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 and Kingsbridge at different times and days of the week. Weekly classes include Hatha Yoga, Flow Yoga, Glow in the Dark Yoga and Yin Yoga. I also offer seasonal yoga classes, events, workshops and retreats. Some of my classes include an element of "flow" and others "yin".

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 - Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga with seated postures that are held from 45 seconds to five minutes. Yin can also be a relaxed, meditative yoga practice that helps you find inner peace, as you let gravity do most of the work.

Restorative yoga - Restorative yoga focuses on relaxing your body and mind, spending more time in fewer postures throughout the class. Many of the poses are modified to be easier and more relaxing. 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.

You can book and pay for yoga classes, courses, workshops and gift voucher 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.

If you wish to guarantee your place for an 8-week yoga course and receive a generous discount per class, please purchase a Yoga Block from the Online Shop – For pay as you go classes (single class attendance), please book 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.

The full 8-week term fee will be paid in advance and is non-refundable if classes are missed.
All 8-week terms will be offered on consecutive weeks, unless otherwise stated at the time of booking.
Once your fee is paid, there is no need to book in to individual classes – your mat space is guaranteed for 8 weeks and you will automatically be booked into class.
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 might be possible subject to availability. Please contact me to check availability.
If I take annual leave for a whole calendar week, 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.
If I take annual leave for only a part of a calendar week, I will give you as much notice as possible. A pro-rata credit will be issued which can be redeemed against your next booking.
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 on your Health Questionnaire (therefore please let me know if your details change).
Before attending class please ensure you complete a HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE and refer to the FAQ section. This will help you prepare in advance for your class.
Pay-as-you-go, or single class attendance is also offered. The cost is £10.00 p/p and is subject to availability. Please book these places by visiting 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:

Buy an 8-week Yoga block, the term cost has been discounted by £20, which equates to 2 free classes. So as long as you will not miss more than 2 weeks of class, you will still be saving money! In addition, paying for a mat space, reserves your space for the rest of term.
Pay-As-You-Go, by visiting the Yoga Class page, until the next term of yoga starts and then buy an 8-week Yoga Block. The cost is £10.00 p/p and is subject to availability. Please book these places by visiting the Yoga Class page.

If you think you you will miss a couple of week of yoga, don't worry, there are still options open to you.

You can either:

Buy an 8-week Yoga block, the term cost has been discounted by £20, which equates to 2 free classes. So as long as you will not miss more than 2 weeks of class, you will still be saving money! In addition, paying for a mat space, reserves your space for the rest of term.
Pay-As-You-Go, by visiting the Yoga Class page, until the next term of yoga starts and then buy an 8-week Yoga Block. The cost is £10.00 p/p and is subject to availability. Please book these places by visiting the Yoga Class page.

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.

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 there is less focus on relaxation during SUP Yoga and All Levels Flow Yoga).

If you have any health conditions you think may affect your yoga practise, please indicate this 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.

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 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. In addition, a current timetable is available on my website and facebook.

If you have purchased an 8-week Yoga Block, and you are unable to attend your usual class and wish to swap for a different time/ date within the same calendar term, this is possible subject to availability. Please contact me to check availability. If you do not wish to swap, then please kindly let me know, so that I do not worry about you not having turned up. Block bookings have been discounted by £20, which equates to two free classes. So as long as you do not miss more than two weeks of class, you will still be saving money!

If you have booked a pay-as-you-go weekly studio based yoga class, please contact me with as much notice as possible, so that your place can be released to another yogi. If your cancellation is received with 24-hours’ notice, you have the option to a) to transfer your booking to an alternative date b) retain a class credit for future use, c) receive a refund. If your cancellation is received with less than 24-hours’ notice, your payment is non-refundable. Please note that if you have used a Gift Voucher code to book a place, there is no cash alternative.

If you have booked a seasonal yoga class, workshop or special event, please contact me with as much notice as possible, so that your place can be released to another yogi. If your cancellation is received with 72-hours’ notice, you have the option to a) to transfer your booking to an alternative date b) retain a class credit for future use, c) receive a refund. If your cancellation is received with less than 72-hours’ notice, your payment is non-refundable. Please note that if you have used a Gift Voucher code to book a place, there is no cash alternative.

Absolutely! Individually tailored yoga, meditation, holistic therapy and Stand Up Paddle boarding activities and packages, suitable for both business and personal 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.

Alternatively, 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!

Arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of the class, so that you can hand in your HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE, pay your class fees and collect your block/ strap/ blanket, etc. This helps all participants feel relaxed and comfortable and allow 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 during 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 the natural rhythm of your breath.
Child's pose is always an option. If you wish to rest in child’s pose at any time, please do. This is a great resting pose and will help you to relax, connect with your breath and tune into your body.
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 2^nd 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 4^th 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

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