"Steph uses a perfect mix of humor and tranquility during teaching"

The World Health Organisation recommends the introduction of yoga in all workplaces, schools and community initiatives because of its ‘immediate psychological benefits’. 

Both limited mobility and excessive flexibility put us at risk of pain and injury. Yoga can help us build awareness of our anatomy and how to work with our bodies so we can stay active all the way through our lives.

The teacher guides students to understand their individual structure to protect their joints, build strength where it is needed and improve mobility.

When your yoga teacher helps you to understand your individual makeup, niggles and restrictions you've felt all your life suddenly make sense.

As with all dynamic and strong movement, the asanas (physical postures) in yoga lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels, as well as heart rate keeping students safe, pain- and disease-free later in life.

Yoga causes the body to create nerve pathways in my brain, which strengthen cognitive function to support memory and attention. Research suggests that a regular practice leads to a thicker cerebral cortex (the area of the brain responsible for information processing) and hippocampus, both of which typically decline with age.  

Yoga and meditation reduce cortisol and adrenalin and increase the production of endorphins, leading to calm and level-headedness during the practice and continues off the mat.  

"Yoga chitta vritti nirodha", says Patanjali in the yoga sutras. It means yoga calms the fluctuations of the mind. When students investigate ancient yogic philosophy to inform their practice in class and their approach to life, they build compassion and begin to let go of attachment and aversions which keep them stuck in unhealthy cycles.  

 Do you find yourself catching everything going around? When you have regular practice of 5-6 classes a week, you may notice you succumb to colds and tummy bugs less frequently.

The nervous system and the immune system work in harmony to identify threats. When we are under stress, our sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) is engaged.

When our sympathetic nervous system stays active chronically, our immune system’s capacity to keep us well is severely reduced.

Asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathwork), and meditation slow the release of adrenaline and cortisol and activate instead our parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). This state stimulates immune cell development, survival, and circulation.

Societal structures mean that even those in stable jobs with a reasonable social network risk of facing isolation. 

When students attend a yoga course or retreat, they join students who, like them, are seeking to improve their practice and find peace and connection.  Practising in a group gives them a chance to recognise their dignity, value, and place in the community, as well as providing the opportunity to build friendships with fellow students.   

Engaging in an unfamiliar activity outside of a student’s comfort zone is challenging. When students notice themselves build in ability and psychological safety during regular practice, their sense of confidence and agency over mind and body grow.  

A traditional yoga class makes time for the study of ancient texts, such as Patanjali's Yoga Sutras from the early centuries CE and Svātmārāma's 15th century Hatha Yoga Pradipika. 

It is also valuable to investigate Western thought, such as Shakespeare and Eckart Tolle and the modern Eastern teaching of Thích Nhất Hạnh.

A yogi endeavours to study the self and use discipline to practise contentment, concentration, peace and honesty.