Yvonne
Caplan
Yoga
Relaxed yoga &
yoga therapy
in Edinburgh
Yoga classes
Join our friendly classes on a Monday at Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre, EH5.
Your first class is half price. Drop in for one class or book for a month.
Just get in touch if you'd like to know more.
Not sure what to expect?
Read my FAQ so you feel more prepared before joining a class.
Yoga Therapy
If you're not sure what exactly yoga therapy is, you're not alone!
We work together, one-to-one, using movement, breath, guided meditation and self-inquiry - to gently support change, growth and healing, and to let go of old patterns of being.
Yoga therapy can help with a range of physical, mental and emotional issues.
More about Yvonne
Having practised yoga and meditation since I was a teenager, I aim to provide a welcoming, trauma-sensitive and non judgemental space for each person to explore yoga practices - so that we can live our lives more fully.
I teach physical postures (asana), relaxation, mindful movement, meditation and breathwork (pranayama), respecting your own pace and needs.
Hatha yoga classes in Trinity, Edinburgh EH5
Your first class is half price... give it a go!
Please contact me to book in.
New chair-based yoga class
Mondays 1.45-2.45pm
If you're inflexible, new to classes or unsure, this is a great place to start. Gentle movement seated or with the support of a chair. Includes an introduction to meditation, breathwork and learning to be in our body.
12th / 19th / 26th January, 2nd / 9th February
£8 per class
General lunchtime class
Mondays 12.30-1.30pm
Join our friendly lunchtime yoga class, described as "a wee oasis of calm in the middle of a hectic day".
5th / 12th / 19th / 26th January - £32 for the block, including at least two recordings
2nd / 9th / 16th / 23rd February - £32 for the block, including at least two recordings
or drop in to one class for £10.
Classes take place at Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre, corner of Clark Road and Ferry Road.
Hatha yoga online
selected Thursdays 5.30-6.45pm on Zoom
Thursday 8th & 22nd January
£8 per class
Yoga therapy with Yvonne
In yoga therapy we work together one-to-one - with movement, breath, guided meditation and self-inquiry - to gently support change, growth and healing.
We all develop patterns — physical, energetic, mental, emotional, behavioural — that shape how we move, feel, and relate to the world. These patterns are often connected, and some may no longer be of use to us. Through yoga therapy we become more aware of these habits and shift what no longer feels helpful, allowing us to live with greater ease.
Rather than focusing only on symptoms or conditions, we take into account your unique needs and experience, and acknowledge the whole and complete person that is you - body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
You might consider yoga therapy to:
- alleviate stress and anxiety
- manage pain, tension and physical conditions
- improve digestion, resilience and energy levels
- promote resilience, mental clarity and self-awareness
Yoga therapy supports healing from within. It fosters balance, resilience, and connection, not just physically but also emotionally and spiritually.
How it works
Yoga therapy is a gentle, ongoing process. We meet one-to-one — ideally weekly or fortnightly—to support your unique journey. A minimum of five sessions is recommended for meaningful change. You'll receive home practices—such as movement and postures (asana), breathwork, meditation, relaxation, or reflection — thoughtfully tailored to fit into your daily life and support your wellbeing.
I may ask you to complete a questionnaire before our first session.
The first session lasts up to 90 minutes and includes a consultation and discussion of your questionnaire. Ongoing sessions each last one hour.
Please wear comfortable clothing you can move in — gym wear isn’t necessary. If possible for you, sessions are practiced barefoot.
Between sessions, you’ll receive home practices tailored to your lifestyle and routine.
I offer a free 20-minute introductory call if you'd like to explore whether this approach feels right for you.
Location & practicalities
Sessions can take place at Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre, Clark Road, EH5
or
Belgrave Business Centre, 45 Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 1EP.
You do not need to bring a yoga mat unless you prefer to use your own. There are toilets and a place to get changed.
Cost
First session (90 mins) £60
Subsequent sessions (60 mins) £45
Prices above are for course of at least three sessions. Five sessions is recommended.
I offer a discounted rate for anyone out of work and on health or income benefits or in financial difficulty.
Testimonials
“I came to yoga therapy from a position of total ignorance (and a little scepticism) towards the end of cancer treatment and the beginning of domestic upheaval. All against the backdrop of a full-time job. Yvonne taught me to stop, to take a breath, to understand that even 5-10 minutes of concentrated focus on my internal feelings and rhythms has a massive payback. Yvonne has taught me simple routines and techniques that I can integrate into my day. These give me moments of calm and control, which were previously absent. I highly recommend Yvonne for her thoughtful, personal and practical approach.”
"I had been struggling with anxiety and negative thoughts and I was already finding Yvonne's yoga classes helpful. I did five sessions with Yvonne on a one-to-one basis which was wonderful. We were able to talk about the issues. She listened quietly and empathetically and then gave me some poses and breathing techniques to try. We reviewed how each one felt and what emotions they produced. There was an aura of such calm and I could focus on the effects very easily. After each session, Yvonne sent me a diagrammatic sheet of what we had looked at that day which I could practise at home and keep to use whenever a particular situation arose.
The whole experience has helped me to think much more about how my breathing and postures can work towards alleviating the stress. Her therapy worked for me. I would have Yvonne as my personal guru every week if I could! I felt very safe with her. I cannot recommend her highly enough. Thank you so much, Yvonne."
contact me
Yoga with Yvonne
People say my teaching is thoughtful, attentive and gentle. My classes tend to be slower-paced than many you'll find in studios nowadays. I think this allows for a more mindful approach while 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 and strength on all levels - physically, mentally and emotionally.
I also hold a Diploma in Yoga Therapy. Read more about Yoga Therapy here.
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.
Get in touch
Want to keep in touch?
Please sign up to my occasional email newsletters by popping your details in the contact form.
Feel free to ask me questions - I like questions.
Locations
The Monday lunchtime class is on at
Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre, EH5
Yoga therapy sessions take place either at Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre, EH5 or in Frederick Street, in the city centre.
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, and more recently Isha Yoga, as well as Insight meditation, intuitive movement and mindfulness. I completed teacher training with my own teacher of over 15 years, Annamaria Sacco. In 2025 I completed a Diploma in Yoga Therapy with the Scottish School of Yoga Therapy.
As a complementary therapist, I hold ITEC Diplomas in Reflexology and Indian Head Massage and trained 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, trauma-sensitive and non judgemental space for every person to explore yoga practices. 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.
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 there be physical contact?
If you’d prefer not receive any physical, touch-based adjustments in class, that's absolutely fine. I'll always ask first. Adjustments can help you practise safely and effectively, however I can give you guidance in other ways, for example verbally.
Trinity
Edinburgh
EH5
