We’re lucky to have so many styles of yoga and great teachers on offer here in Purbeck.

There’s something for everyone.

From Ashtanga to Iyengar, Kundalini to Bikram - there’s a great variation in pace and style, not forgetting the individuality of the teacher and their personal approach and training.

I teach Hatha Yoga and was trained in the 1990s by Velta Wilson at the British Wheel.

Here’s a brief description of my approach.

Firstly, the pace of the class is slow. In every way, slow yoga is the safest way in which to practice. We spend our lives very much on autopilot and when doing body work, it’s not advisable to be on autopilot! You need to be fully aware of every move you’re making. It’s really important to be able to notice how your body is responding to a Yoga pose or movement - so that you can decide whether you need to stop doing it, modify it so it feels better - or deepen it if you feel able. Slow equals safe.

Slow might feel frustrating if you like to get things done but my advice would be to give it a try. You might discover that you are generally in a rush ………..

As our breathing slows - our minds have an opportunity to slow too. In this way, a Hatha Yoga class stimulates the parasympathetic response whilst dampening our stress response. We can find ourselves in a mild state of Fight Flight Freeze just negotiating every day life! In a Hatha Yoga session there is an intentional shift to a different rhythm. The parasympathetic response is sometimes referred to as Rest & Repair or Rest & Digest.

Of course, fast paced activities have their physical benefits - but we do need balance. And it’s good to remember that slow also equals healthy for the body and the mind.

You can expect a thorough stretch of your muscles and a thorough mobilisation of your joints. Yoga will also strengthen muscles and bones and encourages effective breathing; increasing oxygen whilst reducing blood pressure. The poses can massage, stimulate and detoxify organs - especially those of the digestive system. Hatha will help you to maintain the mobility you already have and help you to manage injury or illness.

And instead of worrying about flexibility, the focus is on discarding our tightness and tension - so please don’t have a moment’s worry about flexibility.

I give full guidance and as I get to know you, I can assist to make the Yoga really work for your body.

There are no complicated routines to learn - but we often string a few poses together ….. very slowly.

Relaxation is an important ingredient - and is a formal practice of Hatha Yoga. The idea that we can simply “just relax” or “just let go”, can be very off putting if your mind and body are full of stress and tension. Relaxation can be learned, just like the Yoga poses - and I give full guidance.

Finally - the atmosphere is kind and most definitely uncompetitive.

The best way to choose is to attend at least three classes of any style of yoga before deciding what would suit you best.

If you have questions, please call or email:

cathyoga@btinternet.com

07375 866261