At Yoga Place we offer a variety of yoga classes to practice and explore yoga in all its aspects - including asana (postures), pranayama (breath awareness and mastery), dhyana (meditation) and yoga philosophy. We are committed to a developing programme in all these areas

The classes and courses at Yoga Place are provided by independent teachers working in different styles to suit the varying needs and interests of students; and to accommodate the complete beginner through to the more experienced practitioner. The teachers strive for a sense of balance, clarity and practicality in what they offer, as a means to laying a solid foundation upon which to allow the highest expression of the self to manifest.

We encourage students to explore the different classes, courses, and teachers and then to settle with a particular teacher, or style they feel they can learn from.

Beginners - As a beginner you can start at the beginning with any of the styles. Different people and bodies respond to different ways of doing things. It is good to start with a style and teacher that inspires you and that you enjoy. For this reason you may wish to consider what pace of class you are looking for. All are challenging and releasing practices in their own way.

For a slower paced practice try the Restorative, Yin, Hatha and Pilates; for a medium paced practice try the Hatha 'Shadow System' and Dynamic Yoga classes; and for a more athletic and 'aerobic type' form of yoga try the Astanga Vinyasa, Mysore style Astanga Vinyasa or Anusara style sessions.

DO I NEED TO BOOK OR NOT?

All sessions marked DROP-IN and Off Peak are open to all - make sure you choose an appropriate level for your capacity.There is no booking for these and they are run on a first come/first served basis. We recommend you arrive 15 minutes before classes start to ensure a place. Classes are generally attended by a mix of both men and women.

Advice on practice and important information

• Be sure to let your teacher know before a class if you have any form of injury or serious illness, or if you are pregnant of have recently had a baby.
• Leave approximately half an hour after drinking liquids and 2-4 hours after solid foods (depending on how much you've eaten) before practising yoga postures. Allow your body time to digest food and eliminate liquids.
• During the first three days of menstruation, there should be no yoga practice for those doing Mysore style Astanga Vinyasa yoga and Shadow yoga. Speak to your teacher for more information.
• Please leave your shoes in the hallway when you arrive and switch off all mobile phones.
• Wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict your movements or breathing. Yoga is always practised in bare feet.
• Please do not wear strong perfumes whilst practising as this can be unpleasant or distracting for those next to you.
• We reserve the right to change the class teachers without prior notice to the students.
• The timetable may change from term to term, so please call for an update or see timetable page on website.
• We are closed for Easter Weekend and August Bank Holidays.
• We are open for classes or by appointment as we are here on and off throughout the day, but do not have a full time reception during the day. There is always someone here 30 mins before a class and always in the evenings between 6&8pm mon-thurs.
• Fees for courses and workhops are to be paid in advance. No refund of fees can be given without 48 hours notice prior to the event starting. After that time, an exchange to a future course/workshop will be offered if cancellation is before the start of the event. Again, in case of emergency, illness or unplanned work reassignments, fees can be credited to other workshops/courses, but notification must be made as soon as possible. Once courses/workshops have started refunds cannot be made.
• In yoga there is no competition. This is your opportunity to practice relaxed awareness of body, breath and mind.
• Be regular in your practice. Have patience. Do not expect overnight results. Results will come in a surprisingly short time of their own accord with consistent effort.
• Enjoy!
• Be regular in your practice. Have patience. Do not expect overnight results. Results will come in a surprisingly short time of their own accord with consistent effort.

Yoga classes

Astanga Vinyasa
Autumnal Yoga
Dynamic Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Hatha 'Shadow System'
Mysore style Astanga Vinyasa assisted self-practice
Pregnancy Yoga
Postnatal and Baby Yoga
Anusara Yoga
Yin Yoga

Astanga Vinyasa

The most athletic form of yoga, Astanga Vinyasa is a dynamic, physically demanding, flowing practice. Students will be led through some or all of a set series or postures, practised in a particular order, know as the Primary series. This practice aims to build heat in the body to help it to open and to release toxins.

Autumnal Yoga

A gentle and restorative class for older yogis. Tea and cake is served after!
£2 donation - This class is open only to Seniors.

Mysore Style Astanga Vinyasa Assisted Self-Practice

The Mysore style is how Astanga Vinyasa was introduced and taught in Mysore, India, by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and now by his grandson Sharath Rangaswami. Each student works independently at his/her own individual pace within the group. One-to-one assistance, adjustment and tuition are given within this group context and students are introduced to new postures or to the second/third series as and when they are ready.  This style of teaching makes Astanga accessible to all levels of students. 

Complete beginners or those who are new to assisted self-practice should attend their first class at either 7am on any Monday (Wednesday if Monday is a moon day).  Beginners must commit for a minimum of 3 sessions a week for one month and pay the appropriate fee at their first class in cash.  After this initial class, new students are free to start their practice at a time convenient to them between 6.30 & 8am.  

Alternatively beginners wishing to attend the early morning sessions can join an intensive weekend workshop (see workshop page this website for dates and details), after which it is possible to make just a one week commitment to the Mysore practice.

We ask that all students who commence with a regular Mysore self practice purchase and use their own mats.  We have storage at Yoga Place where they can be left to save carrying them with you.

Pregnancy, mum and baby yoga

Pregnancy Yoga - This class is suitable from 12 weeks to term and suitable for all, from complete beginners to practiced yoginis. Breathing and yoga postures are linked to ease mums-to-be through pregnancy and labour.  Postures are taught to relieve some pregnancy discomforts from sciatica to heartburn, create strength and flexibility, while encouraging the gentle opening of the pelvis with postures to birth your baby.  Breathing practices are used to relax both body and mind throughout pregnancy and as a practice to lead you though your labour.

Postnatal and Baby Yoga

Suitable from 6 weeks after the baby’s birth or when mum and baby are ready to join.  The class is a fun way to spend bonding with your babies over song and yoga postures for both mum and baby.  Enjoy tea and cake over baby chat with other new mums after the class.

Dynamic Yoga

This class is based on the work of Godfrey Devereux. It follows Vinyasa flow sequences of postures, with elements fused and integrated from various traditions in Yoga (Iyengar, Astanga & Vini Yoga).  Particular emphasis is given to detail to the postures, to the bandhas and the breath.

Hatha Yoga

“Ha” means sun and “tha” means moon and hatha yoga is about the union of opposites. Hatha yoga aims to harmonise body, mind and spirit. Emily’s class draws on the classical hatha yoga postures which help to build strength and stamina. She also focuses on the alignment of the body whilst adding an element of flow. Pranayama (breath work) and meditation are also key to the practice and help to bring balance to the breath and the mind. Emily often does a deep relaxation at the end of the class, though her calm, melodic voice has been known to induce snores. Emily likes to take inspiration from her students and there is a level of interaction, which is often fun.

Hatha 'Shadow System'

Shadow yoga is a system of Hatha yoga based upon the research of Zhander Remete. Drawing from original yoga texts and his personal exploration, Shadow yoga addresses the need for yoga to be practiced with all its components.
Our focus is not just on alignment, external fitness and dynamic flow. We also develop the more subtle inner experience of yoga as an energetic practice.
Thus the student of Shadow Yoga learns a way of practising with supports them from within (mentally and emotionally) and well as developing a strong physical body. The result is a more harmonious and vibrant life.
The practice begins with learning 3 choreographed forms called preludes.  These equip the student with the tools to progress intelligently to advanced stages of asana-vinyasa practice.
Through the use of strong leg work - squats, lunges and integrated arm movements the sun (suryanamaskar) and warrior forms (viraparampara) free up restrictions within the body and promote strength and stamina without undue muscle force or stress.
This dynamic activity releases the body from its physical and energetic blockages and ignites the central power system around the core.
Each prelude works on preparing the student for different levels of asana (yoga postures) work. When each level of practice is understood then the student progresses through the system.

Balakrama: (Stepping into Strength)
The first prelude releases stiffness, strengthens the bones and builds stamina. Uddiyana bandha (abdominal lock) is introduced. It is recommended to less experienced students and those who come from practising other styles of yoga.

Chaya Yoddha Sancalanam: (Churning the Shadow)
Here the work is deepened with more integrated arm and leg movements. This activates the process of turning inwards and becoming more aware of the bodies inner landscape.

Kartikkeya Mandala: (Garland of Light)
This prelude works on unblocking deeply held restrictions, involving even wider stance work with twisting and spiralling movements.

Anusara Yoga

Anusara Yoga blends powerful Universal Principles of Alignment
(grounded in bio-mechanics), body awareness and dynamic poses with the
deeper philosophy and meaning behind yoga, helping students to connect
with their hearts. Its foundation in the Tantric philosophy of
'intrinsic goodness' confers a unique uplifting quality, giving rise
to classes that are upbeat, expressive, fun and sometimes contemplative,
while offering students a chance to learn the asanas (poses) fully.
Classes will mix detailed alignment with flowing vinyasa.

Yin Yoga

Inspired by gentleness, precision and letting go, this practice draws together different elements of yoga: softness combined with strength, inner balancing outer stillness flowing into movement. The yin form of yoga is based on holding postures passively for sustained periods of time, encouraging softness and internal release.