It’s not always easy to commit to a weekly yoga class.
Life happens…
Tag: Yoga Teacher in Rugby
Update 11/08 Last few spaces left at Dynamic Flow 6-7pm Houlton School. Block booking spaces for all over classes are full.
Are you ready to dive into tranquility and immerse yourself in a thoughtfully crafted sequence of yoga postures designed to help you get stronger, more flexible, and balanced?
Book your spot now for yoga classes starting on 17 September! Seize this opportunity to begin your journey towards balance and well-being!
Flow + Chill: Tuesdays 7.15-8.15pm (Houlton)
Suitable for beginners and those seeking to unwind and decompress. 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. It’s the ideal wind-down from life’s busyness to prepare for a peaceful night.
Dynamic Flow: Tuesdays 6-7pm (Houlton) & Fridays 9.15-10.15am (Eastlands)
These intermediate level, heat-building classes are thoughtfully curated to encompass meditation, breathwork, yoga postures, and relaxation techniques. Embrace the opportunity to explore your limits and challenge your practice as you build strength, flexibility, and balance. Leave each session feeling not only relaxed but also empowered and inspired!
Testimonials: Hear what some of my students say about their experience in my classes:
Ashleigh: “My favourite yoga teacher! I’ve been attending Gemma’s Flow and Chill classes for nearly a year. It really helps me to relax and switch off. As well as the poses, Gemma explains the meaning behind what you’re doing and helps you to understand the mind/body connection. She is such a lovely, caring soul, and her classes are incredibly welcoming, I recommend for all levels.”
Vanessa: “I’ve been going to Gemma’s classes for nearly a year and I love them. The yoga is great, and I’m getting so much stronger! But it’s more than yoga, Gemma cares and makes you feel so welcome … each week I give myself this hour to reground and look after myself. It’s great!”
Angela: “I’ve been going to Gemma’s classes for nearly a year and they are fantastic. She puts great thought and care into her lessons. I always come away feeling energised, calmer and ready for the rest of the week! I would recommend her classes whether you’ve done lots of yoga or are just starting out. Gemma will make you feel welcome and guide you through, whatever your level.”
Carmen: “If I could give Gemma a 10* review, then I would. Gemma doesn’t just teach yoga, she offers us a beautiful, soulful experience, a sense of peacefulness, mental, and physical wellbeing. She’s a beautiful soul who demonstrates care for each and every one of her class attendees with such a warm welcome. Her yoga teaching is exceptional, and I always feel that I’ve entered into my happy place.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Curious about whether you are ready for yoga, what to expect or what to bring to classes? Check out my FAQ section here.
Booking Information: Limited Availability. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure your spot. BOOK NOW.
Categories
Yoga with Houlton WI Group in Rugby
This month, I led a fun yoga session with the amazing Houlton Women’s Institute (WI) group.
The Houlton WI is all about connecting women through activities and social gatherings. They warmly welcomed me, and their enthusiasm for yoga was contagious!
We explored the ancient origins of yoga and its connection to self-care. We started with a short meditation and some breathwork, followed by a sun salutation variations and a series of standing postures.
In true WI tradition, we paused for a delicious tea and cake break – a lovely chance to chat and relax.
Afterward, we focused on restorative postures to unwind and de-stress. The session ended with a guided meditation, leaving everyone feeling calm and centered.
Leading yoga with the Houlton WI group was a fantastic reminder of the power of community and connection. If you’re looking for a welcoming environment to try yoga, consider reaching out to your local WI group! You might just love it.
A big thank you to the Factory48 Photography for capturing some of the action.
Have you ever wondered why you can hold a challenging yoga pose a little longer than when you first started? Or why you seem to manage everyday aches and pains with more ease? New research by Dr. Andrew Huberman, a Stanford neuroscientist, sheds light on the incredible connection between yoga and pain tolerance.
The study revealed that yoga practitioners, regardless of their background or experience level, had double or even more pain tolerance compared to non-practitioners. Here’s the exciting part: this wasn’t just about physical conditioning.
The research also showed increased grey matter volume in the brain’s insula region for yoga practitioners. The insula is a powerhouse area responsible for interoception, our ability to sense internal signals from the body. This includes pain signals, but also hunger, thirst, and even emotions.
Think of it this way: a stronger insula allows you to not only detect pain but also understand it. You can make judgements about the pain, whether it’s a passing discomfort or something needing attention. This newfound awareness empowers you to leverage or even utilise that pain – perhaps by modifying a pose or taking a mindful breath – rather than simply shying away from it.
And the good news doesn’t stop there. The study found a direct correlation between years of yoga practice and increased grey matter in the insula. The longer you practice, the stronger this crucial brain region becomes!
Building these brain areas allows yoga practitioners to cope with pain more effectively in all aspects of life. It’s not just about surviving a challenging pose; it’s about cultivating a deeper understanding of your body and its signals, leading to greater resilience and well-being.
So, the next time you step onto your yoga mat, remember – you’re not just stretching your body; you’re strengthening your mind’s ability to manage pain and navigate life’s challenges with greater ease.
Ready to unlock the pain-management potential of yoga? Join me in Rugby for a class and experience the difference for yourself!
Join me for a relaxing hour-long outdoor yoga session in a beautiful Clifton-upon-Dunsmore garden (specific location given upon booking).
This is a charitable event! All donations go directly to Clifton upon Dunsmore Primary School PTA, who are fundraising for 17 x mobile computing devices for the children to use in class.
The class is suitable for adults of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting out, this class will help you stretch, de-stress, and find inner peace. We’ll focus on mindful movement and connecting your breath with your body. Please note: This class is not suitable for children.
A few of you have been curious about meditation – how to get started, what apps can help you, and if it’s really for you. The answer? Absolutely! Meditation is a practice that trains your attention and awareness, and the benefits are backed by a growing body of research. We’re talking stress reduction, improved focus, and a calmer, more centred you.
Ready to de-stress, gain flexibility, and feel stronger? Join my yoga classes in Rugby, starting w/c 10th June! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, there’s a class for you.
Register now for the June/July block and secure your spot! Space is limited.
Drishti, a Sanskrit word meaning “gaze,” is more than just looking in a certain direction during your yoga practice. It’s a powerful tool that harnesses the power of intention to enhance your experience on the mat.
Drishti with Intention, Not Tension
Forget staring rigidly at a single point. Drishti is about directing your gaze with awareness and focus. Different postures have designated drishti points to guide you. Remember to keep your gaze soft and relaxed – no need to strain or clench your eyes.
Last week, we delved into Padha Bandha, focusing on the connection and engagement of the feet. Building on that exploration, this week in our yoga classes in Rugby, we have shifted our attention to Hasta Bandha, the art of hand lock. Just as Padha Bandha grounded us through our feet, Hasta Bandha empowers us through our hands, offering an opportunity to refine our practice and deepen our connection to each pose.
Hasta Bandha: Beyond Wrist Protection
Our hands facilitate our connection with the world in myriad ways, and on the mat, they serve as tools for stability, balance, and power.
Hasta Bandha, translating to “hand lock” in Sanskrit, isn’t merely about safeguarding your wrists. It’s a subtle yet engagement of the hands that fosters stability and protects your joints. Good application of Hasta Bandha distributes weight evenly across your palms, leveraging the natural arch of your hand for support. This not only alleviates strain on the wrists, particularly in weight-bearing poses like Downward-Facing Dog but also lays the foundation for a number of benefits:
- Strength and Stability: Activating Hasta Bandha establishes a sturdy foundation, empowering you to hold poses with greater ease and control. Envision your hands firmly rooted into the mat, anchoring you in each posture and fostering a sense of confidence and power.
- Heightened Proprioception: By consciously engaging your hands in Hasta Bandha, you enhance your body’s spatial awareness, refining alignment throughout your practice. This heightened proprioception not only reduces the risk of injury but also deepens your connection to the nuances of each pose.
- Precision in Movement: Hasta Bandha encourages mindful use of the hands, transcending mere gripping to focus on spreading the fingers and activating specific points of contact. This precision fosters intentional movement, enabling you to flow gracefully from one posture to the next with heightened awareness and control.
- Potential Energy Flow: In certain yoga traditions, Hasta Bandha is believed to channel subtle energy (prana) up the arms and into the body’s central channel. While the scientific basis of this concept is still evolving, many practitioners attest to experiencing heightened energy and concentration when incorporating Hasta Bandha into their practice.
Incorporating Hasta Bandha into Your Practice:
Eager to explore Hasta Bandha? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
- Establish Your Foundation: Begin in any pose that relies on hand support, such as Downward-Facing Dog or Plank. Ensure your wrists are aligned directly under your shoulders to optimise stability.
- Spread and Ground: Extend your fingers wide, pressing the fleshy pads of your palms firmly into the mat. Visualise creating an “L” shape with your thumb and index finger, creating a broad base of support.
- Lift and Engage: While maintaining alignment, gently lift and broaden your palms as if pushing against an unseen force. Lengthen your fingers through the fingertips, activating the muscles of your forearms and hands for enhanced stability.
Tips:
- Avoid Over-Gripping: Aim for a firm yet gentle engagement. Excessive tension in your forearms can hinder your practice.
- Stay Breath-Aware: Maintain a steady breath throughout, using it as a guide to stay present and release any unnecessary tension.
- Listen to Your Body: Honour your body’s signals. If you encounter discomfort, adjust your technique or transition to a modification that better suits your needs.
- Embrace Variation: As you become more proficient in Hasta Bandha, feel free to explore subtle adjustments in hand placement to optimise your experience in different poses.
Have a question about something yoga-related? Feel free to drop me a message! I’d love to hear from you.
Categories
Discover the Tranquility of Yin Yoga
In the modern whirlwind of life, where every day can feel like a race against time, discovering pockets of tranquility becomes an invaluable pursuit.
This is where Yin Yoga enters the scene, offering a serene haven amidst the chaos. This article explores the essence of Yin Yoga—what defines it, the myriad ways it benefits the body, and what you’ll need to embark on this transformative journey.
Understanding Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga, a gentle and introspective yoga form, directs its focus to the body’s connective tissues—ligaments, tendons, and fascia—along with the joints. Unlike its dynamic counterpart, Yang Yoga, which engages muscles and movement, Yin Yoga emphasises prolonged passive postures. Typically practised on the floor, these poses allow gravity to gently guide practitioners into deeper stretches.
The core of Yin Yoga involves holding poses for extended durations, often ranging from 3 to 5 minutes, or even longer. This sustained stillness fosters relaxation and facilitates the gradual release of tension within the body. Yin Yoga isn’t about chasing flexibility or pushing physical boundaries; instead, it’s a practice rooted in surrender and embracing the present moment—a practice that nurtures mindfulness.
Benefits for the Body
- Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion: The extended holds gently elongate the body’s connective tissues over time, leading to increased flexibility and enhanced joint mobility.
- Stress Relief and Relaxation: Yin Yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, prompting the body’s relaxation response. This helps mitigate stress and anxiety, ushering in a state of calm and tranquility.
- Enhanced Energy Flow: Yin Yoga engages the body’s meridians—energy pathways. This practice encourages balanced energy flow and contributes to overall well-being.
- Joint Health: Prolonged poses support joint health by nourishing the tissues surrounding the joints, warding off stiffness, and promoting joint longevity.
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Rooted in meditation, Yin Yoga cultivates introspection and mindfulness, guiding practitioners to explore their inner landscape and fostering a sense of self-awareness and serenity.
The Perfect Complement to Other Movements and Vinyasa Yoga
Yin Yoga isn’t only a stand-alone practice—it harmonises beautifully with other movement modalities. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, or dedicated yogi, Yin Yoga offers a complementary dimension to your routines. It’s a gentle, therapeutic counterbalance to high-impact activities, helping prevent injuries, enhancing recovery, and encouraging a profound mind-body connection.
For those engaged in Flow or Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga provides a valuable contrast. While Vinyasa focuses on building heat, strength, and stamina, Yin Yoga offers an opportunity to deeply stretch and release tension in the body’s often-overlooked areas. This synergy creates a holistic approach to wellness that embraces both dynamism and stillness.
What You Need for a Yin Yoga Class
- Comfortable Clothing: Opt for comfortable, loose-fitting attire that allows unrestricted movement and stretching.
- Yoga Mat and Props: A non-slip yoga mat forms the foundation of your practice. Consider bringing props—like bolsters, blankets, and bricks —to enhance comfort and support during poses.
- Open Mindset: Yin Yoga underscores the importance of mental engagement. Approach your practice with an open heart and a willingness to embrace stillness.
- Patience: The essence of Yin Yoga lies in patience and surrender. Honor your body’s pace and avoid the temptation to rush or force stretches.
- Breath Awareness: Focus on your breath during poses. Deep, rhythmic breaths facilitate the release of tension and anchor you in the present moment.
Deep Stretch Yin classes take place monthly at the Barn in Houlton, Rugby. Book now. No previous yoga experience needed!