Yoga Jenny

Hello lovely people – yes I know I said August but life got in the way a little and it’s taken a wee bit longer than anticipated to get the classes back up and running. But, better late than never (!) so I’ve arrange two 6-week courses starting Monday 19th September at Brighton Media Centre at 15-17 Middle Street.

The earlier class – 6pm to 7.15pm – is ‘Geek Yoga’ (no wrist weight-bearing postures such as Downward Dog and bit more emphasis on shoulders, back and hips) and the later class – 7.30pm to 8.30pm – is ‘General Hatha’ (DDs, Sun Salutations and generally a bit more flowing). The courses cost £42 and £36 respectively. Email jenny@leedelisle.com asap if you’d like a place.

In case anyone’s interested… I had a lovely time away in Canada and NYC. I did a ridiculous amount of walking but also found time for yoga and even a bit of dancing. Sadly it wasn’t enough exercise to offset the equally ridiculous amount of food I managed to consume (brunch is awesome!!!!). Much as I love New York, I’m pretty happy to be back in Brighton. It’s pretty damn cool, right?

See you soon

Yoga Jenny x

I know it’s only Feb but it’s been a busy year so far – I spent New Year’s Day doing my accounts and I don’t feel as though I’ve taken a breath since then :0 So why stop now?!

As I started the January Geek Yoga Course a week later  than intended (I’m not ill all Christmas then have one poorly day the first day of my course!), I’m going to be running straight into the next course without a break. It’s a short one this time, just 6 weeks starting on March 14th. See my Classes page for more details. I turned people away from the last course so make sure you get in quick.

I’m also running a 5-week Friday morning General Hatha Yoga Course at Evolution starting on March 17th for those early risers among you and, wait for it, an afternoon workshop on March 26th called ‘Yoga to Go‘ where I’ll be slowly working through a specially constructed practice that you can ‘take away’ with you at the end of the day in the form of laminated notes; perfect for between your regular classes or, indeed, while I’m away. Yup, one of the reasons I’m doing this little workshop is that I’m taking a couple of months’ break after this batch of courses and I’d really like to encourage my regular students to keep up their practice, and what better way than with a written-down mini-version of my class that they can do at home; shame to let all that hard work go to waste!

The workshop will also be great for beginners as I’ll be breaking down some key postures, talking about their benefits and looking at alignment and safety so if you’re completely new to yoga, or have been unsure about committing to a course, a 3hr workshop could be a good start.

I will be back, of course, and plan to start classes up again in August so keep an eye on this site. And if you’re on my mailing list, I will definitely be in touch!

Yoga Jenny x

…and snow and snow! Yep, you’ve guessed it: I don’t have to get on a train, drive or fly anywhere urgently (and I don’t live up one of Brighton’s many hills) so I’m kinda enjoying the white stuff. I do know I’m in the minority so I won’t go on about how lovely and Christmassy it all is. Instead I’m going to simply wish you all a lovely Christmas Day, wherever you may end up.

This Christmas, I’ll be mostly sitting on the sofa, watching cheesy Christmas films while munching mince pies. And doing it guilt free knowing that I’ll be back eating healthily and doing loads of yoga come January.  Why not join me? My January courses will start on Monday, January 10 (Geek Yoga 6-7.15pm at BMC) and Friday, January 14 (Gen Hatha Yoga 8.15am-9.15am at Evolution). See the Classes 2011 page for more details.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas… ho ho ho

I’ve been saying for some time now that I’d like to run a morning Geek Yoga class but it’s been difficult to find a suitable (and affordable) space. Well, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve finally found one – Evolution Arts, just round the back of Western Road across from Waitrose.

Evolution Arts is a lovely place, run by lovely people, and I really appreciate them doing me such a good deal. Of course, it does help that I’ve been working for them since August I’m covering for new mum Miranda while she’s on maternity leave and my official title is Marketing, Web & Design Manager. It’s a fab job – I’m really enjoying promoting something I love. I’ve done at least ten courses at Evolution since moving to Brighton ten years ago…

The main studio at Evolution Arts is a gorgeous sunny room up on the first floor, and there are plenty of mats and props. I’ll be trying out Friday mornings to start with, from 8am-9am. If you’re interested, email jenny@leedelisle.com asap as the first 8-week course starts next Friday the 29th!

Jenny x

Yesterday it was blooming freezing and pretty overcast all day. Few drizzles. Bit depressing all in all. Today, however, the sun is shining, there’s a gentle breeze and the sea looks sparkly and inviting. I don’t know about you but I’m a tad confused. Won’t be wearing yesterday’s boots and wool jumper combo, that’s for sure…

In fact, I might go for a little run along the beach seeing as it’s so lovely. It is definitely easier to exercise when the sun is shining, which is why most people tend make the switch to indoor activities in autumn – which hopefully for me will mean sign-ups to my Oct-Dec yoga courses! They start on Oct 11 and Oct 29 so hurry up and contact me to book your place.

Of course, even if you’re heading to a nice, warm, sheltered space, away from the wind and the rain, you still have to get there. I’m not going to lie to you, it is gonna take a little willpower. But only a little. A couple of times a week. You can manage that, right?

See you in the studio!

Yoga Jenny x

Yep, summer’s here and hopefully that means lots of lazying around on the beach, eating burnt sausages (or quorn burgers in my case) and drinking bubbly.

But it’s important to still do a little bit of exercise and have a bit of quality ‘me’ time, and one of the reasons I run classes on a Monday is that it’s a great day to do just that! You’re a little grumpy having gone back to work after a weekend of play and you’ve nothing exciting planned for the evening – it’s the perfect time for a yoga class.

After an hour of moderate exercise and mind-body connection, you’ll be happier, more relaxed, digest your dinner more easily and sleep better.  Tue will seem a much brighter day… and the weekend just that little bit nearer

The next 10-week course starts on JULY 12 (Mondays 6pm-7.15pm) and costs £60. But if you want to try a class out before you commit to a long stretch then you can!

Email me at gouldjen@gmail.com and reserve a place on my FREE TASTER CLASS being held on MONDAY, JULY 5.  If you enjoy it then you can sign up to the course starting the following week (space allowing).

Look forward to hearing from you. Now where’s my beach towel…

I’ve been a bad yoga teacher. A very bad yoga teacher. I’ve not practised what I preach. Remember in my last post I talked about everyone being able to fit in 15 minutes of  yoga practice every day? Well, I haven’t.

Since December it’s all been a little crazy with family stuff, a new job and mucho college work and I’ve only really managed to practise at home once or twice a week. Rubbish, eh? And I can’t count teaching as I’m demonstrating and watching you lot, not actually ‘doing’ the class! Oh well, I am only human, I guess. And I have been swimming and running!

Part of the problem is space. And a suitable environment. As I sit and write this – during my first whole weekend at home since before Christmas – I’m surrounded by piles of washing, paperwork and dirty coffee cups. It doesn’t take much to fill up a one-bed flat, especially when you have a messy husband. (Sorry, Seb, but you know it’s true.) Am I making excuses? Yes. And if I’m honest it’s as much about having fallen out of the habit of a regular set-timed practice as it is about the confines of modern city living. So what to do? Well get right back in the saddle! Or on the mat, in this case.

The sun is shining and I have the whole day to get on top of things so next on my list, after writing this blog, is to tidy up the living room and do some yoga!

Then I’m going to eat the biggest lunch ever…

Sometimes I just don’t take my own advice. Having made the decision in July to flesh out my week with courses, thus adding to my ‘skills’ and hopefully making me more employable, I now find myself overloaded. Duh. I do have the time – between teaching yoga and the odd freelance editing/writing shift – but the ‘mix’ of information is making my head spin! After a long weekend in London doing an IST (In-Service Training) yoga course and a ton of anatomy stuff, I had to shift gear more than a little for my web design course, and then again for for my graphic design course. As for my drawing and printmaking courses (those were supposed to be just for fun :0) – frankly, I don’t have the head space for that homework!

When I teach yoga, I tell my students ‘little and often’. ‘Ten to 15 minutes a day will make all the difference,’ I say. And it’s true, not just for the postures but also with breathing exercises or meditation. Far more beneficial than two hour-long classes a week – though, of course, both would be ideal

I’ve now realised I need to apply that philosophy to my coursework. Obviously 15 minutes is not enough to, say, design a banner, but earmarking half an hour or so each day to do an online tutorial or play with a particular tool in Photoshop will surely be beneficial. And at the end of the week when I am trying to create that banner, I’ll be far more ‘in tune’ with the process, understand more what I’m trying to do and how to do it, and generally be more well-equipped to handle the next stage of learning.

It’s the same for yoga – spend ten or 15 minutes a day doing a couple of sun salutations and two or three postures and you’ll get much more out of that hour-long class…

Yes I know it’s rained quite a bit but you can’t deny there’s been plenty of sunshine too this year. And although I do miss being an employee and the benefits of regular income, holiday pay, sick pay, cheap canteen food and office jocularity (rare, but it happened), I am really LOVING the chance to get to the beach when the sun suddenly pops out from behind the clouds. Is that an excuse for not keeping up to date with this blog? No, not really. There are no excuses for that, I know. If you’re envious of my freelance, self-employed status this is probably a good time to remind you that such freedom comes at a price; yes, I am indeed a little skintaroony, and although it’s nice to have loads of time on my hands while the sun is shining, come winter I may see things a little differently. But hey, until then, may the sun shine and may all seem good in the world of Yoga Jenny.

My yoga classes at BMC are going well – can’t believe we’re nearing the end of the courses already! I’ll be offering another free taster or two at the end of September, before the Oct courses begin, so keep an eye on this site for more news of those. I know I’ve been talking about running a lunchtime class in the centre of town for a while now but, sadly, I can’t see that happening any time soon as it’s simply not a viable option; finding the right space at the right cost is proving a little tough! So, for now, I’m concentrating on finding companies or organisations that have a space and enough interested bods to warrant running a class on the premises. For the employers it’s a way of offering something positive to staff at no cost and very little effort to themselves, and for the employees it means a chance to improve their health and well-being without having to travel or fork out very much. So far, Brighton Council has taken up the idea and I’ll be running a couple of courses for its staff at Jubilee Library in the near future. If you think an early morning or lunchtime class would go down well at your workplace, and you have a little-used boardroom or meeting room, email me and I’ll pop by for a chat/look-see. No obligation!

Right, that’s enough idle chit chat from me, it’s a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon and according to the BBC it’s going to rain for the next three days so I’m off out while it lasts!

Yoga Jenny x

I know some people find the idea of getting their socks off in front of strangers a little unnerving but, trust me, do it once and you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about. If fact, I’d go as far as to suggest that you’ll find it liberating. After years of being ignored and unappreciated, your feet will flourish quickly if given a little fresh air and some space in which to spread their toes. And if your feet feel happier, you’ll feel happier – you’ll stand and walk more easily, with a confident stride and a sense of lightness. 

Our feet are the key for good weight distribution – if our bodies are skyscrapers, our feet are the foundations, and the relationship they have with the ground affects the stability and alignment of every storey. Strong, flexible feet are far more able to support that heck of a bodyweight that’s being forced down on them every day. Knees, hips, back, shoulders and a huge, heavy head balanced on top – get your feet working and take the strain off everywhere else. 

For that first barefoot moment, get a friend to join you (there’s safety in numbers) at one of my free, yes FREE taster classes this week. Once those tootsies see the light, there’ll be no holding you back and before you know it you’ll be wearing Birkenstocks to the office. 

See the classes page for details.