Author Archives: Sarah

New Year, More Yoga!

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How lovely it was last week to be back together in class for another whole new year of yoga. It was heartening to see so many mats rolled out for practice, and to welcome faces old and new.

There are so many ways in which we can embody our yoga practice, and this term we shall be focusing on a different perspective each week.

Last week we began by exploring how we might let go of things that no longer serve us through “Releasing”. Letting go of the old, the outdated and the unhelpful allows us to make space for the new, the desired for and the hoped for. It encourages change and a growth mindset, and it is a helpful focus during any yoga practice. We can release through the breath with a sigh, we can release through the body with a stretch, and we can release from the mind with mantra, affirmation, meditation or mindful walking.

In contrast, this week is all about discovering our experience through “Listening”. When we create the time and space to focus inwardly towards our Selves, rather than outwardly towards the world, we may discover a whole universe of unexplored territory. Listening encourages Svadhyaya, which is self-study and self-reflection, and through svadhyaya, we find we can tune in to the rhythms of body, breath and mind, and really “hear” what is being revealed to us. As we become more proficient at tuning in, we find that we begin to learn a great deal more about what makes each of us so individual, and yet so connected.

Yoga Returns To Crowland

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2015 – And we haven’t changed a bit!

I am so excited to be teaching in Crowland again. I originally began to teach there after a conversation with a gentleman by the name of David Grundy, who I met at a networking event. We were chatting outside in the sunshine, and he suggested that I bring yoga to his home town. I remember saying something blase along the lines of: “Well if you help me get there, I will come!” It turned out that David is an extremely helpful and proactive individual – he was keen to practice yoga! – and in a very short time we had a class up and running. That was back in 2012, and since then, we have practiced in a number of venues, the most popular being the old British Legion Hall. Then, sadly along came the pandemic, which put a stop to all classes, and to the hall itself.

However, this story has a happy ending, as the hall was bought, and turned into the Crowland Community Hall. Now, almost four years after we last rolled our mats up, we shall be returning to the hall, to unroll them again.

I am not just excited to be teaching back in Crowland. I am also incredibly grateful to all of my Crowland students who have practiced with me over the past 12 years, many of whom are still with me today.

We have created more than a yoga class over the years, we have become friends and confidents; we have partied together and walked together, chatted together and shared special moments together. (I still have my yoga cake topper from my 50th birthday cake, almost ten years ago!)

And we have done more than just practice yoga: we have grown individually and collectively, as we explore our many layers and make new discoveries about our Selves.

Crowland students, past, present and future, I feel very grateful and honoured to teach you, and here’s to the next twelve years!

For more information about classes in Crowland, click the Yoga Classes tab.

Coming Soon …!

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An Introduction To Chair Yoga

A one hour session for students to try out Chair Yoga and experience the benefits first-hand. If you have ever wondered about Chair Yoga, now is your opportunity to come along and find out all about it!

At Crowland Community Hall, Crowland on Tuesday, 9th January from 4:45pm-5:45pm. Numbers will be limited, £8:00 per person. For more information: Contact Sarah, or Telephone/Text/WhatsApp: 07817623330. Email: [email protected]. Facebook: Free To Think.

Daytime Yoga Classes At Wake House – Six Spaces Remaining

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Classes cost £8:00 per session and run from 1:30-2:45pm every Thursday. Each class includes yoga postures, breathing, relaxation and mindfulness/meditation.

We are a very friendly group, of mixed ability, so it doesn’t matter whether you have a dodgy knee, a dickie back or have simply never got around to practising yoga before. If you fancy giving yourself a break from the everyday hustle and bustle, why not come along and join us.

For more information please contact Sarah – Telephone, text, WhatsApp: 07817623330. Email: freetothink.co.uk. Facebook: Free To Think.

Have You Ever Wondered About Chair Yoga?

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Some Interesting Facts About Chair Yoga

If you have ever wondered what chair yoga actually is …

It is a form of yoga aimed towards the less able.

It is traditional yoga, with the aid of a chair.

You do not have to get up from your chair at all throughout the session.

It can be gentle, or not so gentle, and is easily adapted according to ability.

It is suitable for any age or ability.

It is practiced in welcoming and non-judgemental environment.

The aim of yoga is to allow things to happen in their own time, without force, self-criticism or judgement.

It can be silent or loud.

It is an opportunity to practice with others of similar ability.

Many yoga practices do not have to be changed, as they are naturally carried out in stillness some of these practices are: Pranayama (breathing); Mindfulness; Meditation; Relaxation; Visualisation; Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep); Mantra (vocal or silent repetition of one or more words); Mudra (hand and body gestures); bandha (locks or seals); philosophy.

It can be a lot of fun!

If you are curious and would like to give it a try, I am holding an Introduction to Chair Yoga session at Wake House in Bourne on Thursday, 24th August. The session will take place in the Baxter Room (so no stairs to navigate). No need to bring anything with you, just wear loose clothing.

Space will be limited, so please let Sarah know if you are planning on attending: Telephone/Text/Whatsapp: 07817623330, email: [email protected], or facebook: Free To Think

What Props Do I Bring To Class and When Do I Need To Bring Them?

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Because so many of you have asked me about when to bring bolsters and other yoga props to class, I thought I would simplify matters and recap on here, so dig out your yoga bag and get packing!

Most weeks we practice hatha yoga with a yang asana (posture) practice. For those classes you will need:

Your mat!

Ideally, you will also have:

2 x “brick” type blocks.
1 x a yoga belt.
1 x non-fluffy blanket.

Yin classes are held in the last week of the first month of each yoga term (so normally week four, sometimes week five). The primary focus for a yin asana practices is to work on the fascia in the body (including tendons and ligaments). The pace of the class is slower, allowing time for the fascia within the body to open and stretch. This often allows us to release stuck energy more fully. The intention of a yin practice is to “be” rather than ”do”.

For yin classes you will want to bring everything you would normally bring to a yang class. You will need blocks and a strap, so if you have neither, then please bring:

2 x small, firm cushions.
1 x dressing gown cord or similar.

Ideally also bring:

1 x yoga bolster, or 2 firm pillows.

Restorative classes are held on the last class of each term (last week of the second month – usually week eight or nine). A restorative class gives the mind and body the opportunity to relax completely. Postures are not held at all, as a range of props are used to fully support the body in the pose. The intention of a restorative class is to completely let go, rest, restore and drift off …

To be able to fully support your body in a restorative class, you will need to bring all that you would bring to a yin class, and also:

1-2 x extra blankets.
1 x thin hand towel.
1 x eyebag (optional).
Fluffy socks (optional)
Cotton or non-woolly scarf (optional)

So there you have it. Everything you need to know about props and when to use them!

Rest, Relax and Restore with Restorative Yoga

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Tonight, and Thursday morning, sees our usual end of term Restorative Yoga practice. As with the usual Hatha and Yin classes, each Restorative session varies. Having said that, every Restorative class is an opportunity to be completely held and supported physically, mentally and emotionally. Together we shall sink down into a place of peacefulness and deep rest.

Bring blankets and bolsters or firm cushions/pillows, eye-bags and head-scarves and prepare to simply be! 🙏

New Free Meditations

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Huge excitement for me today as my first Insight Timer meditation has just been published. It’s called A Meditation to Increase Gratitude and here is the link:

https://insighttimer.com/…/a-meditation-practice-to…

It is completely free to listen to, and if you would like to support me in my work, do please rate me afterwards as all ratings and comments will enable me to improve what I am doing. If you follow me, you will be notified each time I add a new practice, and I plan to offer a wide variety of yoga practices.

And if you don’t already use Insight Timer, why not? It is an amazing resource offering thousands of meditations, relaxations, yoga nidras, talks, etc. And best of all, they are all free!

Developing A Home Practice

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 Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without – Buddha

Hi Yoga Friends.

For many of us, this has been an opportunity to become familiar with a home practice. Practicing alone, at home gives you the chance to move more deeply into your Self, as you explore your responses to the practice without the distraction of others. By creating your own space, you find yourself in your own energetic bubble and this allows you to drop more fully into the experience of your practice.

Practicing alone is a natural progression in yoga as you find yourself increasingly focusing inwards. Your inner world becomes fascinating and ever changing, and there is no longer the need for company in this exploration. Developing your home practice teaches you to become responsible for your practice – more disciplined in taking to your mat – as you are now accountable to yourself, instead of your teacher. In doing so, you deepen the connection to your Self.

This is my longstanding experience of practicing at home. I would love to hear yours, so do please click here: https://freetothink.co.uk/contact/ and share your experience!