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What type of yoga do you teach?I teach Scaravelli Inspired yoga approach. It focuses on developing a very different experience of core strength and stability, through releasing tension and creating ease and length in the spine. It is a stress-free yoga that benefits everyone. It uses the breath and gravity to un-do holding patterns that we all accumulate and allows the spine to move more efficiently and effortlessly: allowing for more freedom and ease of movement that is energising to the whole body. Postures and movements are explored lying down, sitting and standing to help improve strength, stability, flexibility and balance, along with simple breathing and relaxation to help calm the mind. I aim to make yoga relaxed, enjoyable and accessible to everyone, adapting the yoga practice to each person’s needs and ability.
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How is yoga different from stretching, or other types of fitness?Unlike stretching or other fitness training, yoga is more than just physically working your body. Within the physical practice of yoga we connect the movement of the body to the rhythm of our breath, which helps to focus and relax the mind by directing attention inward. Yoga can improve your strength, flexibility and balance, whilst also calming your mind, easing stress, improving your posture and how you breathe.
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Can I come to a class with an injury?In my classes the movement content supports your needs and is always adaptable. It adapts to YOU rather than you having to fit into it! So it will be relevant and useful if you are injured or recovering from injury or from illness. Please do let me know what has happened before coming to a group class. Depending on the injury and your personal history, I may recommend you come for 1:1 session/s to create and establish a specific protocol to help you through your recovery or rehabilitation. I am very used to working in conjunction with other healthcare professionals and physical therapists, (physiotherapists, osteopaths, orthopaedic surgeons etc) and will give you homework to be doing between sessions to restore you to healthy function more quickly. Functional Integration and Awareness Through Movement classes separately and in combination with each other, offer a gentle and powerful approach to recovery from injury, surgery and post stroke. Please get in touch with me first, before booking. I will be very happy to discuss your situation with you.
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I'm not at all flexible, is that going to be a problem?It's absolutely not a problem. Please don't let that stop you from coming. I will ensure you move without any discomfort, effort or force. As you discover how to move with more ease and less tension, things will change. You will notice an increase in strength, stability and flexibility after just a few sessions.
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I am overweight. Will I be able to do your classes?My person-centred approach is for everyBODY. All ages, shapes and fitness levels and is tailored around your needs and current situation. I will help you adjust and adapt poses and movements if necessary, so you feel comfortable and enjoy moving with freedom and ease. And will also make it fun. EASE + ENJOYMENT = the best way to create and maintain new habits and skills.
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I'm pregnant. Can I still come to a session?Every pregnancy is unique. It is a wonderful time to develop a yoga / movement practice. I have over 30 years of experience supporting and accompanying women through pregnancy as a YogaBirth teacher. I am Co-Director of The YogaBirth Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training - the most in-depth Pregnancy Yoga training in the UK, and am privileged to train pregnancy yoga teachers of the future. If you have been attending my classes before becoming pregnant, I am happy for you to keep coming to your regular class. If we don’t know each other, please do contact me first before booking. As you move through your pregnancy, a dedicated pregnancy class is an excellent way to prepare for your labour and birth and build a supportive network of other women sharing in similar experiences.
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Do you use hands-on touch in the Classes?Touch can sometimes be helpful in a learning situation to clarify direction of movement or to bring awareness to an area of the body. It must always be precise, gentle and respectful. I never use touch without your full consent. I have many clients who have been injured in the past through insensitive or forceful 'adjustment' in yoga and exercise classes and am all too aware of this problem. I find that the explorative nature of my approach together with clarity of instruction usually means hands-on touch isn’t necessary. If it is something you fell strongly about please do let me know. Functional Integration does involve touch. And is a 1:1 learning process using gentle, precise touch that gives feedback directly to your neuromuscular system. Sessions usually take place on a special Feldenkrais table. These sessions use hands-on guidance. I will move you slowly and in an easy, comfortable range.
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What is this thing called Feldenkrais?The Feldenkrais Method is supported by the latest cutting-edge neuroscience. We now know that the brain is 'plastic' and can change (grow new neural connections). This is known as neuroplasticity. Feldenkrais group classes called Awareness Through Movement and individual sessions called Functional Integration, engage in a series of movement explorations. We improve our ability to sense new and more efficient movement options. We compare different ways of moving to find what is most comfortable. This process of learning expands the network of connections in the brain and nervous system. The Feldenkrais Method combines mindfulness, movement and relaxation, all of which help reduce stress, calm a ramped-up nervous system and in turn improve many aspects of mental functioning.
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What should I wear to a session?Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in easily. Sweatpants, loose trousers or leggings and a t-shirt. Clothes that do not restrict your movement, with perhaps a couple of layers that you can take off as you warm up or put on at the end for resting and relaxation. There is no need to get kitted out with designer yoga/exercise clothes. Yoga sessions are usually in bare feet. If this is a problem for you, please do get in touch before. For Awareness Through Movement and 1:1 Functional Integration you are welcome to keep socks on. Please arrive dressed for your class if possible.
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Do I need a Yoga Mat or any other equipment?I have plenty of mats, cushions, blocks and other equipment in my space. You are of course welcome to bring your own yoga mat etc if you prefer. For virtual classes it will be useful for you to have a yoga mat, and a selection of firm cushions or blankets that can be folded and used for support.
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When is best to eat before a class?We are all different and all digest food differently. I would recommend not eating a heavy meal just before you take a class. It is probably best to wait at least an hour or two after eating a normal size meal, before doing any yoga /movement class. A small snack before your class is perfectly fine. You are very welcome to bring a bottle of water with you, to stay hydrated during class.
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When should I arrive for my in-person class?Please aim to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to the class starts.
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Is there parking nearby?There are plenty of parking spaces in the street outside my studio space.
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What if I am late for a class?Ideally, please arrive a few minutes before the class starts. I understand that unexpected things happen that can delay you, but it would be helpful to let me know if you can, so I know to expect you.
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I want to book more than one person to a Group Class. Can I do that?Each person in your party needs to book separately so the booking system reserves a place for each of you.
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What is the cancellation policy?I have a 48 hour cancellation or re-booking policy. This gives me time to fill your space.
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I think I would prefer to come to a Private Session before joining a Group Class. Is that possible?Yes, that is possible. It is helpful to come for 1:1 session/s first, before joining a group. Having dedicated time at your own pace to better understanding this approach can be useful. It gives us time to get to know each other and means I can create something that is completely bespoke to what you are wanting to explore. When you feel ready you can join a group session. I have clients who come for 1:1 sessions every week and have done for years. Others come to group classes only. Most do a combination of both: coming to group classes and having an occasional 1:1 when they feel the need for additional support or input. ( i.e. are injured, going through a big personal life event, etc). So any combination is possible.
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