Yoga and Pilates Classes

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YOGA & PILATES CLASSES IN THE NORTH WEST

Yoga and Pilates classes are listed together on the same pages.
Some offer only Yoga, some offer only Pilates, and some venues offer both types of class.

Class listings are divided into separate pages for each area.
Select your Area first, then scroll down each page to find your nearest local class.

Classes in
CHESHIRE

Classes in
CUMBRIA

Classes in
Gtr MANCHESTER

Classes in
LANCASHIRE

Classes in
MERSEYSIDE

Classes in
NORTH WALES

Classes in
WIRRAL


Many of the Yoga classes listed include Meditation and Relaxation techniques part of the session. Many teachers offer tuition to small private groups or on a one-to-one basis, as well as larger classes. Please check individual listings for details. Back to Top	ABOUT YOGA... Although Yoga is a comprehensive system of personal development, originating thousands of years ago in India, the type of Yoga most commonly practised in the West today is Hatha Yoga, one of the branches of yoga philoshophy that focuses mainly on the physical postures, or asana. The aim of Hatha Yoga (from the Sankrit word meaning to yoke, or join), is to bring about a 'union' of the opposing energies in our bodies... 'ha' meaning sun (masculine) and 'tha' meaning moon (feminine), through the practice of specific physical postures (asana), controlled breathing, (pranayama) and meditation. Regular practice can develop strength, power and balance in the body, stillness in the mind, and spiritual purity. Hatha Yoga incorporates many different styles, and varies from a gentle, relaxed pace, where physical poses are held for a certain length of time - to the more dynamic styles, such as Vinyasa, where the emphasis is on synchronised breathing and flowing movement between one posture and the next. As a complete workout for body and mind, it is both relaxing and energising... bringing increased vitality, improved concentration and a sense of inner calm. Variations in Yoga technique have also been developed by different teachers over the years, one of the most widely popular being that taught by BKS Iyengar from India. Yoga can be practised by anyone - of any age, and there are classes available to suit all levels and abilities, from the absolute beginner or less agile, to the more experienced who want to develop further. Many people practise Yoga for the health benefits alone, as it can improve and maintain suppleness in the joints, help to release stress, relieve headaches and migraine, improve respiratory conditions, and enable you to cope better with the demands of a busy modern lifestyle. It can also be beneficial for pregnant women, both during pregnancy and afterwards, as yoga helps to strengthen important muscles and promotes relaxation. Attending regular classes can also provide a welcome opportunity to meet up with other new mums. You'll find many different types of class listed on this website, for all ages and abilities, and there are even classes for children. If you're not sure which type is best for you, please contact any of your locally listed teachers to find out what they offer, and if their type of class is suiitable for you. Some types of Yoga you'll find listed are: Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Dru Yoga, Yin Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Dynamic Flow Yoga, Shen Yoga. You'll also find Yoga & Relaxation classes for Pregnant & Postnatal mums, and Yoga classes for Babies & Children.. Yoga is also becoming increasingly popular for its therapeutic and healing benefits. If you're more interested in working on a one-to-one basis with a Yoga Therapist, please go to our Yoga Therapy page, which you'll find in our Therapists Directory.
Many teachers offer tuition to small private groups or on a one-to-one basis, as well as larger classes. Please check individual listings for details. Back to Top	ABOUT PILATES... Pilates is a gentle holistic exercise system, originally developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany during the early 20th Century, as a method of improving physical and mental health. Pilates exercises are designed to improve the body's core strength - focusing on the toning of the back, abdominal and pelvic muscles, whilst at the same time improving flexibility, posture and general fitness. The holistic approach also trains your mind to become aware of how your body works, and aims to bring about physical and mental balance. The exercises can be beneficial to both men and women of all ages and fitness levels, and can also be useful during and after pregnancy, under the guidance of a properly trained teacher. Pilates teachers modifiy the basic techniques to suit different ablilities as required, so the exercises can be used either as a general workout, or tailored to a more specific purpose, such as rehabilitation from an injury. Pilates classes are very popular today, and you will generally find two types being offered, either Apparatus or Matwork. Apparatus classes are usually held in a specially equipped fitness studio, as the exercises involve using large pieces of equipment such as the 'Reformer', 'Cadillac' and 'Ladder Barrel', which are designed to provide resistance and support for the body during the exercise routine. This type of class is usually held in small private groups, or on a one-to-one basis, and you will normally receive a higher level of individual attention in this type of class. Your pilates teacher will tailor the exercise programme to your specific needs and rate of progression. Matwork classes are more widely available, and you'll find them in all sorts of venues, from community halls to leisure centres. This type of class is usually larger and less expensive than an apparatus based class, and most of the exercises are carried out lying down on mats, sometimes using small pieces of equipment. Again, the pilates teacher can modify the programme to suit your needs if you have a specific health problem, such as a bad back or arthritis. As Pilates improves co-ordination and balance, it is a popular choice for sports people, athletes and dancers. These benefits however, are also advantageous to older people, as maintaining good physical balance decreases the risk of falling or having an accident. In addition, regular Pilates practice can help to maintain bone density and keep the body strong into old age. You'll find various types of Pilates class listed on this website, suitable for beginners to advanced, and listings also include some pre or post natal Pilates classes. If you're not sure which type of Pilates is best for you, contact any of your locally listed teachers, to find out more...
Other pages that may be of interest... Tai Chi & Qigong Classes Holistic Movement & Dance Classes Meditation & Spiritual Development Classes & Groups Holistic Therapists Directory (includes Yoga Therapy) Workshops and Events (for Talks, Workshops, Retreats etc) Back to Top
ADVERTISE YOUR OWN CLASSES... If you run Yoga or Pilates Classes and would like a listing on this website... please CLICK HERE to send us your details. (Listings in this section are FREE.) If you run Courses or Workshops please click here for other other Advertising options. © Holistic Promotions 2010
Disclaimer: We provide the space on this website for teachers/instructors of Holistic Exercises (Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Qigong or Holistic Dance) to advertise their classes online. Because classes are listed on our site, it does not imply any personal or professional recommendation of these classes or teachers by us (Holistic Promotions), and we hold no responsibility for the content or activities offered in any of the classes listed.. For health and safety reasons, and for your own peace of mind, it's always advisable to check with the person(s) running the class or fitness studio, that they're suitably qualified, experienced and/or insured, before you take part in any class involving physical activity, or the use of exercise equipment. Please don't contact us through this website for locations of other classes, or for more info about any of the classes shown. For further details of any of the classes listed, please get in touch with the appropriate teacher/instructor as shown in the individual listings.
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