Friday Flourish evening retreat: Growth
What are these?
These are stand alone classes/events based around seasonal yoga themes.
With the unrelenting demands placed upon us in daily modern life, I hope to offer you a respite by connecting with our own and the earth's natural rhythms. The evenings are designed to keep you fit, flexible, calm and energized all year round. It's about connecting with the season you are in, and reflecting on how you wish to use your energy and set your intentions for the coming season.
I appreciate you might not want a regular class on a Friday evening so these are roughly once a month and are designed to give you time to flourish - physically, emotionally, spiritually.
Maybe you can’t commit to a weekly class but would like to come to a one-off; maybe you want to come with your friend; your mum; your sister; your daughter.
Maybe the last time you saw me was at a pregnancy or postnatal class but you would like to occasionally dip into an evening just for you.
Maybe you are intrigued about my style of teaching and this is a good way to see if my weekly classes will be a good fit.
Maybe you already come to my women’s classes and want more.
These are just for women (my specialism).
Please don't worry about your level of experience; your age; fitness; flexibility; or any other self-imposed doubts which might be creeping in. Everyone is welcome with open arms, and if you are a seasoned yogi, there are lots for you too.
Just 1 hour and 45 mins of time for yourself 20.30-22.15 at Halton Village Hall.
Old School Close
Halton Village
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP22 5NG.
Our remaining schedule for the year is:
26 Apr - Growth (Spring)
17 May - Blossom (Spring Turns to Summer)
21 Jun - Pause (Summer Solstice)
19 Jul - Warmth (Summer)
No Friday Flourish in August
20 Sep - Abundance (Autumn Equinox)
18 Oct - Letting Go (Autumn)
22 Nov - Light (Autumn Turns to Winter)
No Friday Flourish in December
The April Friday Flourish: Growth
Spring
In our 1 hour 45 minutes together, we have a beautiful blend of movement and relaxation.
We will begin by lying down on our mats and escaping straight into a beautiful forest setting through visualisation; relaxing and calming the mind, and starting our connection with nature and the growing season as we introduce the theme of the evening retreat, GROWTH.
We initiate movement in the body with a focus on grounding; you need to root yourself down into the ground in order to grow. We will complete a breathing practice; take some longer, slower holds of standing postures; open your chest, shoulders and lungs; and play with balancing poses (no expectations - it is fine to fall).
We will move into a sitting or writing meditation (whichever you would prefer) with our Spring Growth Meditation questions.
Our physical practice is a Spring Flow. This is a time of vision for a whole new cycle, an opportunity to make new plans, decisions and determine our direction and take action. Spring is associated with the wood element as it is a time when the sap is rising in the trees just as we have energy rising within us. If this energy gets stuck then we can feel depressed and unable to move forward. Wood is also associated with the liver and gallbladder; the liver having vision to be a strategic planner and the gallbladder being the one to allow us to make appropriate action and chart the proper course of action. This flow will stimulate these meridians using a combination of side bending, twists (like wringing yourself out), squats and deep lunges concentrating on foundations and rooting, stability and strength. Using cleansing postures, we will move the body out of stagnation to focus and challenge yourself within the posture; soft but strong.
Finally we end the evening with a 15 minute guided relaxation as we return to nature by travelling through a healing waterfall and reflecting on the energies of April’s influences in the seasonal year.
How do I book a space?
Please complete the booking form, where payment will also be made:
Schedule Appointment with Yoga With Alice D (as.me)
You can also book another month's Flourish at this time.
What do I need to bring?
I will provide all yoga equipment (mats, blankets, pillows, straps and eye masks) to use at your discretion. It is your choice if you would like to bring your own mat in addition to place on top.
I would advise that you bring a bottle of water and wear some loose comfortable clothes for your yoga practice, including layers so you can easily adjust depending on whether you are lying still in relaxation or being more physical.