Yoga Classes
Yoga Classes in and around Oxford New Year 2012
Happy New Year! Fancy trying yoga for a new you this New Year? There are spaces available in several classes, drop me a line, you are welcome to try a class and see if it suits you before committing to a block. If a total beginner dont worry as yoga is non competative and I always give good explainations with easier options so you can ease your way as learn to adopt yoga feet, body and mind. Let me know if you have any conditions that need a bit of care or modifications, such as high blood pressure, arithritis, asthma, back ache and many more. In most cases we can adapt postures to suit, rarely need to sit out certain things and usually find techniques that can ease or help maintain your lifestyle to be as healthy as possbile. We start classes from Tuesday 7.30pm class onwards 3 January 2012. Halfterm week off is 13 to 17 February 2012 and continues to Easter break.
if you can't make any classes do continue with some yoga at home, a little often is a great way to build your strength and flexibility. Even if only some Cat poses and stretches start your day fitting in your body comfortably and ideally practise a moments stillness, maybe now before your read on, here's how: Take a sigh ease your shoulders down, the shoulderblades melting behind you, lengthen up from your sit bones and encourage your breath to be full and smooth. Keep your minds attention on the easy rythym of your breath arriving and your breath leaving. Allow the eyes to close or soften gaze downwards as you take a mini break from the confusion of thoughts, schedules and to do lists our greymatter like to spin around our heads.
Hope to see you in a class soon. You are welcome to drop in and try a class before committing to a term.
This Bird of prey stayed in perfect stillness New year 2009 Photo
copyright K Brown, Dahab, Eygpt
“Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something Sometimes one creates as significant impression by remaining silent"
Quoted from Dalai Lama’s Book of Daily Meditations
The next Saturday workshop is a shorter morning session on 11 February 2012 moving to the new temporary home at Marston, full details are now on the separate Hatha Yoga Workshops page. I am still pondering whether to arrange a summer yoga break so do get in touch if you are interested, all details of last five years are on Yoga Holidays page.
In all Hazel’s courses students will be working with asanas (postures), pranayama (breath) and meditation. Students work at their own pace and ability. The benefits of Yoga are increasing flexibility and strength; and becoming aware of posture. It can help reduce symptoms of asthma and a range of ailments from creaky joints, digestive issues and poor posture.
Please bring a cushion & blanket or throw (and if you have one, a yoga mat) Wear comfortable clothing that you can stretch & move in. All are welcome, new comers please let me know if you are a beginner or if you are working with any ailment. One student put Grumpy on the health form, which hopefully went into remission as Yoga helped loosen her tension and lower stress levels.
Are you a complete beginner daunted by group class, returning after an extended absence or needing to take it gently with an injury? A private one to one class is a great introduction to yoga and focus on your individual needs. A one to one can build your confidence and opportunity to learn adjustments or different poses before you join a group class. Also if you would like to refine your yoga practise at home a private class can fine tune your understanding of the complexity yoga can offer.
Ushtrasana: Camel and easier Half Camel version
Difficult poses like this strong back bend can be softened with a variation safer for stiff backs
CLASSES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
All are welcome. Classes are offered in blocks of usually 6 weeks to fit in around half term/vacation breaks.
Payments can be made by cash or bank cheque
Please note there will be no increase in fees which went up 50p weekly and the dropin by a pound in September 2011 after a two year freeze. The advantage of joining the block classes is enjoying a constantly changing selection of asanas with easier and harder options to suit how you feel that class. The one and half hour classes allows time for moving, relaxing and brief pranayama and stillness, with smaller groups, less than 18 maximum, with an experienced teacher you can gain the most from your weekly class.
Day time classes (Mon to Thurs) Evening classes and Friday Morning
Six week block is £45.00 Drop in for £10.00 Six week block is £48.00 Drop in £11.00
Experience yoga as the quality of attention,
rather that the quantity of minutes you have practiced,
and you might find that you have lost track of time altogether.
Quote by Julie Rappaport 2009
Monday Morning - Women’s Institute Hall, North Hinksey Lane, Botley
9.30 – 11.00am. Currently continues to 12 December 2011 inclusive. The next block begins 9 January, £37.50 to 6 Febraury inclusive. This friendly mixed ability class is a great way to start your week, come along and try a class.
Parking is restricted as the marked bays are let to offices during the day and only 8 cars can park down side or front of building, we can block each other in to squeeze more. The WI hall is on North Hinksey Lane, OX2 0LT which is easy walking distance from bus stop (bus 4, 11 and S1 routes) just by Minns Business Park, or a bit further walk from Seacourt park and ride.
Monday Evening Class Appleton Village Hall
This class continues to 12 December 2011 inclusive. We begin 9 January, £40 to 13 February inclusive. This friendly village class currently has some spaces so do come and join this local class. The class starts at 6.30pm until 8pm. You are welcome to drop in at £11.00. The hall is on Oaksmere, OX13 5JS, on the corner opposite the war memorial with ample parking.
Gentle Yoga on Tuesday morning Class Old School Hall, High Street.
This class is a Gentle class so ideal for those beginning or returning to yoga after an injury or ill health although as many have gained strength and knowledge there is plenty of tougher options for those wanting more challenge within the class. Current term continues to 7 February 2012 inclusive, 9.30 to 11.00am at the Cumnor Old School. The hall is in the middle of the village adjoined to the Postoffice. There is ample parking behind the hall shared with the church, or parking on street. The Main entrance is at the rear of the building from the car park. We are welcoming folk to join and slowly building numbers! Please support a local class.
Tuesday Evening Classes 6pm – 7.30pm
With great regret this November I have closed my longest running class as numbers have dwindled. Thank you to all who have attended previously and I hope those looking to stay with me can slot into one of my other classes or I hope you find a new teacher so you can continue to enjoy your yoga.
Tuesday Evening Class 7.30pm – 9.00pm, Old Headington Parish Hall.
7.30 to 9pm New Year will start 3 January, £40 to 7 February inclusive. this class is now full, please email me to join the waiting list for this friendly mixed ability class.
The hall is on Dunstan Road, OX3 9BY, where the road changes name from St Andrew's Rd. It is across from Stoke Place. Parking is a challenge so please walk or cycle if you can. As always please take care of the Brownies, Guides and parents arriving for their scout hut behind the hall, traffic can be very confined.
Wednesday Evening Classes 6.15pm – 7.45pm Cumnor Village Hall.
6.15pm to 7.45pm. New Year begins Wednesday 5 January, £48 to 8 February inclusive. This class is currently has some spaces. The hall is on Leys Road, off the High Street, almost leaving the village (towards the reservoir and direction of Farmoor). There is ample parking behind the hall you reach by driving past the entrance. Do join us, as with all my classes you are welcome to try one class before commiting to a full block. Drop in maybe possible dependant on numbers.
Thursday Morning Class, Eynsham Village Hall, Back Lane.
9.30 – 11am This popular class begins 5 January to 9 February inclusive. It is currently quite full so do email for available space. The village hall, next to the sports centre, is on Back lane (merges from Clover lane), OX29 4QW. Parking is in the free council car-park (with Doctors surgery centre), nearly opposite the hall.
Friday Morning Class, North Oxford Association, NOA, Summertown, Oxford
This is one of the nicest venues and as a smaller group the fees are slightly higher accordingly (as the evening). We begin 6 January, £48 to 10 February inclusive. You are welcome to drop in for £11 per session, if space is available, if you are unable to commit to the term of classes. 10.00 - 11.30am class is in the central Summertown location in Diamond Place (OX2 7DP). Do join as its a great class to start your weekend early.
The NOA venue is inbetween two pay and display priced carparks (you need your numberplate when purchasing parking ticket) and easy access to all the Summertown shops, supermarkets (M&S, Co-op and Tesco) and coffee shops. The venue itself has a cafe and the airy wooden hall even has yogamats are available although your own is always nicer! North Oxford Association (NOA) centre is to be found off the Diamond Place car park, Summertown adjacent to (but not part of) the Ferry Sports Centre.
“It is the concrete, specific awareness of one’s own act of moving which is so satisfying.
Something more is needed than simple body mechanics, that the feelings hidden in the body, the source of all its movement, must be involved.”
Quote by Mary Starks Whitehouse, speaking of Authentic Movement though equally applies to yoga and mindfulness
Pear Trees or Vrkasana pose Marsh Baldon workshop 2004
OTHER CLASSES
Hazel also teaches at private gyms in Oxford Companies which require membership.
Private one-to-one, or small classes. Private Sessions to improve and deepen your yoga practice. This will be tailored to a student's needs, starting from scratch for beginners; rekindle home practice for those of you who have lapsed or Yogi/Yoginis wishing to develop your asanas or pranayama. 1 hour £45.00; 1½ hour £60.00.
Special Groups
I have been teaching a smashing group of 16 year olds at the Abingdon College and have a few slightly younger students attending my mixed ability classes. You are welcome to attend with your child if 14years or older. A big thank you to Oxford Council’s Adult and Continuing Education Team who gave the opportunity for valuable experience teaching varied groups, with very different requirements, a Medium Security Unit and a wonderful group at the Enablement Centre. Also a series of ‘taster events’, eg. refugees group and yoga for the whole family to join in, taken to disadvantaged areas in and around Oxford. If you work with a special group of people who could gain from yoga please get in touch to find out more. The last three summers I have also taught as part of English Language Summer Schools. I tried to learn ‘flexibility’ and ‘calm’ in 7 languages and the students seemed to enjoy a new lesson experience.