Whole Health Pathways – Yoga
Whole Health Pathways
Yoga
Yoga Classes Online and Offline
All classes are welcoming and inclusive of all abilities and are created with the intention to relieve the pressure of daily life. To restore the balance to body, mind and spirit. To guide and facilitate others to find ease of movement and gain an understanding of how to use yoga for one’s own individual needs. The philosophy that informs and inspires my teaching lies in how we uniquely respond to our life cycles, our environment, the seasons, the connection between each other, the connections in our own body, mind and spirit, our relationship to nature and how this all interlinks with the web of life.
Classes and Workshops are both online and Live in Halesworth and surrounding areas of Suffolk.
Scroll down for more details.
What to Expect in a General Hatha Yoga Class
All classes begin with:
A breathing practice to enter the space of noticing, grounding and becoming present.
A reading or poem based around the theme of the class.
Simple warm ups bringing awareness to the joints in our body
Physical postures to build strength and develop flexibility
Explore the messages and stories our bodies tell us to discover where we may be holding tension patterns or feeling discomfort when we enter different shapes.
An exploration of the presence of breath and subtle micro movements through which we discover how we can let go of tension and find ease.
The therapeutic classes are further modified and slower.
All classes finish with a relaxation to allow the body and mind to fully integrate the practice.
Each class or term will have a theme which gives the practice a context and wider perspective to contemplate off the mat and in daily life.
Please contact michelle@whole-health-pathways.com for further information regarding online and live yoga classes in Halesworth and Suffolk or one-one Therapuetic Yoga.
“It was not until I joined Michelle’s classes over 10 years ago that I finally “got” yoga. Every class is themed and unique: it is not “just about trying to make a series of shapes”.
She takes time to warm us up and although her classes can feel gentle, they are often deceptively powerful.
With Michelle, I have finally learnt the importance of the breath and how it connects me to the postures. Michelle focuses on everyone’s individual needs and guides you to what is appropriate for your body.
As a practising GP I would have no hesitation in recommending her classes whatever your ability, because she has the expertise to guide you appropriately and safely.”
DR PIPPA HARROLD MRCP MRCGP
Meditation Class
“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat any time and be yourself.”
Hermanne Hesse
Meditation practice has a long lineage of over 3,000 years and meditation spans so many traditions. It is a set of skills which can be learnt by anybody from any cultural and non -religious background.
Meditation practice:
The online session is 30 minutes each week and you will receive a video for self -practice in-between. Live classes are for 1 hour and include a discussion around the topic.
Over a period of time you will learn how to build a sustainable practice by setting up a framework and foundation for your practice.
You will learn how to:
Sit well
Sow seeds for a meaningful practice with gratitude and compassion as part of our framework.
Calm the mind, quieten the turbulence of your inner and outer lives and find your equilibrium.
Let go of thoughts without getting caught up in them
Understand some of the obstacles to meditation.
Find your own unique style of meditation to see what resonates with you and to explore practices for different intentions and needs such as focus and concentration, open awareness, heart based practices and visualisation.
Relaxation Class
“To rest is to give up on worrying and fretting. We are rested when we let things alone and let ourselves alone, to do what we do best, breathe as the body intended us to breathe, rest is a sense of coming home to oneself, a sense of healing and arrival”
David Whyte
Relaxation is an integral practice included in the weekly yoga classes. I also offer Deep Rest as a stand alone session– a quiet nourishing practice to de stress and relieve physical, mental and emotional tension.
Deep Rest is the capacity to drop into stillness and a space of inner quiet, the practice is often called yogic sleep which is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, your mind stays alert and your body gets to enjoy a much-needed rest at the same time.
What to expect:
You will be lying down for up to 30-40 minutes so it is important to be comfortable.
Supports such as a cushion under your head a bolster/cushion or rolled up blanket to use under knees if required, a blanket to lie on and to cover you.
Wear warm comfortable clothing.
Turn off devices that could interrupt your practice.
Find a quiet place free from distraction as far as possible.
Deep Rest meditation
The practice begins with settling the body and breath, becoming aware of all the senses, letting go of any distraction from the senses, feeling your body on the ground, then connecting into a deep heartfelt desire, quality or intention you wish to manifest in any area of your life.
You are then guided through a rotation of awareness around your body, feeling and sensing each part without moving as it is suggested. This stage is followed by a breathing practice which promotes relaxation and increases concentration effecting the energy throughout the whole body.
You will be guided through a visualization after which you return to the heart felt desire, quality or intention that you set at the beginning of the practice,
To finish with using the senses to externalise the mind, becoming aware of your surroundings. The relaxation passes through different stages of consciousness just like sleep.
Therapeutic Yoga Sessions
Those who wish to develop their natural wellbeing may find using yoga therapeutically a useful route. Yoga, when applied as a therapy offers a comprehensive approach to well-being that can be tailored to the unique biopsychosocial and spiritual needs of the client and is likely to offer more value than general yoga practice.
“Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.”
JASON CRANDELL
Yoga therapy has been included on the NHS register of Complementary and Alternative Practitioners. I teach people one-to-one, co-creating a tailored yoga practice for the needs of the individual. Practices may include one or more of a range of techniques such as posture work, breathing, relaxation and meditation. I offer guidance in a therapeutic group setting in the Restorative yoga classes also through the 10 week Yoga4health social prescription programme commissioned by the NHS. Email me if you are interested in this.
Using yoga therapeutically may help with many issues, particularly the management of chronic health conditions, stress and anxiety. All that is needed from the participant is the desire to help themselves and the willingness to practise regularly. If you wish to explore the wider aspects of your health you could also participate in the Whole-health-pathways programme which includes yoga therapy.
“Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.”
JASON CRANDELL
“I thoroughly enjoy my yoga classes . They are different from any other yoga sessions that I have attended in the past. By keeping the groups small Michelle is able to tailor the exercises to everyone’s individual needs. It feels like a truly personal service. She is fully aware of any health conditions that we have and asks for regular health updates. I feel safe in her care. “The benefits of all three classes has improved my posture and helped me to prevent further harm and by strengthening my core my back problems have improved. Relaxation of body and mind has improved my sleep. I often use breathing exercises to destress or aid sleep. My anxiety levels have improved and I now feel that I am in control of it rather than it in control of me!
Michelle looks at the whole person, Mind, Body and Soul and with the three classes that I attend Meditation, Restorative and Relaxation I have full benefit of her extensive knowledge.
I thank Michelle for giving me the opportunity to practice these skills she has taught me to be more receptive to all that is around me how to appreciate what is important in life and not to dwell on what is not. I truly feel that I am a better person with Michelle’s input and am kinder to myself and all around me”
ANNETTE BRADLEY
Booking Classes
All Yoga/Meditation/Relaxation classes are currently online via the platform Zoom and can be booked using the link below which takes you to my booking software where you can select the class you wish, pay and receive the Zoom link.
New students will need to contact me first for further information and to register interest before booking at:
Please contact michelle@whole-health-pathways.com for further information regarding online yoga classes or one-one Therapuetic Yoga