If you're inflexible, new to classes or unsure, this is a great place to start.
Monday lunchtime class in Trinity EH5
Join our beginner-friendly lunchtime yoga class.
12.30-1.30pm at Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre, on the corner of Clark Road and Ferry Road. Classes continue during May and June 2024. Contact Yvonne to book.
First class half price... give it a go!
contact me
Yoga with Yvonne
Through yoga I want to help you feel more balanced, calm and rested, while at the same time giving you a thorough stretch. My classes tend to be slower-paced than many you'll find in studios nowadays. This allows for a more mindful approach where we can enjoy working with movement, physical postures and our breath.
Yoga can promote physical and emotional wellbeing, release tension, ease a wide variety of health conditions and most of all make us feel good. For many of us yoga provides a rare opportunity to turn inwards and gently reconnect with what's going on inside, so that we become more present both on the mat and off it.
Yoga helps us begin to build stability, strength and stillness on all levels - physically, mentally and emotionally.
I'm available for one-to-one sessions - these last around an hour and can be beneficial whether you're a complete beginner or a well-practised yogi. You might have something specific you want to work on or you may simply want an hour of supported self-care and therapeutic yoga.
Some nice things
people have said
I can completely recommend Yvonne as a yoga instructor, she is absolutely brilliant. Particularly for me - terrified, fat and very sore joints. She is encouraging, gentle and non-judgemental. I feel much better for it.
S.L.
I’ve had back and neck pain for several years. I wasn’t too sure about yoga - I wasn’t super confident and comfortable with the idea, but I went ahead anyway. I took my first class with Yvonne and it was extremely positive! Apart from the welcoming and safe space, which feels incredibly good, my back and neck pain disappears for three or four days after each class. What a difference it has made to my life!
J.T.
Yvonne is a wonderful teacher. Focused, precise and collected, she brings a lot to each class, with every week dedicated to a different practice, making sure every muscle and breath arrives home in one’s body. Through her many years experience of yoga she is able to have students of any level in the same class and still give them individual attention. Highly recommend her classes to any level of yoga practitioner.
Y.M.
Good to know...
Monday lunchtime yoga
Join our beginner-friendly, lunchtime yoga class.
12.30-1.30pm at Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre.
Classes continue each Monday during May and June. Your first class is half price - after that it's £8 full price or £6 for anyone on a low income.
New to Yoga?
Not quite sure what to expect?
Read my beginner's guide to attending a yoga class - I want to help you feel more confident before you join a class.
More about Yvonne
I've practised yoga and meditation since I was a teenager. I teach physical postures (asana), relaxation, mindful movement, meditation and breathwork (pranayama), respecting your own pace and needs.
Pricing
The Monday lunchtime class lasts one hour and costs £8, or £6 for those on low income.
Try your first class for half price.
Email Yvonne to book.
I'm also available for one-to-one yoga sessions. These usually last an hour and cost £45.
Get in touch
Want to keep in touch?
I don't really do social media however you can sign up to my occasional email newsletters by popping your details in the contact form or emailing me.
Or ask me questions - I like questions.
Class locations
Contact us
ABOUT YVONNE
Yoga and meditation have been part of my life since I was a teenager. These practices have been hugely helpful in supporting my physical, mental and emotional health. My main influences have been Hatha and Iyengar traditions, as well as Insight meditation, intuitive movement and mindfulness. I completed teacher training with my own teacher of over 15 years, Annamaria Sacco. As a complementary therapist, I completed an ITEC Diplomas in Reflexology and Indian Head Massage and training in Emotional Freedom Technique.
I continue my own professional development though daily practice, self-study and attending workshops and retreats.
I aim to provide a welcoming and non judgemental space for every person to explore yoga. I especially value working one-to-one or with small groups, and introducing people to yoga who might not ordinarily give it a go.
New to yoga or never been to a class? Here's a beginners guide.
What you need to know before coming to class
Firstly, tell your yoga teacher about any health issues or injuries you have currently, or past issues that still affect you.
If you’re
menstruating on the day of class, tell your teacher if you feel OK doing so. Some poses aren’t recommended if you have your period, while other poses can be really beneficial if you’re feeling tired, bloated, crampy or achy.
If you’re
pregnant
speak to the teacher before attending a class. Particularly if you’re a beginner, choose a teacher who has training or experience in prenatal yoga.
Don't come to class on a full stomach - you might feel a bit queasy or get indigestion. If possible, leave a couple of hours after eating a meal.
What to wear
Wear clothes that let you move freely, like leggings, shorts or jogging bottoms and a t-shirt. Avoid very long trousers or joggers that could trip you up.
Bring layers as the studio temperature can be variable. At the end of class we lie on the floor in a resting pose called savasana - it's good to get cosy for that.
If it's comfortable for you then you'll be in bare feet for most of the class. If that's not possible for you, we can work around it.
What to bring
Check with the teacher or studio. Some places will provide mats and all the equipment you'll need. If you prefer to use your own mat, that should be fine too.
What to expect during the class
Each teacher will have their own style and preferred way to run a class. In my classes we start with a short period sitting quietly or lying down to begin the transition from the bustle of everyday life to a quieter, more inward-looking state of being.
Each class will have a theme or be based around learning how to work with our bodies in a certain way. Usually there will be a combination of asanas - physical postures - and breathwork. Towards the end of the class, we move into a reclining pose called savasana, which means corpse pose. It’s one of the most soothing and relaxing poses. Don’t worry if lying flat isn’t comfortable or possible for you - as with other yoga poses, there are ways to adapt savasana to suit your own physical condition.
What if I fall asleep in savasana/corpse pose?
Although drifting off to sleep isn't the aim, it’s quite common at the end of class. You may be surprised by how deeply you're able to relax. Ideally in savasana our mind remains alert and calm, while our body is completely at rest. However if you do fall sleep, you probably needed it! Many of us have lost the art of resting so enjoy a brief, delicious snooze if it happens and consider how you might create some more down-time for yourself.
Will I be touched?
If you’d prefer not receive any physical adjustments in class, please say so. Adjustments can help you practise safely and effectively, however I can give you verbal guidance instead.
Trinity
Edinburgh
EH5
