfort. His retreat will introduce you to Ken's unique take on Yoga - utilising influences from Feldenkrais, dance and movement based bodywork - and promises to be a refreshing, inspiring start to the year and a lot of fun too!

Ken's intuitive and spontaneous, hands-on approach places an emphasis on using the breath, an awareness of your inner process and how to use your body efficiently. This combination of approaches will ease you into the postures and classes are suitable for all levels of experience, including those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement.

More information about Ken can be seen on www.keneyerman.com

The developmental movement technique, The Feldenkrais Method, has been Ken's lifelong study, especially in how it relates and is complementary to yoga, through the awareness of movement and being attentive to detail. For Ken, The Feldenkrais Method forms the bridge between hands-on healing, touch and the spontaneity of life as a dance.

The Feldenkrais Method named after its originator, Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, is an educational system that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve posture and human functioning. One can increase the ease and range of motion, improve flexibility and rediscover the natural capacity for efficient movement.

"I can help people to think about their body, how it breathes and moves, how the structure connects, to develop a level of awareness..... so they are not only powering away at stretching but also learning to feel and think their way to a stronger more supple body. A goal being to get into the imagination, to find a more subtle approach, to excite the feelings as well as to power the muscles" Ken Eyerman

Gentle Theraputic Yoga with Leah Barnet

Leah Barnet works very closely with Fiona Agombar, author of Beat Fatigue with Yoga.   

Teaching in the style of Krishnamacharya, gentle yoga postures, mantra and breathing techniques help to both invigorate and relax so that participants will discover more energy and well-being.

Her retreats offer two gentle yoga sessions a day and is suitable for those with mild to moderate M.E - or for anyone who is just tired and simply wants to relax.

She offers a safe nourishing stay for those who have health problems - there is plenty of space to unwind in the sunshine and just to 'be'.

  
The sessions are not compulsory - the focus is on relaxation and enjoyment

Hatha Yoga

Lindsay attended her first yoga class when she was 13 years old, which means she has practiced yoga for over 30 years.

She has been teaching yoga since 2002 continuously updating her qualifications. She additionally teaches yoga to children in schools since completing the Yoga*d Up training.

She has practiced many styles, including Hatha, Astanga, Sivananda and Yin Yoga and her main influence is Iyengar. Classes on this holiday will be a mix of yoga styles with importance placed on the postures.

Lindsay's classes are suitable for all levels as she encourages students to work within their own capabilities.

The week will offer a 2 hour morning yoga asana class suitable for all levels of students
and a short evening class.

Yoga with Lisa Gibbs

Lisa arrived in Spain fresh from training as an Astanga Yoga teacher in 2001.

Lisa brings an air of inspiration to the class and although trained in Astanga she is able to adapt the class for those who need a more gentle approach whilst still maintaining the synchronisation of breath and movement that has been her forte.   

Classes are adapted to each individual so that not one person feels stuck: bringing in new adaptations through her continual study of the yoga practice.

"Classes involve a series of moving and stationary poses, combined with deep breathing. Allowing the heart to open within each person, to move through creating a form (asana) continuing to flow through our connection with breath (Prana), generating an inner peace and balance which opens our path for spiritual growth. Each individual obtains confidence to love and be loved and to shine throughout their daily lives, creating a peace and harmony not just within each of us but in everybody we come in contact with"   

Lisa was certified to teach yoga from the Lay Buddhist monk Kisen whose own third lineage to Sri T Krishnamacharya made him such a sort after master in 80's and 90's.

She has also studied with Laura Henderson (Hatha yoga with Alexander technique) and Earnest Coates (Living Yoga).   

Classes with Lisa are pre-arranged with the client.

You may choose private classes at your villa, or you can join her drop-in classes held either in the yoga space behind the church ovelooking the sea, or, if weather does not permit this, then at her small yoga studio close to her home.

Creative Vinyasa Yoga with Liz Lark

Liz's passion for Yoga developed in 1990, studying as a teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga (1992), and exploring Astanga Vinyasa Yoga, a dynamic, dance-like style which led her to India and Crete through the 1990's. 

She has been teaching yoga for almost 20 years, developing from a British Wheel of Yoga Hatha Teacher Training  foundation, to Astanga Vinyasa Yoga; practising in mid 90’s under Derek Ireland (see Vimeo.com: Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Practice, Agios Pavlos, Crete, Teacher Training in Goa and Mysore (1995). 

Her inspiration comes from the Astanga Vinyasa tradition and other Hatha yoga practises.

Liz adapts yoga postures for each individual in order to ‘chisel' into the form and helps sculpt and free each unique body.        

   
A member of Yoga Alliance USA and British Wheel of Yoga, she is also a board member for The Life Centre Teachers Training Course, and runs retreats and workshops nationally and internationally.
She has been connected with The Life Centre London since 1995.
    
Her Thai Yoga Massage training in Chieng Mei has informed her hands- on adjustments; which Liz teaches along with Creative Sequencing, for the London Teachers Training Course www.yogacampus.com, on which she’s a board member.
  
Originally trained as an Artist, Liz has BA and MA degrees in 3D Design aqnd Performing Arts, with a central theme of The Body, Liz draws her inspiration from Nature, the Body, Poetry, Music and contemporary Bodywork.

She now fuses Yoga as Art in a series of Mandala Drawings, illustrating sequencing, layered with motifs for visualisation, contemplation and mudra (gesture) and mantra (heartsong). Her teaching draws on these inspirations, with a contemporary interpretation of philosophy (see her book: ‘1001 Pearls of Yoga Wisdom’).

Based in East Sussex, Liz runs classes and special workshops in Tunbridge Wells (www.pantilesyoga.co.uk).
   
Clients have included Conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner & The Monteverdi Choir, English National Ballet, Indian Dance Company Sujata Bannerjee, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Mariel Hemingway, Peter Gabriel, Mariella Frostrup.

For information on her books, which include stunning photography by Clare Park, and inspiring drawings, CDs and DVDs please visit her website

www.lizlark.com

Louise Windsor - Hatha Yoga

I am passionate about yoga and helping people feel good. I used to run long distance and turned to yoga to help my very stiff muscles and lower back pain. I didn't realise at that stage it would completely transform my life!   

What I love about yoga is how it makes you feel; peaceful, centred, in the present moment and uplifted at the same time. I love how it can release emotions and open your heart. I also love the spiritual aspect of it. Yoga means union, that is the union of your mind, body, breath and spirit.    

My yoga journey began with Bikram which I enjoyed but it wasn't until I discovered Hot Power Yoga (Vinyasa Flow in a warm room) that I really understood what yoga was all about, it was a more spiritual, heart opening practice there.

Since then I have spent time living at the Sivananda Ashram in Kerala India learning their Hatha series and experiencing a full yogic life style. I have travelled around India extensively learning from different yoga teachers and I trained to teach Vinaysa Flow yoga in the foothills of the Himalayas.   

I love the creativity, movement and use of breath in Vinyasa Flow. In all my classes I have a strong focus of heart opening, releasing emotions, acceptance and being present. I set intentions and share learnings about life through the class which are drawn from my life experience day to day, what I have learnt over the years as a life coach and through the months I have spent in India.  

I am also trained in trauma sensitive yoga which brings the therapeutic and mindfulness aspect of yoga to help heal sufferers of trauma and stress. As well as vinyasa flow I also love to practice yin yoga to balance out the more dynamic aspect of flow with the slow mindfulness of yin.    

During the retreat I will run a gentle energising flow class in the mornings before breakfast and then a slow meditative yin based practice in the afternoon before dinner. Each practice will include pranayama and meditation. There will also be time each day for journalling if you'd like to join in and I will offer 1-1 yoga therapy/life coaching sessions as an optional paid extra.   

My intention for this retreat is that you enjoy some well deserved me time, relaxation and an opportunity to have time dedicated for your yoga practice. It will be suitable for all levels. I teach in a light hearted and flexible way, the most important thing is that it feels good for you.           

Aside from yoga I enjoy my work as a life coach, hula hooping, paddle boarding, travelling and dancing.   

www.yogaclassesinbrighton.co.uk/about-louise
https://www.facebook.com/louisegillespieyoga

Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Lucy Courtney

Lucy's yoga journey started in 2002, when she was living in Perth West Australia. She took a 6 week Ashtanga Yoga course at the Cottesloe Surf Centre and that was when she fell in love with yoga.  In 2013 she completed her 100 hr Creative Vinyasa Teacher Training programme in California, with Janet Stone.

Lucy was then inspired to teach yoga and more recently she has completed her 200 hour certification, in Vinyasa Yoga at the Yoga Space in Leeds. She is inspired by teachers such as Stephanie Snyder, Shiva Rea, Janet Stone, and Nichi Green.

Teaching has now become her passion and her main occupation.  She finds yoga brings her confidence and a sense of inner peace. She loves music and  incorporates music into her classes, including singing yogic mantras.

Lucy mainly teaches a mix of Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and Vinyasa infused Hatha, with an emphasis on the elements. Her style of teaching is dynamic, strong and fluid. "I teach from my heart, with a focus on the breath. I help people to tune into their innate inner wisdom through yoga and meditation, re-aligning the body, mind and soul through their practice."

What to expect on Holiday with Lucy:

Morning classes:  will be a wake up and move flow, to open up the body and get into the breath. This class will generally be a more dynamic class of flowing Vinyasa yoga.  As morning is a time of transition, we will be moving from stillness into a linked movement with breath practice, followed by a Savasana Mediation.

Evening Classes:  will be slower and more of a restorative flow, often holding some of the postures for longer, with some Yin incorporated into the session. Generally using bolsters, straps and props for comfort and ease, as we slow down before dinner.

Mandy Sayers - Vinyasa Flow

Mandy is a Senior Yoga Teacher and has been practising Yoga on and off for most of her adult life and has over 22 years experience of teaching in the Fitness Industry, qualifying as an Exercise to Music teacher in 2000 and teaching classes in Aerobics, Step, Pilates, Yoga and Les Mills’ programmes.

Her first Yoga teaching course was in 2002 with Ann-See Yeoh and in 2014 she undertook a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Claire Murphy in Chippenham. “One of the most exhausting and rewarding years of my life!”

Shortly afterwards she decided to focus solely on teaching yoga.  She says, “The practice of yoga; the repetition of the asana (poses), the meditation and mindfulness is a massive part of my life.

Not just a job, it really is a way of life and I believe many of my students would agree.

To be able to take a group of students away for a weekend, a week, or longer to practise together on retreat is such a privilege and so rewarding. And fun!”

During our retreat holiday: 

“We will start our morning practice with centring and breath work, moving into a themed Vinyasa Flow and culminating in a pinnacle pose.

Our early evening practice will be more chilled and will vary to include Restorative Yoga, Yin, Yoga Nidra and partner work which students find to be a very bonding experience.”

Classes can be adapted to accommodate students of all levels. Mandy’s teaching is mainly Vinyasa Flow.

"My philosophy on Yoga as in life is work hard to get results, enjoy life and have fun!,  Namaste"

For more information on Mandy and her yoga visit her web www.mandyyoga.co.uk

Feedback:-
Five years ago I attended my first yoga retreat with Mandy. It was magical and I can remember so clearly the impact it had on me. When I booked to go on retreat again in 2022 with Mandy I knew it would be great yoga, I did not believe it could be as magical as that first retreat - I was wrong, it really was as special.
The yoga sessions were amazing, having the time to truly focus on yoga re-energised my practise and re-connected me to yoga. The group were fabulous and the atmosphere and chatting and sharing was super positive.
If you are thinking of a retreat with Mandy don’t hesitate to go for it. She does everything in her power to make the experience a truly special time for everyone.

Lisa

Margherita Dal Pra - Hatha Yoga

Margherita's unique yoga retreats and holidays blend inner and outer discovery with guided yoga and meditation sessions,

this is your time to break away from the usual and allow health, love and light to shine through your life.

"As a natural seeker, 24 years ago in Italy I found myself at my first yoga class, back in a time when yoga was considered strange, yet savasana and the mantra OM gave me a deep sense of relaxation and the feeling of coming home to myself. This is when yoga became the beginning of a life long journey for me.

I am devoted to continuously­­ learning, sharing and radiating this knowledge for everyone to utilise and enjoy. The more I explore and learn, the more I’m able to share my wisdom in a new and vibrant light, it is a true blessing and honour to share that journey with my students."

   . .

Margherita's teachings are grounded in the traditional lineage of Hatha yoga and the deep philosophy of Tantric practices married with the movement of Vinyasa Flow, the precision of Anusara, the dance of Rasa Yoga – one of the most heartfelt synthesis of yoga, and the energetics of ParaYoga and Ayurveda

 
She honors the traditions of yoga while awakening the true potential as an individual in the modern world. She hopes for each student to experience a journey that goes beyond the body and pierces deeply into the heart by weaving together asana, mantra, mudra, pranayama, meditation and chanting, along with shadow work, ritual, and a deep connection with nature.

Marnie Sullivan started her Yoga journey in 2000, taught with a traditional approach to Hatha Yoga, which inspired Marnie to continue developing her practice within Hatha, adding some Vinyasa flow and sprinkles of Ashtanga into her classes. Marnie was inspired within her own practice and teachings by amazing teachers such as Paul Fox, Emma Conally – Barklem and Esther Ekhart. She completed her yoga training with the BWY, studying for the Level 3 during 300+ hours teaching qualification over a period of 18 months.

Marnie is a qualified children’s Yoga teacher and has taught Yoga to children ages from 4-14yrs for 2 years. In addition to teaching Yoga to adults and children, Marnie is a qualified level 4 Pilates instructor, Personal Trainer and Body Balance teacher.

Marnie's Yoga teachings are fun-filled with enthusiasm, her style is creative, flowing and dynamic. Marnie's calming and caring personality shines through making her classes inclusive to all students (of all levels). The spirtual vibe which Marnie creates helps her students to feel the Yoga practice as well as enjoy the physical postures.

The morning class will be based around a theme, involving centering and breathing, moving into an energising Hatha Vinyasa based flow, ending with some relaxation. 

The early evening class will be based around restoritive Yin and Hatha Yoga, followed by peaceful meditation and relaxation.

For more information on Marnie visit her website - http://www.marnieyoga.com

I would just like to give you some feed about sultan palace and the yoga with Marnie. The hotel was excellant. Marnie was without fault one of the best teachers I have had in my 23 yrs of doing yoga. She was not only a first class teacher but acted as a personal  guide. Taking us all on many places of interest. Without doubt one of the best holidays I have had.
Regards June - July 2017

Having recently returned from Turkey,  I felt the need to compliment both Freespirit and yoga teacher Marnie Sullivan for making this such memorable experience .  I hope to repeat such an experience in the future and would not  hesitate  in recommending this to my friends . Many thanks.
Sylvia Fitzpatrick - July 2017

Mary Niker is an International Iyengar Yoga teacher, Oncology massage therapist & mindfulness teacher. Mary is a member of the mindfulness association & has trained with the mindfulness association in mindfulness, compassion & is qualified as a teacher of MBLC.

Angie Cameron (right) has been both a therapist and facilitator for over twenty two years. She is also a mindfulness and compassionate practitioner. Angie is passionate about self-development, facilitating change and encouraging self-acceptance. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy and the Mindfulness Association.

One Week Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC)
This MBLC programme is based on Mindfulness curriculum presented on the University of Aberdeen’s MSc in Studies in Mindfulness.
The programme includes an introductory session, 16 hours teaching & experiential exercises and a follow up session. Includes mindfulness guided practices and learning by an experienced practitioner, a course manual and recordings of the practices as well as a certificate.
Mindfulness training enhances focus and attention, increases self-awareness and the awareness of others, raises levels of resilience and emotional intelligence, strengthens cognitive effectiveness
Course Overview
1 - Start Where We Are: this session we are recognising the unsettled mind and learning how to settle the mind in our practice.
2 - The Body as a Place to Stay Present: this session we are learning to work with the body as support for being present to reconnect with the felt sense of the present moment.
3 - Introducing Mindfulness Support: this session we introduce sound as support for being present and reflect upon the attitude of non-striving in our practice.
4 - Working with Distraction: this session we are learning to work with distraction and introduce breath as a support for being present.
5 - Exploring the Undercurrent: this session explores the the role of observing our experience and looking within to the undercurrent of attitudes and preferences that are influencing and develop our compassion based practices with the loving kindness meditation.
6 - Attitude of the Observer: this session we are reflecting upon our inner environment and training our attitude toward our experience.
7 - Self-acceptance: this session we are deepening our compassion based practices and learning about true acceptance.
8 - A Mindfulness Based Life: this session we are revisiting mindfulness support and reflecting on our journey and how we can deal with difficulty more skillfully.
A certificate of completion is awarded to successful candidates.

Yoga Dance with Melanie Griffiths

Please note this is predominantly a dance holiday with a yogic feel.

Our Holiday Dance Plan - do as much or as little as you wish.

Dance Groove  - Dance Fitness Class mixing Bollywood, Bellydance, Charleston, Carnival, Disco, 80s, 90s, Salsa, Samba and many more different dance styles + music genres.  Ending with balancing stretch out.

Chakra Dance and Meditation - Freestyle / Yoga Dancing through the 7 x Energy Centres in the Body into guided visualisation Meditation.

Yoga Dance (Chillax) - Barefoot, Mindful Movement set to up-beat world rhythms energising + relaxing the system.  Ending session with free-flowing stretching and / or, Meditation.

Barre - Female-centred Strength + Conditioning based around Ballet-style lengthening exercises, Arm, Floor + Core Work.  Ending with stretch out

Mindful Meditation - we'll unwind with Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutation) calming our systems so, that we're able to be still (sitting or, lying down) for a simple Mindful Meditation session.  We'll use guided visualisation techniques to quiet the mind and clear the energy field of unwanted frequencies that cause stress to the system.

Yoga and Mindfulness

My teaching and practice of Yoga and Mindfulness is about awakening to the unified sense of our whole being -body, mind, spirit.

It is about listening inside, gradually realizing that wholeness can only be retrieved by identifying and letting go of unnecessary holding on

If you can stop straining you might discover that inside the tense unbalanced body there is a sensible body, which can be effortlessly at ease with the energy flowing freely and the mind becoming calm. In the midst of the storm there is stillness where we can experience our presence.
 
Practice of Yoga with Mindfulness opens your heart to spontaneous joy and compassion and puts a smile on your face!

I have written two books 'The Distracted Centipede - a Yoga experience' and 'Yoga Stories for Healthy Living'

My books are for everybody, regardless of age, physical condition, sex, religious beliefs. They are based on the common sense that our mental, physical and spiritual health depends on our being able to take on the, management of our inner world by entering the journey of becoming aware, letting go of our restrictive conditioning and opening our heart to love.
It is never too early and never too late to start and continue.

For me the only time I can say I am truly relaxed and not a danger to myself or others is when I am in a state of acceptance, even acceptance of my non acceptance.

Mina Semyon
September 2015

Natalie Zeid - Yin Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Transformational Breathwork

As a zealous lover of life, yoga and adventure, Natalie has come to understand that life is about uncovering your passions, finding your flow and following your dreams. 

With a background in yoga, mindfulness, Breathwork and retreat facilitation, she weaves together all facets to create unique yoga classes filled with breath inspired movement and purposeful intention to help students reach their goals.

Natalie’s  greatest passion is authentically connecting with others and guiding her students with a sense of mindfulness, positivity and compassion.

Her deepest desire is to guide others along their personal path to wellbeing, uncovering their authentic selves and living a life of purpose, on and off the mat.

She has lived in various places around the world, and currently resides between Egypt, South Africa and beyond. As the founder of TRUST Collective, she continues to share her love of international travel through leading yoga teacher trainings, classes and retreats around the world.

200hr E-RYT & YACEP Hatha & Yin Yoga Teacher.

300hr Yoga Therapist certified by Yoga Alliance International.

Pneumanity™️ Advanced Breathwork Practitioner.

Hatha Flow Yoga with Niamh Kavanagh

Niamh, a guide and teacher of Hatha and Tantric Heart-centered Yoga and Meditation, infuses deep feminine essence and self-inquiry.

She has 20 years of teaching experience and facilitates breathwork, yoga nidra, conscious movement, and somatic immersion.

Niamh is also a guest teacher of The Subtle Body for The Banyan Tree School of Yoga, 200hr TTC (YA).

"My first yoga experience 25 years ago is still fresh in my mind today. During Ardha Matsyendrasana, I realised I wasn't breathing fully.

This turning point sparked my journey home, meeting Self. Returning home is a remembrance of our true nature that emanates an eternal, loving, rest-full-freeing being. Bringing deep relaxation and inner peace.

I aim to guide you to the centre of Self and hope to continue inspiring you as I have been by many teachers, mentors, and guides."

Gift to Self

The journey home to your hidden oasis of Self, enhancing deep relaxation, nourishment, inner peace, richness & unity. Niamh will guide you through Hatha, Flow, Yin, Pranayama, Meditation, Nidra, Somatic immersion, Conscious movement, and Mantra. In addition, Niamh will hold the space for Earth, Water, Light Inspired practices of Ritual & Ceremony, and Beach Yoga for deepening Self-connection, which are optional.

 Morning: Flow & Hatha yoga

   
These sessions combine dynamic movement with static postures to release tensions of the physical, mental emotional body, using energy of body mind and breath. Holding postures for sometime becoming challenging, strengthening the mind and body, bringing more dynamism.
   
Afternoon: Yin Yoga practice

    
This deep seated practise through the way of the heart gives time for the energetic structure to adjust, realign and harmonise, thus revealing deep calmness for transformative healing and inner union.

Both practises complete with guided mediations and relaxation, to experience the radiant space of the heart, the unlimited Self for more vivid healing of peace, love, kindness and health.

Niamh teaches through the perspective of Hridaya Yoga, inviting everyone to live with an open heart and discover the true potential of human life. Immerse yourself into your real and essential nature.
      
   

About Niamh

Niamh first qualified in 2004 with Sivinanda in India. Teaching for 11 years with a variety of different yoga styles such as contemporary and vinyasa, Niamh  now a teacher of Hridaya Yoga & Meditation (IYF & RYT 500) is also involved with teacher trainings in the UK for The Banyan Tree School of Yoga (YA) and is a contributing writer for Yoga Magazine as well as running her own workshops and retreats in Europe.

Her teachings are rooted in a detailed understanding of tendencies and relationship between the body and the mind. She creates a mindful and clear space for her students to develop their own understanding within their practice and ultimately their own wellbeing. Niamh looks no further than the cultivation and revelation of the true self, the spirit of who we really are, to bring the depth of contentment and joy in life.

Niamh has found the magic in yoga to actively maintain fresh attitudes toward ones life making the most of each day. She has observed growth and change available to ALL; no matter how big or small a problem appears having worked with a diverse range of clients, specialising in developing personalised Yoga practices for specific needs and various conditions.

TESTIMONYS
   
"Niamh's classes are perfectly balanced between the physical and the spiritual, accessible to beginners with challenges for those more advanced. She takes a serious approach to the sessions that have an ever present element of fun. Wonderful"   Matt M
           
The yoga trip to Ecincik, Turkey was great! I had a wonderful time, with inspiring people, at a very special place. Morning classes vinyasa yoga were hard work for me and I really enjoyed it, I have done to little of that for some time, and doing this again made me feel very much alive and gave me confidence to do more yoga. Afternoon classes were yin yoga and meditation that gave me real deep relaxation, surrender to the earth it makes me be in the now. I was very lucky to have a whole week in a beautiful place to feel these energies, and to have an inspiring teacher as Niamh to guide me there.
Hope we meet again, love    Heleen Strasse

    
Niamh truly teaches from the heart, and her teachings help you both on and off the mat, she is such a supportive and encouraging person / mentor. Niamh's enthusiasm for life is infectious, and I always leave feeling healthy in body, mind and spirit. An inspirational teacher.   Nicola Cope

    
Thank-you Niamh for a wonderful yoga and meditation experience. I am grateful for the love and kindness offered from the group. I always wanted to go on a retreat and I'm so glad I found you and the beautiful olive groves of Ekincik. Yin Yoga has opened my heart and allowed me to go further into my stretches. Until the next retreat.   Zuhre

 Strong Hatha Yoga with Nigel Gilderson

Nigel has been teaching yoga for 20 years and is one of the original Free Spirit teachers.

He is the founder and senior teacher of the yoga classes available at the Brockwell Lido in South London; and is the founder and director of the Amrita School of Yoga Teacher Training. He also teaches at Yoga Point, and many private clientele throughout London.

Nigel began his career in health and fitness as a P.E. teacher and tennis coach giving him a concrete and pragmatic understanding of anatomy and physiology, and was drawn to the deeply therapeutic effects of yoga. He has evolved his own personal style of Hatha yoga drawing on influences from the Sivananda, Iyengar, Scaravelli and Shadow yoga traditions.

Nigel's classes incorporate a unique blend of mindfulness of breath and opening through relaxation, to integrate the internal energetic system as a preparation for dynamic action.

His teaching has evolved over the years and incorporates a blend of many yoga styles, with influences from tai chi and shadow yoga and Alexander technique; integrating the celebration of the heart, universal principles of alignment, and balanced energetic action in the performance of asana.

Each student's abilities and limitations are deeply respected and honoured. The practice builds strength, flexibility, and stamina as well as bringing awareness to the internal; creating, capturing and cultivating energy.

Students move from one posture to another in a continual flow and link movements to breath. The use of vinyasa enables the natural progression from one asana to another with a sense of ease and fluidity, ending in a deep and peaceful relaxation

Nina Savarese - Hatha Yoga

Nina has been teaching yoga in Hastings since 2007, having trained in Kerala, India with the Sivananda school. Her passion for yoga has led her to teach many styles including Sivananda, Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin. A member of the Independent Yoga Network, Nina is also an experienced Yoga Therapy Body Worker, having trained with Elena Voyce at Teach Yoga in 2011, as well as qualifying with Swami Saradananda in 2017 to teach meditation.

Her teaching style is thematic, seamlessly weaving well rounded yoga sequencing with philosophy, attentiveness to body alignment, and breath work to get her students fully in the zone.
 
Morning Yoga before breakfast will be an uplifting and energising movement based Hatha practice, focussing on strength, balance, precision and alignment, giving students the opportunity over the course of the week to see their progression, and to build a strong foundation for their own personal practice.

The second late afternoon class, will be Yin, where we just learn to let go and watch our bodies unravel and unfurl as the week progresses, after which we’ll get quiet and sit for a short and sweet meditation.

Each class will be carefully curated so that all the poses can be done to fit your body, and your yoga practice meets you exactly where you need it to be.

Pallavi Dodia - Himalayan Hatha Yoga

Pallavi has been persistently contributing to the Health and Wellness industry since 2008 across the globe. Her diverse teaching experience comprises of teaching Yoga in Private and Government organisations in India and the UK since 2016. She designs wellness programs with a purview of prevention and cure.

She has curated many wellness retreats in exotic destinations like the Himalayas in North India, White desert in Rajasthan, Gir Forest in Gujarat, River Lea, London, etc. She has also taught in Yoga teachers training courses.

She was born and brought up in India. Her cultural ties to the ancient Yogic practices in her motherland India paved the way for a passion in deepening the inner knowing. Her passion for study and an exploration to bridge the health gap took a new turn when she learned Yoga from the authentic Gurus in Kerala and Rishikesh, the birthplace of Yoga.

She has completed 500 hours TTC from India. She completed 200 hours Hatha Yoga TTC from School of Santhi, Kerala in 2016 and 300 hours Yoga TTC from Sattva Yoga Academy, Rishikesh in 2022. With the Himalayan Yoga-Vedantic teachings, she amply realised the physical and mental benefits of Yoga quickly and fell in love with the practice on and off the mat.

She weaves her holistic knowledge of the effects of stress on the somatic or physical body and nervous system into her sessions, offering supportive and accessible techniques that you can inculcate into your daily routine and enhance your wellbeing. She is very intuitive and receptive and tailors the sessions with Yoga therapy, Hatha Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation as per the individuals’ goals. She amalgamates different techniques with Mudras (hand gestures): Shambhavi, Kechari, Dhayana, Akasha, Yoni Mudra, Pranayamas (breathwork): Bhramari, Agnisar, Sudarshan Kriya, Asanas (movements), Dhyana (meditation), Kirtan/Mantra chanting.

She co-founded Astitva Wellness with a vision to cultivate a planet filled with healthy, happy and empowered people and a mission to revive and provide accessible and inspiring holistic solutions and interventions to an ageless global audience.

Join the Himalayan Yogini Pallavi Dodia for a week of Himalayan Hatha Yoga practices:

Introduction to Yoga
Understanding mind body connection- Chakras, Koshas, Karma.
Hatha - Vinyasa Asanas sequences: Improve flexibility and strength.
Meditation initiation, Mantra meditation
Kriya sets
Himalayan Kundalini
Breathwork: Pranayama techniques.
Stress management techniques and much more.

Ideal for everyone: Beginners/intermediate practitioners

Website: https://astitvawellness.com/

Penny Raggett

My passion for yoga began back in 2000 when after many years working long and stressful hours in the hotel industry it was recommended that I should try yoga to help ease a bad back and tight shoulders.

I had a few abortive attempts at finding a class I enjoyed and then was lucky enough to find a teacher who inspired me, challenged me and showed me how the magic of yoga could work.

A couple of years later I took my first retreat with this teacher and  knew I needed to find out more about yoga and took the 200 hour Karuna Yoga teacher training with Ruth White Yoga. Ruth was a disciple of Iyengar and her teacher training is very specific in body alignment and helping to ease injuries and aches through the correct positioning of the body in the yoga asanas.

That knowledge of correct body alignment has proved invaluable in my yogic journey, and over the years  I have learnt more about the philosophy of yoga and the spirituality it invites.

This year I will be teaching at Champneys with Jacky Lampyl, details below

Embrace, Surrender and Nourish
with Penny Raggett & Jacky Lampyl

During these 3 days we will explore how to embrace our practice and play with the boundaries of our emotional and physical body.

Engaging the core contributes to good posture and a healthy spine, and improves your grounding. By surrendering, one opens the mind and allows new opportunities to flow. This is your weekend to connect with your inner voice through an introspective practice. Of course there is plenty of time to share time with each other.

This weekend is for everyone from careful beginner to experienced warrior. Together we will offer guidance and encouragement to each yogi, so the retreat is enjoyable and suitable for all. The classes will help you build strength, gain flexibility and help bring an inner calmness and tranquility.Penny and Jacky both teach in East Sheen in various studios but can both be found at the Sheen Therapy Centre. They are from different yoga backgrounds but their styles complement each other and can offer different perspectives for every one..

Penny originally started attending yoga classes because of a back issue and to ease the stress of working in the hotel industry. She has been studying yoga for 13 years, and her desire to learn more about the wonder of yoga led her to become a teacher.

Jacky's passion for movement evolved from her study of dance. Having practiced yoga for over 13 years and teaching for 5, her yoga practice focuses on precise alignment supported by an open mind.

Vinyasa Yoga / Dance

My first experience of Yoga was in India (Rishikesh) with Pujya Swamiji at Parmarth Niketan Ashram. My travels and interest in nature and mountains took me to a Spiritual Home in the Himalayas on the banks of the Ganges. 

I started teaching Yoga ten years ago in Community Education and introduced many new people to Yoga and Meditation and the benefits.  More recently I have completed my Level 3 Diploma Teaching Training Yoga (QCF) and the 'Siromani Teacher of Yoga' at Sun PowerYoga.co.uk (RYS200 Yoga Alliance USA).  It is an eclectic mix of three styles: Dynamic Hatha for Alignment.   Sivananda Yoga for Subtle mind and breath work.  And Ashtanga Vinyasa  for Heat, flexibility and stamina..   

I also teach Dance and Pilates which helps my students with alignment, body conditions or injuries. 

This holiday will take in all aspects of my knowledge and working from a base of Yoga we will incorporate my understanding of dance to enliven our practice, adding stretching and strength exercises to improve deep postural muscles, using a Barre for support.   

Morning classes will begin with sun salutations and a traditional Yoga class with Pranayama exercises and a dynamic yoga practice to wake with the sun.

Late afternoon classes will include a Vinyasa style class with a mixture of yoga and dance. Weaving flowing dance sequences with holds in balances and standing Asana’s.  Ending the day with an optional meditation session.  

Over the course of the week we will improve our Yoga practice feeling healthy and vital with improved flexibility and well-being.    

My aim is to create a safe environment where we can really experience Yoga from the inside out accepting ourselves and experiencing a Yogic lifestyle. This lovely venue is a positive environment that helps us let go of stress and tension. 

As a group we will have a good daily practice (Asana), with nourishing and healthy food to help us balance the mind and body. The healing aspect of Yoga has a subtle way of improving the quality of our own lives and the dance aspect will create a fun filled experience, so that when we return home we feel relaxed and positive.

This retreat is suitable for all regardless of age and yoga or dance experience.      

Raj Nijjar

My very personal 1st yoga class was in the local gym, I was tired, exhausted and fatigued from my daily hustle and bustle. I needed time out. I knew I would like yoga however I never knew I needed it that badly. I kept saying to myself why had I not tried it before?

Years passed by with me doing my personal practice and then one day I decided to spread the yoga love in my community. So here I am with 20  years personal experience and  fully qualified for 5 years with Yoga Alliance.

Soon after my qualification I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, this didn't stop me! I kept doing what I loved and discovered Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra.
I continue with my training and taking courses, I love learning and yoga is my Happy Place.

My business name SUKHMAN YOGA

'Sukh' in local dialect of India means 'Happiness' and 'Man' directly translates into the matters of the 'Heart'. At Sukhman Yoga, it is our philosophy to build a lighthouse identity for your soul and well-being, to be the guiding force to catalyse betterment of the way you live, the way you think and the way you aspire.

It gives me another level of joy to realise that the names of my two beautiful children, Sukhvir and Manvir add up to create the mission of my life - Sukhman Yoga!

Yoga sessions

My retreats are very comfortable for everyone.

In the morning sessions we start with some gentle breath awareness, slow flow vinyasa sequences, alignment exploration, hands-on assistance, relaxation.

In the afternoon sessions there will be a short workshop style class to explore asanas. We will look deeper into chosen poses and learn more about yoga knowledge.Then we will enjoy nourishing Yin Yoga - this practice is designed to help you sit longer, and more comfortably, in meditation by stretching connective tissue around the joints (mainly the knees, pelvis, sacrum, and spine).

A passive practice, Yin Yoga involves variations of seated and supine poses typically held for 3 to 5 minutes, accessing deeper layers of fascia. We finish off the class with Yoga Nidra Meditation, pranayama.
 
For more information about Raj's yoga retreat visit her website at
www.sukhmanyoga.co.uk

Gentle Healing Yoga, Meditation and Yoga Nidra with Roanna Harstad

Gentle Healing Yoga  includes a traditional style of teaching. It is an old system that includes the practice of asanas (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises), and mediation, which help bring peace to the mind and body.

As a senior yoga teacher trainer I use yoga as a modality to heal, energise and strengthen.This class is a wonderful way to re introduce you to your yoga practice or if you enjoy learning with depth and understanding.

As a life coach and lover of yogic philosophy your class experience will lovingly include hands on therapeutic adjustments, prescriptive poses to meet your needs, bolsters, pillows, blankets, props, poems, tasty treats, aromatherapy, in class massage to hands, head and/or feet, handouts and hugs.I am a teacher with a wealth of experience and a love of people.

As a relaxation specialist I am passionate about creating a healing environment for you to relax and be yourself.

I am qualified to teach a wide range of yoga styles but am currently focusing on yoga as a therapy to reduce stress and bring about healing and peace within each class.

I am an expert in using yoga as a way to recover from injury or surgery, heart break, life challenges, mental health issues and more.

Vinyasa Flow & Yin, Restorative, Yoga    

I completed my Yoga Alliance 200 teacher training at Teach Yoga in London, after studying with Duncan Hulin at the Devon School of Yoga and  I have also trained in  Restorative yoga with Judith Hanson Lasater.    

I believe that there is no "right" way to practice yoga so my approach is a holistic and eclectic one, interweaving wide range of styles and taking inspiration from various national and international teachers (Shiva Rea, Elena Brower, Gary Carter, Sarah Powers, Julie Gudmestad, Liz Lark).        

My classes are fusion of body awakening, traditional poses hold for several minutes and Vinyasa sequences followed by relaxation/meditation.  Attention is given to correct alignment and breath awareness to bring about mental clarity, steadiness and concentration and to provide the opportunity for deep engagement within the postures.              

Yoga is not about quantity and ability to perform the most advance poses, but about the quality one puts in it.  This is why I encourage my students to pay attention to their own bodies, inner perception and to work within their own abilities, accepting their own rate of progress as well as to practice from the heart, with joyfulness.       

On this holiday you will have an opportunity to spend some time on you, getting to know yourself a little better, and allowing yourself the space to be the person that you were meant to be, without the usual demands that are placed upon you from the outside.    

Morning practice will be vibrant and invigorating to awaken our body, heart and mind whilstevening yoga will be more slow-paced , gentle and nurturing  to create a sense of  harmony and stillness.   

There will also be an opportunity to take a group boat trip to 12 islands, visit a traditional Hamman, spent time at the beautiful Iztuku beach, explore the ancient ruins of Kaunos and Lycian tombs  or  to simply just relax by the pool.    

Sally Ibbotson Qigong Teacher and Shiatsu Practitioner

What is Qigong?

Qigong is a form of moving meditation similar to Tai Chi and far easier to learn. It works on the premise that we can gather energy (Qi – similar to Prana in the Yogis tradition) from the earth and environment by adopting a meditative attitude and moving in time-tested ways.  
The movements are sequential and repeated – usually 6 times.  They are simple and slow and full instruction will be given.
 It is possible to perform these sequences (known as Forms) sitting and it is highly suitable for those who are physically restricted in some way.
Qigong is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Acupuncture and Shiatsu are also part of this tradition.  The Forms are ancient and work with the energy pathways and acupoints (meridians and acupuncture points) in and around your bodies (No needles are involved!)
A Qigong retreat will usually include some Internal Qigong – similar to seated meditation and using the imagination to move Qi around the body.  We will also do Walking Forms, Sleepy time Qigong, digestive Qigong and a form of self-massage known as Do-In.

Sally Ibbotson Biography

I started my career in Complimentary Medicine in 1993, qualifying as a Massage Therapist with the Gerda Boysen Institute and as a Counsellor with the Centre for the Advancement in Counselling.  Seeking depth to my work and more of a spiritual dimension, I studied Shiatsu between the years of 1995 and 2001 and, on qualifying undertook post-graduate study which resulted in a Teacher qualification in Qigong. Qigong had been taught to undergraduate Shiatsu practitioners as a means to keeping our own energy intact whilst treating clients.

I have studied Qigong under many Teachers and  myself taught in the NHS.  Specifically,  I worked in the Therapies team at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London for 6 years where I taught Qigong as part of our pain management programme. During this time. I studied and qualified with Mark Peters in Birmingham. Mark is responsible for creating a rehabilitation pathway within the NHS which includes Qigong on site and in the community.

In 2016, I moved into Palliative care at St Christopher’s Hospice in South London and set up weekly Qigong classes alongside my Shiatsu clinic there. These attracted both in-patients and out-patients.

Throughout the above history, I have been self-employed and running Shiatsu clinics and Qigong classes in the community. Before the Covid 19 pandemic,  I also ran an annual 4 day Qigong retreat at Gaunt’s House in Dorset and regular London Workshops.  I also offer Qigong and Shiatsu at the Breast Cancer Haven in Fulham, South East London and at Open Age classes who are funded to address social isolation in the over 50s..

I am a regular attendee of Programmes at the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland (and live in the Findorn area now) and as a result of this self and spiritual development, my current style of Qigong has changed somewhat. I teach from a passion for the Earth and all that she offers us. I incorporate integral imaging, affirmations alongside the traditional movements with the breath.
Internal Qigong as a way to stay healthy and tuned to the body is a part of most of my classes.
I specialise in personal qigong prescriptions and teach regular classes on line.

www.qigongcoach.net

Samantha Trinder Hatha Yoga

Samantha is passionate about sharing the transformational aspects of yoga.  

She has trained with teachers from the Sivananda, and Iyengar traditions.  

She holds a 500 hour Yoga Alliance accreditation, and has just completed a further  500 hours Diploma in Yoga Therapy with Yoga Campus
 

Vinyasa & Yin Yoga with Sarah Lane

Sarah is a creative teacher who teaches her favourite yoga styles -Yin, Hatha and Vinyasa - whilst incorporating her experience as a massage therapist and occasionally including self-massage techniques, self-reflexology and even Thai Partner Yoga.

She teaches a beautiful blend of Hatha, Yin and Vinyasa Yoga. Classes often begin with visualisation and pranayama (breathing techniques) to bring the attention to the body and to the present.

Gently warming up the body, linking breath and movement, then moving on to gentle flowing Vinyasa Yoga; stimulating energy and heat within the body.

  
Classes will also include Yin postures, where we will hold each posture for 3-5 minutes, encouraging the body to open slowly creating a deeper stretch whilst allowing the mind to soften and slow down.

   
Classes usually finish with meditation or yoga nidra.

     
"It is important to work on all aspects of yoga to give balance to mind, body and spirit."

Hatha Yoga with Sevda Mustafa

Sevda Mustafa has been studying yoga for over 20 years. Her main influences being Iyengar, Hatha and Astanga.

She has been taught by many amazing teachers including Godfrey Devereux. Zoe Knott, Bob Insley and Maarten Varmaase, which has influenced her teaching deeply.

Sevda has been teaching around London for 3 years, after finishing the British Wheel of Yoga teacher training with Zoe Knott and Bob Insley.

Sevda teaches with an open heart encouraging students in their practice. She works with strength in the asanas or postures and then goes deeper into the body using breath awareness. She believes in making the body strong so we can go inwards to find the true self by working through our blockages, which can manifest in stiffness within the body.

Sevda is very respectful of each student's individual needs within their yoga practice. Both beginners and advanced students wishing to deepen their practice will be welcome.

The morning class will be dynamic and energising, to build on stamina, but also to create space in the body using breath awareness. Sevda will teach Vinyasa flowing sequences to link the body, breath and mind, allowing the body to move more fluidly between postures, which will be held to allow each student time to integrate and understand them.

Evening classes will be less energetic working on restorative yoga with deep relaxation.

www.Yogawithsev.co.uk

Shyla VD - Traditional Hatha Yoga

Based in Kerala, Shyla qualified as a yoga teacher in 2000. She is hugely experienced and teaches yoga in the traditional style which includes postures, breathing techniques, meditation, rehabilitation and stress alleviation

She is a passionate, motivated and goal oriented Yoga Educator with a proven track record of improving flexibility, strength, stamina, focus and overall quality of life.

Expert at creative sequencing and the ability to adapt Yoga practices for varied skill levels, age groups, body types, physical conditions & ailments.

Shyla is a compassionate teacher and life-long learner, dedicated towards making a real difference in many lives utilising the power of yoga.

Stefan Engstrom Astanga Yoga  

Stefan Engström is the owner and resident teacher of the Finland Retreat.  

He has been practising Astanga Yoga since 1990, training with teachers in Europe and Australia. In 1993 he began visiting India and spending extended periods of time, learning with Pattabhi Jois, Sharat and other prominent teachers of this form of yoga.     

In 1994 he founded the Midnight Sun Ashtanga Yoga Retreat on the Island of Kadermo where he was born and now teaches at these summer retreats and workshops on a yearly basis.  

He also teaches regular classes in Helsinki and hosts workshops in Finland, Chile and Denmark.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Sue Marshall

'' I have always been fascinated with yoga since I was a child. A friend and I used to play around doing some of the poses and this desire to discover more spurred me on to take this further.

Movement has been key in my life, from gymnastics as a child to studying Dance at Laban and then also a diploma in Fitness Therapy so that I could learn more about the body and how moving can be healing in many different ways.

I have been teaching for 16 years and the discovery of Astanga Vinyasa Yoga whilst in Crete at Yoga Plus was a revelation, combining the wonderful flow of the postures was reminiscent to dance and I was hooked. I returned to Crete and did a Teacher Training with Radha and also David Swenson. I have studied Viniyoga and done a teacher training in that also and loved finding out more of the history of yoga and some of the texts especially Patanjalis Sutras.

My practice has evolved to a more vinyasa flow base and I was inspired by attending classes with Julie Martin at Brahmani Yoga in Goa and her fun and creative style of teaching.

I believe yoga should definitely be fun and have a lightness about it, if you enjoy something it inspires you take it further.

My teaching is based in the Canterbury area in Kent. Recently I was in The Gambia participating in a lighting/educational project 'Sunny Night Light and stayed at 'Footsteps' where I had the opportunity to teach some of the guests in their newly built shala.

This is a beautiful venue and I thoroughly recommend it and feel sure it will inspire anyone staying there as it has myself

Susannah is a fully qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher and has been practising yoga since childhood.

Her teaching style is intuitive and creative, drawing on her main influences of Hatha Yoga, Viniyoga and Astanga Yoga. Her dance background also brings into play a focus on alignment.

SusannahÔÇÖs classes have a meditative quality and work on the principles of ÔÇÿSthira and SukhamÔÇÖ - (form and experience, strength and softness). So although her classes can be quite demanding they are also deeply relaxing. Her years of dancing have given Susannah an invaluable knowledge of the body, which enhances her ability to teach yoga. In addition she has studied both holistic massage and herbalism - and therefore has a very broad and balanced view of the body.

For Susannah yoga is about breath and bringing a sense of space and freedom to the body. She teaches Hatha Yoga, inspired by the Viniyoga System with its one-to-one approach, with an emphasis on connecting the breath and movement, enabling her students to work with their bodies, get to know them and to take responsibility for their personal well-being.

She applies this approach to all her classes where she ensures that adjustments and modifications are made for individual students - after all every body is different

Susannah studied yoga as a child and grew up within the yogic philosophy.

Vinyasa Yoga with Tania Plahay

Tania is half-Indian and was born and raised in an artistic family in London.

She's now been practicing the wonderful techniques of yoga for over a decade and is passionate about sharing these tools with others. She started learning yoga aged 18 and since then it has become a source of strength through life's ups and downs.

She teaches a slow, mindful style of vinyasa yoga linking movement to breath, shifting from the internal space into graceful and flowing external asanas.

She is also interested in the contemplative dimension of yoga including pranayama (breath work), meditation and insights from yogic philosophical tradition.

Tania has studied with a number of teachers and incorporates what she's learnt into her own distinctive approach to yoga. She's particularly inspired by Emil Wendel, Liz Lark and Jean Hall and the Bihar School of Yoga.

During this retreat in the peaceful olives groves of Turkey we will focus on exploring the body's centers of energy (chakras), starting with early morning pranayama and meditation. After this there will be flowing vinyasa practice, building heat and strength.

The evening practice will be more gentle and nurturing. On three evenings in the week, Tania will lead a candlelit Yoga Nidra. This is a method of accessing the subconscious mind to implant positive intentions.

For more about Tania please see her website www.taniayogini.com

Tina & Samantha will be teaching at Palm Tree Yoga in Kerala, South India

Hatha Yoga with Tina Abbey

Tina's fascination with the practice of yoga started over 30 years ago, at that time having no idea that yoga is a spiritual practice that has the power to quite literally change our lives. Like most people new to yoga she thought yoga was just another form of exercise.
Over time with the help and guidance of a Swami (monk) Tina began to be aware of changes not only to her body but more importantly her mind and how she was choosing to live her life in a much more positive and loving way.
Then, with a serious illness she decided to take a yoga teachers training course with no intention to teach, but to develop her spiritual strengths, and whilst training realised to teach yoga was her destiny.  
Now 14 years on, her passion for the power of the practice has only grown and she is totally committed to passing these ancient teachings on, in a very practical and down to earth way.
Tina's classes take a slow but dynamic pace, coming from the Sivananda tradition, giving the student the time to explore, feel, and to grow.
On the yoga holiday meditation classes can be scheduled in, if that's what the group would like.

Tina will be assisted by Samantha Trinder

Samantha is passionate about sharing the transformational aspects of yoga.
She has trained with teachers from the Sivananda, and Iyengar traditions.
She holds a 500 hour Yoga Alliance accreditation, and has just completed a further 500 hours Diploma in Yoga Therapy with Yoga Campus.
In 2016 Samantha opened the hugely successful Bhuti Wellness and Yoga Studio, in South London, offering over 50 classes, organic body and face treatments, and a lovely Vegan Cafe.
Samantha will be available for one-one Yoga Therapy Sessions. ( additional cost will apply )

Hatha Yoga with Tina Abbey and Ann Reilly - teaching together at Tigmi

Tina's fascination with the practice of yoga started over 30 years ago, at that time having no idea that yoga is a spiritual practice that has the power to quite literally change our lives.

Over time with the help and guidance of a Swami (monk) Tina began to be aware of changes not only to her body but more importantly her mind and how she was choosing to live her life in a much more positive and loving way.

Then, with a serious illness she decided to take a yoga teachers training course with no intention to teach, but to develop her spiritual strengths, and whilst training realised to teach yoga was her destiny. 

Her passion for the power of the practice continues to grow and she is totally committed to passing these ancient teachings on, in a very practical and down to earth way.

Tina's classes take a slow and mindful pace, coming from the Sivananda tradition, giving the student the time to explore, feel, and to grow.

Ann began her yoga journey at the age of eighteen under the guidance of Senior Iyengar Teacher Ruth White. She then trained at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in London and qualified in 1993. 

She continues to gain knowledge and has gained qualifications in other areas such as back care and mental health.

Ann has taught yoga full-time since 1993, both group classes and one-to-ones. She specialises in helping people with back pain management and believes yoga is a wonderful tool for spinal health. 

"I love the process of yoga and how it evolves as we age, revealing a deeper understanding of who we are.  Yoga is essentially a practice of refining ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally.  It is an honour to share this way of life to help bring peace and happiness to others.".

Our Yoga classes at Tigmi:

8am Class    75 mins Iyengar Based or Mindful Hatha Flow, depending on whose teaching
5pm Class     60 mins Yin/Restorative
Morning class only on one day mid-week to give students time to explore surrounding areas.
Please note there is no yoga on arrival and departure days.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Tracey Killengray

Tracey Killengray is a Senior Yoga teacher who has over 20 years of experience within the Health and Fitness Industry as a qualified Exercise Professional and Yoga Teacher. Tracey started out teaching a variety of fitness classes such as Step, Aerobics, Circuits, Body Pump, Body Step and Body Balance in Milton Keynes.

After 10 years of teaching Body Balance (a combination of Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi) she fell in love with the yoga element and wanted to indulge more.

Tracey then spent several years of practicing yoga with Brigitte Riley, she attended her first yoga retreat holiday and from that moment she decided that yoga was her real passion in life.

Tracey’s own personal journey took her to Maui where she was privileged to be able to study with some world renowned masters in Iyengar, Ashtanga and Anusara Yoga. 

Tracey’s style of teaching is alignment based Vinyasa Flow which is structured and fun, along with good humour. The emphasis is on sharing knowledge with students enabling them to deepen their practice safely and effectively. 

Retreat life enables us to switch off from our busy lives, turn inwards, nourish our bodies with delicious healthy foods and be kind to ourselves as well as opening our minds, bodies and hearts. Whilst sharing fun and laughter, learn something new and remember what it is like to experience happiness and wellbeing.

During our retreat holiday:

Our morning practice will begin by quietly centring ourselves and then moving in to a themed, alignment based Vinyasa Flow practice to awaken, invigorate and energise the body. Each session will close with meditation and Savasana.

You will have the rest of the day at leisure to either relax or explore, after all this is your holiday!

Our evening practice sessions will be more of a gentle practice mainly alignment based and fun partner work also including aspects of yoga such as Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra.

Classes are suitable for students of all levels

Testimonials from Tracey’s last retreat

“ A complete eye-opener and I feel truly blessed to have been able to take part in this experience!” – Chloe

“The yoga was great,I felt myself getting stronger and more relaxed as the week went on. Tracey tailored the class to how the group were feeling energy wise which was good.” – Vivien

Hatha Yoga with Tricia Martin

Tricia has been practising yoga for over 25 years and teaching for 23 years. She started teaching aerobics 30 years ago and her interest in health and fitness gave her a passion to find out more about the body.  She has studied with ITEC gaining a diploma in Anatomy, Physiology and Massage.  She has a British Wheel of yoga certification and has trained for many hours with high profile teachers.

The Yoga she teaches is an eclectic mix of the experiences she has gained over the years, with a grounding in classical hatha,  using the breath and bandha as an integral part of the practice.

Tricia has had her own health challenges over the years, being diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma of the breast in 2009 and undergoing mastectomy surgery and reconstruction to one breast, more recently a sailing accident left her with a fractured lower spine.

"Yoga got me through those challenging times and I feel it has without doubt helped improve my teaching to those who attend class who have themselves gone through any surgery or health issues.

I aim to present my classes, as relaxed, informative, safe and with a gentle sense of humour.  The classes will be modified for beginners and ramped up for those with more experience."

Our morning class will begin with a gentle wake up stretch followed by some soft flow and breath work.  Our evening class will be more restorative with stretches held for a longer length of time to get those warm muscles lengthened and more flexible, and of course a nourishing relaxation at the end of the class.

Classes are suitable for all levels - beginners are more than welcome.  For anyone new to yoga who wants to learn the basic fountation poses, Tricia will offer a thirty minutes one to one if needed.

"I want everyone to feel totally relaxed and to enjoy their holiday and to go home with new friends made.  For those travelling alone - you will be made more than welcome."

www.trishmartinyoga.com