Doubt but do it anyway! - Off the mat

 “I doubt I'll be able to do yoga because I'm not flexible enough”

 Well guess what I was not flexible when I started yoga. The flexibility is a side effect of moving your body mindfully through safe yet effective ranges of movement. 

“I doubt I'll be able to get the breathing right” 

Do not worry everybody thinks that. I often don't get the perfect connection between body and breath but it ain't that bigger deal. It's called yoga practice for a reason because practice is what we are doing and sometimes it's not perfect and that's ok.

“I doubt I'll be able to stop my monkey mind” 

You don't have to stop it, but it's amazing how by giving yourself something else to concentrate on like movement and breathing that the monkeys all fall asleep anyway.

Find Ben Edwards
self confidence and relationship coach
on Facebook

Doubt, doubt, doubt everywhere! 

Doubt is said to be the biggest slayer of dreams!

There is nothing wrong with doubt, just don't let it stop you. 

Let if be your friend, let it guide you, 

let it be an energy you can redirect into great things. 

Sarsha 

Why Movement matters.

Movement is life.

Life is movement.

We move we live.  

How we move can affect our whole being! 

Movement does not have to be complicated. 

Move and explore as many ways to move your body as possible. 

Move in ways that you don't normally move. 

The more ways we move the body the more vitality we bring to our whole being. 

Move with intention and awareness - this is what a movement practice at YMS is all about. 

With movement it is a use it or lose it situation, that doesn't mean that you can't regain mobility because you can, but it is much easier to maintain it than regain it. 

Move your joints to establish ease of range of movement - ROM. 

Moving joints helps to balance the muscles associated with the joint. 

Balance of the muscles = flexibility and strength. 

Moving joints in all planes and direction supports the balance of the muscles and the health of the joint. 

Understanding the synchronicities of joints and areas of the body can help us understand why we have aches, pains, stresses and strains within the body. 

Sometimes a joint can over work because of lack of ROM in another joint. 

So isolate, improve movement in the joints and those aches, pains, stresses and strains can diminish. 

Get all the joints moving more freely and we can then flow freely by linking ROM of multiple joints. 

This isn't simply about improving your yoga practice but about improving your ability to move as a whole. 

With all this talk about joints and range of joint movement what about flexibility I here you say. Well better ROM in the joints will lead to improved flexibility. So its a double whammy. 

Working on controlled ROM within the joints will also lead to increased stability and strength of the joint and the body as a whole. 

Timetabled classes at YMS are planned with this in mind to help you move better and feel better. 

Yoga at YMS is about sustainable movement, mindful stillness and self care.

Sarsha ✨

Yoga Movement Serenity Sessions

Yoga Movement Serenity Sessions

These sessions are in addition to the weekly timetables classes. They are usually on either a Friday evening or a Sunday morning. With a mixture of offerings - Yin Yoga - Restorative yoga - Nidra - Sound baths (crystal singing bowls). 

Serenity Sessions are about you time and investing in your own well-being and healing - whether that be physical, mental/emotional or spiritual. A non-judgemental space for you to leave the day to day stresses, strains and worries to one side and relax, refresh and rejuvenate.

Yin Yoga

A mainly floor based practice.

Although on the outside it may not seem like functional yoga, functional is exactly what it is!

Yin yoga should not be confused with restorative yoga.  

Yin yoga activates change at a very deep level in the body. 

Restorative yoga the focus is on the passive release of mind-body tension.

In yin yoga we hold poses for several minutes (at a degree that is right for our own induvial bodies). Yin poses look very different in each body.

In holding these poses we are creating forces within the body deep within the connective tissues. These forces help to create healthy stress for the body, leading to improved flexibility and strength of the connective tissues. This in turn helps to maintain healthy joints. The long term goal of yin yoga is to develop strong and flexible joints.  

"We do not use our body to get into a pose. We use the pose to get into the body" - Bernie Clarke

The 3 principals of Yin 

1. Time - we take our time with the poses

Caterpillar pose with bolster support

2. Passivity - we surrender to gravity and find relaxation. 

3.Stillness - both physical and mental stillness - finding a single pointed focus.

 The 3 tattvas/qualities of yin yoga 

1. Stillness/steadiness of the body

2. Stillness/steadiness of the breath 

3. Stillness/steadiness of the mind

Restorative yoga

A floor based practice.

Gentle poses held for several minutes at a time. Props are use to get as comfortable as possible.

Restorative yoga the focus is on the passive release of mind-body tension.

Helping us to release from day to day stresses and strains.

The principals and qualities of yin can also be applied to this practice.

Nidra - Yogic Sleep

Guided deep relaxation 

No movement required - get as comfortable as possible and rest while you are guided deep into relaxation. 

20 minutes of  Nidra is said to have the same effects as 2 hours of sleep.

You're welcome to come to these session in your PJ's.

Sound Bath - Vibes - Bowls -Sound.

Here at YMS I use Crystal singing bowls for these sessions. I usually couple a sound bath with the other modalities of the serenity offerings.

All of the modalities used in the serenity sessions - 

Support a reduction in the feelings of anxiety and stress.

Promote deep rest. 

Support the immune and nervous systems. 

Promote the sense of well-being.

I hope to see you at a Serenity session soon. 

Sarsha x

More details can be found on the website yogamovement.studio where you can also sign up for the newsletter - to get all the latest YMS information sent to your inbox.

What's on offer at YMS - Descriptions of the classes and sessions available to YMS

 Yoga Movement Studio/Sarsha - YMS

YMS is my passion

YMS an urban sanctuary for sustainable movement and mindful stillness.

YMS a place where I will hold space for you to explore the potential of your body, mind and soul. 

YMS a place where you can be you without judgement or expectation. 

YMS a modern practice of yoga. 

YMS a space to be.

I have studied yoga and movement with many different mentors over the years. And now teach my own eclectic mix of yoga, Pilates, movement and mindfulness. I love sharing yoga with those who think yoga isn't for them, those who think they are not flexible enough, zen enough, those who have been other classes and left feeling "inadequate" - I know that feeling and aim to deliver classes that empower you on your yoga/movement journey. 

Yoga Movement classes - weekly timetable classes description.

The practice I share is not about advanced poses or technical sequences. It's about becoming aware of you, honouring you, where you are at! Yet also being open enough to explore the capacity and potential that we each hold. Knowing it's about how it feels and not how it looks. 

I often hear people say I'm not flexible enough for yoga - flexibility is a side affect of yoga - not a pre-requisite. You can not run a marathon with out training/practice.  So why do we expect ourselves to need flexibility at the beginning of our yoga journey. The benefits of moving the physical body can also have a positive affect on mental wellbeing too. The only flexibility we need to start a yoga practice is within our belief system - the flexibility to start something new and embrace being a beginner. Trusting yourself in the process.

At YMS all yoga movement classes are suitable for all levels especially beginners - 

* Weekly timetable classes

*Yoga Movement

I take a modern approach and layer the movements and poses, so everyone can explore what feels good for their body on that day and in that moment. 

This class finishes with a space for stillness - you get comfy and spend time in non-movement as a contrast to the movement practice. The stillness is a practice. It's a space where you can tune into you notice without judgement or analysis the impact the practice has had upon you. The breath is weaved through the movement practice and is a key part to the stillness practice. The whole practice is guided. 

*Yin Yoga

Slow floor based yoga practice where poses are held for a while (a few minutes to several minutes) this practice gives the connective tissue of the body time to release and become more pliable. It's not about how it looks it' about the target area we are working with and how it feels. 

A session to gently stretch away the stresses and strains of life. A class that helps to improve joint function and overall wellbeing. this session finishes with a short relaxation. 

The practice is guided with pockets of quiet time for that inner reflection. 

*Yoga flow

Slow flow because I'm pants at fast flow. Linking one pose to the next with the option to add a weighted stick. This session is great for adding a stronger sensation to the practice. Guided with options. Using the principles I apply to yoga movement. This session finishes with a power pause - a space of stillness to let the mind and body absorb the impact of the flow practice.

*Pilates & Hatha Yoga

Mat Pilates to improve posture and body awareness. Hatha Yoga is pose based yoga to improve flexibility. There will be a short guided relaxation to finish. This class is aimed at beginners. 

Serenity Sessions - pop up sessions - 6/9 weekly

These sessions are well-being sessions and little longer than a timetable session. 

In these session I share - 

Yoga Nidra - yogic sleep this is a guide deep relaxation, where you get comfy and immerse yourself in nervous system replenishing rest. 

Crystal singing bowls - you get comfy and allow the vibrations and frequencies of the bowls to soothe your being. 

Yin or restorative yoga is often included in these sessions. 

Restorative yoga - floor based poses fully supported with yoga props to ensure maximum comfort. Spending several minutes in each pose allowing time for the body and mind to find deep release and relaxation. 

Serenity sessions can be a combination of one, two or all of the above practices. 

These sessions compliment the timetable classes or are great as a stand alone practice - attend as and when feels right for you. 

No Yoga experience needed - come as you are. 

Sarsha ✨

Visit www.yogamovement.studio for more information and contact details

Hello from Sarsha

Hello 

I know some of you know me, but let me introduce myself again for those that are new here and don't know me. 

I'm Sarsha - I've had 54 trips around the sun and feel no age at all. 

I am the Yoga teacher/guide and proud custodian of  the space I named Yoga Movement Studio. 

Yoga has been in my life for many years, nearly 30 years. I have been teaching/guiding yoga movement for nearly 20 of those years. 

I came to yoga because of work related back pain (I was a sewing machinist for 12 years) and yoga has also helped me navigate mental health issues. Yoga has also supported me through menopause. 

Yoga guides me everyday to just be and know that is enough - self acceptance. 

Yoga/Movement has given and continues to give me vitality and a zest for life. I want to share that with you. 

I no longer have constant back pain and my mental health is good most of the time and when its not (we all have off days) I dip deeper into my yoga knowledge and practice. 

I have studied yoga and movement with many different mentors over the years. And now teach my own eclectic mix of yoga, Pilates, movement and mindfulness. 

I love sharing yoga with those who think yoga isn't for them, those who think they are not flexible enough, zen enough, those who have been other classes and left feeling "inadequate" - I know that feeling and aim to deliver classes that empower you on your yoga/movement journey. 

I created Yoga Movement Studio - YMS - as an urban sanctuary for sustainable movement and mindful rest. A bespoke yoga/wellness space in the loft at 54 Bridge Street Gainsborough. For those who want to take time to nurture and nourish themselves with movement and rest. I aim to be a guide to help you find healthy nourishing movement that suits and works for your body. And mindful calmness to help your flourish mentally and emotionally. 

YMS will be 6 years old in July. I am so proud of what YMS has become. 

I have sparked the light of yoga in many others over the years. Some have been with me years and are the back bone of the YMS community/family. 

Yoga doesn't have to be about advanced poses, it can be about self acceptance, thoughtful sustainable movement and mindful rest/stillness/relaxation. The biggest take away from yoga movement is that yoga is a life long (yet not forcibly everyday) commitment to move better and feel better. Lots of those who attend yoga movement classes feel benefit with one class per week. 

Outside of yoga teaching/guiding I am a mum to two teenagers, a wife, a daughter and a friend. My other passion in life is horses. Horses have been in my life for 40+ years. I was 10 when I had my first riding lesson and I have been horsey-ing ever since.  I am horse guardian to Mr B the equine love of my life. If I'm not yoga-ing you will find me at the farm, field poo-picking, horse grooming, stable mucking out or horse riding. Having a horse gets me out in nature everyday. My life is a routine of school runs, horsey-ing, yoga and lots of family time (as a family we enjoy the outdoors, camping, walking, skiing and indoor bouldering). 

Pre-kids I was a gym, spinn and road cycling bunny/junkie!  When the kids came along I decided to cut myself some slack and not pressure myself back to the gym, spinn or cycling. I still haven't returned to them, I have dabbled but find it hard to keep a regular commitment with all that is going on in my life now. That said yoga, my kids/family time and my horse keep me happy and healthy. 

Happiness and health to you.

Sarsha 

PS. I look forward to sharing yoga movement with you either in person at YMS or via the online studio. 

All the details of both are on the website yogamovement.studio