Had you ventured up Oyster Hill a certain Wednesday evening in June, you’d have been greeted by Wellington Heath’s own Yoga class (or rather, a party of yogis from my classes in Ledbury, Staunton and Wellington Heath), blissfully enjoying the magic of Yoga at the top of the hill. Stunning scenery to gaze down on, an uninterrupted horizon, a gentle breeze, birdsong and the feel of the earth underfoot (along with the odd thistle and sheep dropping) made a perfect setting. ​ Walking, especially on hills, can give a better perspective on life. Add Yoga practice, which balances mind and body ..read more

Following my feet, away from the hustle and bustle of the family and all that preparing for a bank holiday weekend at the beach entails, I walk. With only a water bottle hanging from my belt and the dog’s lead held lightly in my hand. Free, my arms swing as I find my stride, my own rhythm. The sun shines, the sky is blue, I enjoy the warmth. A sunny bank- holiday. Perfect. ​Not ten minutes have passed, and I descend into thick sea mist, cool, grey and damp. The scene I expect to see ahead of me has vanished. The perfect late spring day of warmth and sunshine, behind me; no rolling hills dott ..read more

 ​What better way to feel peace and at one with nature than to find a quiet spot and invite a yoga practice to unfold. Sometimes barefoot on warm grass, sometimes walking boots in the wet... Try it ... ​No need for any equipment or special clothing, be spontaneous. Where ever you find yourself, look for a roughly level spot and check the ground is clear - ants, tiny thistles and dead holly leaves are all to be avoided! Enjoy the surroundings for a few minutes - indulge your senses. Take in the view, near and far - what details might you have been missing? What can you hear, even from ..read more

‘It helps me feel good in my own skin’ ‘It really relaxes me and calms me when I am feeling stressed or anxious’ ‘Yoga is amazing!’ ​‘It helps with stress and is a great exercise’ Current 6th form group, John Masefield High School Here’s what to expect… It’s a lovely room – warm in winter, cool in summer. It’s peaceful. No one can see in! Some come with a friend, some come alone. No more than 12 in a class. There isn’t time to feel awkward because we just get started … To begin, everyone gets a mat and blanket off the shelf and starts by lying down comfortably. Alison talks through a s ..read more

Why is it harder to be as kind to ourselves as we are to those we love? How often do we keep going when we’d advise a loved one to take a break? How often do we hear our own inner commentary on how we could have done better / looked better / coped better? Do you say to yourself: I used to be …. Or, I’ll be OK when I …. All very well in the short term - we can all get lots done when we need to – and sometimes we must.  It’s good to have goals, to make improvements. We may, however, get stuck in a cycle of pushing ourselves. We forget how to stop striving. When I was a busy primary schoo ..read more

​Practicing Yoga returns me time and time again to a state of better balance, harmony and peace. Yet these benefits remain with me long after I’ve put my mat away. I know that my calm, my clarity of thought, of concentration and contentment which do not desert me at times of stress are anchored in Yoga. Hearing my Teen Yoga group compare how they have managed stress during the run up to their A-levels illustrates that since starting Yoga, they too have recognised their ‘reservoir of calm’. Your internal reservoir of tranquillity... A source of calm to draw upon as needed – what an amazing ..read more

​To me, Yoga means balance. It translates as ‘to yoke’ ‘to harness’. I think it is our attention that must be yoked or harnessed. The original mindfulness. Yoga is the stilling of the mind – being in the present moment is the golden key! In class, you will hear me instructing you to allow your breath to settle into a natural rhythm, just as if you are at home relaxing with a book, listening to music or watching TV. Whatever movements we do, follow this natural rhythm of breath. It is this awareness of our breath, letting our movements follow the breath that keeps us focused, present. It is ou ..read more