Tag Archives: Walthamstow

People practicing Dru Yoga in Peckham, south east London

Dru It Yourself - yoga at home

Posted on by

Going to a yoga class once a week can be like a breath of fresh air, an opportunity to de-stress, stretch and take some much-needed time out in the week.

But it might not be enough. Once you start to feel the benefits of yoga you might surprise yourself by trying some of the warm-ups, stretches or postures at home. This can be incredibly beneficial as a regular practice can enhance your weekly class and really start to embed the benefits into your daily life.

To help with establishing a regular practice, outside of class, I am producing a new eight-week yoga programme, Dru It Yourself, that includes short online videos that act as a valuable accompaniment to the group class and as a prompt for you to remember what we do there.

I am piloting it in Walthamstow, starting this week on Thursday 31 October. You can sign-up for a full eight-week block for just £60 or you can come as a drop-in for £9 per session. The classes are an hour and half long and will include lively warm-ups, Earth Sequence, postures and a long relaxation. After each class I will send a link to the accompanying video so that at the end of the eight weeks you will have a full collection of videos that will enhance your home yoga practice.

Book now to secure your place or get in touch to book a block of eight classes.

8 – 9.30pm
Walthamstow Quaker Meeting House
Jewel Road, E17 4QU
£9 per class
From 31 October – 19 December

Slow sign on the road with shadow of person doing Tree posture

I teach slow yoga

Posted on by

London is fast. Everything moves quickly - people dart from work to pleasure, fuelled by caffeine and the latest superfood smoothie. We walk fast, we cycle fast, we run down the escalator and push past people to get on the tube, we jay walk and jump red lights. We even try to drive fast, although that is usually futile.

Slow yoga?

I never even thought about whether the yoga I taught was fast or slow until I moved to London. But after a few months of teaching here I have become very aware of the distinction.

In a fast-paced high-stress lifestyle it is almost inevitable that those seeking respite from their routine will do so in fast and dynamic exercise. And there is nothing at all wrong with that - the intensity of the training helps to distract the busy mind, the sweat feels like an instant detox, ridding the body of the stimulants and tension that have built up through the day. I too use dynamic workouts as part of my fitness programme.

But I don’t teach dynamic yoga, or fast yoga. I teach slow yoga. And I do so for a very good reason.

Through focused, slow(er) movements the body is able to stretch, flex and tone. The mind calms, becoming aware of its connection to the body and finally has chance to understand the barrage of physical sensations it is constantly receiving.

That doesn’t mean that we stand still for a whole class. Not at all. Most of my classes will involve salsa, latin or disco warm-ups and flowing sequences keep the body moving. But essentially my classes are about slowing down, finding stillness in the mind and allowing the body to move with awareness and sensibility.

Slow yoga is about giving your mind and body breathing space in the day to build strength and resilience inside and out, which you can then take with you out of the class and into the speedways of London town.

Where can I try it?

If you want to give it a try I teach across London. My evening classes in the heart of Covent Garden return from 11 September. I will be running two classes on Wednesday evenings in the Quaker Meeting House - one at 6pm and the other at 7.30pm. Normal price is £10 per class but during September you can get your first class for just £5.

I also teach in Vauxhall, Peckham, Whitechapel and Walthamstow. See my class timetable for more information.

And you still have a few weeks left to experience slow yoga on a rooftop, looking out over our beautiful, busy city, observing it from your very own still point. Book now for Rooftop Yoga in Peckham

Free yoga class in Walthamstow 25 April

Posted on by

Come and try Dru Yoga for free on Thursday 25 April, 8-9.30pm, at the Quaker Meeting House, Jewel Road, Walthamstow.

Would you like to regularly attend a yoga class in Walthamstow? I have been offered the opportunity to take over an existing class but I need a few more regulars to make it work. This lovely room is in a quiet but convenient spot just five minutes walk from Walthamstow Central.

Dru Yoga is a beautiful flowing and gentle form of yoga that will help you to relax, unwind and stretch out your body. It is ideal for helping to stretch and strenghten tired muscles and can help significantly reduce back pain.

I am offering a free taster session to give new and existing students an opportunity to experience my teaching and book a block of eight classes for £56. That works out as just £7 a class. If there is enough demand the next eight week block will start on 9 May.

The free class might be popular so to make sure you get a space, send me an email to [email protected] to reserve your spot, or ask me a question about the class.

Please bring a yoga mat and a bottle of water with you. If you are able, do bring a cushion and blanket for relaxation as this will help you get comfy and keep warm!

Things you need to know

Posted on by

Coming to a class

If this is your first yoga class you might want to read my blog post Tips for yoga newbies.

Here are few things everyone needs to know:

  • Please try to arrive promptly to minimise disruption for the other students
  • I operate a no-entry policy once the class has started in Covent Garden and Walthamstow
  • Please bring a yoga mat. At some venues there will be a limited number of mats available to borrow. There are no spare mats in Walthamstow
  • Bring a warm jumper and socks to put on during relaxation, and a blanket and cushion if you can
  • Please bring water to the class. It is important to keep hydrated throughout your Dru Yoga practice
  • All venues have male and female toilets that you can use to change in. Please do not leave anything valuable there. You are advised to bring all your belongings into the yoga class with you
  • Please do not eat for two hours before attending a class. If you need something to keep you going, have an easily digestible snack such as a banana or a yoghurt.
  • Please switch off your mobile phone
  • Have fun and appreciate the opportunity to dedicate some time to yourself!

Payment and registration

Payment is taken at the end of classes, in cash or cheque, or through a bank transfer. If you wish to pay by transfer, please contact me in advance to arrange this on [email protected]

Participation in the class is dependent on the completion of the registration form.

Terms and conditions of payment

Drop-in

Drop-in students pay per class and are always welcome where there is available space.

To attend as a drop-in please contact me, [email protected] or 07751520889, in advance to book your place and ensure that you have completed the registration form.

If you attend without contacting me in advance please arrive to the class early to fill in the registration form, and be aware that participation in the class is subject to available space, which is filled on a first come first served basis, after advance bookings.

Block bookings

Covent Garden

Loyalty cards (Covent Garden only) cover six classes and cost £50. They are valid for eight weeks, starting from the first Wednesday following the date of purchase. You will receive a card to keep note of the classes that you attend. The card is valid until all six classes are used or the expiry date is reached.

Purchasing a loyalty card also reserves your place in each class covered by the validity period of your card. As there is limited space in the class please let me know in advance if you do not plan to attend a class so that I can make that space available to a drop-in student; this allows me to keep the costs down for everyone.

Walthamstow

Block bookings in Walthamstow are only available at the start of each eight week term. The next term starts on 9 May and eight classes cost £56.

Vauxhall

Discount bookings are offered through the Vauxhall One perks card. For more details visit vauxhallvillage.com/businesses/dru-yoga

I am sorry but all payments are final and I can not refund or transfer block bookings, for any reason.