Mindful Yoga & Qigong Classes

Mindfulness Yoga – Breath * Feel * Relax

Mindfulness Yoga is another path in which to practice mindfulness – less formally. By simply noticing & withdrawing attention from a busy mind – and gently easing into the present moment, through the body. cultivating a sense of embodied presence – a space in which to get to know and connect with yourself on a deeper, kinder, non-judgmental level.

Within my classes I gently help to facilitate this awareness of body, mind & breath – whilst holding the space for self-exploration through mindfulness & self-compassion practices.

My classes are a space in which to unfold into the present moment – embracing with kindness whatever you discover there. Allowing you to “come home” to yourself.

I am influenced and inspired by Italian teacher Vanda Scaravelli’s gentle approach to yoga – working with gravity, release of the spine, and the breath.

A formal period of sitting or lying down meditation are an integral part of the class – as is deep relaxation.

I run regular classes in Canterbury & Faversham.

“If you are kind to your body, it will respond in incredible ways”

“Yoga is an effortless dance between breath & gravity”

Vanda Scaravelli

Qigong

Qigong is part of traditional Chinese medicine and developed many thousands of years ago by Shamans from different regions of China.

Qi = Vital Life Force energy, Gong = to work or gather & cultivate. Cultivating better circulation (both physical and energetic) to remove stagnation and blocks within the mind/body/spirit system in order to release vitality & heal. This is by using the Chinese meridian system.

Qigong is an internal process working with * Movements * Breath * Healing Sounds * Intention *Meditation * Massage

The movements aim to keep the fascia fluid (enhancing movement) stretching and strengthening the body, improving co-ordination, balance, proprioception, increasing fluid movement.

Qigong can be both gentle and strong, flowing and static. Qigong is a mind/body/spirit art.

In this beginners Qigong class you will begin to develop slowly and incrementally both a theoretical and energetic ‘feel’ for the practice. Gradually moving towards a complete ‘form’ (series of movements that are repeated, refined & developed.)

The class concludes with a deep relaxation & inspiring poem or relevant Daoist Text.

Qigong is a lifelong practice and I continue to learn and teach this energy art from various teachers from around the world. Primarily having trained with White Tiger Qigong.

Qigong is an excellent mindful practice!

Class Timetable

Tuesdays 10am – 11.15 Mindful Yoga – Qigong Flow

Tadasana Rooms, MonksHill Farm, Monkhill Road, Faversham, ME13 9EHA beautiful Yoga studio with far reaching views over the Swale Estuary.

A combination of gentle Mindful Yoga, Qigong Practice & Mindfulness Meditation. Suitable for all, but especially if you like a gentler, more meditative class, that helps you to cultivate more awareness of body & mind. Cultivating health through gentle movement, breath and energy work & mindfulness.

Tuesdays: Mindful Chill Out Zone 8pm – 9.15pm Online

From the comfort of your own home. Tune in & chill out with gentle but deep mindful yoga. Listen to inspiring poetry & prose to reflect upon – and take the time & space to come home to yourself. Includes short meditation & relaxation. A ‘ready for a good nights sleep’ class!

What is Polyvagal Informed Mindful Yoga?

The Vagus nerve helps to regulate many critical aspects of human physiology, including the heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, and even speaking. As the body takes in information automatically through neuroception, the vagus nerve processes the signals and cues from the world around us and, in turn, determines how we react through three physiological states:

Parasympathetic / Ventral Vagal state — Our centered “true self” state, where all social interaction, connection and cognition occurs. We feel warm, connected to self & others, grounded, at home in ourself. We can explore and feel curious about life.

Sympathetic state

Feeling of threat or danger, and feeling the need to either “fight” or “flee” from a situation to seek safety. Even mildly continuously stressed, that can build, over time. Not feeling safe within ourself. At war within and without.

Dorsal Vagal state

Our “freeze” state, is when we feel our lives are so immediately threatened that we become immobilised. Or simply depressed (in varying degrees), low mood, floppy, unmotivated, zoned out. Disconnected.

We can stimulate the vagus nerve through a mindful yoga practice. Using breathing, movement, mindfulness, sound & certain massage techniques to provide cues of safety can enable our nervous system to reset and change our physiological state — helping us to more easily access our ventral vagal state and to more consistently feel safe and calm. Therefore connecting more deeply with ourself & others.

Fridays: 10am – 11.15am

The Alexander Centre, Preston Street, Faversham.

Beginners Qigong
Qigong is part of traditional Chinese medicine and developed many thousands of years ago by Shamans in different regions of China.

Qi = Vital Life Force energy, Gong = to work or gather & cultivate. Cultivating better circulation (both physical and energetic) and remove stagnation and blocks within the mind/body/spirit system in order to release vitality & heal. This is by using the Chinese meridian system.

Qigong is an internal process working with * Movements * Breath * Healing Sounds * Intention *Meditation.

The movements aim to keep the fascia fluid ( enhancing movement) stretching and strengthening the body, improving co-ordination, balance, proprioception, increasing fluid movement.

Qigong can be both gentle and strong, flowing and static. Qigong is a mind/body/spirit art.

In this beginners Qigong class you will begin to develop slowly and incrementally both a theoretical and energetic ‘feel’ for the practice. Gradually moving towards a complete ‘form’ (series of movements that are repeated, refined & developed.)

We will also have a short period of sitting mindfulness meditation at both the beginning & end of the class & relaxation.

Book Online