Looking for a yoga class that suits your energy? Whether you want to move and challenge yourself or slow down and relax, we’ve got two great options—Dynamic Flow and Flow + Chill. Both will leave you feeling good in your body and mind.
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Join me at the Wild & Rooted Day Retreat
Ever feel the need to pause, take a deep breath, and reconnect with yourself? Step away from the daily hustle and immerse yourself in a soul-nourishing experience at Wild & Rooted —a carefully curated day retreat on Sunday 13th July designed to help you unwind, recharge, and connect with like-minded souls.
Set in the breathtaking Scandinavian-inspired surroundings of PAUS, this one-day retreat blends movement, warmth, and deep relaxation, offering you the perfect escape into nature. PAUS spans 24 acres of rolling countryside, including 13 acres of wild meadows—the perfect setting to slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace the beauty of nature.
The morning starts off with a teas/coffees before moving to a feel-good yoga flow (not too fast, not too slow). Next up, you’ll indulge in a delicious 3-course lunch (meat/vegan/vegetarian options available) at the cozy Hilltop Bistro, where you can take in the stunning countryside views.
In the afternoon, you’ll get back to nature with a barefoot sensory meadow walk and enjoy some relaxation time in the Hilltop bathing facilities. Head over to the open air, wood-fired red cedar hot tubs, barrel sauna and cold tubs (if you are brave enough) for the ultimate healing experience.
For those who prefer a more laid-back approach, there are chill out spaces available, complete with deck chairs and hammocks for you to read, chat, share stories and laugh together.
At the end of the day, we will gather for a rejuvenating sound bath session, led by Gabi from Journey through Healing. The gentle sounds will wash over you, melting away any lingering tension and restoring balance to mind, body, and spirit.
This is the perfect opportunity to unwind, recharge, and connect with others in a unique, tranquil setting.
Food and drink options include morning tea/coffee, a delicious 3-course vegetarian/vegan lunch, and refreshment while bathing (with your choice of prosecco, G&T, or elderflower presse). Additional drinks are self-funded.
Please note that although this is a private event where we will have our own use of hot tubs, yoga studio and lunch area, PAUS is open to other people.
Sunday 13th July, draft schedule:
10:00am Arrival and welcome tea / coffee
10:30am 90-minute yoga practice: feel-good flow then moving to longer holding postures and relaxation.
12:20 pm Delicious vegetarian/vegan lunch to include a sharing platter, a main meal and homemade cake
1:30pm Barefoot sensory meadow walk (1km)
2:00pm Hilltop bathing, hammock, deckchair & chill-out time
5:00pm Sound bath with Gabi from Journey through Healing
6:00pm Departures
The event will take place on Sunday 13th July at PAUS, located approximately 10 miles west of Cambridge. Address: Toft Road, Cambridge, CB23 2TT. Car-sharing encouraged. It takes about 1 hr 10 mins to get to PAUS from Rugby.
Join me for a day of Wild & Rooted — you deserve to feel grounded, restored, and renewed!
Early Bird Price (until 1 April) £136. Thereafter £148.
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The Yoga Pose I Avoided for 5 Years
There’s a pose I didn’t teach for five whole years.
Not because it was advanced. Not because it was risky. Just because I didn’t like it.
Firelog pose—also known as Agnistambhasana or double pigeon—was my nemesis. Every time I practised it, I’d feel tight, stuck, awkward. So I quietly left it out of my teaching, class after class, year after year. And because no one asked for it, I never questioned it too much.
Yesterday we held our Yoga, Buns and Bliss event at Houlton School – a relaxed and enjoyable day combining yoga and baking in a beautiful setting in Rugby.
It was the second year running that I’ve partnered with Paul from Rugby Real Bread, and it was a fab to work together again. Paul led two hands-on baking sessions, where everyone had the chance to make their own hot cross buns from scratch – mixing, kneading and shaping the dough with plenty of tips and encouragement along the way. The kitchen smelt amazing!
We flowed from baking to movement with a steady, feel-good yoga class – designed to gently energise the body and bring focus to the mind.
Lunchtime was simple and delicious. We gathered on the top floor of the Transmission Building and shared Paul’s homemade focaccia with houmous, fresh fruit and veg, while soaking in the views across Houlton.
The day ended with candlelit yoga and yoga nidra – a calm and restful practice to wind down. With blankets, soft lighting and time to be still, it was a quiet, grounding way to close the day.
It was a fabulous to welcome everyone, and such a lovely mix of movement, making and moments of pause. Thank you to those who joined us – and to Paul for another collaboration!
Recently, I attended an online training with the British Wheel of Yoga called Dharma Delights, led by Bram Williams. The day was all about storytelling—exploring the myths and meanings behind some of the yoga poses we practise. I love weaving a little dharma talk into my classes, and this training reminded me why. Stories add depth to the practice, making it about more than just movement.
I also love bringing poetry into my classes. Just like mythology, poetry has a way of connecting us to something deeper. Whether it’s a single line that lingers or an image that sparks reflection, words—like yoga—can guide us towards stillness, strength, or surrender.
The Stories Behind the Poses
So many of the poses we do in yoga have stories behind them, and when we know those stories, the poses start to take on new meaning. Here are a few we explored:
🐟 Matsyandrasana (Seated Twist) – Named after Matsyendra, a fish who overheard sacred teachings and was transformed into a wise sage. Twists, like this story, invite us to turn inward and reflect.
🌳 Vrksasana (Tree Pose) – The tree is rooted and strong but still sways with the wind. This pose is all about finding balance—both physically and in life.
🚣♀️ Navasana (Boat Pose) – Just like a boat navigating waves, this pose teaches us steadiness in the face of change.
🦁 Simhasana (Lion’s Breath) – The lion’s roar releases tension and frustration. It’s a reminder to let go of stress and step into courage.
🐶 Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog) – Inspired by the loyal and playful nature of a dog. It’s a pose that invites us to stretch, breathe, and stay present.
🔺 Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) – A shape that represents balance—body, mind, and spirit. It encourages us to find strength and openness at the same time.
🙏 Forward Bends – Bowing forward is a symbol of surrender, of softening, of letting go. These poses remind us to pause and allow.
Themes for Yoga Classes
We also explored different themes that can add depth to a class. Some of my favourites were:
🍂 Seasons – How our practice shifts with the changing energy of Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer.
🐢 Slowing Down – Taking time to pause, breathe, and rest.
🎭 Play – Bringing curiosity and lightness into the practice.
🌊 Seaside & Waves – Moving like water, flowing through change.
🌀 Spine – Exploring the way our spine moves and supports us.
💚 Heart-Based Practices – Tapping into emotions and connection, inspired by Anahata meditation from Tias Little’s Yoga of the Subtle Body.
☀️ Solstices – Honouring the cycles of light and dark.
⚖️ Sthira & Sukha – The balance of effort and ease, strength and softness.
Why Do We Practise Yoga?
One of the questions we explored was: Why do you practise yoga?
For me, yoga is about connection—physically, mentally, emotionally. Some people come to class for strength and flexibility, some for peace of mind, and others just for the joy of movement. There’s no right or wrong reason—just the practice itself.
One of my favourite Yoga Sutras is Sutra 1.14:
“Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break, and with sincere devotion.”
It’s a reminder that yoga isn’t about perfecting a pose but about showing up—again and again—with patience, curiosity, and heart.
Bringing Meaning to the Mat
Yoga is more than just a series of shapes. It’s movement, breath, awareness. It’s stories, poetry, and themes that help us connect to something bigger.
I’ll leave you with these lines from Rainer Maria Rilke:
“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.”
So much of yoga is about this—being present for whatever comes, knowing that nothing lasts forever.
Do you have a favourite yoga story, theme, or poem? I’d love to hear in the comments!
Photo Credit: Annie Sprat – thank you!
You can now book onto my yoga classes in Rugby for March 2025!
Classes run Tuesdays and Fridays, with two types to choose from: one for beginners and one for intermediates. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice, classes are designed to help you feel stronger and more comfortable in your body while staying connected to your breath.
Flow + Chill (beginners/moderate level)
Suitable for beginners and those seeking to unwind and decompress. Join the breath with movement in a mellow and mindful way. This class is a way of slowing down, showing your body kindness and finding balance in your life.
Expect more cues on alignment, slower movements and deep stretches to melt away layers of tension from the day or from physical exertion. A perfect wind down from a busy life to prepare for a peaceful night.
When? Tuesdays 7.15pm-8.15pm, Houlton School
Dynamic Flow (intermediate level)
These intermediate level, heat-building classes include meditation, breathwork, yoga postures and relaxation. You’ll be encouraged to explore your limits and challenge your practice as you build strength, flexibility and balance.
Each series centers around a theme where elements of yogic wisdom are often weaved into the class. The sequence for each block varies, ranging from a slower flow with an emphasis on strength or flexibility to an uplifting flow with one breath per movement. No matter the pace, you’ll close each class feeling relaxed, empowered and inspired.
When? Tuesdays 6pm-7pm, Houlton School and
Fridays 9.15am-10.15am, St Peter & St John’s Church.
There’s no pressure here—just a relaxed, friendly space where everyone’s welcome. Expect some good vibes and maybe a few wobbles along the way!
Enjoy weekly yoga classes at £8 per 60-minute session, available in a block of 6 consecutive weeks. If you’re looking for more flexibility, I offer a limited number of drop-in spots every Tuesday for £11 per class. New students are welcome to experience their first class for only £5.
Got a question? Check out my Frequently Asked Questions page.
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Focus on: Eagle Pose (Garudasana)
In our current yoga series, we’re delving into Garudasana, or Eagle Pose. This graceful pose invites us to explore balance, focus, and release. Over the series, we are peeling back the layers of this pose, discovering its physical benefits, mental challenges, and its beautiful symbolism as a practice of grounding while soaring.
Yoga can often feel like a mix of separate parts— asana (postures), pranayama (breathwork), and meditation. But what if they could seamlessly blend into a single mindful experience? That’s exactly what Perry Lewis’s one-day hybrid course with the British Wheel of Yoga, Getting Your Mind in the Right Place, explored. I attended virtually.
The idea of going to a yoga class for the first time can be daunting. If you’ve always wanted to join a yoga class but are too nervous to try, read these tips to help set your mind at rest.
Over the past five weeks in our yoga classes here in Rugby, we’ve been diving into the concept of the koshas. Each week, we’ve explored one of these layers, starting from the physical body and gradually working our way through the more subtle layers of energy, mind, wisdom, and bliss.