Tonevana is our intermediate level class and a step up from Asanastart. It is yoga for those who have a reasonable level of fitness and mobility, but not necessarily yoga-specific experience.
It is perfect for those who have been practising yoga for a while as well as those wish to learn yoga from the roots up but are already comfortable with regular exercise. It is also great for those who want to build strength, prevent injury, improve posture, increase flexibility and mobility, or lose weight.
We’ll cover asanas using hatha, vinyassa, and somatic styles in an accessible way at a beginner to intermediate level. For three weeks of every month we’ll practice these yang styles of yoga cultivating mindfulness in movement, bringing our awareness to the biomechanics of yoga and our bodies through using yoga as corrective exercise, and break down the asanas before working with them in flows and sequences.
We’ll also cover the content of my Slowga curriculum every fourth week – Yin Yoga and other approaches that encompass the yin philosophy – QiGong, restorative yoga, mindfulness & meditation, Yoga Nidra, myofascial release, and relaxation.
As with all our classes, the mind-body connection will be deepened through breathwork and mindfulness exercises, and all course content will be based on the needs of those who attend.
Accessible to everyone and three (or more!) adjustments will be made for each pose, but if you have any concerns at all about beginning yoga, why not try Asanastart at our Audlem class first?
Classes take place at:
Blakenhall & District Village Hall, Mill Lane, Blakenhall, Nantwich,
CW5 7NP at 7.30pm every Tuesday (ongoing).
Don’t worry if you’ve discovered the class after the start date, anyone is welcome to join at any time. We will revisit fundamental information regularly and no one will be left behind.
FAQS
Q: Do I need to bring anything with me?
A: A mat and blanket or cushion for comfort is recommended and a bottle of water. Loose, comfortable clothing is also advisable. Footwear is optional and we request no outdoor shoes, please leave them to one side to avoid tripping. For Yin weeks (every fourth week) please bring a blanket, cushion, or bolster for extra comfort. All other equipment will be available to borrow or purchase from me.
Q: I’m really nervous about attending alone!
A: If you’d like me to meet you at the entrance or would like a chat before the session, let me know. Everyone will be made to feel very welcome, this is a non-judgmental and supportive space, it is your space, and you are very welcome here.
Q: Can men attend?
A: Absolutely! Everyone is welcome
Q: I’ve never done anything like this before, can I still come?
A: Yes! You will be guided all the way through and we will work up from the basics building gradually as we go. All classes will be aimed at the level of attendees.
Q: I’m not flexible, can I still come?
A: Absolutely! Being flexible isn’t required for yoga, in fact, there are no requirements to begin yoga. Flexibility and mobility will improve as you practice, but neither is a reason to not become a yogi!
Q: Is this a course or can I start at any time?
A: It is a practice, a series of learning sessions based on the needs and interests of those present. Everyone is more than welcome to join us at any time.
Q: I don’t have a mat or any props.
A: No worries! I have several mats that I can lend out during sessions and a couple of brand new ones available to buy (first come first served, only two left! £10).
Some blocks and straps will be available to borrow during class, but if you wish to practice at home you may wish to purchase some. I have managed to purchase some at a bulk discount. Yoga blocks can be purchased for £8 for a set of two. Straps can be purchased for £5 each. I also have myofascial release balls to borrow during class or buy for £6 a pair and small inflatable pilates balls to borrow or buy for £5 each. I also have large yoga balance balls at £15 each.
Q: What if I have questions during the session?
A: We will pause between each approach, please feel free to ask questions at this point. I will also ask how people are feeling or for feedback on what we just did throughout the session. If you need anything at all but if you feel you do not want to interupt, do not worry! Raise your hand and I will come over to you.
If you are particularly interested in revisiting/repeating or learning something specific PLEASE do let me know! I really value feedback and try my best to design classes around the needs of those who attend.
Q: Do you do hands on assists? (use physical touch to help people)
A: There may be times that hands on assists can be helpful or even wanted by some, so I have a red and green card system – red for no touch please and green for it’s ok – you can leave this card by your mat and change your mind throughout the class or between one class and the next at your discretion depending on how you feel that day.
Q: What if I can’t do a pose?
A: This is no problem at all! Sometimes we can’t because of our muscle tightness, our bone structure or limb length (which we cannot change!), our level of mobility (which may or may not be changable), strength, flexibility, or because we are simply not feeling it that day. All of these things are fine, and it is more ‘yoga’ to accept these things without judgement than it is to push ourselves past our limits. We will work on what we can improve gradually while not worrying about we can’t change. I’ll give adjustments for each pose, I’ll also supply props to help. But sometimes poses just aren’t for us at all or on a specific day, I certainly can’t do every pose, few yoga teachers can, and some days I can do more than others. If you’re just not feeling it, feel free to enter a different pose or lie in savasana if it feel right for you. I won’t call you out for honouring your needs!
Q: Are there any religious affiliations to yoga?
A: Yoga is secular, there are no religious aspects to the practice.
Yoga originated in India, so there are many Sanskrit or Hindi words used to describe the practice, but they do not have religious connotations. I may use the Hindi variations, dropping the last vowel of a word compared to Skanskrit as this is how I was trained by my gurus (teachers), Asan instead of asana, Yog instead of Yoga, Shavasan instead of Shavasana but they mean the same thing. Namaste (with hands together at the heart) is used to honour other people and means “I bow to you” and is used as a respectful greeting just like we would say “hello!” or “goodbye!”
Yoga means union and the intention is to warmly welcome people to come together without judgement of any aspect of their abilities, beliefs, or lifestyle. The focus of yoga is to improve the self in body, mind, and action in order to improve the world for every living being who shares it.
Q: What qualifications and insurance do you have?
I hold the following qualifications that are relevant to this particular class:
- Yin Yoga Teacher Training Certificate (Yoga Alliance and GOYA Accredited)
- 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate (Yoga Alliance and GOYA Accredited)
- Level 4 Personal Trainer
- Women’s Holistic Health Coach Teacher Training Course (Yoga Alliance Accredited)
- Yoga Nidra Teacher Training Certificate (Yoga Alliance and GOYA Accredited)
- Pranayama Teacher Training Certificate (Yoga Alliance and GOYA Accredited)
- Global Online Yoga Association (GOYA) Experienced Certified Yoga Teacher (GOYA-ECYT500, CYYT, CCEP, CMT, CRYT, WP, CCYT)
- Mindful Strength (Isometrics) Training Course
- Yin Yoga & Myofascial Release Certificate (Yoga Alliance and GOYA Accredited)
- Chair Yoga Teacher Training (Yoga Alliance Accredited)
- Yoga for Everybody Training Certificate
- Yoga for Weight Loss Training Certificate
- Meditation Teacher Diploma (distinction)
- Relaxation Therapy Diploma (distinction)
- Body Healing Coach Diploma (distinction)
- Breathwork Diploma (distinction)
- Mindfulness-Bases Stress Reduction (MBSR) Therapist Diploma (distinction)
- And have completed over 750 hours of CPD in this field over the last two years as required to gain and retain my professional membership to the CMA & GOYA
- I am a full practioner member of the Complementary Medical Association (CMA), hold experienced teacher certification with the Global Online Yoga Association (GOYA), and am registered on the Mindfulness Teacher Register
- My insurance, membership and other information can be found here
- Feral Therapy is a member of the Government’s Disability Confident Scheme and is committed to providing equal opportunities for all