Simply Soulful
Yoga FAQ
The benefits you may receive from your yoga practise include:
- Increased relaxation, flexibility, strengthen muscles, weight loss, energy levels
- Improved blood circulation, posture, balance, lung capacity, immune system, digestive system, sleep patterns, toxin elimination
- Reduced stress, anxiety, blood pressure, emotional frustration
- Enhanced healthy habits, positive thinking, spiritual growth, involvement in own healing, inner wisdom, confidence, self-esteem, self-worth
- A sense of tranquillity, calmness and positive well-being
- Greater creativity, clarity of thought and concentration
- Balance of mind, body and soul
I am trained in both hatha and yin yoga. My classes are small and friendly. Gentle movement (flow) is married with breath (pranayama) and postures (asana) to bring about a sense of wellbeing, relaxation and enhanced mind-body connection. To ensure there is a class to suit everyone, I offer a variety of classes, in Salcombe, Kingsbridge (South Devon) and online (available to anyone regardless of location) at different times and days of the week. Weekly classes (studio-based and online) include Hatha Yoga, Flow Yoga, Glow in the Dark Yoga and Yin Yoga. I also offer Kids Yoga, seasonal yoga classes (Beach Yoga, SUP Yoga), events, workshops and retreats. I also offer 121 private sessions, both in the studio and online. Sessions can be tailored to support pregnant and post-natal yoginis - Please contact me to discuss.
Hatha yoga - The Sanskrit term "hatha" is an umbrella term for all physical postures of yoga. In the West, hatha yoga simply refers to all styles of yoga that are grounded in a physical practice (Ashtanga, Iyengar, etc.). Hatha yoga classes are good for beginners since they are usually slower paced than other yoga styles.
Iyengar yoga - Iyengar yoga was founded by B.K.S. Iyengar and focuses on alignment and precise movements. Practitioners perform a variety of postures while controlling the breath and holding postures for a long time while adjusting the minutiae of the pose. Iyengar relies heavily on props to help students perfect their form and go deeper into poses in a safe manner. This style is really great for people with injuries who need to work slowly and methodically.
Kundalini yoga - Kundalini yoga is all about releasing the kundalini energy in your body, which is said to be trapped, or coiled, in the lower spine. These classes work your core and breathing with fast-moving, invigorating postures and breath exercises. These classes can be intense and involve chanting, mantra, and meditation.
Ashtanga yoga - The Sanskrit term “Ashtanga” is translated as "Eight Limb path." Ashtanga yoga involves a very physically demanding sequence of postures, so is suitable for a more advanced practitioner. Ashtanga starts with five sun salutation A's and five sun salutation B's and then moves into a series of standing and floor postures.
Vinyasa yoga - Vinyasa means "to place in a special way" and in this case yoga postures. Vinyasa is the most athletic yoga style. Vinyasa was adapted from Ashtanga yoga in the 1980s. Movement is coordinated with your breath and you flow from one pose to another.
Bikram yoga - Bikram yoga is named after Bikram Choudhury and features a sequence of set poses in a sauna-like room, typically set to 105 degrees and 40 percent humidity. The sequence includes a series of 26 basic postures, with each one performed twice.
Yin yoga - Longer, deeper, slower stretching of connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, fascia), helps bring about stillness and deep relaxation. This deeper connection is why yin yoga is often called "yoga of the joints". Seated postures are held from 45 seconds to five minutes assisted by gravity and breath.
Restorative yoga - Restorative yoga focuses on relaxing body and mind, spending more time in fewer postures throughout the class. Poses are modified for maximum comfort, ease and relaxation. Props, such as blankets, bolsters, and eye pillows, are used and are placed just right, helping you to sink deeper into relaxation, and free your mind.
All classes are open to all levels of ability (both beginners and more experienced yogis alike) with both less and more challenging options being offered throughout the sessions. Although you should be able to participate in a flow sequence with relative ease if attending Flow Yoga. If you have any concerns about your health or ability before attending a class, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you have your own favourite mat, then please do bring it along. Otherwise, for studio based classes, you are welcome to borrow a mat whilst you are starting your practise and figuring out if you want to continue long-term. After you have practised for a while, you might like to invest in your own mat. This allows you to connect with the relaxation process each time you roll out your mat and may also encourage you to practise at home. Yoga mats are available to purchase from my Online Shop. With regards to other equipment, for studio based classes I provide, straps, blocks, eye pillows, bolsters and blankets. Again, you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. If you are attending Beach Yoga or Goat Yoga, please bring an old mat or beach towel.
There is no minimum age, however participants under 16 years old, must be accompanied by a paying parent or guardian. The exception to this is Kids Yoga. A variety of classes are suitable for 2 to 17 years. Participants must be accompanied by an adult or guardian (no cost). All participants, regardless of class and age, must complete a parental consent form before the start of class.
Visit the Yoga Class page and find the class you wish to check availability for. Each class will clearly display the number of spaces still available.
You can book and pay for yoga classes, courses, workshops and gift vouchers on my website via a secure online booking system. Your booking is secured with full payment which can be made by either credit/ debit card.
A variety of yoga Class Passes are available to purchase, which not only help you save you a few quid, but also encourages commitment and optimises your physical, emotional and spiritual development. Alternatively, you can purchase pay-as-you-go classes, workshops or events (single class attendance), by visiting the Yoga Classes page.
Before attending a class, course, workshop or retreat please...
- Book in advance. Places are limited, so please kindly reserve your place by booking in advance.
- Complete a HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE.
- Refer to the FAQ section. This will help you prepare in advance for your class, advise you what happens if the weather is bad, and what to do if you need to cancel, plus much more.
If you wish to purchase Gift Vouchers, these can be purchased in my Online Shop.
- The 8-week term fee will be paid in advance and is non-refundable if classes are missed.
- The 8-week term will be offered on consecutive weeks, unless otherwise stated at the time of booking.
- If I take annual leave, I will give you as much notice as possible. Term duration will be extended by the relevant number of weeks, so that teaching time remains 8 weeks; or a credit will be offered to you.
- If I am unable to attend a class at last-minute, such as due to illness, I will contact you using the details you provide at the time of booking or on your Health Questionnaire (therefore please let me know if your details change), and a credit will be offered to you.
- Once you have purchased your Yoga Class Pass, please book the relevant 8 classes on consecutive weeks in order to guarantee your mat space for the 8-week period.
- When purchasing a class pass, at least one class must be booked at the same time of purchase.
- Mat places are limited per class and bookings operate on a first come first served basis.
- If you are unable to attend your usual class and wish to swap for a different time/ date within the same calendar week, this is possible subject to availability and the time frames stated in my Refund Policy (see below). Login to your account and ‘transfer’ the class you cannot attend to an alternative date/ class. Alternatively, you can ‘cancel’ the class you cannot attend, and a credit will be reimbursed on to your Yoga Class Pass. Cancellations are subject to 24-hours’ notice. Please note there is no cash alternative.
- The Pre-Paid 8-Week Yoga Class Pass is valid for 60 days.
- Before attending class please ensure you complete a HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE and refer to the FAQ section on the website. This will help you prepare in advance for your class.
- Not only does a Yoga Class Pass help encourage commitment and optimises your physical, emotional, and spiritual development - it also includes a generous discount!
- Alternative types of Yoga Class Passes and Pay-as-you-go, or single class attendance is also available on the Yoga Class page.
Absolutely! You are very welcome to start yoga at any time, even if a term has already started. You can either:
- Purchase a yoga Class Pass - Guarantee your place for 8-weeks and receive a generous discount.
- Pay-as-you-go classes (single class attendance).
If you think you you will miss a week of yoga, don't worry, there are still options open to you. You can either:
- Buy an 8-week yoga Class Pass - this pass has been discounted, so even if you miss a class you should not be out of pocket!
- If you are unable to attend your usual class and wish to swap for a different time/ date within the same calendar week, this is possible subject to availability and the time frames stated in my Refund Policy. Login to your account and ‘transfer’ the class you cannot attend to an alternative date/ class. Alternatively, you can ‘cancel’ the class you cannot attend, and a credit will be reimbursed on to your Yoga Class Pass. Cancellations are subject to 24-hours’ notice. Please note there is no cash alternative. Pre-Paid 8-Week Yoga Class Passes are valid for 60 days.
- Pay-as-you-go, until such a time you can commit to 8-week continued practise. The cost is £10.00 p/p and is subject to availability.
Absolutely! You are still very welcome to pay-as-you-go, or attend a single class. The cost is £10.00 p/p and is subject to availability. Please book these places by visiting the Yoga Class page.
If the class you would like to attend is fully booked, please click the JOIN WAITING LIST button, displayed in the event. You will be contacted if a place becomes available.
Your clothing will depend on the type of class you attend. Generally, you want your attire to be close-fitting and comfortable. Fitted clothes allow me to observe your form and offer adjustments when necessary. In addition, they will stay put during bending, twisting and inversion asana. Depending on the temperature, you might want to wear layers that can easily be removed as you warm up and put back on before final relaxation. Yoga is practiced barefoot, but you might like to bring a pair of socks to keep your feet warm during relaxation.
Please bring a re-usable water bottle to stay hydrated, a yoga mat* and any other equipment* you might like to use to all classes. Please also bring extra blankets* and pillows* for Yin Yoga classes; and an old yoga mat or beach towel to Beach Yoga. Please ensure you complete a HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE before your first class.
* Equipment can be supplied by Simply Soulful Yoga, however this is subject to prevailing government legislation and COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Classes will differ depending on the style of the class you are attending. However generally, class will begin with breath awareness and gentle stretching. We will then progress onto traditional yoga asana and pranayama, finishing in savasana, or “corpse pose” in which you will lie on your back with eyes closed. There might be a guided visualization before the end of class (please note savasana is slightly shorter in Flow Yoga, Beach Yoga and SUP Yoga).
Weekly yoga classes are all 1-hr. Workshops and special events may last a few hours up to half a day.
Please avoid eating a meal or drinking caffeine 1-hour before class. If you need a pick-me-up before class, have something light like a banana or a small handful of nuts 20-minutes before start of class.
If you have any health conditions you think may affect your yoga practise, please indicate this at the time of your bookings and on your HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE. If your health changes after you have submitted your HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE, please let me know as soon as possible. We can then have a chat about your health and how it might affect your yoga practise. It might be necessary to modify some of the yoga practises to ensure your safety and comfort during class.
Sessions can be tailored to support pregnant and post-natal yoginis. Relax, stretch and breath with confidence, comfort, and support. If you have recently given birth, please wait for a minimum of 6 weeks, before returning to your practise. Please see my blog post called - Supporting pregnancy; before, during and after - and contact me to discuss how to maintain a safe practise.
Classes are held at various locations. Some venues have their own parking. Others have parking a short walk away. Details about parking is included in individual event listings.
If you think you might be running late for your class, please email or text me in advance. Please respect the first 15 minutes of class, where fellow yogis will be in relaxation. Please wait until the warm up asana commences before coming into the room.
If a class is not going ahead I will endeavour to let you know the week before. If a class needs to be cancelled at last minute I will contact you using the details you provide at the time of booking or on your HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE (therefore please let me know if your details change). You are welcome to call or text me on 07941 508 004 to check if a class is going ahead.
Outdoor sessions, such as Beach Yoga and SUP Yoga may be cancelled due to weather issues. I will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible and reschedule the date of the session. If no suitable date is available, you will be offered a refund, or credit back onto your Yoga Class Pass.
If you have booked a pay-as-you-go weekly studio-based yoga class, and can no longer attend, please see my Refund Policy.
If you have booked a seasonal yoga class, workshop or special event, and can no longer attend, please see my Refund Policy.
Yes, of course. You can purchase Gift Vouchers for friends and family by either choosing a specific item or a set price. You can do this by visiting my Online Shop.
Absolutely! Individually tailored yoga, meditation, holistic therapy and Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding activities and packages, suitable for both personal and business clients are available.
Whether your focus is on relaxation and rejuvenation, or motivation and inspiration; the perfect package can be tailor made to suit you. Design your own personalised empowering event with friends, or a motivational company team-building package, for an event with positive impact.
Please contact me to discuss your requirements, after which a non-returnable deposit is all that’s required to secure your booking; you can then sit back, relax and let me take care of the rest!
Please keep an eye on my website for current class time tables (including date exclusions), workshops, retreats and promotions. You can also Sign Up to my Newsletter and/ or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
- Arrive at least 10-minutes before the start of the class, so that you can settle in. This helps all participants feel relaxed and comfortable and enables the class to start on time. However, if you do arrive late, please respect the first 15 minutes of class, where participants will be in relaxation. Please wait until the warm up asana commences before coming into the room.
- Use the bathroom before class to avoid interruptions later.
- Leave shoes, bags and coats outside the yoga studio in the storage location provided. This helps to keep the studio clean and clutter free, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment in which to practice, meditate and relax.
- Ensure your mobile phone is switched off or on silent.
- Respect savasana. Please stay for final relaxation, as this is where much of the benefit will be received. However, if you wish to leave class early, please do so before we start savasana.
- Let me know on a weekly basis if/ when your health changes from that stated on your HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE completed at registration (i.e. recent injury, illness, menstruation, pregnancy, etc.)
- Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga (especially the yamas and niyamas) remind us to be kind, gentle and honest with ourselves. Listen and trust your body. Be open to any messages that it may wish to tell you – Let your body and mind guide you in your practise at all times. Do not compare yourself with other participants within the class, work entirely at your own pace.
- Focus on your breath. Allow your breath to be slow and controlled throughout the practise, the inhalation and exhalation should be the same length. If your mind begins to wander, simply come back to the natural rhythm of your breath.
- If you wish to rest at any time, a seated position, reclined position or child's pose is always an option. Rest, connect with your breath, tune into your body and re-join the movement whenever you are ready.
- Please do not get hung up on not being flexible. “Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down”.
Asana – The 3rd limb of Pantanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga. Translates as “seat”, refers to the physical postures of the yoga practice
Chakras – Translates as “wheel”. Refers to vortices of energy located centrally up the spine, from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, which assist in governing different aspects of our life
Dharma – Universal law that is constantly guiding us into alignment with our life’s purpose and our highest Self
Dharana – The 6th limb of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga. Refers to focused concentration on a single point, and is the practice that guides us towards states of meditation
Dhyana – This is the 7th limb of Pantanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga. Refers to the complete and undistracted concentration that is meditation
Drishti – Translates as “point of focus”. Refers to your where you focus your eyes when practicing asana, pranayama, or meditation
Mantra – A word, syllable, or group of words or syllables repeated in the mind to help cultivate deep focus, while invoking a deity, feeling, way of being, or intention
Meditation – Means “to become familiar with” and is the practice of complete concentration when the mind is fully focused on a single point, whether that be a mantra, an object, the breath, the body, or simply observing the flow of thoughts within the mind
Mudra – Translates as “seal” or “gesture”, most commonly practiced with the hands, but can also incorporate the whole body, and is used to seal in energetic flow and help to manifest an intention or way of being
Namaste – A Hindu salutation that means, “I bow to you”, and used to close a yoga class, with the honourable expression of “the divine in me recognizes and honours the divine in you.” Namaste is offered with Anjali mudra, sealing the palms in front of the heart
Niyamas – The 2nd limb of Pantanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga. Refers to personal observances that we make to live more peacefully within ourselves. Cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, self-study and devotion to a higher power
Om – The universal sound, often used to close a yoga practice, and when broken down has 3 syllables, each representing their own specific function. “Ah” represents creation, “Ooo” represents preservation, and “Mmmm” represents transformation
Om Shanti – Sanskrit word meaning “peace”. Often used to close a yoga practice
Prana – Referred to as “life force energy”, but more accurately translated into “constant motion”, as prana is the vibratory force that animates all living things
Pranayama – The 4th limb of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga. Refers to the controlling of life force energy through breathing techniques
Pratyahara – The 5th of Pantajali’s 8 limbs of yoga. Refers to the withdrawal of the senses
Samadhi – The 8th of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga. Refer to absorption into Spirit. The ultimate goal of yoga
Ujjayi – An audible breath technique produced by a slight contraction of the throat muscles, which creates an oceanic sound at the back of the throat with each inhale and exhale
Vinyasa – Translates as “to place in a special way”. Referred to in class as “our flow”. Moving in and through postures synchronized with the breath
Yamas – The 1st of Pantanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga. Refers to social observances we make to conduct ourselves in living more peacefully within society, and include, non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation of action and non-collection of material items
Yoga – Translates as “yoke, join or unite”. Refers to uniting of the body, mind, and spirit, the uniting between the individual and the universal