The Yoga Tree

18/01/2023

Did you know that In the Ashtanga tradition one doesn't practice a complete asana series on days when the moon is either full or new?
Instead these "Moon Days" offer a time to regenerate and also explore other limbs of yoga, (eg pranayama) and discover aspects of postures hat you might overlook when practicing the same series every day.

In the Ashtanga tradition it is also highly recommended that women don’t practice for at least the first two days * of their menstrual cycle (*or whenever it is most appropriate for each individual )

During these so called “rest days” it's nice to do a restorative practice, so that your practice doesn’t come to a complete halt, but instead you learn the almost forgotten art of listening to the body and to work with our energy and not against it.

Practicing in a more restorative way can support women during the low energy ebbs associated with the hormonal fluctuations of her menstrual cycle or at the various stages of a woman’s life. ( postpartum, peri menopause)

Of course these practises can really benefit any body, male or female, undergoing the negative effects of stress, recovering from illness or surgery, or at any time in our lives when we need to slow down and nurture ourselves.

During this class, props like bolsters, blankets and yoga bricks will be used to support the body, enabling you to really rest and ‘be’ in a yoga posture for relatively long periods of time - blissfully passive - as you relax, breathe and soften into the support, ✨

We will be completing the class with a yoga nidra while in Savasana and then gather in a circle for questions and discussion and enjoy a delicious and soothing ‘moon milk’ (vegan) as a treat before floating home! ✨🌝💫🌌

Looking forward to seeing you this Friday 20th January from 7-9pm

Link to booking page :

https://www.theyogatree.info/booking-calendar/ashtanga-moon-day-practice?category=f8319f0c-833c-402f-abea-08b7b1cecefe&referral=service_list_widget

Warmest wishes
Gabriella

14/12/2022

Winter Solstice Slowdown class
Wednesday 21st December 7:30-9pm

This class is suitable to all levels and a great reset if you are tired, need a boost of energy or have an injury that needs some very restful yoga!
This gentle session uses props to support the body in various poses, resting in gentle supine twists, forward folds, and mild backbends with the use of props while also remaining mindful of your spine, neck and shoulders to release tension and tightness.
We will practice poses like Cobra, Sphinx, and Bridge poses to open our heart space 💖
An open heart chakra allows us to see all the beauty and love around us, and truly connect to ourselves, our loved ones and the natural world. Balancing this chakra also helps direct love back to ourselves to truly be able to love and accept ourselves and our bodies as they are.

Regain strength by slowing down, repairing through rest, and allowing your nervous system to recalibrate to a new place. Find reassurance that you're exactly where you're supposed to be and create space in your life to align body and mind.

In this relaxing nurturing evening we will include some heart calming chants and meditation and end with a long Yoga Nidra!✨

Booking at : www.theyogatree.info

12/12/2022

✨LIGHT SHINES THROUGH a stained-glass window, painting a rainbow of color on the wall. Without the sun's light, the colors look less vibrant. The window's beauty is more apparent when it is illuminated. We too are more vibrant when we allow our inner light to shine. Don't let you light be dulled by circumstances. You can still shine when things are hard. Your soul is a beacon to bring you back to joy and remind you that you have everything you need.🌟🙏🏼
Our regular classes to support you during these busy, wintery days are still on this week on 12th, 15th,17th and even next Monday19th as well And we have some special classes, to nurture your inner light, so make time for yourself 🥰💫🤗🙏🏼

01/12/2022

20/11/2022

✨Relax your body and quiet your mind by encouraging stillness while moving slowly through long-held, prop-assisted postures is the intention behind all of my yin / restorative classes that I offer in my Seasonal Slowdown series once a month!

The next one of these classes is coming up this Friday 25th November at 7:30-9pm✨
This month we will focus on gentle stretches for the neck, side body and shoulders first before we will wring out tension and stress with a range of twist-based postures, including a Dragonfly straddle stretch and Cowface pose which is also a great release for the hips.
Of course 💜 heart openers won’t be missing from this carefully curated practice, like supported bridge, and fish poses. 🌉🐠
As always we will end with a long held savasana and a deeply profound yoga nidra practice.

There are a still a few spaces left and I would love to see you there 🤗✨🙏🏼

Booking is open on my website
Only £10 includes chai, treats and chat after wards ✨

28/10/2022

Another Seasonal Slowdown class is coming up this evening and I have still a couple of spaces available for anyone wanting to treat themselves to a restorative class that will soothe and soften your body and release mental tension. We hold way too much pressure and compression in our low backs and we need restorative practices to allow ourselves to decompress,release tension, and find ease using as many props as possible. So please bring your bolster or big cushion and blanket if you have. 🥰

20/09/2022

Seasonal Slowdown; this Friday evening class is the ultimate seasonal treat to leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed for the change in the seasons.

We begin this restorative class with an alternate nostril breathing practice to clear and balance our subtle energy channels. We then move into a short meditation and contemplation followed by a gentle movement sequence. I will then guide you into some longer held postures and show you how to utilise bolsters and blankets for some supportive self care to unwind your mind, relax your entire body and release of deeply held tension and stress.
We end the practice with a yoga nidra that helps us to reaffirm our intentions for cultivating healing and fulfilment🧡💫🧘🏽‍♀️

15/06/2022

Yesterdays breakfast was a smoothie bowl inspired by the Strawberry Super Moon 🌝🍓🥰
Ingredients :
1 small cooked organic beetroot (vacuum packed)
1 banana cut in pieces 🍌
About 10 beautiful ripe strawberries hulled 🍓
a handful of pomegranate kernels optional
2 big spoonfuls of vegan Oatly greek style yogurt
1 tablespoon of chia seeds
I had some leftover of porridge and added it to thicken and make it more filling ( you could use a handful of oats maybe soaked overnight or just add hot water and soak for 10 minutes
You could also add flax or hempseeds instead.
I added a teaspoon of super-fruit powders like baobab and shisandra for added nutrition but this is optional👍🏼add whatever you have at hand

Add everything to Nutribullet or blender add some plant milk of choice and blend a few seconds until you have desired consistency
Serve in a bowl with strawberries, pomegranate and of course my yummy homemade golden spice granola 🌟 I’m selling the granola at my studio if you are interested let me know ☺️🙏🏼

05/04/2022

Welcome back everyone to our first Hatha Yoga class at the YogaTree tonight at 7:30 pm.
After 2 years of online classes I can’t wait to see everyone in person on their mats again 🤩
I will guide everyone through a mindful practice that helps to unwind from the day, to slow down and to reconnect with ourselves by being present with our breath✨
We will start with a slower paced class and focus on strengten and stretching the body as we hold various poses for several breaths. Of course we will receive the benefits of our practice at the end as we release all effort and any held tension and drift into our final relaxation pose ✨🕉🕯

Check out website to book or send me a DM.

15/03/2022

Miracles become possible when we join together in love”

I know and want to remind you to never underestimate the power of your energy, your prayers, and your support for those suffering in the world.
When we all practice Yoga to personally cultivate more inner & outer peace it also has a ripple effect 🌊
Your energy, presence, and intentions have power💥
We all can be a force for healing in the world 🌎

That’s why I am holding the space for everyone to come together and I invite you to join me at the Yoga Tree this Friday at 6pm where we will be focusing our attention and intention on peace and sending our love to the people of the Ukraine💙💛🕊

In this restorative class we make time to take real deep breaths, to release some of this heaviness that we are carrying. We move gently and hold some postures with the help of props which aids relaxation and will have a calming effect on our nervous systems.
And to end the session we will chant a few beautiful Shanti mantras to connect to our hearts♥️ and help us to cultivate inner and outer peace.

This is a donation based class
Please PM to book your space 🙏🏼

Recommended amount is £10 minimum or give more if you can
All funds raised will go to DEC Ukraine appeal run by Save the Children.
To donate follow the link on previous post.

15/03/2022

Help Gabriella Nicholson raise money to support Save the Children

28/01/2022

A dynamic led class beginning with Surya Namaskar A&B and moving with the breath through poses based on the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series but with some adaptations and fewer transitions for efficiency to fit into a shorter time slot.
Always a nice start to the weekend as it creates amazing energy when practicing in a group and it’s a great way to challenge your body and your mind yet find blissful relaxation at the end.

Gabriella will guide everyone with traditional Sanskrit breath count and postures names. She will give mostly verbal cues but demonstrate some poses and offers gentle *adjustments if required. Alternative variations for difficult poses and modifications will be offered where needed (bring your own props) however in order to get the most out of this class students should already have some experience of Ashtanga Yoga or Vinyasa based classes. If you are a complete beginner please contact Gabriella as she is offering Ashtanga foundation courses regularly.