Yoga from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind, to unite. At simplyoga we practise Hatha yoga to bring harmony to ourselves by uniting mind, body and spirit.

The Union – The Mind and Spirit

We all live life at such a hectic pace that sometimes it is difficult to keep up! We are so busy planning our futures or reminiscing about the past that we miss out on the here and now. Yoga philosophy emphasises mindfulness. Awareness of our actions as they happen, being present in the moment. Stepping into a yoga class is the first step towards achieving harmony. As you practise you are encouraged to keep focused on your body and breath. By staying present and alert our thoughts remain focused on ourselves which in turn means we are not distracted by thinking about any other matters or any other people. Just us! For some of us that is hard to do, but once achieved the effect is a more stress-free, calmer way of life.

The Body

What image do you have when you think of yoga? A yogi with his ankles behind his head? I often hear people say “I can’t do yoga, I’m not flexible enough”. If you hear yourself saying this you may well be the perfect candidate for yoga.

Yoga not only promotes flexibility, suppleness and muscular tone it also strengthens bones and joints, as well as being a great way to increase energy levels. This happens as a result of the postures and breath work opening up the many energy channels of the body.

Yoga in life

We face challenges all the time in our everyday lives and so it is in our yoga practise. The challenges we face in yoga are not competitive. There are no targets or must do’s. You practise safely, with awareness and regard to your own abilities. Respect and listen to your body, never pushing it into discomfort. Some of the postures look daunting and challenging. In yoga you are encouraged to face those challenges; not by forcing your body too quickly into postures you are not ready for but by respecting your body and trusting it. Being patient and in so doing, learning of and accepting your limitations.

In a nutshell

There are many, many benefits to practising yoga. On a physical level it develops strength (including core strength) flexibility and increases energy levels. On another level you become more aware of your body and your surroundings, your thoughts, ideas and values; these may change. It encourages perseverance, concentration, compassion and unconditional love.

Who, What, why, when

Yoga is fun and inclusive. If however you feel unsure whether it’s for you, then please feel free to contact me.

It’s advisable not to eat a heavy meal two to three hours before each class. If you can’t wait then eat only a light snack 30 minutes to an hour before class.

Please wear light, comfortable clothes so that you can move easily around; leggings, jogging bottoms and t-shirts. Yoga is practised in bare feet. I would advise bringing along a pair of socks for use during relaxation; if you’re prone to cold feet you could get distracted!

Please see the timeatble for times and locations.