What Should I wear ?
Wear clothing that allows free movement, close fitting leggings, shorts, capri and t-shirt or long sleeved T shirt are ideal. Bring a warm layer of clothing, these are village halls! Please take shoes off before entering the hall. No socks worn during practice.
If you can take a shower before practice you will be clean and feel really great…promise!
Can I eat before class ?
Please allow 4 hours to pass after a heavy meal before class. Please allow 1-2 hours to pass after a light meal. If you need sustenance half a banana or biscuit 30 mins before class is advised. The body will react to the posture work if it is also digesting or worse the food is still in the stomach. This is true for all excess not just yoga!
Can I drink water during class ?
Please do not drink water during class. These are not HIT classes nor are the venues over heated. If the mouth is unavoidabley dry it often suggests the postures are being composed by the brain more than the body. Drop into the body, let the mind follow and you will not become thirsty. You may drink after class.
What do I need to bring ?
Yourself and an openness to practise !
I have all the kit you need to get started although I would encourage you to get a beginners kit comprisisng a good quality sticky yoga mat, a brick and 2x foam blocks. You can purchase this from my own stock available each week at class. If you wish to purchase elsewhere please do so from a reputable yoga retailer.
Which class is right for me ?
Each of my yoga classes should leave you feeling physically challenged, mentally de-compressed and emotionally calm.
Beginners course – for complete beginners
Beginners level II – for those with experience in asana or maybe returning from a break in practice.
General Levels I & II – In these classes we continue to focus on the blueprint yoga poses with more depth of instruction and adding more challenging asanas as the weeks unfold . Join us if you have completed your beginners courses or if you have practiced yoga before.
Intermediate Level I & II – Suitable for those who have a regular yoga practice and are comfortable in inversions, Sirsasana (head balance) and Sarvangasana (shoulder balance) and more. These classes are not suitable for beginners.
Overs 55’s – Slower paced and prop based posture class suitable for everyone. Ideal for recovery from illness, medical conditions requiring a little extra attention, and our more senior students.
What to expect in a class
Classes start with everyone seated in simple crossed leg, Sukhasana, (often a foam support is used to lift lower back) and we begin taking our awareness into our body working with certain actions like lifting the spine, opening the chest and quietening the head. The class opens with the sound ‘Aum’ chanted three times and in intermediate classes and workshops the invocation to the father of Yoga, Lord Patanjali.
The asanas practiced will vary week by week. They will include standing, seated, forward and backbends, twists, balances, inversions and restorative postures. Different asanas have different effects on the body, mind and spirit and in Iyengar yoga you will experience each, forming an holistic practice.
Great emphasis is placed on the alignment of the body and certain actions are required to ensure the body is working correctly, alignment bringing enlightenment.
The asanas will be demonstrated by me giving you the chance to see what you are aiming for and you will then be guided through with anatomical detailed instruction. I will encourage you to adjust your pose either verbally or with hands on help and may even suggest using a prop.
The class will always end with Savasana where the physical body is at rest. Again the alignment of the body is emphasised to facilitate an equal relaxation of the being so you can travel gently inward as the senses withdraw, the breath slows rhythmically and the mind begins to still – and here catching glimpses of the oneness of being , breath and soul as all is joined in Yog, union. Words cannot convey the true value of these classes. It has to be experienced…
Enjoy this snapshot of a class in Sydney Australia
Where are you based ?
I teach from local venues in The Forest of Dean and lower Wye Valley.
- The Evergreen Hall, Broadwell, Nr Coleford.
- St.Briavels Assembly Rooms, North of Lydney.
- The Mackenzie Hall, Brockweir.
- On-line pranayama and meditation.
Is there any car parking
The Evergreen Hall and The Mackenzie Hall both have on site and on road parking and at St Briavels all car parking is on road.
Do I need to book classes
Yes please. We both benefit…I can ensure there is enough kit for all students and you plant the seed of attendance and continuous practice. If you attend regularly it is also fine for you to just drop in but please always get in touch with me first if you are new to the class.
How do I pay
You can pay online using the prompts on the bookings page. You can choose to pay by Bank transfer, but it would be wonderful to maintain cash flowing in our local economy and I encourage this form of payment.
For bank transfer – BACS
Mrs Kishe Redwood
53-81-21
83124462