breaths of calm, positions of power

See our brand new Yoga & Meditation Blog - all about YOU & Yoga - written by our Red Hot Yoga Team from all around the UK with classes near you!  To be part of this blog, please contact us for more info!

At What’s On 4 Me we keep a close eye upon what it is that our fans are most interested in hearing about and knowing 'how to participate' when something takes their fancy. 

 Fitness and other ‘boot camp’ facilities – with a focus on de-stressing – have been high in the charts for some while, and to reflect that interest, we are about to start a one year long feature on yoga and meditation.

The last few years has seen yoga and meditation develop and expand even more quickly around the world – in particular, as a chosen method of improving health and mental ‘balance'.

Yoga’s popularity has grown to the point where 30 million Americans and 5 million Europeans today practice the art on a regular basis – in addition to the goodness knows how many millions in the East.

Why not start your visit by relaxing, unwinding and watching this serene meditation for a few minutes...

(Developed by Mind Space - An award-winning social enterprise whose one goal is to bring meditation into the mainstream)

If YOU are looking for an activity you can embrace - which generally costs very little - yet brings potential enormous rewards and new friends, then dipping your foot into Yoga and Meditation is a very strong What’s On 4 Me recommendation (with no harmful side effects, if it turns out not to ‘float your boat’).

What's On 4 Me and yoga

Our national team are writing to Yoga instructors in the UK asking them to tell us a little about themselves.  << See our RED HOT instructors & yoga groups >> If you ARE a Yoga instructor and would like us to add your details, then contact us.   If you know of any Yoga instructors in your area that you think we should contact then let us know here.

In addition to this feature article on the subject of yoga, we are building a directory of yoga and meditation facilities throughout the UK, talking to as many of these organisations and groups as we can.

Where people from the world of meditation have something different or special to say, or offer, we are building those comments into this ´living ‘feature.

We are providing an opportunity for yoga groups near you (at least three or four) to stand up and make themselves known and invite you to go and see "what they are all about"!!

These groups might offer traditional Hatha yoga, or something quite different, like yoga for pregnant Mums offered by Yogabellies - or how about somewhere completely different - like the out of this world setting of a stately home, Kilnwick Percy Hall, where you can 'work your ticket' to receive board and food and yoga and meditation in return for 35 hours work!  Or if you prefer simply to pay to stay, there are several options including en-suite rooms for around £80 per night - or camping in the grounds for £30!

If you do grasp the hands that will be reached out to you, through this feature, you may find yoga to be among the most worthwhile things you have ever attempted.

New crazes do come and go – but Yoga, and the other similar meditation methods, are an ancient art that have endured for many centuries.

Learn more about yoga

The origins of Yoga are a spiritual offshoot of the Hindu religion.

What has 'caught on' in such an immense way with the eastern world and the west – joining the millions of Hindus - who practice this art form as a part of their normal daily life - is the ability of Yoga and meditation to lead to a focussing of the mind, especially in times of stress, and to create a general feeling of well being and positivity.

The growth in Yoga’s popularity seems to be irresistible – despite being criticized by the Roman Catholic and Muslim faiths, and, in fact banned! Largely because it is rooted in Buddhism. There is also objection to the focus upon the body as ‘a temple’.

Notwithstanding - Yoga has proved popular throughout the world (including huge numbers of Roman Catholics and Muslims).

The classic style of Yoga is known as HATHA Yoga, although a number of alternative styles have developed such as a more esoteric KUNDALINI Yoga, and even ‘NAKED’ and ‘HIP’ Yoga! There are also variants of Yoga from China and Nepal.

The core elements of yoga are called ASANAS. These are the poses that its practitioners must adopt and hold which range in difficulty from easy to seemingly impossible. They demand ever increasing levels of subtleness, and endurance, though a pose hardly ever requires the use of strength, only technique.

This posing aspect is then overlaid by PRANAYAMA - which is a control of breathing that is essential to progress making it absolutely essential to identify an experienced instructor, able to guide you through the Asana and Pranayama progressions to correct mistakes in technique.

See below for a more detailed section which describes Yoga and its various formats in more depth which you could visit now or leave until the end of this general introduction to the possibilities for you.

Read more >>>

What's On 4 Me does the hard work for you...

We are providing you with a deeper insight into yoga and beyond   as well as this all round and general introduction there is a slightly deeper look at yoga	We are working to find you local groups we are keen to find at least three or four local friendly faces and voices you can talk to	We are looking at residential centres too a yoga weekend or holiday could make the ideal break, with a chance to see new places, and learn new things	We want to help yoga groups attract your attention groups tell us they struggle to attract members, so we have thrown away our rate card to help them become known to you.

Our search is on…

On behalf of our What’s on 4 Me fans we are conducting a nationwide campaign - seeking to find at least three Yoga and meditation instructors in every county and more if we can.

Besides attending LOCAL yoga classes - from the content of this feature and our directory - you could take the opportunity to visit a distance Yoga course or even a residential Yoga course - to mix Yoga with other forms of entertainment or relaxation. Either get started with a concentrated launch, or as a ‘booster’ of your techniques - from time to time.

There are some incredible Yoga centres around the UK, and elsewhere in Europe, where your visit can be doubled up with other touristic or cultural experiences.

We would very much appreciate feedback from those of our readers who make contact with - or involve themselves with - the groups that are listed in the directories associated with this article and we will be very happy to include your reviews and experiences in this Feature.

Read more >>>

Seek out the gains

Inevitably you will require to find at least one good Yoga instructor nearby to your home, where you could expect to meet many other like minded people, who are sure to become friends in time.

Visiting, what seem quite inexpensive, Yoga centres in the UK, or beyond, is something that the whole family can do, as there is virtually no limit to the age at which it is possible to start Yoga training.

This could become a new style of weekend break or holiday for all the family!

From our research and in talking to many many Yoga group members, it is clear that once you have found your feet as a Yoga practitioner, you can rely upon feeling the benefit of Yoga, in every single day of your life thereafter.

The exercise and breathing it seems will improve your overall health and resistance to illness.  That has nothing to do with the ideology - but simply that any regular form of exercise involving better breathing has that effect.

Most importantly it seems to us that in today’s hectic and high pressure world, Yoga practitioners can gain a refuge from stress.

Doctors worldwide approve of anything that reduces stress, on the basis that it is considered as big a threat to good health as almost any disease or bad habit.

Read more >>> 

 

Maybe a life changing experience?

Finding a way to give your day periods of time when you can be ‘at one’ with yourself, following Yoga and meditation techniques could be a major lifetime gain for you. 

What may start as a small spare time adventure or curiousness can lead to something quite special.

Talking to Yoga practitioners it seems that if you take the decision to take this path, you can expect that it will be life changing.

The benefits for Yoga are as much for the mind as the body and it is claimed that those who become adept begin to ‘stand out’ in any crowd for their lack of stress, serene calmness, lack of worries and a new, healthy, philosophical outlook on life (and hence presumably the worry of Yoga to the Vatican and Islam).

Through Yoga, practitioners learn to believe that we are, simply, ‘body, mind and soul’. Everything else in life follows.

Read more >>>

An introduction to the art of yoga

About the practice of yoga

The practice of yoga involves the assumption of various poses of varying difficulty according to expertise, and the level of instruction received – combined with breathing exercises.

Over time the poses generally improve the flexibility of the body, its balance and sometimes stamina.

The breathing exercises promote tranquility and the concept of mind over matter, which is attitude that is at the heart of many eastern exercise regimes.

Even if you can not take to the ‘energy flow’ concepts that accompany many of the Yoga regimes, the poses and the breathing undoubtedly bring great benefits all of their own.

A good understanding of Yoga is therefore possible - along with considerable benefit and gains without taking on board its other aspects.

The basic Yoga pose is – so famous as to already be known to almost everyone in the world – is the Lotus position. This is a crossed legged sitting position that encourages stability inner balance and flexibility.

There is a full Lotus – where both feet rest on top of the opposite leg - which is difficult if not impossible for beginners.
The Lotus position takes patience and practice to achieve, and so a half Lotus - or even simpler cross legged poses which are used by beginners in their early days.

Other basic poses (asanas) include the Cobra, the Cow, the Diamond, the Tree and the Corpse position.The Corpse is a flat out position designed to regain forces and achieve calm following any over exhaustion. Each pose is accompanied by its own breathing technique and the two – posing and breathing - must always be practiced together.

During the period when one is learning the basic Asanas the guidance of a trained instructor is vital. It is easy as a beginner to make mistakes in posture and breathing - which must be corrected from the beginning if the benefits of Yoga are to be realised.

See our brand new Yoga & Meditation Blog - all about YOU & Yoga - written by our Red Hot Yoga Team from all around the UK with classes near you!  To be part of this blog, please contact us for more info!

Once you have learned the asanas however, you are able to practice them yourself in your own surroundings and in your own time.

For some, yoga practice can lead to more difficult and specialised asanas - such as inverted headstands - or arched back bows. However even if you do not get as far or as serious as that - you will still find a mastery of the basic poses - of considerable benefit to you in times of stress, or simply as a way of looking after your body and soul - balming them with tranquility.

General health warnings

These guidelines are given to Yoga practitioners, and new trainees before starting any Yoga session;

• The stomach should be relatively empty.
• Strength, force or pressure should NOT be used and the body should never tremble.
• Movements involving lowering the head or other parts of the body should be made slowly and - specifically - whenever heels are raised, they should then be lowered slowly.
• Breathing should be controlled.
• The benefits of the various Asanas increase, when the specific related (breathing technique) Pranamyama is performed.
• Whenever a practitioner is experiencing a form of stress, they must perform the Corpse pose.
• The Yoga Asansa must not be performed on a floor, but on some form of mat (Yoga mat).
• At the end of any Yoga session, time must be left for a deeper and final relaxation.
• A Yoga session must not be followed by going to bed or going to sleep.

Different types

Hatha
The easiest and most widely followed outside of the East, requires the adoption of various Asanas (postures) and the use of Pranamyama (control of breathing) to reach a state of profound relaxation. Hatha improves flexibility, combats stress and is for all ages without limit.

Astanger
This involves synchronisation of the postures and breathing techniques, in a manner that causes heavy perspiration and loss of toxins - and a great help for re-balancing the bone structure.

Ayengir
This adopts a more gymnastic and physical discipline with less emphasis upon meditation and breathing.

Bacti
Bacti is the most spiritual form of Yoga which includes and preaches an unconditional love of a god head figure, though without the hopes and fears of traditional religions.

Karma
Karma aims to improve the practitioner behaviour through the arrival at an interior peace and absolute tranquility - which includes a process of widening the horizons of the mind, in order to accentuate good from evil on an intuitive basis.

Mantra
This form of Yoga is practiced by Tibetan monks who repeat mantra’s or chants in order to reach the highest levels of consciousness.

Raja
A form of Yoga, involving the posture in which the Buddha is usually depicted – involving prolonged meditation with the intention of arriving at the ‘truth of all things’ through inward reflection.

Yana
Yana focuses upon the classic techniques of Yoga practitioners as written down through the ages - seeking answers to the questions of life

RED HOT YOGA GROUPS

Our national team are writing to Yoga instructors in the UK asking them to tell us a little about themselves.  << See our RED HOT instructors & yoga groups >> If you ARE a Yoga instructor and would like us to add your details, then contact us.   If you know of any Yoga instructors in your area that you think we should contact then let us know here.

In addition to inspiring our fans to look into and hopefully take huge benefit from Yoga, we want to provide details of Yoga clubs in every reader’s locality.

Therefore, at the start of November we began the process of researching and contacting by email, every Yoga club we could lay our hands on.

We are also appealing in the article for any help in this regard from our readers and the Yoga community.

We take pleasure in listing these Yoga instructors who have responded.  They are ‘red hot and on the ball’ and worth taking note of.

These instructors have a whole different variety of offerings. Some specialise in Hatha Yoga, others in Jaya. Some offer retreats and residential courses and others provide teacher training courses. Some offer pain management and can work with individuals privately in their own home. Others can travel to your workplace or you can go to their café/studio to meet like-minded people...

What a brilliant variety....and we’ve only just started, so watch this list as it grows…

NATIONAL YOGA CLASSES

At Breathe we teach yoga for all levels, across the country, from the complete beginner to the experienced practitioner. There are many different ways of practising yoga, and depending on your wants and needs your teacher may blend elements of different styles in order for you to achieve the maximum benefit from your practice. Many people are first drawn to yoga as a way to keep their body fit, strong and supple and as an aid to relax their mind. Those who continue with regular practice notice subtle changes in their approach to and experience of life. Using yoga postures to increase body awareness allows the mind to become still and develops a profound sense of inner peace. 

June’s Yoga is a training program for teachers available nationwide to enable them to integrate yoga into the classroom. A June's Yoga workshop includes everything that teachers and care-givers need to start practicing yoga with their children. The workshop will enable a teacher or care-giver with no previous yoga experience to lead babies, nursery or primary school children in a yoga session the very next day. The ripple effect of yoga in schools is that, not only are the children calmer, more focused and confident, but also staff feel less stressed and more centered in themselves and better able to cope with educational challenges.  

SCOTLAND

Yogabellies runs weekly classes across Glasgow and also offers retreats, especially for New Mums and Babies.  The “YogaBellies Mum & Baby Retreat” is a weekend away from it all to allow mum and baby to spend quality time together and for mum to get a little relaxation time on her own. Mum and baby can choose to attend as many or as little of the planned sessions as they wish or they can just relax with baby, or go for walks in the beautiful countryside surrounding Lendrick Lodge. 

All meals from Friday dinner time until Sunday lunchtime are included and are healthy, scrumptious, colourful and full of life. Mealtimes are a joy-time at Lendrick Lodge, with lots of opportunity to catch up with old friends, make new ones, and enjoy a communal feast.

My Lotus Iyengar Yoga and Well Being Centre in Edinburgh offers Iyengar Yoga and Nutrition classes, and advice and products which cater for the health and well being of our body, spirit and mind. They aim to work together with their practitioners and clients with one purpose in mind: that of Inclusive Health. All classes and services are delivered in the Bruntsfield centre, a friendly and well organised space.

See our brand new Yoga & Meditation Blog - all about YOU & Yoga - written by our Red Hot Yoga Team from all around the UK with classes near you!  To be part of this blog, please contact us for more info!

NORTH OF ENGLAND

If you are based in the North of England, then Yoga Realms provide regular yoga and meditation classes and workshops across the South Manchester region. In particular they run a “Harmony and Resistance” workshop which develops depth in asanas via resistant pair work and harmony through vinyasa.

Mind Space based in the North West An award-winning social enterprise whose one goal is to bring meditation into the mainstream, both offline and online.

Yoga Love in Sheffield was formed by Shaura and Chris, who are experienced yoga teachers. “Our methods include Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Tsuboki and Reiki, are very powerful for changing the awareness and raising the vibration to a higher frequency where you can be more in touch with your higher self and connected to all that is. We’re running a Yoga and Mindfulness retreat 26-29th December in the Peak District.”

MIDLANDS & EAST ANGLIA

In the Midlands, Vicky Austin from Jaya Yoga is Sivananda trained and runs several classes each week in Hatha Yoga across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Hatha Yoga's effectiveness works because it is a holistic practice. The Postures help build strength and flexibility while reducing tensions in the body, encouraging it to relax. The Breathing techniques (pranayama) help to build energy and increase the flow of oxygen and blood to the vital organs and Relaxation techniques allow the body to absorb the work that came before and encourage the body to retain a feeling of calm at times of stress.

Stone Monkey Yoga is an Independent yoga studio and cafe in central Leamington Spa and is the first dedicated yoga centre in Leamington Spa. They offer classes in different style of yoga, for students of all ages, levels and ability, led by experienced and qualified teachers. Whether you’re looking for a dynamic and physically-challenging workout, or to slow things down with a gentle, soothing practice, there will be a class tailored to your needs.

Yoga for Life in Reading encourages everyone to take part, for life – they say “Yoga is open to and can benefit everyone, you don't need to be super flexible, fit or strong. My aim is to work with individuals whatever level you may be to get you where you want to be, be it physically, mentally or both. Or you may just want to have some time out to be yourself with like minded people.”

Yoga with Carole Maguire, in Stroud & Sonehouse: “My yoga classes include an hour of posture work (asanas, pranayama and sequences) followed by 15 minutes deep relaxation. They are friendly & welcoming classes open to all abilities, shapes and ages. Gentle yet challenging, you will soon start to feel the far-reaching effects on both your body and your mind after regular attendance.”

The Cambridge Buddhist Centre aims to make meditation and Buddhism available to everyone, regardless of lifestyle or belief. They run events in the community of practising Buddhists in and around Cambridge. The Centre also runs classes in Tai Chi, Yoga and Stress Reduction, which help support a balanced lifestyle.

Melanie Willsher was born in England, but grew up in Africa. For 7 years she lived in Italy where she discovered the yoga of Vanda Scaravelli, as taught to her by inspirational teachers who were students of Vanda. Melanie is an experienced and qualified yoga teacher, with the BWY and AIYP, based in Norfolk. She teaches small and individual classes and workshops, in and outside Norwich. She also holds yearly retreats in Tuscany and Sardinia, Italy. Melanie's current classes held at the Narthex Centre in Norwich, Booton nr. Reepham, and her studio in Aylsham, Norfolk.

LONDON & SOUTH EAST

Sun Power Yoga is a Modern Contemporary School of Yoga running workshops across Leicester and London, that specialises in deep intensive training through their teacher training centres. The founder Anne-Marie Newland has trained and studied many of the traditional forms of yoga. Sun Power Yoga is an eclectic mix of three styles: Dynamic Hatha for Alignment; Sivananda Yoga for Subtle Mind and Breath work; Astanga Vinyasa for Heat, Flexibility and Stamina.

Vajrasati Yoga (500 hour Yoga Alliance training) was founded by Jim Tarran who trained in ‘Hatha’ and Iyengar yoga. “We work with the breath to focus on depth and opening. Moving tension from the body and stilling the mind in this way helps us both cope with and recover from the busy world around us.” Drop in classes and short courses are available at the Thamesbank Centre Turpentine Lane, London.

Butterfly Yoga in Essex and Hertfordshire “I was first introduced to yogic practices over 10 years ago, to help me cope with depression and anxiety. I joined a local Yoga class and started to see a glimpse of a peace I craved so much. Now as a Yoga Teacher and a Thai Massage Practitioner I am in a fortunate position to introduce and guide students and clients into a more positive, caring and respectful attitude towards themselves too. I provide a unique holistic approach to both yoga and massage ensuring therapy and exercise are integrated and complementary. All in a comfortable and nurturing environment.”

Yoga Team offers a unique and specialist approach to Yoga, with a range of Private Yoga Classes, for you to enjoy at home or at work. With a Choice of 1-2-1 or group classes, single or blocks of classes, you can experience the benefit of classes personalised to your individual requirements. The expert team delivers tailored Private Yoga Classes to offices, homes, hotels, events and schools across London, bringing their expertise, uplifting classes and the beauty of Yoga directly to you, at a time of your convenience. The Team are based in London, and their private Yoga classes can be delivered direct to your home or office in London.

In Essex, Carole Galbally is a qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher with over 25 years experience in practicing & teaching Hatha Yoga. She has taught all levels and participated in seminars and courses all over the country. She is based in South Woodham Ferrers in Essex. Her teaching is centred mainly within the county but is happy to consult or arrange bespoke requests.

At Laura Fisher Yoga in Hampshire, Laura teaches vinyasa flow yoga. This is a dynamic and physical yoga practice where traditional yoga poses are put together to form rhythmic sequences set to music. This style of yoga is physically challenging as it builds core strength and stamina whilst being deeply relaxing as the practice becomes a movement mediation. The first class is always FREE - so drop in for a session and try it out!

The House of Yoga was created for you!  They want to share with you this amazing style of Power Vinyasa Yoga so you can experience it for yourself in the comfort of your own home, workplace, or one of the public classes in South West London. Their style of yoga is accessible to everyone, you don’t have to be flexible or thin to take a class. All you need to do is show up, roll out your mat and breathe. Get ready to transform your body, mind and life. Discover balance, strength, flexibility and inner peace both on and off the mat.

See our brand new Yoga & Meditation Blog - all about YOU & Yoga - written by our Red Hot Yoga Team from all around the UK with classes near you!  To be part of this blog, please contact us for more info!

The classes and retreats at Yoga Sutra in Leicester are run by Namit, whose teaching style is designed to help each student gain what he or she individually wants to achieve from their yoga. Namit has studied yoga all over the world including in his native India, North and South America and Europe. His system, Yoga Sutra, is one of the most respected and traditional systems of yoga in the world. The Yoga Sutra system is a system of vinyasa yoga which means it focuses on moving from one posture to another and helps with cardiovascular (heart) health as well as providing the other benefits of yoga.

SOUTH WEST

In the South West of England, Jivan Yoga in North Somerset practices yoga for the “whole of life” - their style (Jivan) allows traditional postures to be adapted to suit the physical abilities of every individual. So it can be practised by anybody who would like to try, and yet it can stretch and challenge even those with athletic abilities. They offer a range of classes and Personal Yoga Tuition for those that cannot make regular classes or are interested in developing a deeper understanding of yoga.

“Yoga Hannah” in Cornwall has been practising yoga for more than 15 years and has been practising Iyengar Yoga alone for 8 years. She is a qualified Iyengar Yoga teacher. “I initially became enamoured with Yoga at college where I attended Yoga classes and was first introduced to Iyengar Yoga. Upon leaving college, I tried a number of other Yoga styles that were never quite right for me, whilst still keeping up a regular practise. When I moved to Cornwall, I decided to find a class that matched up to my preliminary Yoga experiences and found this with Iyengar Yoga with Charlie Worthington. Since then I’ve practised Yoga with increasing regularity and enthusiasm, which has continued through my teacher training and as I’ve begun to teach. I decided to start teaching as I love practising yoga myself and have found it beneficial for my health and confidence; it also saw me well through two pregnancies. I had a desire to pass on the key for well being to other people.


The House of Yoga is a private establishment in Plymouth run by Sibylla Chan, where you’ll receive tailor-made expert tuition in small groups (max 8) in a peaceful, supportive and comfortable environment. Sibylla Chan is a highly experienced and inspirational Hatha yoga teacher, whose aim is to give you as wide an experience of yoga as possible. She says “We can provide the tools to combat the stresses and strains of modern life, to maintain and improve your health and to enable you to remain youthful in body and mind.” They offer regular classes, private tuition, pain management and weekend retreats.

All that Yoga practices Ashtanga based Hatha Yoga across Salisbury. Anthea who teaches the classes says “There is hardly an actor or actress in Hollywood who has not been spotted with a rolled up yoga mat under their arm - they too have discovered how yoga can lengthen and tone their already prominent muscles, giving a lean graceful look. Indeed Madonna was one of the first celebrities to bring the word "Ashtanga" to the attention of the public. My classes are based on this wonderful system and will focus on mobilisation of all the major joints and fluid movement co-ordinated with the breath. I start the class with basic breathing exercises before moving into a series of fluid movements and held postures. To finish there will be a short relaxation session.”

In Shepton Mallet, Somerset, Gentle Yoga has been designed by Jo Webb and is specifically designed for people with ME/CFS and for anyone confined or restricted who must work extremely gently. Jo says that “If you learn how to control your breath, you can influence how you feel emotionally and physically. Deeper and smoother breathing slows your heartbeat, reduces the flow of adrenalin and increases the flow of endorphins, your body's natural tranquilliser.” The programme can be done lying on a bed or the floor and will target what you can do rather than what you can't.

SPAIN & PORTUGAL

Yoga Breaks in Spain offer fabulous yoga retreats and yoga pilates holidays in the Alicante region of Spain. Their holidays combine the complete yoga experience with energizing and relaxing activities that allow you to escape the busyness of everyday life. Spring & Autumn our holidays are held at a beautiful country house hotel and in Summertime they hold yoga holidays at a gorgeous boutique hotel, within walking distance from the beach. In addition to twice daily yoga, the breaks offer biking, guided hikes, horse riding, meditation, colour consultation and much, much more.  They attract keen yogis & curious beginners.  Most go on their own - so don't worry about going solo. 

Brailes in Portugal offer Ashtanga Yoga which is an inspiring, dynamic and physically demanding form of yoga. It is an excellent way to tone the body and to improve physical fitness. The classes are based on the Ashtanga primary series and the postures are dynamically linked to create a continuous flow. Maintaining a steady even breath throughout will help focus and calm the mind resulting in an overall feeling of peace and well being. A regular practice will help improve strength, stamina and flexibility and aid relaxation.

Our Astanga Yoga retreat centre is nestled in the mountainous valley`s of rural Portugal and the place itself brings about a feeling of peace and harmony with yourself and nature. We combine ashtanga vinyasa yoga and dynamic yoga. The practice builds over the course of the week using vinyasa krama (step by step progression) to help to build a good foundation for your practice by finding your comfortable edge. This is a one week ashtanga vinvasa yoga course, working through the primary series over three days and introducing meditation and pranayama. 

NETHERLANDS

Simran Yoga – Stockholm (Sweden): “I was introduced to Zen meditation at the age of 10 and yoga at 18, which is quite a few years ago, and so I have plenty of hands on experience of Kundalini Yoga, which I love sharing with people who are ready to learn.” Kundalini Yoga is for all levels, is always de stressing and balancing, with 'yogic' techniques for keeping 'cognitive functions' at an optimum, and a focus upon how to access health on all levels. Kundalini is a way to deal with modern day stress and the joy from connecting with the eternal now. We provide classes and courses in beautiful Stockholm, thus combining yoga and a travel experience to this friendly and exciting city. Thus, a healing experience that is enhanced by the intense beauty of the surrounding landscape of sea, un spoilt beaches and purple mountains.

SOUTH AFRICA

Holistic Health Africa in South Africa is very excited to announce a variety of retreats and travel experiences. Yoga Safaris, Yoga in the wine lands, Goddess retreats for the girls and the list is only limited by your imagination. Retreats are running each month throughout the year and include various modules like nutrition workshops, holistic treatments and a wonderful Spa pampering retreat is available as well. For the significant other that might not want to partake in the retreat there is a host of activities available like Golf, deep sea fishing, SCUBA, horse riding etc to keep them occupied.

MEXICO

Yoga Explorers Mexico is a dedicated team with a passion for yoga, travel and service. Founded by Yoga Alliance Senior Teacher Jim Tarran and television producer Jo Thornhill in 2008, Yoga Explorers offers a unique travel experience, combining deep blissful yoga from the very best teachers, with beautiful accommodation in some of the world's most incredible destinations. At Yoga Explorers, we are committed to sustainable practices in our selection of locations, accommodations, and service providers. We believe in bringing together beautiful surroundings, fantastic services and excellent facilities with ethical, sustainable practices that will support your yoga, rest and explorations. We believe that we all have a responsibility to the world in which we live and as well as offering some specific eco-incentives on particular trips, we make a policy of giving back to help less fortunate communities. Our outstanding and dedicated teachers are selected for their excellence and experience and will offer you reflections, techniques and guidance to deepen your yoga, no matter what level of practice you are at. 
 

BALI

Body and Mind Retreats in Bali offer their services by creating journeys of discovery through experiencing the nature of inner balance and Wellness. With an extensive network within the local healing community, along with the professional background in travel and events coordination, we seek to facilitate to you the feeling of being renewed and more aware of the possibilities for a wellness based lifestyle in your future. So please join us on a discovery of new possibilities by giving your body, mind and soul the gift of Wellness. 
 

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