How do I book a class?
- Most people book their class online via my website, click here to do so. You can pay for a single class and pay-as-you-go or, to receive a discounted rate, you can buy a Class Pass of 10 pre-paid classes which have to be used within a certain timeframe.
- If you would rather pay by cash or cheque do please ask.

What are the benefits of yoga?
- There are many SO benefits of yoga for both your physical and mental wellbeing, they include: you can expect to get fitter, stronger, more flexible and your balance will improve; you will feel more relaxed; you will learn techniques to de-stress and reduce tension; your breathing will improve, as will your cardiovascular health and immune system; your focus, concentration, mental clarity and emotional stability can improve; you will sleep better; your self-awareness and self-esteem can improve; symptoms of anxiety and depression can reduce; chronic pain can reduce; it can lower your blood pressure; and it is a great practice to support healthy weight management. Please note, some benefits may be felt more than others depending on the individual and it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise routine.

I have never done yoga before and am a complete beginner. I am worried that I will make a fool of myself. Which class should I join?
- I welcome complete beginners to ALL of my classes and am experienced in incorporating and guiding you in class. I always give very clear instruction and breakdown of how to get into (and out of!) a pose and offer options for all levels. No need to feel self-conscious, I always encourage everyone to work at the level that is right for them and, because I keep the class size small, I can give you individual attention and guidance if needed. Students feedback how much they like my style of teaching because I allow individuals to find what works for them - no pressure, no expectation, no judgement. CLICK HERE to read about my different classes.
- I also run a specific 6 week Beginner Yoga Course where we explore and learn all the basics.
- Alternatively I can offer you a one-to-one private class to go through the basics.

I can’t touch my toes and am not at all flexible, can I still do yoga?
- Yes you can do yoga, you don't need to be flexible, although I am sure you will find through regular practice, your body will get more flexible.
- I always offer modifications to suit the needs and abilities of the individual in class and we often use props (which I provide) to help you feel comfortable and supported. I always remind students that yoga is not competitive - all our bodies and abilities are different. It is important to be kind to yourself, listening to your body and simply doing what you can. That will be good enough! 

What’s the difference between yoga and pilates?
- This is a common question and something I once wondered. Both are forms of exercise that work with strength and flexibility. Pilates has a focus on core strength and controlled movements and is great for overall body conditioning. Yoga also works with core, overall strength and flexibility (plus lots of work with balance, which is SO important as we get older) but it is so much more than just a physical form of exercise. Yoga emphasises the connection between the mind, body and breath and as such, is more of a holistic practice, looking after your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. As well as the physical exercise, yoga includes practices such as meditation, breath control and mindfulness teaching you to find your inner calm.

Is yoga good for my core?
- YES. In a yoga class, we do various postures - standing, seated and lying down - being very mindful of alignment and posture. We often work with balance which requires great core strength. All of this is very good for our core and our overall strength - legs, backs, arms and shoulders too.

I find it hard to slow down, I like active classes and my mind is always busy. Should I do yoga?
- If you are always on the go and your mind is constantly chattering, then I would suggest yoga would be SO good for you! The combination of physical movement, controlled breathing and mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety and bring a sense of peacefulness and tranquility. You might well find it very different to what you are used to and possibly quite a challenge to slow down but I believe you will benefit hugely from the space and pace of a yoga class, taking you out of your head and into your body, reconnecting with your self. Many students report back that they take many of the techniques learnt in class into the rest of their life. Learning to slow down we can take ourself from a busy human "doing" to a human "being".

The image I have of yoga is young, thin and bendy people, tying themselves in impossible knots! That's not me!
- Don't worry, it's not me either! Yoga is for anyone and everyone, regardless of body type, level of flexibility, mobility or ability. Contrary to popular belief, yoga really isn't about the shape your body makes, it's much more about the mind and connecting inwards to a place of peacefulness. There's a famous yogi quote which says "If you can breathe, you can do yoga". 

What should I expect in a class?
- A room full of like-minded, friendly people who are there because they want to maintain and improve their fitness, strength, mobility, flexibility, balance and enjoy some relaxation and time for themselves.
- Each class starts (and ends) in a guided relaxation. I then take time to make sure we warm up the joints and muscles of the body before guiding you through your practice of different yoga poses and sequences (based around a different theme each week), I will usually include at least one specific breath exercise (pranayama) and occasionally guide you in a meditation as well.
- At the end of a class you can expect to feel relaxed, rejuvenated and refreshed but also as though you have really worked all the muscles and joints of your body - this applies to my Chair Yoga classes too, not just the mat-based classes.

What do I wear or bring to a yoga class?
- No special yoga clothes are needed and no need to bring anything apart for yourself and your mat (see below).
- Please wear comfortable clothes you can move and breathe easily in, so no tight waists or jeans.
- Layers are good - maybe a t-shirt and then one or two long-sleeved layers so if you get warm you've got something to take off and when you come into stillness at the end for our relaxation you have something to put on to keep warm. You might want to avoid very baggy tops as they can get in the way/hang down in certain poses (such as Downward Facing Dog).
- Socks are good too, for the opening and end relaxations but please know (for the mat-based classes) we practise in bare feet. For Chair Yoga you are welcome to keep your socks on for the whole class but please remove your shoes.
- If you're a woman, you might like to wear a sports bra as it is stretchy and comfortable, it is not essential though. 
- For the Mixed Level and Gentle Yoga classes you might like to bring your own blanket for the relaxation (and as padding under your knees) or you are welcome to use the blankets which I provide.
- If you have yoga props (blocks or straps) you are welcome to bring your own but I always bring whatever we might need.

Do I need to bring my own mat to class? I don’t have a mat.
- Most people bring their own mat to class (Mixed Level and Gentle classes) but no problem if you don't have one (especially if it's your first class), I always have a few spare mats which I can lend out for use in class.

What should I look for when buying a yoga mat?
- When you're ready to buy your own mat, do please ask me if you want any guidance, as 10mm thick, spongy exercise mats are often (mis)sold as yoga mats and they really aren't suitable, they are not yoga mats! Yoga mats are typically either 4 or 6mm thick.
- Also, be aware that a yoga mat is typically 61cm wide by 172-182cm long, 24" x 68-72", some exercise mats are much shorter and aren't suitable for yoga, you'll find your head is off the mat when lying down.

I have high blood pressure, can I still do yoga? Are there any contraindications for certain medical conditions?
- Yes you can still do yoga but some poses will need to be modified.
- It is very important that you tell me (I ask everyone to fill out a form which includes health questions) of any health condition or injury so I can teach accordingly. This would include high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, glaucoma, pregnancy, recent surgery and back or neck injuries. It is advised that you check with a health professional before starting any new exercise and, in yoga, I always encourage you to listen to your body, we never want pain.

What sort of yoga do you teach? 
- I teach Hatha Yoga which is a slow(ish) classical, physical practice on a mat that works with various yoga poses. I pay mindful attention to alignment to ensure we practise safely and I put a particular emphasis on the breath as this really helps us stay present.
- There are many different styles of yoga, some are more physical and faster flowing than I teach and some, such as Yin yoga, are much slower and hold the poses for longer.
- I always have a theme to each class (for the mat-based yoga) - it might be a focus on a physical part of the body e.g hips or hamstrings or I  might draw inspiration from yoga philosophy. I often receive praise for the themes I choose, allowing you to reflect and go a little deeper in your practice.
- I teach Mixed Level and Gentle yoga classes, both are mat-based.
- I also offer a Chair Yoga class where I translate and adapt much of what we do on the mat to a chair-based class.
- Click here for information about my different classes.

When and where are your classes? Is there parking? Are there changing facilities?
- My Monday to Thursday classes (Mixed Level - Monday evenings and Wednesday mornings, Chair Class - Tuesday mornings and Gentle Class - Thursday mornings) are held at The Greenwood Centre in Hampton Hill, SW London.
- My Friday Mixed Level Yoga class is held at Long Ditton Village Hall (in the Lower  Hall), Ewell Road, Long Ditton, Surrey. - Click here for more information about the venues, including parking and changing facilities. Both halls are very spacious, warm and clean - having taught in various different venues in the past, these three criteria for me are non-negotiable.
- The Tuesday Chair Yoga class is also live-streamed via zoom so you can join from the comfort of your own home or request the recording to practise with at a time that suits you.
- If you can't make the live class I  have lots of classes for rent in my on-demand video library where you will also find lots of guided Meditation videos to practise with.

How many people in a class?
- It varies, average between 8 and 12, so lovely small classes where I can really keep an eye on you and your practice and give you one-to-one feedback if needed. This is especially useful if you have been practising at home online without a teacher to guide you. I teach in large, spacious halls and there is plenty of room to spread out.

Are there any age restrictions?
- No! One of my most able and fittest students is 84 and she is in my regular Mixed Level class! I sincerely hope I am as fit as her when I am 84! She is living proof of "use it or lose it" and an absolute inspiration!

I can’t make any of your classes
- No problem, you can rent a video to practise with at home (or away) at a time that suits you. I have a large collection of videos - Mixed Level, Gentle and Chair Yoga and also Meditation. Most of them are archived live classes but there are also some shorter videos if you don't have time for a full class. Click here to explore.

How much are your classes?
- You can pay-as-you-go and classes are £14 for a 75 minute Mixed Level or Gentle Yoga class and £10 for a 60 minute Chair Yoga Class. Alternatively buy a Class Pass of 10 pre-paid classes saving you either £20 (Mixed Level/Gentle) or £15 (Chair), bringing the price down to £12 and £8.50 respectively, classes must be used within 100 days.
- Please book your class via my website, click here.
- Video rental prices vary, click here to browse.

What is the cancellation policy?
- If you need to cancel your class then you can do so via your confirmation email (if you booked online). If it is cancelled more than an hour before class you will receive a full credit on your account to be used another time. If you cancel within an hour of the start of class, or simply don't show up, then a credit is not issued. For more terms and conditions, please click here.

Can I eat before a yoga class?
- It's best not to eat 1-2 hours before the start of a class and certainly not a heavy meal.

Anything else I should know?
- I kindly ask you to arrive 5-10 minutes before the start of a class, as it is very disturbing for the rest of the class in our opening relaxation when people arrive late. If you are running late, a courtesy text (if it is safe to do so) would be appreciated 07952 931 383.
- If people are already lying down in relaxation I ask that you arrive quietly.
- Please put your shoes and belongings (coat/bag) at the side of the room.
- Please switch your mobile to silent.
- It is courtesy not to walk across people's mats.
- If you sign up to my newsletter you will receive weekly yoga news with news about my classes, occasional tips about "live well, age well" together with local photos which I take. Click here to sign up. If you come along to one of my classes, you will be automatically subscribed. You can unsubscribe at any time.

I thank you for your cooperation.

YOGA CLASSES

Find the class which is right for you - whether you're a seasoned yogi, a complete beginner, want a mat-based or chair-based practice - there's something for you. Classes are in Hampton Hill (SW London), Long Ditton (Surrey) and online.

MIXED LEVEL YOGA
Improve your fitness, strength and flexibility working at the level that's right for you. We work on your entire wellbeing with time to relax and de-stress.
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GENTLE YOGA
Working with balance, suppleness and strength, this mat-based practice goes at a slower pace with lots of options to suit you and your body. 
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CHAIR YOGA
Join our fun and friendly community (in person or online) to have a good stretch, keep mobile, strong and help maintain your independence. 
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BEGINNERS' COURSE
A great 6 week course covering all the basics of yoga, ideal for complete beginners or anyone wanting a refresher.

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​"I like you, I like the way you teach - I’ve tried other yoga classes but I like yours the best!"