Five Unexpected Reasons to do a Yoga Teacher Training
Five Reasons to do a Yoga Teacher Training transformation Over and over, graduates from our teacher training course describe their experience as transformational. If you are looking for transformation and personal growth, a yoga teacher training is an opportunity to find just that and so much more. “I have learnt so much, felt so much […]
What is nidra and how can it help me?
What is Yoga Nidra and how can it help me? By Rina Modi teacher training Manager at the Shala Over the last few years I have heard more and more yogi’s talk about Yoga Nidra, with an increasing number of teachers offering this practice as well as the demand for teacher trainings in this area. […]
Yoga adjusts & assists
By Gingi Lee When Derek Ireland started teaching me the art of yoga adjustments in the early 90s I was overly confident. I had nearly finished the 3rd ashtanga series, had made up my mind that yoga was my whole life, had no family obligations, no job to get back to, no strings attached. I […]
What is yoga nidra?
This November we will be running a 3-day Yoga Nidra Teacher Training course with international teachers Melanie Cooper and Jennie Wadsten. In the article below, Melanie defines the rich and ancient practice of Yoga Nidra and how it allows us to access different states of consciousness. Like Yoga itself, Yoga Nidra is a process and a state. You […]
Yoga philosophy at the shala
Yoga philosophy teacher, Dr Matthew Clark gives truly brilliant down to earth, insightful talks on the origins of yoga. Matthew’s wealth of knowledge is remarkable but more remarkable still is how he makes his subject so accessible, interesting and relevant to modern day practitioners. In his lectures he pulls together many threads not only of this […]
10 reasons to come back to in studio classes
After this period of isolation and solo yoga practices, here are 10 Reasons to come back to the studio for in person yoga classes: Dedicated yoga space – Get away from the 4 walls of our homes Social – Tea and chats in the lounge area Physical Contact – Hands on teacher assists and adjustments […]
Yoga nidra & the art of relaxation
The inability to rest and sleep is a common disorder of our modern day age and many of us feel that we must be switched on and available 24/7. We spend more and more time concentrating on the many channels of digital communication on top of everyday pressures, and it can easily be the case […]
Exploring the yamas & niyamas
On our 200-hour yoga teacher training, our module on Yoga Ethics is without doubt the most important part of the training. These ten guidelines lay the foundations for the course and set the expectations to take yoga beyond the mat. This thought provoking essay by one of our graduates explores these simple, yet infinitely complex […]
Men do yoga
When did you start yoga? About 15 years ago I think. I really should be a lot bendier than I am! What is your profession? “Manager”. So I spend most of my time either at a desk in front of a screen or in a conference room. Age bracket? I’m 56. Deal with it. What is your favourite […]
What is the brains most important job?
What is the brain’s most important job? Thinking? Feeling. Making us feel happy or sad, In fact it’s not any of the jobs you may associate with the brain. The brain’s most important job is running a budget for your body. Every thought we have, every action we take, every move we make is ultimately […]
How yoga saved my life
I have been suffering from various mental illnesses (Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder) since my teenage years but in 2017, I reached crisis point. I found myself in the deepest, darkest pit of existence and was plagued with self-hatred. I had stopped getting out of bed, showering and eating. I couldn’t leave the house […]
Yoga in 2021 and beyond…
Yoga as a practise is on the rise – there is no doubt about that. In 2016 a Yoga Journal report found that people practising yoga in the US had gone from 20.4 million in 2012 to 36.7 million in 2016. Imagine what the numbers are now! In the UK, yoga was one of the […]
How to support your home restore (yin) classes
In these strange times of imposed isolation, an accessible yoga practice can help ground the body and calm the mind. The Restore classes at the Shala often encompass poses from several styles that range from the prop-heavy Restorative Yoga style to the traditionally prop-free Yin Yoga. Over the few weeks I have been teaching online, […]
Reflections on becoming a yoga teacher
By Lesley Collinson Reflecting on yoga and how it has become my life leads me back to when I was 10 years old; following a sequence from a series of 1960’s black and white photos from a landscaped yoga book. I would question the universe in plough, thinking about the possibilities of my future; one […]
21 years & counting…
This year we are celebrating the 21st birthday of our yoga studio. 21 years, 252 months, 13,104 weeks, 91,728 days of yoga for the yogis of South London. So many moments, so many connections, so many vinyasas, so many ujjayi breaths!!! Here is some of our story from those two decades. 21 years: Connections The […]
21 years – thank you
By Gingi Lee, Founder of the Shala Twenty one years ago I climbed the stairs in an old Victorian brewery in Battersea, opened a small door into a light filled room. It was like no other space I had been in, a room with energy, nurturing, exciting, full of potential. I had spent most of […]
Practice while you can
This is a mantra I’ve repeated hundreds of thousands of times over the years when I was too hungover, depressed, heartbroken, anxious, sad or just couldn’t be arsed to get to the yoga studio. It’s also what I’ve told many people I’ve taught. Not just the able-bodied ones, but especially the less able, older people, […]
What is low pressure fitness?
How would you sum up what Low Pressure Fitness is? It is a new approach to true core training, which includes the pelvic floor. It is based on hypopressives which is a manoeuvre that reduces pressure in the pelvic and abdominal cavities. This lifts the pelvic organs and consequently the core muscle activity increases. In […]
Derek Ireland
Derek was larger than life. He was the sort of person who walked into a crowded room and everyone there would turn to notice and gravitate towards him. Of course he understood this. He held court like any royalty or rockstar. Unabashed and loving the attention like a child. He would have everyone joining him, […]
The virtual shala
Welcome to our Virtual Shala here to keep you sane and grounded and connected. We closed the doors of our Shala on the 17th March and with a giant leap of faith we opened our Virtual Shala the following day. We now have a full schedule of live streamed classes from our amazing team who […]
Message to our community
There has been a huge shift for everyone these last few months. Unsettling, uncertain and often frightening times. It has been truly heart and gut wrenching to witness recent events in the USA. Out of crisis comes transformation and this is a moment in time which has really pushed us all to wake up. Now […]
Reasons to love live streamed classes
THE JURY IS IN! An astonishing 81% of our students would like our Virtual Shala to continue into the future. Here are 10 Reasons why we are all loving Live Streamed Classes and why our Virtual Shala offerings are here to stay. 😴 being able to roll out of bed onto the mat – or practice […]
Yoga nidra as a journey through the brain waves
Yoga Nidra as a journey through the brain waves by Melanie Cooper . Like yoga itself, Yoga Nidra is both a process and state. It is a set of techniques to help people get into the state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. Yoga Nidra literally means “Yogic Sleep”, but it’s not really about sleeping, it’s […]
The non-nutrition guide to nutrition
“What on earth is Non-Nutrition I hear you ask! Let me try to explain the concept… In my role working as a Nutritional Therapist, clients come to see me because they are looking for solutions to their health issues and they have usually assumed those solutions are related to food. As nutritionists with functional medicine […]
Grief, love & loss
Growing up I was always drawn to the bittersweet, the if only’s, the missed moments because in a strange way there is a sort of loveliness there. Hindsight offers us a chance to find meaning behind the ‘why it didn’t quite work out’, but most of the time we end up getting lost in regret […]
Styles of yoga
We frequently get asked why we don’t name the styles of yoga we offer on our schedule. While we do understand the frustration that this might bring, our reasoning is this…. most of our teachers have been teaching for many years and draw on a number of influences. It is not easy to try and […]
Yoga in early pregnancy
Should We Stop Doing Yoga in the First Trimester? As a long-time ashtangi, a yoga studio owner and a mother twice over, this is a question I have agonised over during both my pregnancies and in subsequent years when advising students. It is a complex issue. During the first trimester of my first pregnancy, I […]
The beginners journey
Yoga is such a rich tradition that in many ways we all remain beginners. Those with the most advanced yoga practice may well not be the ones who can even touch their toes. Yoga is about how we live our lives and not just the shapes that we make on our mat. It is much […]
The motherhood journey
We felt it was about time we said Hello 👋🏽 Christina & Carly We first met at pregnancy yoga the Shala in 2015. Our babies were due a few days apart but we ended up giving birth on the same day (with the same midwives!). Since then we have become closest friends and have a […]
More than one type of warrior
by Gingi Lee There is a photograph of a Karate Master prominently hanging in the reception area of the Shala Yoga Centre in London. He is garbed in traditional Karate clothing (Gi). He is in a fighting stance wielding an Okinawan martial art weapon that is shaped like an old fashioned fishing oar. He looks […]
Wavemaker ~ trailblazer
Commemorating Derek Ireland Tribute Weekend | 17 & 18 Nov | with Gingi Lee and Kristina Ireland | Donations to Children with Cancer UK Have you ever flowed from upward to downward dog? Then your yoga practice has been touched by Derek Ireland’s legacy. Derek was a charismatic yogi pioneer, central in bringing Ashtanga Vinyasa […]
“A beautiful beginning”
This weekend we heard the group’s reflections on the start of their teacher training journey and how they had tried to take the teachings from the course and assimilate them in day to day life – and the challenges that that inevitably brought up for each of them. There was much talk of leaving the […]
Luxurious easter eco retreat
Our Easter retreat (17 – 22 April) with Gingi Lee takes us back to EcoYoga on the gorgeous west coast of Scotland. Here we will enjoy invigorating ashtanga yoga practices in the morning with blissfully relaxing afternoons of Yamuna bodyrolling – an incredible combination for body and soul. Throw Japanese-style outdoor bathing, exquisite vegetarian food, […]
2010 escaping the city
Summer 2010 – we take a group of students to Oxon Hoath, a 600-year old Tonbridge pile with a distinctly bohemian feel and stunning grounds. Tai chi practice in the gardens doesn’t get much more idyllic than this – in the UK at least. Find out about our upcoming retreats here.
2008 back to island roots
The island of Crete has a legacy of yoga. For it is here that Derek Ireland and Radha Warrell set up the original Practice Place Yoga centre in the late 80s and exposed so many people to the practice of Ashtanga as well as to healthy living and holistic therapies. Gingi spent two seasons at the […]
Through the lens of a teacher trainee
Here we share the objectives, expectations and personal challenges of Ana Miranda who has just begun her teacher training at the Shala School of Yoga. “After my very first yoga class more than thirteen years ago, I have now make a conscious decision to not be guided by fear, not to regret life, to take on […]
Foam-roller thursday
If you’ve been attending Thursday evening Pilates throughout the summer, you’ve already felt the benefits of using the Pilates Foam roller. We’ve used the Foam Roller to challenge your stabilisers when we’ve sat, knelt and laid upon it. Across the board you’ve commented how incorporating the foam roller into the Pilates repertoire you already know […]
Maintain a healthy back with bodyrolling
Bring peace, space, and strength to your body and acquire a deep relationship to your self. Your back is beautiful… The spine gives us form and function. Energy flows through our spine. When the spine is healthy, upright and free our vital energy brings us to our mental and physical optimum. In fact every cell […]
Yamuna yoga training
We are excited to announce that Yamuna Zake will be teaching a Foundational Standing Asanas teacher training at the Shala from September 13-16. This is the first time ever Yamuna Zake will be teaching her Yamuna Yoga training in Europe. The course will cover: Basic warm-up breath work using the balls and how to combine […]
Getting the most from your pilates practice
We picked our Pilates teacher’s brains about how to get the most from your practice. Here are their top tips…. Find a teacher you connect with A teacher who focuses on the basic principles in a beginners class is essential to help you get a proper introduction to the subtleties of Pilates and give you a solid foundation […]
Breathwork for asthma, allergies, respiratory conditions
No-one knows more about the stressful feelings of shortness of breath and the ‘bad breathing days’ than people with asthma, allergies and respiratory conditions. Maybe more than anybody they need ways to stop their perceived lack of being able to get enough air in. There are practical and easy ways to create change. Often these […]
How can the breath help with so many conditions?
How can the breath help with so many conditions? Last week we received this query by email….it’s a great question…why would there be so many different ways of breathing! Well the simple answer is that the breath is involved in every condition. If you think about it for a second, oxygen is the primary need […]
Breathwork for cancer
Inspired by The Shala’s Breath for Life series, a pilot study at St James Hospital, Leeds took place monitoring the benefits of simple yoga and breathing techniques for people post surgery for lung cancer. The patients specifically wanted to learn tools/techniques to improve breathing, control emotions, manage panic attacks and improve fitness and flexibility. The […]
Announcing italy, scotland & sri lanka
Our Retreat Plans In the depths of winter, as we have been longing for warmth and SUNLIGHT, we have been focusing on where to escape to on our next retreats… Gingi will be teaching three wonderful, very different retreats coming up in 2018 and 2019. Here are the dates for your diary for our Italy, Scotland and […]
Teaching apprenticeship scheme
Shala School of Yoga Apprenticeship Scheme with Gingi Lee After Easter we will be introducing our Mysore apprenticeship scheme for those wishing to develop their teaching skills working within an ashtanga self practice setting. The scheme is designed to follow on from our 200-hour foundation programme (or similar training programme) and the hours can be […]
7 reasons to try pilates
1. Pilates is a good choice for everyone From athletes to grandparents everybody is able to join in… You don’t need a high fitness level to start a Level 1 Pilates session at the Shala. Pilates will slowly work on your fitness level, core strength and improve your flexibility. 2. Stress relief The concentration required […]
My body rolling journey
In 1998 I was completely immersed in Ashtanga Vinyasa third series. Life was pretty much eating, sleeping and lots and lots of intense Yoga. The postures didn’t come easy for me and at times it was pure willpower to get on the mat. I was pushing the limits with my body. My body ached right […]
Italy retreat 2018
For those of you who have been requesting we do another retreat, here we have it! Next October (20–27th) we will returning to Agricola Samadhi, in Puglia, Southern Italy to run a one week ashtanga yoga and Yamuna bodyrolling retreat. We had a truly memorable retreat here in 2013 on the organic eco farm of […]
The gift of mindfulness
‘The precious gift of Mindfulness; like putting on a shade of brightness and clarity, mindfulness works in its simplicity. Years ago, I remember being in Moscow on a prestigious acting course and the teacher asking us pupils: “When are we truly happy?”. There was a lot of silence and thinking, followed by talking about what […]
Yoga for the family
We are excited to be offering new monthly family yoga workshops. Each month we will have a weekend workshop for parents and children aged 4 and up and another one for families with children aged 8 and over. Everyone is welcome to join, including extra siblings, grandparents and carers. Family yoga is a fun, flowing […]
What is body rolling?
Yamuna Zake is a master body worker, teacher and a visionary healer who has dedicated her life to understanding how the body works, helping thousands of people around the world to create positive change in their bodies through the system she created, Yamuna Body Rolling. Yamuna Body Rolling (YBR) is a powerful therapeutic fitness technique […]
Exploring mysore classes
A common misconception about Mysore “self-practice” classes is that they are for advanced practitioners only, but this is not the case. In fact we regularly encourage students who are newer to the practice to join our Mysore classes, especially if they have specific needs due to injury, health conditions etc. The only real prerequisite to […]
yoga for london refugees
It has always been our intention with the new (or not so new now!) Shala to set up a scheme where The Shala can give something back to the wider community. Finally we have found a charity that resonates with us and we are delighted to announce our collaboration with Ourmala. Ourmala is a charity […]
Open your voice, open your heart
Mantras are a powerful tool to calm the mind, reduce incessant thinking, and create focus and empowerment in our lives. They work on the principle of sound vibrations affecting our subtle, spiritual and physical bodies in a specific way. Mantras originate not only from India but also from cultures and traditions all around the world. […]
Overcoming insomnia
Wouldn’t a guaranteed good night’s sleep make everything in life so much better? Poor sleep is linked to depression, anxiety, heart attack, hypertension, diabetes, weight gain and obesity. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 4am without a clue how to get back to sleep or if you’re one of the 80 per […]
Breath work for depression & negativity
How To Feel Better* (*almost Immediately in some cases!) Worries, Overwhelm, Brain Fog, Intrusive Thoughts, Negative Self Talk, Depression and Low-Mood? If this is you, you are in good company. Millions of people are leading lives of quiet desperation inside their own heads without the natural tools to change things instantly. There are simple ways […]
Harness the energy of the full moon
By Amy Bisazza The first full moon of the year in Cancer offers us an opportunity to create a strong foundation for the direction we wish to move in during 2017. The new and full moon have long been recognised and celebrated as auspicious times of the month in Yogic, Buddhist, farming and gardening traditions. Every […]
The secrets of how to accelerate healing
Speak to anyone who works in health and medicine about extraordinary cases where people have got better miraculously and the chances are they’ll have stories to tell you that defy medical science and the odds. That’s because the body is extraordinary, if only you knew it and knew how to fully harness its potential. You […]
Our most spiritual edition of breath for life
What do mindfulness, meditation and elevation have in common? The first common factor is they all produce happiness. Not just ordinary “Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream” happiness. No, science shows they make for a different better quality of happiness. A longer lasting happiness that actually changes the brain for good. It’s a happiness that brings […]
Brightening our inner skies
By Norman Blair I have been planning to write Brightening Our Inner Skies for more than ten years. There are notes that I made in April 2005. In 2008, I was writing down possible titles such as Opening Doors. Brightening Our Inner Skies seeks to help the reader to have a better understanding of Yin yoga. And […]
New on the yin yoga team
We welcome Emma Peel and Yoska Bosch to our yin yoga team to take over Raluca’s classes while she is away on maternity leave from early September (and also covering once or twice in the interim). Emma will be teaching the Friday night wind down Deep Release class and will focus on moving with consciousness, body awareness, understanding individual anatomy and […]
Integrating yoga into the nhs
Yoga4nhs were at the House of Commons on UN International Yoga Day, pushing for local government to fully integrate yoga with the NHS. The Early Day Motion recognises that yoga is a “multi-dimensional approach to encouraging well-being” which appreciates the link between physical and psychological health and lifestyle that yoga is a reflective and non-invasive practice, which is […]
Breath work for depression & negativity
Worries, Overwhelm, Brain Fog, Intrusive Thoughts, Negative Self Talk, Depression and Low-Mood? If this is you, you are in good company. Millions of people are leading lives of quiet desperation inside their own heads without the natural tools to change things instantly. There are simple ways to make your head a happy place to hang out. Turn […]
Yoga teacher training
We are delighted to officially announce the launch of The Shala School of Yoga, which will offer RYS 200-hour teacher training programmes to a select few students. This year’s multi-disciplinary programme will be taught by Gingi Lee, Mark Kan and Norman Blair with guest teachers including Hamish Hendry and Liz Lark. The course is suitable for those who have an established practice and would like to teach yoga, […]
Bathing in the sound of the gong
This weekend the incredible hypnotic and healing sounds of the gong filled the Shala for our first Moon Gong Meditation. The healing and transformational vibrations of the gong have been used for centuries. Bathing in the sounds of the gong takes us on a meditative journey, aiding stress, releasing emotional blockages, increasing prana, stimulating the […]
magic moments
Our first family yoga class for the 4+ took us on an adventure through the jungle where we met with snakes and tigers and birdlife. It was lovely to share the yoga practice with our little ones in such a joyful and bonding way. Favourite moments included upside down partner monkey pose and when we […]
Osteopathy at the shala
We are happy to welcome Osteopath, Diego Bertoldo to our team of therapists. Diego will be offering Osteopathy treatments at the Shala on Fridays and on request. Diego has a Master Degree in Osteopathy and he is a registered member of the General Osteopathic Council. Many of you will recognise him, as he has been […]
Welcome rebecca wilson
We are delighted to welcome Rebecca Wilson to our team to teach a playful Sunday afternoon Vinyasa Flow class. We first met Rebecca in 2005 when she became a regular practitioner at our old Shala, the Sangam in Battersea. She has been a dedicated yogi since 1999 and has been teaching yoga for over 12 years. She […]
Hay fever or asthma? sneezing? shortness of breath?
Allergies are all around us and it seems they are on the increase. Meanwhile half a million children may have been wrongly diagnosed with asthma (Telegraph). What if there was a natural breath based way to free you from this torment? Would you take it? Learn to be your own anti-histamine, your own inhaler in […]
Top 5 reasons to do yoga in pregnancy
Pregnancy yoga classes not only provide a nurturing and supportive environment to guide you safely through pregnancy and birth, they also connect you with a community of pregnant women who you can share that journey with. The benefits expectant mothers and their babies receive from yoga are well documented. Here are just five reasons why […]
Introducing moon gong meditations
To launch our monthly Moon Gong Meditations at the Shala we will be offering a free introductory session to our students on the evening of Sunday 5th June (6.30-8pm). These monthly workshops, led by Amy Bisazza, will include a seated meditation, mantra, pranayama and yoga nidra preparing mind and body for the healing vibrations of […]
The incredible health benefits of turmeric
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, antiseptic, immune boosting, digestive, shown to help reduce tumours, risk of Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart attack, stroke and may even assist in weight loss and managing diabetes. That’s some list. Try adding 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder to your daily vegetable juice or smoothie or add to soups and curries for colour […]
Natural pain relief in childbirth
“Rhythmic breathing during labour maximises the amount of oxygen available to you and your baby. Using relaxation techniques, including breathing, has also been linked to a reduced likelihood of assisted birth and caesarean.” Babycenter.com However did you know that you can also use the same breath to mitigate and reduce the pain? There is an ancient breathing system that women […]
Family yoga
We are delighted to announce that we are adding family yoga classes to our schedule at the Shala to support our offerings for the younger generation and for local families. These classes are a unique opportunity for parents to share yoga with their children and build strong family connections. Family Yoga – Parent & Toddler […]
Escape the prison of pain
If you’ve got fibromyalgia, migraine or chronic pain, or you suffer from a bad back, sore shoulders, a tech neck, annoying ankles or knackered knees, there is good news for you. It does not have to be this way. Pain, misery and suffering does not have to be your fate. And there is often a […]
Rolling your way to a happier body
By Nichi Green The instant I started body rolling, my body felt more relaxed, more balanced, I felt better alignment in my joints, I felt my weight differently in my feet. My legs felt more alive and more toned. It was like the best massage I’d ever had but I was able to give this to […]
Free classes on may bank holiday
Over the bank holiday weekend we invite you to join us for a number of free classes at the Shala, which will be filmed for a series of short films to be used on our website. Over the weekend, there will be a reduced schedule of our regular classes and we have introduced the following […]
Improve sleep, accelerate healing and change your life
Three Reasons to Master the Art of Sleep In the Western World about a third of the population now have sleep issues significant enough to adversely affect how they live their lives Eighty per cent of people report that their anxiety whirlwinds out of control at night Poor sleep is […]
What can mindfulness do for you?
by Susie Ball Mindfulness seems to be having its moment right now. Everyone from Ruby Wax, to Google, to the UK parliament is singing its praises. Is mindfulness a fad, or can it bring sustainable and meaningful benefits to our lives? For me, mindfulness is far from a flash in the pan – it’s a way […]
Breath for life workshops
It was a thoroughly fascinating introduction to the healing power of breath on the first of our Breath for Life workshops this weekend. The workshop attracted an eclectic mix of people from a few yoga teachers, to a life coach, researcher, Pilates teacher, scientist, psychologist, artist, lawyer, carpenter, counsellor, gardener and writer among others. Many were looking […]
Welcome alexa dean
We would like to welcome Alexa Dean who has joined our team to teach the Shala pregnancy yoga classes on Thursday evenings. Alexa is a Doula, Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator, Massage Therapist and Yoga Teacher who specialises in pregnancy and childbirth education. She has a warm, open and grounded spirit and she exudes passion about active, […]
Breath for life series
We are introducing a new series of fascinating Breath for Life Workshops at the Shala which will explore the most important discoveries in breath research from both ancient wisdom traditions and modern science. These workshops will share the healing power of the breath and how breath can be the most powerful tool we have. An astounding 95% of […]
Yoga & qigong winter workshop
Water is the element associated with the winter season in the Chinese Five Element theories. It’s a time of rest, storing, and pausing before the creativity and busyness of spring. In this yoga and qigong workshop with Mimi Kuo-Deemer, we will consider the complex dimensions of water and fluids, and look at how we can invite our bodies – […]
2015 child refugee crisis appeal
Thank you to everyone who came to practice at the Shala on 28 December to raise money for the Child Refugee Crisis Appeal (Save the Children). We had an amazing turnout with a full house for the event and everyone giving so generously of their time and energy. Particular thanks to Norman Blair for his yin yoga teachings and […]
Upcoming workshops for january 2016
We have an exciting selection of workshops coming up in January, which will set you up for a super positive start to 2016. Learn the basics of Pilates or Yoga, relax and discover yin yoga practices, experience the restorative powers of Yamuna body rolling and embrace the winter months with a seasonal yoga & qigong […]
Yoga in support of the child refugee crisis
Yoga practice is about connection to self and connection to others. We each and all live in a world of threads that are binding. Many of us are blessed by healthy bodies and lives of relative luxury. It is good to give. With that at our heart, the Shala and Norman Blair will be running […]
Establishing an ashtanga self practice
On Saturday 27 February, Gingi Lee will be teaching “Transition to Mysore” workshop aimed at guiding students towards an ashtanga Mysore self practice. For some students, the thought of making the transition in to Mysore classes is daunting, but once students fully experience and understand the Mysore classes, they rarely look back. The quietness and […]
Autumn yoga and qigong workshop
In the autumn, nature reveals a final masterpiece: leaves turn brilliant hues of orange, red and yellow before falling off and going back to the earth. It is a time of year where we can begin letting go and turning inward to gain greater insights and inspiration about what is most essential. In this Yoga & […]
Post natal pilates course
Reclaim your body and get your body back in to shape after pregnancy with our six-week Post Natal Pilates course.This course provides an extremely safe and effective way way to retrain and strengthen the body from the inside out. By the time you have completed the course you will feel stronger, more in control and […]
On the ball
When someone gives you a ball, the first thing that comes into your mind is to drop kick it, or head it into a goal – it certainly isn’t to spend a Sunday afternoon rolling your body around it. “Breath into the ball” Nichi says pushing my hip down as the ball meets a deep […]
Thai massage – the benefits
A Thai massage is a unique form of bodywork: it is a healing art that uses a combination of traditional massage, energy line work, pressure point work, and applied yoga stretches. This gives a new, invigorating, and balancing experience that enhances the flow of energy through the body and leaves you fully relaxed and revitalized. This style […]
Aromatherapy massage & reflexology
Introducing Sunny Jaspal: Massage therapist, Aromatherapist, Reflexologist and trainee Acupuncturist to our team. Sunny began studying complementary medicine after first-hand experience of its fantastic benefits. She has passion for helping others and uses a multidisciplinary approach to create a unique and synergistic treatment. Aromatherapy massage can help with aches, address feelings of anxiety and tension, aid general […]
Being flexible about flexibility
These are my modest and provisional notes on the subject of hypermobility, the issues of flexibility in yoga, being able to sustain a yoga practice and specifically practicing Yin yoga. When I first taught yoga in 2001, I did not know what hypermobility or being too flexible meant. I remember Richard Freeman saying in June […]
Yamuna body rolling
By Nichi Green The moment I started body rolling I loved it. Instantly my body felt more relaxed, more balanced. I felt better alignment in my joints. I felt my weight differently in my feet. My legs felt more alive and more toned. It was like the best massage I’d ever had but I was […]
World reflexology week
If you have ever wondered what reflexology is and how it could benefit you, now is the time to find out with 20% off all first appointments*. Reflexology works much like acupuncture to clear blockages and return the body to balance. You may experience your own individual benefits from reflexology. The ability to reduce stress […]
Zen uncut with brad warner
On Sunday September 20th we had a Soto Priest grace the yoga centre to give a talk on Zen Meditation practice. It’s not often that you have a priest drop by, but Brad Warner is not your average priest. In fact you wouldn’t know this at first glance. He looks a bit like the nerd […]
Why teens should do yoga
The benefits of yoga can be dramatic and profound for all ages but yoga is particularly invaluable for teenagers who are commonly faced with anxiety, stress and an ever changing emotional landscape. Yoga classes help to build self-confidence and offer a framework for teens to see positive shifts, without the pressure of needing to change. The […]
The body – by norman blair
Titles can be tricky, especially in this society of speed, sound-bites and stimulants. Other options included ‘What happened in the summer holidays’ and ‘My appendix, the NHS, sangha and sustainability’. It began on the first Saturday of August. A busy day with many commitments. In the afternoon I was feeling a bit unwell – nothing […]
The shala being filmed
This Thursday (18th) we have a production company coming to film classes at the Shala for a feature on YOGA IN LONDON for a TV programme called Desi Beat. We will be offering two free classes at 6.30pm for those of you who would like to be a part of this. There will be a […]
Sri lanka yoga retreat
We may have taken a break from running retreats this year but our next retreat offering should (hopefully) make up for the gap year! This March we will be returning to our all-time favourite retreat venue – Ulpotha, a sustainable eco-village/retreat centre in the heart of Sri Lanka, which has laid claim to being “the best […]