“There is beauty to be found in the changing of the earth’s seasons, and an inner grace in honouring the cycles of life.” Jack Cornfield
As we move more fully into autumn, and the colours of nature continue to change around us, the temperature drops and the daylight shortens, it’s important to mark this seasonal transition and allow our body and mind to take some time out to really embrace these changes, that can affect us on many levels.
Autumn is traditionally a time for turning inwards and slowing down, when much of the natural world begins to look towards a period of hibernation, and we should also try to honour this, and remember that life doesn’t always need to be lived at full speed; time for rest, inner reflection and deep relaxation is also so important and necessary for our well-being. This can be a good time to release what no longer serves us, and embrace the changes both in nature and within ourselves.
Deep Autumn rest is so important – not only for your body – but also for your energy, mind and emotions. This is a time to go slower and focus inward, to relax and restore your forces. With the seasonal shift, it’s easy to get out of balance, perhaps feeling exhausted, sluggish, dry, achy or stiff at this time of year. This afternoon’s practice will help you to rebalance your energy and to restore both body and mind.
The afternoon will begin with some gentle movement so that we are then better able to settle into the stillness of the longer held yin poses. The time we spend in the yin yoga postures is also perfect for quiet contemplation and for developing a sense of inner mental calm. We will take the stillness and peace created during these poses into a long guided relaxation – a yoga nidra practice – to honour and support our full transition into this season.
Allowing the mental chatter of our mind to quieten as our bodies deeply settle into the yin poses, we can begin to perceive the constant and subtle changes in our body, emotions and mental patterns, all of which are influenced by the changes in the natural world around us.
Yin yoga affects the meridian channels in the body, and this practice can help to release blocked energy or chi, in same way as acupuncture does, so it can be a very useful practice when we are feeling run down, tired or drained of energy, as we often can be during the change of seasons and the as the days shorten.
You will leave the workshop feeling both deeply relaxed, with a sense of inner stillness and peace, and also fully refreshed, with renewed energy to fully embrace autumn.
Testimonies:
“I've been going to Sarah's yoga classes for a few years now, and I've enjoyed and benefited from every class. Each session is different, with Sarah focusing on different parts of the body or working on specific areas each week. The area we've worked on always feels great afterwards. Everyone is made to feel welcome and included. As a person with a sight impairment, I have never felt left out. Sarah explains every step clearly and in enough detail that you don't actually have to watch what she is doing - you can close your eyes and follow her instructions accurately. If you do need help, she knows everyone's name, so she'll speak to you directly and help you find the correct position. Her classes are supportive, inclusive, and suitable for people of all abilities. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a welcoming and beneficial yoga class.” - Noelle
About Sarah:
Sarah is an enthusiastic and dedicated yoga practitioner and an experienced and qualified yoga teacher, committed to making yoga enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
She has been practising yoga since 2001, teaching since 2006, and has completed over 800 hours of training.
She has been teaching pregnancy yoga for over 12 years and feels honoured to have worked with and supported many hundreds of women during this special time of their lives.
Sarah truly believes that everyone can benefit from yoga, whatever their background or current physical condition, and her approach to teaching is one of warmth, encouragement and care and is always tailored to an individual’s needs.
Her aim in every class is to enable people to find more space, peace and balance in their body and mind.
Venue: The Canvas, E2 9PJ
Access: If you have any access needs of which we should be aware, please let us know. Entry to The Canvas is step-free but the toilet is not accessible. If you need access to an accessible toilet, please let us know so we can arrange that.
Dates: Sunday 8th November
Time: 3.30-5.30pm
Tickets:
Pay Less (covers some of our costs) – I am a student, unemployed, on benefits or financially stressed - £15
Standard (covers most of our costs) – I am employed, have some expendable income, and manage to meet my basic needs - £25