Embodied Mindfulness

🧘‍♀️ When I was in my early twenties, everyone and their mother seemed to be getting into yoga. And loving it. I went along to various classes, mostly based on Hatha style, and hated it.

🧘‍♀️ My body wasn’t flexible and I couldn’t do the poses they asked of me. The relaxation felt annoying and totally pointless to me. Looking back now, I see there was often a lack of basic comfort and feelings of safety - the hall was too big, or draughty, or too full of people. None of it suited me, and if you were to say that eventually it would be a part of my life that kept me safe and sane, in this crazy arse world, I would not have believed you one bit. But eventually it was.

🧘‍♀️ I didn’t think of yoga again until after I’d finished my Alexander Technique teacher training. I was recommended by a friend to join a small class, Scaravelli influenced Hatha yoga; this was to start the journey of my love for yoga and mindful movement.

🧘‍♀️ I’d spent three years intensely working on my relationship with my body and mind, in Alexander college, I was now a very different woman. I knew I needed to care for myself and what that looked like in a basic way. I knew I wanted comfort and small classes, and a teacher who lived and breathed yoga. An experienced teacher who had a passion for her own self development which kept the learning feeling fresh and new.
But most of all I knew that I could apply my Alexander Technique thinking to everything that we did.
🧘‍♀️ Every asana and pranayama was infused with an awareness and connectedness born from my learned Alexander principles. My body loved it. My mind loved it. And my spirit could finally start to feel at home.

🧘‍♀️ As my understanding of my body’s needs, and the practice deepened, slowly but surely my body learned to let go in the poses. Yoga became the framework for my Alexander technique practice, the quiet space where I could put myself back together and understand more fully how to feel good in my skin.

🧘‍♀️ After a couple of decades of practice, I decided to start a class of my own, not teaching yoga, I’m not trained in yoga, but teaching Embodied Mindfulness. A kind of Alexander Technique yoga. If any of the statements below are familiar, then you may like to try it.

🔆Why doesn't my body bend in this way?
🔆I find yoga too pain provoking.
🔆Why am I struggling in this class?
🔆It feels like nobody is looking after my body.
🔆My body is struggling to teach so many yoga classes in a week.

🧘‍♀️ You're welcome to come to a trial class and see if you like the way I teach, and more importantly if your body likes it!

🧘‍♀️ It’s not yoga as you would expect it to be, but an opportunity to meet your body in an extraordinarily kind way within the framework of yoga. You can then share this skilled and gentle approach within your home practice, or if relevant your own clients or students.
The next run of online classes starts on Thursday 16th April at 10.15am.
Comment, message me or look on the Embodied Mindfulness website for more info

Starting on Tuesday 3rd March my colleagues and I are offering a free introductory series.

3 guided sessions focussing on key elements that will help you Relax Better and let your mind and body find a deeper quality of rest.

Resting is something we could all do with getting better at; whether it’s to calm the body & mind for meditation and stillness practices, or simply to get a good night’s sleep.

Each hour long session is a combination of support, Constructive Rest and Q&A; all hosted by the absolute champions of relax and rest.

Schedule: -
Session 1 — Back & Pelvis - 3rd March 7pm
In this first session we're introducing you to the main principles of Constructive Rest. Getting really comfortable in the position and giving awareness to the spine and pelvis, as central support structures. Exploring support, easing effort, and reducing unnecessary holding.

Session 2 — Neck & Shoulders – 8th March 10am
This gentle session addresses common patterns of tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper body.
We're looking at resting in ways that allow your weight to be received and supported, rather than held. Changing how we support the shoulders can be a huge relief, allowing them to finally become fully mobile and pain free.

Session 3 — Knitting Yourself Together – 11th March 10am
As your skills progress, you're able to bring the whole body into awareness.
This final session focusses on sensing connection within yourself and how real rest can help you feel more physically coordinated and integrated.

All the sessions will be recorded so you can catch up on any you can’t make live or use it as a video course.

Free sign up in the comments 👇

Starting back on Thursday 15th January at 4pm. Tavistock Physio Clinics

In these relaxed and friendly classes, you learn the practice of Embodied Mindfulness, using the principles of the Alexander Technique, all within the framework of gentle movement. Each month there is a different theme and as you progress, you’re building a skill for life!
Spending time on the floor (on a yoga mat or similar), seated and standing, you’ll learn to use these unique skills to enhance your mind-body connection. Gentle enough for everyone, even those suffering with chronic pain. The classes will improve your muscular tone and strengthen your internal and postural support.
Joining these classes is an ideal way to nourish and support your body in its constant quest for balance and ease. You will also get the opportunity to learn the self-care practice of Constructive Rest; a “lifesaving” practice for busy people!

message me or drop me an email to book your place - Gemma