Divine Works

Yoga

Yoga is a Mind-Body-Spirit discipline, integrating physical postures (asana), breathwork (pranayama), relaxation (yoga nidra) and meditation. 

It is designed to strengthen all our body systems, to improve our sense of well-being, to calm and steady the mind and deepen our self-awareness.

Although Yoga has been practised for over 2,500 years in India, we are only really beginning to explore the depths of what it can offer us here in the West.  There are many different styles and traditions of Yoga being currently taught, and it can be difficult to find a class that suits us as individuals.  It pays to shop around, try different teachers and styles until you find something you feel you can really connect with. 

Yoga in the West has so far mostly focussed on the physical aspects – toning the body, strengthening and stretching the muscles and providing an opportunity for relaxation.  The deeper aspects of the practice are commonly overlooked.  Whilst Yoga is an amazing bodywork system, I feel its strength lies in the ability to overhaul the mind, bringing it to a place of stillness, and by asking us to enquire of ourselves on a more profound level.  Most of this work, interestingly, happens subconsciously.  We just become aware of the changes that are gradually taking place within our consciousness.

About the Tutor

I have been practising Yoga since 1993 and teaching since 1996.  I came to Yoga as a result of a stressful London lifestyle, and felt its benefits immediately after my first ever class.  I knew I had stumbled across something special: I left feeling relaxed and yet energised at the same time.  

I continued my yoga practice with various traditions: Sivananda, Iyengar and ViniYoga, before embarking on my own journey of Teacher Training with the British Wheel of Yoga in 1998.  Being aware of the transformative power of breathwork, I completed a year long Pranayama Module with Philip Xerri in 2004, and continue to work with the breath as a foundation of my own practice. 

Over the years I have worked with Donna Farhi, Sarah Powers, Peter Blackaby, Nancy Ford-Kohne,  Kausthab Desikachar,

I am also a Student Teacher Assessor. 

About the Classes

The yoga classes are suitable for both beginners and experienced Yogis.   Every ‘body’ is made to an individual template, and we respect this as we work into specific poses and movements.   Modifications are made to suit each individual, and the emphasis is on the experience of and connection with our bodies, and not so much on the achievement of any particular shape or pose.   Working in this way allows us to accommodate any medical condition or injury that may limit our physical movements.

A Class will usually follow the format of a quiet, settling in period of breath and body awareness, followed by gentle warm-up exercises before embarking on the main theme of the class, which may be anything from ‘shoulders’, ‘hips’, ‘backbends’ to ‘Chakras’, ‘strength’, ‘alignment’ or ‘mindfulness’.  We tend to spend roughly a term (around 6-7 weeks) on each theme, to give us time to explore it in depth.  We then slow the class down, bringing the postures to a close before sitting for an extended pranayama session (breathing techniques) if we have not integrated them previously into the asana (posture) session.  The class finishes with a deep relaxation and/or meditation.

Come and Try a Class – Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained!

Classes

Divine Works offers regular Yoga Classes in Lichfield and surrounding areas.

 Costs

Classes are £6.50 each, payable in 6 weekly blocks of £39.00. First Session can be a 'try before your buy' at £6.50.

What to Bring

Please bring a yoga or exercise mat and a blanket in winter months.  There may be some mats available for use.   Wear something comfortable that allows you to move with ease.

Contact: 01283 712434

Email: divineworks@live.co.uk