About the Yoga

Why do yoga: Yoga can improve our wellbeing on all levels; spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Day to day stress as well as tension from traumatic events in one’s life are held not only in the mind but also in the body.  Yoga helps to release this tension in a safe and controlled fashion. 

What is yoga: Connecting the breath and mindful movement brings our attention to the present moment, this in turn releases stress, calms the mind and improves our mental health.   Mindful movement with the breath improves our flexibility, mobility, strength, and stability allowing us to move with freedom and ease, removing stress from the body.  

What happens in a yoga class:  Yoga can be done using a mat or a chair.  A typical class will involve a short seated meditation at the beginning of the class with a breathing practice, followed by yoga postures and finishing off the class with a whole body relaxation. 

Inclusive approach: Yoga can be done by anyone of any age and any ability. Yoga can be done on a mat or on a chair.   We have taught yoga to children, teenagers, seniors, people with mental health and chronic physical conditions and Afghan refugees with limited or no English language skills.  Classes can be adapted to suit all participants, and everyone is welcome.

Trauma aware approach:  We recognise the prevalence of trauma in the lives of many of the groups that we work with and would like to reassure participants and partners that all our work will be offered from a trauma-informed and sensitive perspective. Yoga is a mind-body practice and can be a helpful adjunctive invention in trauma recovery.   Yoga works to build a sense of safety and present moment awareness through grounding practices. Once safety is established the introduction breathing practices and gentle movement synchronised with breath can help re-establish a sense of balance and trust in body through autonomic self-regulation.  The focus on slow, mindful movement noticing tension and relaxation and shifting internal and external sensation can build body awareness and tolerance for strong sensory input.  

"Yoga turned out to be a terrific way to regain a relationship with the interior world and a caring, loving, sensual relationship to the self."  Bessel Van-der-Kolk, pyschiatrist and author of 'The Body Keeps the Score' (2014).