I'm a beginner to yoga, will this be suitable?

Yes, this course is suitable for most people including beginners. It starts with the foundations of home practice. If you have never tried yoga before, or if you have been practicing for a while or returning to it after a break, you'll get a lot from this course. It is simple and essential to help you get started and stay with it over time. The postures and movements are accessible and adaptable to suit you. Yoga doesn't need to be complex, you don't need to be flexible or be able to touch your toes, and everyone can do something - it just needs to start at the right point for you. 
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Do I need to have attended a group yoga class first?

Many of my 121 students have never been to a group yoga class, or they started with a home yoga practice. That is how I started. But many people get interested in practicing at home by attending group yoga classes. Either way is fine.

Home yoga practice is very different from the group yoga class. What you learn in some group classes may be very helpful in supporting your home yoga practice, but not always. Some of the more athletic classes may involve elaborate and impressive postures that take a long time to learn and become competent in. Some people love this approach, and it helps to motivate them and keep them practicing. In my experience this offers no more foundational benefit than simple, essential yoga. Finding your yoga, that keeps you coming back to practice every day, is a very personal thing. And it will likely change over time. But step one, is to establish enjoyable daily practice and develop from there. You are welcome to come along to my group yoga classes, either in Bishopston or via Zoom. Find out more here >
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Can I gift this to someone else?

Yes you are welcome to gift a course to someone else. When you book onto the course, you will be asked for the name of the person who this is for.  Add their name here, along with their posting information and email address. There is a short health question that is helpful before sending out the first pack. This would be great to get upon booking. The package will then be sent to the gift recipients' address. A gift voucher can be issued to give to the person ahead of the course arrival.  
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Is 15 minutes of yoga enough?

15 minutes is a great starting point for home yoga practice. And even 5 minutes is infinitely better than 0 minutes every day. 

Do what you can. But do something every day. Your optimum practice time will be personal to you, your lifestyle, other demands on you, your level of energy and current state of health and so many other factors. Find something you can commit to daily and develop from there. 

Let's use an analogy - cleaning your teeth. If you clean your teeth for 60 seconds and have a great technique, and an efficient method that does a great job, your teeth feel clean, your mouth feels fresh, you have no teeth or gum problems, and your dentist approves of the results. Is that enough? Or is it better to clean your teeth once a week for 20 minutes? 

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Can I do it for longer?

There are shorter and longer practice options offered in the program. I always recommend starting with a modest and achievable amount and cultivate the daily habit before growing your ambitions. Leave your practice each day keen to do more, rather than not finding time to fit it in. It's much easier to say yes every day to a 15 minute practice, than to try and fit in a 45 minute practice.
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What style of yoga is it?

The question of style usually refers to the style of movement, or the techniques that are taught, or perhaps the 'tradition' of yoga. This is yoga that includes postures, movement, breath focus, and meditation. Viniyoga is the name of the tradition, and while it's not one of the big brand names of yoga, it underpins many of the more well known traditions of modern yoga. Iyengar, Ashtanga Vinyasa and Vinyasa Flow all find their branches growing from this same root. 

This program is an uncomplicated form of yoga that has movement & breath at its heart. The breath is as important as the movement, and there is meditative focus throughout, plus seated breathing & meditation practice as the program develops.  The movements are slow and mindful, flowing with the breath, and include repetition to gain a sense of familiarity and grounding in the practice. The poses are adaptable to accommodate injuries or energy levels, and the yoga will become 'your' yoga that is suited to you, your body, your lifestyle and your goals. 
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I have an injury / health condition, will this be suitable?

Most people will have no trouble getting started with this, but it might be that a more tailored approach will be more helpful. If you have a health issue that your worried about, I would suggest getting in touch first so that we can establish if this program will suit you or if another starting point might be best. The monthly feedback that I encourage you to provide will give you the chance to see how you are getting on with it and share with me any challenges, difficulties or adverse effects and we can modify the program from there.  Please do get in touch if your not sure. 
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I'm pregnant, will this be suitable?

Much of this course will be great for you to do, even though it isn't specifically designed for pregnancy. There are different yoga practices more orientated towards pregnancy that you might find more helpful, especially if you have any complications. However if you are pregnant, or find that you are pregnant during the course, simply let me know when you register, or let me know in the monthly feedback as soon as you find out. That way I can make helpful suggestions to ensure that it is suitable and as helpful as possible. I have taught pregnant women for over 10 years and there is lots to be gained from this course. Many of the poses and breathing techniques will be of great support during your pregnancy and beyond. 
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Can I still go to my yoga classes?

Home yoga practice and group yoga classes are quite different. Home yoga is often shorter, simpler, and more intimate and regular. You'll learn the home practice and repeat it regularly. The group yoga class is often longer, and requires more time and effort and of course is reliant on a teacher that you enjoy taking classes with. This will be based on your personal preference. Many of my regular home yoga students haven't been in a yoga class for many years, and some come to my weekly classes. Find what you enjoy and what helps you maintain your home yoga practice and gain the most benefit for you. 
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Why do I need a yoga course?

The initial 6-month course will provide a foundation of poses, movement and breath, underpinned with philosophy and understanding. The course builds over the months to give you a good grounding in basic home yoga practice. Each month is developmental, based on my work with many students over the years. It should get you to a point where you can practice on your own at home with what you've learned, or follow on with 121 lessons when your home practice could benefit from being updated. Or join in with group yoga classes. I'd highly recommend taking the whole course to get you started. 
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What happens after 6 months?

Once you have completed the 6-month program, you can continue practicing at home on your own using what you've learned during the program. If you find you would still like support, 121 sessions tailored to you will help you further develop your practice. Or watch this space for a further course.

121 sessions or group classes are helpful for those who like the continued motivation, support and accountability. It's up to you. You don't have to decide up front. See how you get on and decide later. 
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Is this better than a yoga video?

A break from our screens can be a welcome rest for our busy, overstimulated minds. This is for people who may like to get off their screens for a while and to come into a regular and consistent yoga practice that is quiet, simple and effective. Plus in addition to the routines themselves, this course includes an opportunity to provide feedback to me each month where I can offer guidance on your practice and help you get the most from it. 
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Do I need to send in feedback each month?

Sending back monthly feedback on how your home practice is going is a great way to gain guidance and suggestions that are personal to you, build confidence in your practice, and may help you keep on track and get the most out of it. But it is entirely up to you and is optional whether you do this or not. It can help me guide you in your home practice by offering suggestions, modifications and tips and overcome obstacles to regular practice. It also can help you be accountable for practicing and may even help you get onto your yoga mat every day. If you prefer not to for any reason, then that is completely fine too. It is a chance to reflect on how your practice feels, explore any effects that you experience, discuss problems or blocks that get in the way of practicing and allows me to share from my years of doing this how to help you build this into a regular and helpful support in your life. 
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How personalised is the program?

Each month you have offered the opportunity to fill in a short form and send back, either online or by post to let me know how your getting on and if anything needs tweaking. The monthly feedback is intended to support you in reflecting on your practice, and identify key issues that might get in the way of your practice. The feedback form includes a few questions to help guide your feedback. I will reply either by sending a slightly updated practice that may suit you better, or by making a few notes for you to try in the coming month for your next months practice. The aim is to offer a steer for your practice, but it isn't a full discussion or a lengthy process. If you find that you have more questions than the form provides space for, then I would suggest booking in a face-to-face review with me where we can discuss the practice more fully, and we can take a look at the things that need working out. 
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Do you have a concession rate?

Yes. There is a discounted option for those who can't afford the full course. It is the same 6-month course but for less. Spaces are limited each month so if one month is full, book into a later course. 
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Another question?

Feel free to get in touch and send your questions here >