Judi & Yoga
About Judi and Yoga
I believe that yoga has the potential to help everyone through offering the space to have time out, to transform in their own way, to touch their own soul. Yoga is for everyone. It is the practise of gentle movements, allowing the body to rest comfortably in meditation. In fact, the original purpose of yoga was to prepare the body and mind for meditation.
My style of teaching is inclusive, offering adaptations of poses to suit your body in the moment, as we practise. These include ways to strengthen poses as well as to soften them so that they are safe, comfortable and right for you at the time.
Yoga is holistic, with a balance of meditation, pranayama, asana, mantra and relaxation. We can all experience these practices according to our own needs and to take Yoga off the mat.
Yoga has been around in the background all my life, and became an integral part of my daily life in the late 1990’s. I have an old injury that needed to be kept supple and strong. I also suffered from lack of self esteem, anxiety and depression, along with Chronic Fatigue. Like many, I have reinvented myself many times over the years as I struggled with my mental health. Yoga is the most wonderful transformation I have ever experienced and I love to share my passion, be inspiring and informative. I have recently trained with Yoga Campus under Charlotte Watts and Leah Barnett in Yoga for Stress, Fatigue & Burnout. Please look at the Retreats & Courses page for information on upcoming courses.
In 2009 I began the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) Foundation Course, exploring Yoga at a deeper level than weekly classes provide; it cemented Yoga as a fundamental part of me, a way of life. I started studying the BWY level 4 teaching diploma in 2013, a huge undertaking of 500 hours over 3 years, and began teaching in 2014. I was fortunate to have Jayadhara as my tutor and guide on both the Foundation course and BWY teaching diploma. When I began the Diploma my plan was to deepen my knowledge with the best tutor I could find, on the best course; I really didn’t think I would love teaching as much as I do; I love sharing the knowledge and benefits, seeing people transform. Teaching Yoga gives me the chance to offer something back … to give people the opportunity to reach their full potential.
I have deepened my understanding and knowledge with many illustrious teachers over the years and aspire to bring that to class, as well a healthy dose of humour! I offer compassion and empathy as my life has always been somewhat turbulent, and an understanding of living with physical limitations. I work extensively with grounding and the heart centre.
Classes include traditional Hatha, Yin, Warrior and Chair Yoga, both online and locally in Knaresborough and Wetherby. I aspire to, and have been told, that I have a welcoming approach, am warm and compassionate. The 2020 pandemic inspired me to widen my offerings via my website. My Yoga classes have a well-established reputation, and I continues to develop my skills and knowledge.
Through my teaching I hope to bring the wonder of Yoga to as many people as possible, encouraging a heart-centred world of peace, love and magic.
Hatha Yoga
Yoga is an ancient system that brings great health benefits physically, mentally and spiritually.
Hatha is traditional Yoga, incorporating meditation, pranayama, (work with the breath), relaxation and asana (posture work). You don’t need to be fit or bendy to practise. We leave expectations and judgement at the door, and come to practice with acceptance, using the breath as a pathway. We arrive at our heart space in peace. Hatha translates as ‘sun and moon’ and Yoga as ‘yoke’ or joining together – complete balance. Yoga isn’t about achieving postures or getting 'better' at them. Yoga is about diving deeper into yourself, the postures are there as a means of untying the knots, removing the blockages that prevent us from finding our true potential.
These classes are suitable for all levels of experience and can be adapted to most health conditions.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga is Hatha Yoga practised using a chair. The practices concentrate on joint movement and muscle strengthening, incorporating the breath and meditation. It is by no means the easy option, working at a level that is right for your mind and body at that moment.
Chair Yoga is ideal for those that are recovering from injury, that struggle to get up and down from the floor or who are experiencing discomfort impairing the range of movement.
These classes are suitable for all levels of experience and can be adapted to most health conditions.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga offers a chance to slow down, to immerse and experience Yoga at a deeper level, with softness and stillness. Through the stillness we find relaxation, balance of body, breath and mind, harmony, peace, acceptance. Yin is the antithesis to our modern Yang lifestyle, offering the space to slow down, to ground, to breathe. Postures are gently held in a supportive manner for 3 to 5 minutes and are accompanied by meditations, insights and the breath.
These classes are suitable for all levels of experience and can be adapted to most health conditions.
Warrior Yoga
A stronger style class based on the Dancing Warrior sequence, practised in a meditative manner. The sessions start with a settling meditation and gentle warm-ups, leading to dynamic practices and ending in a short relaxation. If you are looking to increase physical fitness whilst practising mindfully this could be for you.
Suitable for those with some experience. Some health conditions could be contra indicated so please chat to me before enrolling for a class.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a deep guided relaxation. Half an hour of Yoga Nidra is said to bring the same benefits as 4 hours of sleep. It is truly a delicious experience.
Judi trained with Swami Vedantananda Saraswati in 2017.
These classes are suitable for all levels of experience and can be adapted to most health conditions.
