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Functional Yoga Workshop: Lower Body Strength

  • St. Anthony of Padua Church Hall 115 Headley Way Oxford, England, OX3 7SS United Kingdom (map)

We learn through repetition, but sometimes we get stuck repeating the very thing that hampers our progress, or we end up focusing so much on the achievement of a single posture, that we lose sight of our wider practice and an approach that might serve us better.

This workshop will focus on building strength and improving mobility in the lower body, with a view to working towards a sensitive and sustainable physical practice that reduces the likelihood of hip pain and lower back strain.

We will explore a number of variations and alternatives to yoga postures that feature lunging, squatting and wide-leg movements, such as Warrior (Virabhadrasana), Horse (Vatayanasana) and Gate (Parighasana) poses. Our aim will be to move the spotlight away from 'doing' postures, to a whole-body experience that is focused on 'being' and 'moving' in the ways that are most helpful to us. 

Schedule

  • 12:00-13:00 An introduction to dynamic and static stretching

  • Break for refreshments (lots of yummy things are included)

  • 13:30-14:30 Rethinking 'posture' using movement and bodyweight

This workshop is suitable for:

  • physically fit beginners and improvers

  • curious yoga practitioners of any discipline

  • Ashtanga, or Vinyasa practitioners interested in slowing things down and focusing on technique

You will learn to:

  • adapt your yoga practice to incorporate more strengthening elements

  • improve lower body strength outside of a gym environment

  • address issues of hypermobility and yoga exacerbated lower body injuries

Equipment

It's always nice to use your own mat, so if you already have one, please bring it with you. I will have a limited number of spare mats available on the day. If you have a yoga block, and a blanket (or towel) that you don't mind being used on the floor, please bring them along. NB: these are nice-to-have, rather than essential requirements.

Prices, booking and refunds

Price: £30/£24*

*Concessions: Students and members of the Cowley Road Condors cycling club. If you would struggle to attend for financial reasons, please get in touch, we will make it work.

This workshop is limited to 15 people; attendance must be confirmed in advance. To book, please either contact me for my bank details, or you can pay online. Your place will only be guaranteed once payment has been received in full.

Full refunds will be made if a cancellation is received by 15th June (2 weeks in advance). If a cancellation is made after this time, I will issue you with a full refund as soon as someone has filled your space. If your space remains vacant, and your cancellation is received by 22nd June (1 week in advance), I will refund you half of the price paid. No refunds will be made if a cancellation is received less than a week in advance, and your place on the workshop remains empty.

Earlier Event: 9 June
Summer Yoga in the Park