!!UPCOMING CANCELLATIONS

There is no class on Saturday 4 February.



WEEKLY DROP-IN CLASSES

Thursdays 7–8pm: Slow yoga
Suitable for everyone from beginners with limited fitness and flexibility to experienced yogis. Slow yoga is a deep, mindful practice, offering the opportunity to rest in simple, accessible postures for an extended period of time (up to five minutes). This enables a meditative awareness and a long, slow extension of the body, unwinding compacted fascia and unknotting matted muscle fibres. The emphasis is on looking inwards and fostering awareness of what’s happening in the whole person through the body. This is a relaxing and revitalising form of yoga, offering a chance to slow down, pay attention and take time to focus on yourself.
St Mark’s Centre (activity room), 22 Greenwich South St, Greenwich SE10 8TY (entrance in Ashburnham Place). 5 mins Greenwich mainline / DLR.
One class £10 (£8 concessions); block-booking card of six classes £48 (£36 concessions).
Please bring a mat. (A limited number of mats are available for first-timers to borrow.)

Thursdays 8–9.30pm: General-level astanga vinyasa
Suitable for those with astanga experience and beginners with a good basic level of fitness. We will work through about two-thirds of the primary series, with modifications as appropriate. Astanga vinyasa is a dynamic, physically challenging form of yoga – you will work hard and sweat.
St Mark’s Centre (activity room), 22 Greenwich South St, Greenwich SE10 8TY (entrance in Ashburnham Place). 5 mins Greenwich mainline / DLR.
One class £11 (£9 concessions); block-booking card of six classes £54 (£42 concessions).
Please bring a mat. (A limited number of mats are available for first-timers to borrow.)

Saturdays 9.30–11am: General level astanga vinyasa
Suitable for beginners with a good basic level of fitness and those with astanga experience. We work through about two-thirds of the primary series, with modifications as appropriate. Astanga vinyasa is a dynamic, physically challenging form of yoga – you will work hard and sweat.
St Mark’s Centre (upper hall), 22 Greenwich South St, Greenwich SE10 8TY (entrance in Ashburnham Place). 5 mins Greenwich mainline / DLR.
One class £11 (£9 concessions); block-booking card of six classes £54 (£42 concessions).
Please bring a mat. (A limited number of mats are available for first-timers to borrow.)

Reductions for both slow yoga and astanga vinyasa together on Thursdays
Drop in to both slow yoga and astanga vinyasa on the same Thursday night and get the second class at concessionary rate (or a £2 reduction if you’re already a concession). Buy a block-booking card for Thursday-night slow yoga and Thursday-night astanga vinyasa together and get the second card at concessionary rate (or a £4 reduction if you’re already a concession).

Block-booking cards
Valid for six classes; must be used within eight weeks. Astanga / vinyasa flow cards can be used at Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday classes interchangeably. Cards cannot be used beyond the expiry date. Unused classes cannot be refunded. However, for the cost of one drop-in class, you can extend an expired card for a further eight weeks. Please contact or ask at class for a card.



WEEKLY COURSES

STARTS 11 January
Wednesdays 7–8pm: Beginners astanga vinyasa
six-session course: 11, 18, 25 January: 1, 8, 15 February
Suitable for beginners wanting a vigorous, physical style of yoga, as well as those returning to astanga after a break from practice. This is a slower approach to astanga vinyasa, with an emphasis on the basics. You will be encouraged to start where you are, gradually building strength, stamina, flexibility and the capacity to stay present to your experience. However, this is still astanga, so expect to be physically challenged. Beginners who are currently very unfit may find slow yoga more appropriate.
Woolwich Tramshed (dance studio), 51–53 Woolwich New Rd, Woolwich SE18 6ES. 2 mins Woolwich Arsenal mainline / DLR.
£48 (£36 concessions).
ADVANCE BOOKING ONLY. Please contact me for a booking form.
Please bring a mat.

STARTS 22 February
Wednesdays 8–9pm (note change of time): Beginners astanga vinyasa
six-session course: 22, 29 February: 7, 14, 21, 28 March
Suitable for beginners wanting a vigorous, physical style of yoga, as well as those returning to astanga after a break from practice. This is a slower approach to astanga vinyasa, with an emphasis on the basics. You will be encouraged to start where you are, gradually building strength, stamina, flexibility and the capacity to stay present to your experience. However, this is still astanga, so expect to be physically challenged. Beginners who are currently very unfit may find slow yoga more appropriate.
Woolwich Tramshed (dance studio), 51–53 Woolwich New Rd, Woolwich SE18 6ES. 2 mins Woolwich Arsenal mainline / DLR.
£48 (£36 concessions).
ADVANCE BOOKING ONLY. Please contact me for a booking form.
Please bring a mat.



MONTHLY MYSORE-STYLE ASTANGA
TAKE YOUR PRACTICE DEEPER
Monthly practices on Sunday afternoons

What is Mysore practice?
Mysore-style (or self-practice) is the traditional way of practising astanga and is acknowledged as the most beneficial, offering the maximum teaching and guidance to everyone in the class. Participants work through as much of an astanga series as they are familiar with, while the teacher helps and adjusts students individually, offering feedback geared specifically to each person and teaching new postures where appropriate. Practising Mysore-style isn’t like practising alone; you are supported not just by the imput of the teacher but also by the energy of the group breathing and working together, so motivating yourself is easy.

Who is it suitable for?
You don’t need to know the whole primary series or to be an accomplished astangi to take part in these sessions. You just need to be able to do both the A and the B sun salutations without being led, and to have some familiarity with the standing postures of the astanga series. Help is always on offer with remembering the sequence; just ask at any time you’re unsure. People who haven’t done self-practice before are very welcome; however, these sessions are not suitable for those who are completely new to astanga vinyasa.

What students say about Mysore practice
“I went into my first Mysore session feeling very unsure and a little intimidated as I had so much to learn and how could I do that on my own? But after the first session I was hooked – it is empowering, not intimidating. I feel stretched and invigorated after each class and can see the progress I make in a way you just do not get in a led class. Being able to go at your own pace, ask for help when you need it and practise a posture several times if you want to is so very satisfying. Jess is always there to give you support and encouragement in a calm and thoughtful way. I love the way she works with you to both push you to try those challenging postures but also helps to work through how you can work towards them and ultimately achieve far more than you ever felt you could, but essentially concentrating on you as a a person and your own journey both on the day and longer term.”—Lysanne

“I really enjoy the Mysore practice because it helps me to explore and push myself to try postures that I do not feel confident to practise on my own at home ... By receiving help and feeling the posture in my body, it really helps me to try to recreate it in my own time at home. During a led class ... it is hard for the teacher to push the students at their own level. In the Mysore practice I feel Jess becomes closer to us, moving around giving individual advice or support.”—Francesca

“I can’t believe some of the positions my body managed to get into, and hold (with a little help), in Mysore practice today. Awesome!”—Caroline

Time: Sundays, 2–4pm, 8 January, 5 February, 4 March (and ongoing, usually the first Sunday of the month).
Place: The Yogi Tree, 193 Woolwich Rd, Greenwich SE10 0RJ (entrance in Denham St). 5 mins Westcombe Park station.
Cost: £30 (£25 concessions) for a block of three; £12 (£10 concessions) for individual sessions. Book in advance to be sure of your place, or drop in on the day.
Mats provided



CONCESSIONS POLICY

Regular concessions are offered to people on an income of less than £200 gross a week. This is a little flexible either way, depending on whether you are supporting others financially and whether you are partly supported by someone else (for example a partner with a higher income) – please use your honest judgement. No proof of income is necessary; however, I ask you to be aware of the following money yoga:

• Classes and events have to be financially viable in order to take place.
• The giving and receiving of teaching, therapy and facilitation revolves around a balanced exchange of energy.
• This work is the way I make my living.
• Among the ethical foundations of yoga are satya, ‘honesty’, and asteya, ‘taking only that to which we are really entitled’.

In addition to regular concessions, extra-low-cost places are available at negotiable rates for those who are on a very low income and would not otherwise be able to afford to attend a class, even at the concessionary rate. Some work exchange is involved, and I ask you to make a commitment to the class. If this is applicable to you, please contact me to discuss. I never exclude anyone on the basis of income – so please don’t exclude yourself.



YOGA MATS AND BAGS

You can buy a yoga mat from me at lower than retail price.

Ecogyoga mat: A good-quality, attractive latex and jute mat made in the UK by an ethical company. One hundred per cent natural and biodegradable. A little heavy to carry around, but this means that this mat offers good shock absorption. Latex mats are absorbent, so don’t become slippery with sweat. £25.

Yogamad Evolution mat: A good-quality basic mat made of TPE (which eventually biodegrades). Light to carry. Good grip and cushioning. £18.

Oecotex mat: A good basic starter mat. Good grip, but not much cushioning. This is a thin mat so is very light to carry. £14.

Low-cost used mats: I sometimes have secondhand mats for sale. They are all washed and have plenty of wear left in them. Please contact me for availability and costs.

Yogamalai mat bags: made by a co-op in south India and fairly traded. Attractive, durable and waterproof, with an internal pocket and an adjustable shoulder strap. Various colours. £14.

Please contact me or ask at a class if you would like a mat or bag.



ALLERGIES

Incense or essential oils are used at most classes. If this is a problem for you, please let me know in advance.

If you’re allergic to latex and borrowing a mat, please let me know at the class, so I can give you one made of something else.

Please don’t wear perfume or aftershave to classes, and as far as practical avoid other chemical-based products, as some people may be allergic to them or find them unpleasant.



TRAVEL TO CLASSES

All the venues are within a 10-minute walk of frequent rail / DLR and bus connections. If at all possible, please leave your car at home and use public transport, cycle or walk to class. Thank you.

ONE-TO-ONE YOGA

Private yoga sessions are available by arrangement at my yoga space in Woolwich. The cost is £40 an hour. Please contact to discuss.



WORKPLACE YOGA

Group classes can be arranged at your workplace – a great way to help you and your colleagues deal with stress and foster a calm and positive atmosphere at work. Please contact to discuss.