Welcome to Mindful Yoga
It’s only when we slow down that we start to notice, sense and feel what’s going on in our body. Mindful Yoga is a practice of being, breathing, resting, tuning in and becoming aware of how we feel in each posture and if we are comfortable. Through stillness, we begin to notice where tension is held in our body. Mindful Yoga works with you to find support with the ground through your bones, inviting you to become curious about your body and how it moves. The aim is not to stretch and hold postures, although you may feel a stretch at times, the focus is on listening to your body with kindness and nurturing it.
I offer yoga online and in-person classes, workshops and morning retreats in Fontmell Magna and in Shaftesbury and the surrounding areas. Contact me to find out more: kate-71@live.co.uk
Yoga with Kate
“Yoga should not be a training for body control; on the contrary it must bring freedom to the body.”
Inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli, for me yoga is not about achieving the perfect pose. The intention is not to stretch, but to undo tension in the body, connecting to the spine through our limbs and our breath. Yoga is a mindful practice and is always approached with a beginner’s mind, in the present moment. As we undo tension, with the help of gentle somatic movement, we discover how to connect through the spine, finding a lightness and freedom in the body and a more easeful, relaxing way of moving without pushing or pulling. We need to treat our bodies with love and kindness and take the focus away from the asana (the posture) which in turn will stop us forcing our bodies into postures and trying to hold them for longer than is good for us. This helps us to find the space in the body for the yoga to arise. Deep rest and relaxation are an important part of this practice.
Yoga Nidra (NSDR)
“Yoga Nidra is the yoga of aware sleep. In this lies the secret of self healing. Yoga Nidra is a pratyahara technique in which the distractions of the mind are contained and the mind is relaxed.”
Yoga Nidra is a deeply restorative guided meditation practice also known as None Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR). Yoga Nidra means “yogic sleep” and it offers relaxation on all levels of being; mind, body, and spirit. It can help to lessen the impacts of stress and support and help with insomnia, depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns. It improves concentration and builds self-compassion.
As you practice, your body moves into a state of stillness and peacefulness where relaxation occurs. As you go deeper into the practice the brain will then begin to emit delta waves, mimicking what happens when we enter a deep restful sleep.
I don’t believe you have to stay still in one position throughout the practice like many practitioners. I also don’t mind if you fall asleep, although it is more beneficial to you if you can stay awake. I invite you to make yourself cosy and comfortable – to build a ‘nest’ for yourself. Imagine you are building it for someone you loved very much. Use pillows, blankets, eyemasks, or whatever is needed.
Yoga for horse owners
It starts with us. I have always had a passion for horses and would like to help people recognise how their unconscious holding patterns are affecting their horses. For instance, you could be holding around one seat bone, which creates an imbalance within the horse. Also, just the daily care of horses can be tough on the body, poo picking, mucking out, trudging through mud, etc can have a huge impact on your body.
Gentle Somatic Yoga
“Practicing Gentle Somatic Yoga can bring:
• Freedom from bodily pain, head to toe
• Dramatic increase in flexibility
• More resilience and ability for self-healing
• Increased mental clarity and focused thinking
• Improved reaction time and coordination
• Reduced fatigue and improved sleep
• Reduced symptoms of physical and mental stress
• Happiness and peace of mind”
Gentle Somatic Yoga® (GSY) is a combination of therapeutic yoga and somatic movements. It’s slow, mindful approach helps us to become more aware of our bodies, so we can heal ourselves, allowing us to self-correct and permanently release persistent stress-based patterns from within our bodies (Soma).
Instead of stretching muscles, GSY uses the technique of pandiculation to reprogramme muscles to their optimum length in a resting position. A pandiculation contracts and releases muscles in such a way that the feedback loop in our nervous system that regulates the level of tension in our muscles, is naturally reset. This resetting reduces muscular tension and restores conscious, voluntary control over our muscles. The restorative sequences, called Somatic Movement Flows®, are perfect for unwinding stiffness, pain and postural imbalances, and will dramatically increase flexibility through brain-to-muscle re-education. From this place of new-found freedom, we naturally return to a state of peace and well-being. Deep rest and relaxation are an important part of this practice.
“Kate’s yoga classes will benefit everybody – from the hesitant, unfit beginner to the experienced enthusiast. She creates a friendly, relaxed, yet energising atmosphere where you are treated as an individual. The classes are a great work-out for your body and your mind. Believe me – I have been practicing yoga with Kate for over ten years and I know the difference her teaching makes in a stressful world! ”