Yoga: beginners
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Location: Keeley Street
Course Code: FGD93
Choose a start date
Duration: 10 sessions (over 10 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Yoga is a practical and joyful method of engaging with our bodies and minds healthfully and beneficially. A regular weekly Yoga practice combining yoga postures, breathing techniques, and methods of relaxation can improve our sense of wellbeing, reduce stress levels and enhance our general health.
During this course, you will be guided on how to practise gentle Yoga postures, including forward bends, back bends, spinal rotations and side bends. Breath awareness will be explored to enhance movements, release tension, and to assist the process of relaxing the mind. Each class will close with a calming guided relaxation practice.
The benefits of a regular yoga practice include increased stamina, improved flexibility, better posture and improved peace of mind.
What will we cover?
- Yoga Postures, including gentle forward, back and side bends, plus spinal rotations
- Movements in standing, sitting and lying
- Alignment of the spine and whole body in postures
- Balance work
- Breath awareness
- Guided relaxation with visualisation
- Concentration and mindfulness throughout the practice.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Perform a selection of gentle yoga postures with guidance
- Obtain improved flexibility, strength, stamina, and peace of mind.
- Demonstrate alignment of the spine and body in yoga postures
- Practise relaxation with guidance
- Describe some benefits of Yoga.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
PLEASE SEE THE PRE-EXERCISE CHECK LIST BELOW:
To assist us in providing a safe and healthy environment for you to exercise in please take a moment to
consider the list below. If you have suffered from any of the conditions listed, please check with a medical
practitioner whether it is suitable for you to undertake an exercise programme and bring a referral letter
from your doctor to your tutor. If you have not checked, or if it is not suitable, please do not participate in
an exercise or movement class.
- Do you ever have pains in your chest?
- Have you had any operations or injuries in the last year?
- Do you often feel faint or have spells of dizziness?
- Are you receiving medication for any condition?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Is there anything else we should know about your health?
- Do you have a bone or joint problem, such as Arthritis, Osteoporosis, back or knee problems?
It is inadvisable for students suffering from certain medical conditions to attend an ordinary Yoga class.
This does not mean that they should not do Yoga, but they may need individual attention or a special
programme of asanas (postures). These conditions include:
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Conditions associated with Heart Disease, Cancer or benign tumours
Epilepsy including Petit Mal
Diabetes
Meniere's Disease
Detached Retina
AIDS
MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
Recent post-operative conditions
New students who are pregnant.
Advice can be sought from the Department Office on Health@citylit.ac.uk for those who have concerns about the suitability of the class for them.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Demonstration and practice
- Verbal instructions
- Follow me
- Questions and answers
- Mini lecture.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Yoga equipment including mats will be provided.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring something to keep you warm during relaxation. Postures are
performed barefoot but you may wear non-slip socks if you prefer.
You will need to be able to read and write short sentences, follow verbal instructions, observe and copy physical
movements and use spatial awareness within a group.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
- Progression to a mixed levels course at the City Lit
- Yoga holidays, weekends etc
- Students need 2 years of mixed levels classes before joining an Intermediate class. Students could, however, after
4 weeks, begin regular daily practice and progress more rapidly
- After 3 years of regular practice and class attendance, progression to a recognised Iyengar Teacher training course (e.g. at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Maida Vale).
Caroline teaches Yoga and Pilates. She believes that movement patterns — like the patterns of our fingerprints — are unique to each one of us. Despite this many people feel disconnected from their movement. Caroline is committed to helping others learn how to move using Yoga and Pilates. She knows from her own experience how the joy of movement goes on and on giving. A fully qualified, experienced British Wheel of Yoga teacher, Caroline’s classes emphasise spinal health, integrated movement, breathing, and Yogic philosophy. Her work is about facilitating others to open and develop physically, mentally and spiritually. Caroline is an experienced Q3 Pilates teacher, whose approach re-activates the whole body during Pilates movements by aligning the spine, engaging core strength to support the spine, then flowing movements from this set up. Specialist qualifications that support different population groups assist Caroline to be inclusive in her teaching: Yoga for Adults with Special Needs, Exercise with Disabled Clients, Exercise for Active Older People. Caroline divides her time between working with Movement Studies and her academic field of Victorian Studies.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
