This November, we welcome Pete Blackaby, author of Intelligent Yoga, back to Camyoga for Taking Yoga into the 21st Century - two days of practical workshops. To give you some background on Pete's extensive body of work, here's a potted history of his life in yoga:

"I started practicing yoga seriously in 1978 as a student of the Iyengar system of yoga, after six years I took their two year teacher training programme and qualified in 1986. I continued in this system for a further four years.

From 1987 -1993 I studied Osteopathy at the college of osteopaths at Regents college London, qualifying in 1994. In 1995 I co-ran a two year teacher training course with John Stirk and Sophy Hoare, and ran a second one in 1997. I also taught anatomy and physiology at the Chiron Centre for Body centred psychotherapy in Ealing between 1995 and 1997.

In 2002 I became involved in the British Wheel of Yoga, (the governing  body in England) and ran a two year teacher training programme for them. I no longer train teachers, but have been running courses for teachers since then. My interest in the last 15yrs has been to put some scientific underpinning to the practice of yoga both in the bio-mechanical sense and in the mind /body relationship.

Currently I teach functional anatomy on the London yoga teacher training course and have input in two other local courses. I also teach the anatomy module at the Esther Myers yoga studio in Toronto. I am regularly invited to teach throughout England Wales and Scotland. The current project I am involved in is a two year course for teachers called 'Grounded Yoga'. There are five faculty, myself teaching bio mechanics, Professor Peter Connolly teaching philosophy, Dr Christine McHugh teaching homeostatic regulation through yoga, Diane Farrell teaching the psychology of the body, and Taravajra, teaching mindfulness. Our aim is to help students understand how yoga can bring productive change to the body, the mind, and the breath and improve our sense of relationship to the environment in which we find ourselves.

What I hope students will gain is a clear and reasonable synthesis of the salient points of yoga practice. What is important to consider in practice and what is less so. These understandings will be based on recent research findings. Whilst recognising that there is no such thing as certainty when dealing with human beings it is useful to know the main perspectives that are out there when dealing with bio-mechanics and the body/mind relationship. At the very least I hope to clarify what the debates are, and more particularly help students navigate some of the ideas with confidence."

Join Pete Blackaby for Taking Yoga Into the 21st Century at Camyoga Shelford, 13-14 November, 10.00-17.00. Camyoga graduates receive 10% off when booking the weekend. Click here for full details or to book online.

BRAND NEW CLASSES:

• Mysore! Tuesday & Thursday mornings
• Lunchtime Yoga Open on Mondays and Thursdays
• Lunchtime Mindfulness drop in class Tuesdays (from sept 16th)
• Hot Pilates (from 24/9)
• Hot Yoga Beginners and Yoga Basics 8pm Tuesdays
• Saturday Iyengar with Shali from 27/9
• Midday Jivamukti from Sunday 28/9
• Yoga Open Sundays 6pm at Shelford
• View the full schedule here

THEY'RE BACK!:

• Mondays 8pm Hot Yoga and Yin
• Wed 11.30 Flow with Andrea Price at Shelford
• Thursdays Forrest with Rosalind and Yin Yoga with Andrea K
• Sunday Yoga Open and Flow at new times
• Paul Fox, Andrea Price, Andrea K, Karen Stamper and Mark Stevens are now back from their Summer hols!
• View the full schedule here

INTRODUCING OUR NEW TEACHERS...

Beth Onuha — will be taking the Monday 6.15pm Hot Power. Hailing from the US, Beth brings a wealth of experience having taught at the world famous 'Stroga' in Washington DC.

Meredith Gunderson - will be taking Yoga Open Mondays 13.00-14.00. She's recently returned from teaching and living in Bangalore. Welcome back and welcome to the Camyoga teaching team, Meredith!

.

Rachael Blyth - will be taking Sunday Yoga Open at Shelford 18.00-19.15. Rachael trained with internationally renowned yogi and healer Ana Forrest, founder of Forrest Yoga, and has also studied yoga nidra with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli.

.

FORTHCOMING WORKSHOPS:

12/10 - Turning Your World Upside Down with Rosalind Southward

08/11 - Transformational Breathing with Alan Dolan

The following Yin sequence has been designed by Andrea Kwiatkowski. It is only suitable for those with Yin experience and should not be done by anyone with medical conditions which affect their practice. Please consult Andrea after class for further guidance. Click here to find out more about Yin and Meditation, as part of our Focus: On series.

Please keep an eye on the blog over the coming weeks as we will be posting further exclusive Yin sequences designed by Andrea, who has been so generous in sharing these powerful practices with us.

SEQUENCE FOR YIN /YANG 45 MINS RECLINED BUTTERFLY 5 MINS SQUAT 3 MINS BUTTERFLY 5 MINS SHOELACE 5 MINS EACH SIDE TRIPOD X3 EACH SIDE SPHINX 2 MINS OPTION SEAL EXTEND ARMS 3 MINS INFANT POSE 1 MIN SWAN 5 MINS EACH SIDE SAVASANA

Forrest Yoga is a contemporary style of yoga which is physically intense, deeply healing and internally focused. It is named after its founder, Ana Forrest (pictured), and draws from both Sivananda and Iyengar traditions.

Designed to treat typically modern aches and pains such as back pain, neck strain and tense shoulders, Forrest Yoga uses powerful breathwork to release both physical and mental tension, breaking down emotional blockages. Poses are held for long periods of time, with props used to ensure the practice is suitable for all bodies and even students with injuries. Core strengthening, in order to support a healthy back, is a key element of all Forrest Yoga classes.

Forrest Yoga does not require strength or flexibility; it only requires a willingness to learn how to feel authentically and respond honestly. The tenets of the method are breath, strength, integrity and spirit. This style has found particular application in overcoming negative patterns of behaviour, and has been effectively used to treat addictions, eating disorders and even post traumatic stress disorder. Forrest developed this style of yoga after fighting with her own demons over many years. As such, the style cultivates a sense of strength and positivity, encouraging students to walk their own path, regardless of any perceived stumbling blocks or limitations.

Click here to book into a Forrest Yoga class!

GREAT FOR: core strength, flexibility, weight loss, back pain

As you might have read recently in the Cambridge News (read article here), Camyoga are teaming up with Woodlands Surgery on Bateman Street to offer Mindfulness sessions to the general public. After GPs at the surgery tried Mindfulness with Camyoga they simply had to get behind these sessions and offer their support. The first session, an Introduction to Mindfulness workshop, costs just £20 and is open to everyone. Click here to find out more and to book your place.

This week we met up with Dr Emma Tiffin, of Woodlands Surgery, to ask her a few questions about her experiences of mindfulness. Here's what she had to say!

1. Hi Emma! How long have you worked for NHS?

23 years.

2. What is the surgery's main aim and what makes it so special compared to other surgeries?

To promote the health and wellbeing of all our patients and our local community. We have a beautiful, spacious new building which enables us to host an extended range of health and wellbeing service.

3. Why offer Mindfulness in surgery?

We believe that the mental health of our patients is as important as their physical health and that both influence each other. We see the effects of the pressure of modern life and value therapeutic strategies based on relaxation and dealing with stress.

4. How do you keep fit?

Yoga, gardening, using stairs instead of the lift at work, smiling and maintaining a positive attitude!

5. What's the biggest challenge of surgery?

Increased workload, more demands on the health service, shrinking financial NHS pot

6. What do you think is the biggest misconception general public have about GP's?

During the working day (averages 11 hours probably for most of us) and between clinics, GPs are relaxing, playing golf!

Actually we are catching up on administration (hospital letters, blood test results, home visits, phoning patients to answer queries etc) and having to run a business (GPs are independent contractors, ie. mini businesses that have to be financially viable.

7. Based on your experience, what are the 2 main potential benefits of doing Mindfulness?

Managing personal stress during the working day better. This facilitates better team working and a positive attitude with others.

8. If you didn't work for NHS where would your dream job be?

The NHS is my dream job, I live, breathe, sleep medicine. However I am also enjoying my regular radio slot on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and being a PR girl!

9. Tell us in 1 sentence 2 simple things the general public can do to help them maintain good health.

Think positive, eat a balanced diet.

Click here to find out more about Camyoga's Introduction to Mindfulness Workshop at Woodlands.

Iyengar Yoga, named after its founder BKS Iyengar (pictured) is a form of hatha yoga which emphasises correct alignment in static poses. Poses are typically held for longer periods of time to develop strength, stability and integrity.

Props such as blocks, straps and bricks are often used to enable correct aligment and to assist students to achieve a safe pose which is correct for their unique body. In fact, Iyengar himself pioneered the use of props, recognising that no two bodies are exactly the same, or equally as able. As such, this is a wonderful style of yoga for anyone with physical limitations, or for those who prefer working at a more measured pace. Beginners start slowly, progressing gradually to more advanced poses. Between poses students rest in either Corpse Pose or Child's Pose - Iyengar classes do not feature "flowing" elements.

Unlike classes where students are invited to "find their way" into a pose, the teacher's dialogue during an Iyengar class is typically very precise and anatomically specific, directing the student into perfect alignment.

BKS Iyengar has published many influential books, including Light on Yoga, Light on Life and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. He is widely regarded as a Yoga Master.

Click here to view our Iyengar schedule

GREAT FOR: strength, flexibility

Jivamukti is a truly integrated practice. It combines strong, flowing sequences of postures with breathwork, meditation, chanting and philosophical teachings too. Jivamukti classes always feature powerful, enlivening soundtracks and teachers typically perform hands-on adjustments to help you to improve your alignment by felt experience.

The New York-based founders of Jivamukti are Sharon Gannon and David Life, who created the method in 1984 after making many transformative trips to India to study yoga and meditation. Sharon and David's background in New York's alternative arts scene has made Jivamukti particularly appealing to many dancers, artists and musicians, including many celebrities in the public eye.

All Jivamukti teachers' training is overseen personally by Sharon and David, and the five tenets of the method are present in every class. These tenets include non-violence (ahimsa), devotion (bhakti), meditation (dhyana), sound (nada) and the study of ancient texts (shastra). Asana sequences are ever-changing, to ensure that Jivamukti classes remain fresh and creative. There is also a strong focus on animal rights; most Jivamukti teachers are vegan and promote this harm-free way of eating and living in their classes, which contain a strong ethical element.

Click here to view our class schedule

GREAT FOR: strength, fitness, weight loss, flexibility, energising, philosophy

We are all very fortunate to live in a world where yoga is immensely popular, in fact increasingly so, but to the beginner it's hard to know where to start when there are so many forms, styles and lineages to choose from. Our brand new Focus on: guides are designed to help you to choose the style of yoga that is right for you. We hope you find them both interesting and informative! First up, Yoga Flow...

Yoga Flow (also known as 'vinyasa flow') is an elegant, dynamic style of yoga, derived from Ashtanga Yoga, which emphasises the synchronisation of mind, body and breath. In fact, the Sanskrit word for 'vinyasa' is often translated as "connection". Intelligent and creative sequencing will lead you safely towards a different 'peak' posture every time. Pace varies from teacher to teacher but expect to work hard and get hot, using ujjayi breath ("ocean breathing" - inhaling and exhaling through the nose, creating a rasping sound in the throat) to support your practice.

The term 'vinyasa' is also used to describe the sequence of poses that are performed between Downward Facing Dogs as part of a Sun Salutation sequence.

Yoga Flow classes typically involve repetitions of Sun Salutations, with Downward Facing Dog used as a resting pose throughout the class. Most teachers will offer a variety of levels to suit different bodies and abilities, encouraging those who feel tired or pushed beyond their limits to rest in Child's Pose. Due to the fast pace of most Yoga Flow classes, they aren't recommended for beginners. Make sure that you have a few months of yoga under your belt first, along with a reasonable level of fitness.

Click here to view our class schedule.

GREAT FOR: strength, fitness, weight loss, energising, flexibility

1) How long have you been vegan and what inspired the change?

LEANNE: Just over a year and a half. I did a 21 day vegan detox designed by Sharon Gannon, just before I did the Jivamukti Teacher training and I felt amazing after (it was pretty challenging over the 21 days though). During the Jivamukti Teacher training you eat strict vegan diet and I decided to carry on from there. Ethically and morally, it didn't make sense to go back. As Jivamukti students and teachers we are very pro animal rights, and speaking up for the voiceless animals we will often talk about vegan diet in class.

2) As a yoga teacher you probably have a high energy lifestyle, do you find that your veganism supports that?

LEANNE: Yes, totally, I have more energy now than I used to when I ate meat and even dairy, to an extent (I've been veggie since 2011) and my digestion works properly now, plus I get a well balanced diet.

3) Do you ever crave meat or dairy products?

LEANNE : No I don't crave meat or dairy but I do miss Cheese, I use to eat ALOT, probably too much, cheese, whenever you go out to eat the veggie option is usually covered with cheese which is not ideal. However, I couldn't go back to eating meat or dairy and I don't feel the need too. There are really good alternatives on the market, if you look for them. I know some people say "why would you eat something that looks like meat but isn't meat" and I think if it supports you in your way of life then why not? I often have Linda McCartney vegan sausages with mash and veg, when I feel the need for something hearty.

4) How do your friends and family react to your veganism?

LEANNE: Hmmm tricky one..!! I think people struggle with change sometimes, to start with it was quite tough..but 2 Christmas's on as a vegan my friends and family are beginning to understand it a bit more. I think the not understanding is more of a challenge than anything, veganism isn't widely promoted therefore people don't really know what it is. I'm often asked what I can/cant eat as  vegan..my standard response is Vegan's eat vegetables! I think it has been harder for them to adjust than me but that's because they dont have the same yogic belief system as me (not that you have to be yogi to be vegan) but now they know what I can/cant eat and how to modify dinner for me they are cool, if all else fails I provide my own vegan goods when I visit. On the other hand, some of my friends like to see it as a challenge and enjoy cooking a vegan meal.

5) What is your favourite vegan treat?

LEANNE - I have two - dark chocolate, ive always got a bar in the fridge and Swedish Glace Ice cream, its soooo good you cant tell its soya and you can get it in most supermarkets now.

Leanne Jones teaches Jivamukti at Camyoga. Click here to view her classes.

Three Questions: Paul Fox

What is your favourite time of day to practice yoga and why?

PAUL: It should be sunrise or 6am, but I actually prefer late morning before lunch or late afternoon. Or if the sun is shining, any time of day out on the grass is a treat.What is the best amount of time to spend in a restorative posture?

When did you realise you wanted to teach yoga?

PAUL: I realised I wanted to practice yoga in 1995 when I watch my first teacher, Yogi Hari, give an asana demonstration that just blew me away. I fell into teaching by accident. I wanted to find out more about yoga and thought I’d do that by training to be a British Wheel of Yoga teacher. One thing led to another and now I have three yoga teaching qualifications, a PGCE and train people to be yoga teachers!

What would you recommend for a quick 15 minute practice?

PAUL: Sit cross-legged and centre yourself – 2 mins

General mobilisation – cat and lying twist for the spine, side stretches from extended child’s pose, downward dog for the hamstrings and to awaken bandha (core), low back-bend lifting away from the floor from lying on front to strengthen the back and open the front of the body – 5 mins

Sun salutations or earth salutations (sun salutations from kneeling) for dynamic breath and movement that will raise heart rate and blood flow – 5 mins

Sit cross-legged and do alternate nostril breathing (morning practice) or Savasana (evening practice) – 3 mins.

Thanks Paul!

Free Yoga & Barre at Our Next Open Day!

• Find the yoga that best suits your needs
• Ask any burning questions you might have about yoga or barre!
• Limited spaces, click here to book online

Enjoy free taster classes in a huge range of yoga styles, plus barre, at our Shelford Open Day on Saturday 5 April. Our Open Days are a fantastic way to try something new, completely free of charge, and to introduce your friends and family to the joy of yoga! Never tried Flow before? Now is your chance! Wondering what Ashtanga is all about? Discover what you've been missing! Keen to try out Barre, the hottest workout in town? Give it a whirl, for free!

Our yoga experts will be on hand throughout the day to discuss your yoga needs. Perhaps you've been considering a membership? Our yoga advisor will be on hand to help you find the best payment plan to fit your needs.

All this, for FREE!

There will also be special offers on the day on memberships, workshops and beginners courses - the perfect time to commit to doing more yoga!

The more the merrier so be sure to bring along your friends and family, why not have lunch in our renowned superfood cafe? If you're one of our Camyoga Central members it's also a great chance to discover our Shelford studio, just a 10 minute train journey or 25 min cycle from Central Cambridge.

Advance booking recommended, click here.

Julian Huppert MP Gets Mindful at Camyoga

The beauty of a mindfulness practice is that it simply just works. Increasing clinical evidence for its efficacy and the wider availability of mindfulness courses (such as this one) mean that mindfulness is no longer the preserve of progressive NHS services, Google execs and those working in the wellbeing industry. If greater proof were needed that mindfulness has finally gone mainstream, then it has certainly arrived in the revelation that even our MPs are practising it , with over 50 of them signed up to sessions provided in Westminster.

With this in mind, our very own Julian Huppert MP was keen to join us at Camyoga for a session! Here's what he had to say: “It was great to have a chance to pause and focus on what’s happening now rather than all the business there normally is to deal with. I’m constantly having to look at email and Twitter so it will be good to do some mindfulness practice I do that.”

But you don't need to be involved with running the country to benefit from mindfulness practices. Click here to find out about our Mindfulness ABC course, starting on 7th February and get ready to live a more stress free life!

Andrea Kwiatkowski on Jivamukti Yoga

Q1: Are all Jivamuktis vegan?

ANDREA: Yogic practices teach us that we are all interconnected to each other and the source. I have been a vegetarian for over 25 years, long before I was doing yoga and what I now realise is, how we eat and what we eat is a practice as well. I have been vegan on and off in my life especially in my early teenage years when I was quite passionate about my views, then after the Jivamukti teacher training at Omega in upstate New York I began to see how I could be more eloquent about this subject. Our teachers encourage us to think about how our actions contribute to the suffering in the world and whilst I cannot say every Jivamukti teacher is vegan, we shouldn’t judge anyone who isn’t, I know a lot of teachers and students who find our method difficult to understand as we talk about actions and veganism in the classes, but the skill is to teach with compassion. So I don’t judge a student who walks into my Jivamukti class and is a meat eater I just know that they may walk out thinking about how they live and what they do in the world and how it all matters.

Q2: What drew you to Jivamukti practice?

ANDREA: A friend of mine bought me the Jivamukti book after reading an article on Sharon and David. As they were both artists and performers, Sharon was a dancer , he thought I would interested in the style, I read the book and researched where I could do a class. The nearest was NY city so I hopped on a plane and spent some time there! When I walked out of my first class I knew this was the method of yoga I would like to teach, it felt like home -music, flowing asana, meditation and philosophy that was interwoven into everything – this was the method that I had been searching for… and it still is nearly 9 years later.

Q3: If you could give just one piece of advice what would it be?

ANDREA: It’s called a practice because that is what it is, not yoga perfection. Don’t expect too much too soon, think about what you bring to the mat, your attitude, your state of mind, your respect for the teacher, anyone can do wonderful asana but that doesn’t make you a yogi ! I quote Sri K. Pattabhi jois “Practice, Practice and all is coming”. You have to be prepared to spend a long time with no expection and more often than not we aren’t very good at that.

Q4: Please describe your personal practice.

ANDREA: I find it interesting that I am asked this so much, my practice is varied depending on my day with regard to asana I have a selection of asana that keeps my body open and relaxed with kriyas as well, I always do a long inversion usually headstand and forearm balance , I might do some yin poses and pranayama. If I have a workshop I will practice my sequence for the class over a period of time so I am familiar with it and can feel how it fits into my body. My practice can be anything from 15 /20mins restorative to 2 hours vinyasa finishing with pranayama and meditation or chanting. I love sanskrit so I have regular lessons on Vedic chanting. At the moment I am in the middle of a 108 day practice dedicated to someone special in my life. I have been known to stretch my hamstrings in the supermarket! You would be surprised how much you can fit into your daily life if you only take a few minutes.

Q5: What is your favourite yoga book ?

ANDREA: This is difficult – if only one then of course my obvious choice is Jivamukti: Practices for Liberating Body and Soul, but I love Master Patanajli’s Yoga Sutra too. Of course with this text as with all yoga books you need a teacher to describe the teachings to you, they come in many forms these teachers - oh , I can recommend a few at this yoga studio known as Camyoga...

Andrea Kwiatkowski is a former dancer and Advanced Certified Jivamukti instructor. She regularly runs Jivamukti masterclasses at Camyoga. Join her for Yin & Yang Yoga Day on 2nd Feb 2014. Book here

The Barre Comes to Cambridge!

Barre is the latest class to hit dance, pilates and yoga studios across the world. And there’s a reason why it’s proving so very popular – this unique workout combines elements of Pilates, yoga, resistance training and ballet into a highly effective regime performed on the mat and at a ballet barre. The technique utilises the body’s own resistance in conjunction with weights, bands and small balls. This can prove a fantastic complement to a regular yoga practice and, says Camyoga founder Louise Palmer Masterton, "you'll discover muscles you never even knew you had!" The repetitive nature of the contractions provides a meditative quality to the practice too.

The low impact, total body workout increases strength, toning the thighs, abdominals and sculpting the arms, whilst protecting the joints. Small isometric contractions are performed and integrated with an interval training approach that burns fat and improves cardiovascular fitness. Posture, flexibility, stamina and core strength improve. The result is a body that is realigned, rebalanced and works harmoniously and efficiently, hence the strong appeal this class will have for both yoga and pilates practitioners alike.

Stretches are performed after each strength section of the class to ensure the muscles are re-lengthened to create a body that is strong without the added bulk of other regimes. This workout is suitable for everybody as various modifications are given throughout the class to suit the abilities of all students. A fantastic way to supplement your yoga practice, whilst developing the grace and flow of a dancer! It's even suitable for beginners.

Try The Barre with professional dancer and certified Barreconcept teacher Amy Holly on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at Camyoga. Click here to book online or call us now on 01223 847930.

New for 2014 at Camyoga

  A handy breakdown of all our new classes! Over the coming week we'll be profiling our hotly anticipated Forrest Yoga sessions (starting this Thurs) and The Barre (starts next week) right here on the blog. Watch this space...

Central Studio Book here

Mon  

20:00 - 21:15 Yin Yoga w / Rosalind Southward

Tues  

20:00 - 21:15    Yoga Basics w / Emma Lindsay

Wed

20:00 - 21:15    The Barre w / Amy Holly

Thurs 

12.30 - 13:30    The Barre w / Amy Holly

20:00 - 21:15    Forrest Yoga w / Rosalind Southward

Sat  

14:30 - 15:45    Yin Yoga w / Jozef Wiewel **new time

16:00 - 17:15    Open Flow w / Amanda Mckenna

Sun   

10:00 - 11:30    Jivamukti w / Leanne Jones

12:00 - 13:30    Hot 26 w / Louise Banyer

14:00 - 15:00    The Barre w / Amy Holly

Shelford  Book here

Mon  

18:30 - 19:45 Flow Open w / Amanda McKenna

20:00 - 21:15    Yoga Basics w / Kari Knight ** new time

Wed 

11:30 - 12:45    Flow Open w / Andrea Price

Sun

18:30 - 19:45    Yoga Open w / Margaret Schofield

Book online here

Christmas Treats from Camyoga

All dishes can be gluten free. Please ask for details!

Nut Roast large: £14.00 serves 6-8 (Vegan) Nut Roast Small: £8.00 serves 4 (Vegan)

Mushroom and Almond Wellington large: £16.00 serves 8 ( Vegan) Mushroom and Almond Wellington small £9.00 Serves 4 (Vegan)

Stollen: 400g (small) £3.60 Vegan Stollen 800g ( large) £6.80 Vegan

Mince pies: 50p each Vegan

To place your order call us now on 01223 857930 or email food@camyoga.co.uk

Pre order by Mon 16th Dec. Pick up fresh 20th Dec between 10 am and 4pm from Central or Shelford

 (please specify). Pick up frozen from town Sat 21st 10am - 1.30 pm, Sunday 22nd 9am to 12.30 or Monday 23rd ring for times ( this will coincide with class times).

 

Webcast of HH Dalia Lama in Cambridge, to see the beautiful talk click on the link below

Educating the Heart

Name: louise lloyd Age: 41 Hometown: cambridge Training Background: BWY Foundation Course with Tara Fraser. BSY teaching diploma. Camyoga teaching diploma. (Distinction Ed.) How long have you practiced yoga? 10 years

One Yoga Philosophy that means a great deal to you and why?

Mmmm hard to choose one, I would say that both satya (truth) and ahimsa (non harm) are both something that we could all spend our entire lives learning. If we all worked on just those two the world would be a far better place.

What brought you to yoga? 

Crazy as it sounds, I used to meditate regularly and around 2002 every time I sat to meditate I just kept getting 'teach yoga.' After quite a bit of resistance, and the fact i didn't even practice asana at that time, I eventually gave in and went to my first yoga class and here I am!

What does teaching on the Foundation and Diploma course mean to you?

I love teaching on these days.  Seeing students deepen their own enquiry into yoga is so inspiring whether they are doing the courses for their own interest or to go on to be amazing teachers.

What do you do when you are not doing yoga?

I love spending time with family and friends - usually involving eating nice food and drinking nice wine. I also love being outside, occasionally running (have entered the cambridge half marathon so better be a bit more regular now!) and I have just come back from skiing which I really loved!

What is your favourite yoga pose and why?

Ardha Chandrasana - I love the feeling of being grounded, centered and open and in this pose I feel all of these and truly expanded beyond the physical body.

What is your least favourite yoga pose and why?

I can honestly say I don't have a least favourite pose - there are loads of poses I can't do myself but I get to enjoy them anyway by seeing students practice them with ease.

What is one quality you have taken off the mat and incorporated into your daily life?

Self enquiry - the more I learn about myself the more I can make better choices to become more loving, open and generous. I try to see my own insecurities in life where I may act from a place of fear rather than love - it is a working progress of course! ;-)

An interesting fact about Louise that you may not know is…

Before yoga I rode horses for a living and hold my HGV driving licence as I used to drive a 40ft horse box to competitions - this skill definitely helps parking in the central centre's carpark!

As well as classes and teaching on the Diploma and Foundation Courses Louise also leads workshops and retreats for Camyoga

Louise's Classes

Diploma Courses

Apply Now For Diploma Course

Foundation Course

Apply Now For Foundation Course

Retreats

Workshops

The stillness of the blue waterReflects whirling disks of light Embracing the air

Eastern teaching often describe the seven Chakras as "whirling disks of light". Chakras are energy vortexes in the body that are located at various points along the spine. Starting at the base (of the spine) and running upwards towards the crown of the head each Chakra radiates a specific colour and energy. Furthermore, as each Chakra relates to specific spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical issues, the conscious awareness and the balancing of these energy centres lead to an overall health and well-being.

Since a Chakra treatment in 2010, which made feel feel like a whole person again,  I always wanted to know more about chakras. Chatting to Andrea, I realised that tomorrow's masterclass could satisfy my curiosity.  It is especially exciting because it will be part of a series of masterclasses exploring Chakras. If you are interested, join us on the Yoga Flow Masterclass – 17-11-2012.

The First Chakra (Muladhara) or "Root Chakra" located at the very base of the spine consists of energy paths that extend downward like a root through the legs and feet, grounding you to the Earth.

In this first of a seven part series we will explore and awaken the First Chakra, improving our connection with earth through standing poses and seated forward bends in an all-levels Yoga Flow class.

Come join if you like!

Calling those who are still undecided on whether to come to this Saturday's (13th October) supper club. Contrary to rumours we still have a few places. Why not treat yourself to exceptional vegan food and meet new people. if you are in, call us on 01223 524 587 to book your place and order from our menu!