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Barbara’s Yoga & Pilates

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Barbara’s Yoga & Pilates

I am passionate about the physical, emotional and mental benefits that regular movement brings. Come and move with me and see for yourself.

Wherever you are, whatever your history, adding Yoga, Pilates or both to your week will leave you feeling better. I have always loved to exercise from the simple joy of taking a walk and connecting with nature, but my particular passion lies in the power of connecting mind, body and breath which you will find in practicing Pilates and yoga. I am a level 3 qualified Mat Pilates instructor and Yoga

Teacher and have also completed my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training. I am registered with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity and am a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. I love to share the joy that movement, breath work and meditation can bring. I have been teaching locally for a number of years and hope to do so for many more!

27/04/2026

Tonight marks a year since I started teaching Pilates and Yoga on Mondays in the Watermead Village Hall and it will be a special evening.

The classes will look a little bit different today in honour of this. I won’t say more, you’ll have to come along to see, but it will be fun! Yoga is already fully booked but there are still a few spaces in Pilates. There will also be cake!🎂

If you’ve been thinking of joining but haven’t quite good round to it perhaps this is a great opportunity to get in touch and get started. I’m also booking for 11 and 18 May and some classes are filling up fast. Pilates is At 6.30pm, yoga at 7.45pm and both classes are an hour.

If you would like to join us or have any questions please email me at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com for details of how to book. I hope to hear from you soon.
Best wishes
Barbara

20/04/2026

Monday Greetings Everyone,

We all know that Yoga and Pilates are good for us and offer both physical and mental health benefits but let’s reflect on the role of breathing in that. The impact of breathing in through our nose (which we do in both practices) is actually quite remarkable. When we breathe in through our nose, nitric oxide is released which enhances oxygen uptake by dilating our blood vessels and can help lower blood pressure. The hairs in our nose also act as a filter and nasal breathing creates a greater resistance to airflow which encourages us to breathe more fully using our diaphragm. All of this helps us take fuller, deeper breaths and stimulates our parasympathetic nervous system (our rest and digest state). The best thing about nasal breathing it’s something we can do anywhere and by doing this in class it helps form a habit that we can take away.

I’m fully booked for yoga tonight and next week but do have room in Pilates both weeks. I’m also taking bookings for 11 and 18 May with room in both classes for those dates. Why not book in and join us to experience those benefits (and many more besides)?

If you would like to get started or have any questions, please send me an email at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com.

Best wishes
Barbara

13/04/2026

The Easter holidays are over and it’s a Monday morning “business as usual” day. I hope this sentence does not fill you with gloom. In fact routine and normality are good for us. As well as work it’s important that we have a routine of self care part of which can be a weekly Pilates and/or Yoga class.

I still have room in both yoga and Pilates tonight (although yoga is nearly full). I’m also taking bookings to the end of May (excluding the bank holidays).

If you are interested in joining us on Mondays at the Watermead Village Hall (Pilates is at 6.30pm, yoga at 7.45pm) or have any questions please email me at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Barbara

30/03/2026

Last week I touched on what core means in our Pilates and yoga practice. Today I want to go a little wider and look at the concept of strength. Most dictionaries will define strength as power or the ability to lift heavy things. What I think is more interesting is what is normally the secondary definition; the ability to withstand forces, pressure, wear.

Looking at how strength is built, we actually create microscopic tears in the muscles when we train. Then it is the repair process when we rest that the magic happens. Both Pilates and yoga help with strength building. Whilst we won’t get really strong in our big powerhouse muscles doing Pilates or yoga, they help us to work “the parts other practices may not reach” by working stabilising muscles that build a strong framework for physical resilience. They also help in creating mental strength by providing space to calm and give the mind the place to rest and build its own strength.

The best way to get these benefits is through a consistent practice. Although yoga is now fully booked for tonight I still have good availability in Pilates, so even if you haven’t done so before, why not book in for tonight and come and give it a try?

Next week we take a pause for Easter but I’m taking bookings for the 3 weeks 13, 20 and 27 April and currently have availability in all classes.

Please email me at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com for details of how to book (for tonight or April) or if you have any questions.
Barbara

23/03/2026

So another week has rolled round and we find ourselves at Monday morning again. Is it me or do the weeks seem to pass in the blink of an eye?

Today, I want to pause briefly and reflect on how we can feel grounded and present in a busy and sometimes chaotic world. This can be seen the principle of centering, one of the 6 fundamental principles of Pilates. Joseph Pilates (who invented Pilates) believed that to execute control over your body, you must first execute control over your centre, core or ‘powerhouse’. But we also talk about finding our centre in yoga. This may mean listening to ourselves, the place where we can feel centred, plus the uniting of mind, body and breath. In truth both meanings apply to both Pilates and Yoga.

I am fully booked for Yoga tonight but still have spaces in Pilates and in all classes to the end of April. For the avoidance of doubt I will not be running classes on Easter Monday. Please get in touch by emailing me at barbarasyogandpilates@gmail.com if you
would like to book in or have any queries.

I hope you all have a great start to your week.
Barbara

16/03/2026

I hope you had a lovely weekend and are feeling ready for the new week.

I’m just coming to the end of a yoga training course where we took a deeper dive into yoga philosophy. These ancient practices and reflections are not abstract but look at how we treat both ourselves and others and are as relevant today as when they were written. So today I want to reflect briefly here on the principle of Ahimsa or, put very simply into plain English, kindness and compassion. Some of you may have seen my t-shirt with the words “self care is not selfish” written on the front and that’s so true. If we don’t look after ourselves we are no good to others. One important way we can do that is by adding movement into our week, so, even if you’re tempted to hit the sofa instead, won’t you feel better if you come along tonight?

I still have space in both classes tonight and for the next two weeks. Please get in touch at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com to check availability and book. If you have any questions do let me know.

Best wishes
Barbara

09/03/2026

I have a focus in today’s classes on building fire 🔥. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that you will literally burn (nor will the village hall I’m glad to say) it refers to Tapas. Tapas is a principle in yoga which stems from one of the ancient texts and literally means to burn. It refers to how steady discipline can transform us. It’s not about choosing movement (or any other part of life) as punishment, it’s about showing up consistently, sometimes sitting with a little discomfort, and yes, when you need it, actively choosing rest.

Talking of discipline, to ensure you can stay consistent with your practice, I’m opening bookings for a further 3 weeks up to the Easter weekend. For the avoidance of doubt you can therefore book for

- Tonight (limited spaces remaining for yoga, good availability for Pilates)
- Monday 16, 23 and 30 March.

If you have any questions, to enquire about availability and book, please email me at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com.

02/03/2026

As usual I’m popping in to your Facebook feed to let you let you know that there is space in both classes tonight and for next week. Pilates is at 6.30pm and Yoga at 7.45pm.

I realise that many people will be feeling anxious in light of world events, so just a reminder that your Pilates or Yoga mat is a place where you can come to feel grounded. If you’re unable to make tonight’s class, you’ll feel better if you make sure to include some sort of movement in your day (even a short walk will help). You can then try the following short meditation exercise.

Come and sit or lie in a place where you won’t be disturbed, where you’re comfortable and balanced. If it feels good, close your eyes, otherwise simply cast your gaze softly down. Allow your breath to find its own rhythm and rest like this for a minute or so.

Once you feel really settled start to notice the weight of your body pressing into the ground (or chair) and notice the sensation of the ground pressing back. As you do so, notice if and where you’re holding tension and see if you can release the tension a little as you breathe out softly. Then notice the sensations again. Continue like this for as long as feels good.

When you’re ready, take a few moments to focus only on your breath again. Notice how you feel. Then move slowly out of the position you’ve adopted and go back about your day.

The good thing about this practice is you can do it almost anywhere (not if you’re driving or operating machinery of course!) I really hope this helps you feel calm.

If you have any questions would like to book in, please email me at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com. I hope to see you later.
Warmest wishes
Barbara

23/02/2026

Wow the last week of February has arrived and with it a little more warmth and (we can only hope) a little less rain.

Classes are busy this week. I currently have a couple of spaces available in Pilates, Yoga is fully booked. However I do have capacity in both classes next Monday, 2 March and 9 March. Please do get in touch at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com if you’d like to book in for Pilates tonight or for either class for the following weeks.

If you are unable to attend tonight why not take five minutes to bring some calm with the following practice?

Mindfulness breath practice
Take 5 minutes where you won’t be disturbed. Find a place where you can be fully supported with your spine lengthened but comfortable. You may want to sit cross legged on the floor, in a chair or even lay down. Close your eyes if that feels good, or allow your gaze to soften, and bring your focus to your breath. Once your breath has found its rhythm simply notice the inhale and exhale silently telling yourself “breathing in” and “breathing out”. Continue this for 5 minutes (or longer if you have time).

When you are ready check in to ask yourself how you feel (and notice any changes) and then taking your time to come out of your posture go about the rest of your evening.

Best wishes
Barbara

16/02/2026

This week lies right in the heart of the Winter Olympics which made me think about what can we learn from Olympians. There are actually so many lessons we can learn but here are a couple.

They train on days when they feel like it AND on days when they don’t. We know that consistency is one of the key aspects to moving and feeling better (and also to so many other things in life). Those bad days when you still show up even when you just feel like diving under the duvet really matter.

They have a goal and they keep it front of mind. Whether it’s improved mobility, flexibility, strength, social contact, mindfulness or something else it’s good to remind yourself of that and act on it.

If you have been putting off starting Pilates or Yoga, I’m hoping this gives you the motivation you need.

I still have some availability in both Pilates and Yoga tonight (very limited for yoga) and am taking bookings to 9 March so do get in touch by emailing me at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com to enquire about availability and to book. (Please note that I’m fully booked for Yoga next week, 23 February.)

09/02/2026

Happy Monday everyone!

Yes I know the weather is gloomy. Yes I know it’s far more tempting to go home and run a warm bath (or cozy up on a warm sofa) than to walk or drive out in the rain to your Pilates or Yoga class. However every time you get on your mat it makes you feel better and it’s not just a physical lift but a mental and emotional one that you get from this type of movement. Plus the bath/sofa/other comforting experience will still be there after class.

I still have space in Pilates and limited space in Yoga for tonight so if you haven’t already booked please get in touch to secure your space. Don’t forget I’m also taking bookings until 9 March so please email me for details of availability and to book. You can reach me at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com.

Wishing you all a little internal sunshine ☀️ 🧘🏻‍♀️
Barbara

02/02/2026

Although we’re a month into the year the good news is it’s never to later too late to build new healthy habits.

I’m really looking forward to tonight’s classes. I’ve enjoyed planning them and I think we will enjoy doing them even more! The two classes will have quite different emphases, but in both we will work hard and reap the benefits that come from that work. We will also have time to relax and have fun along the way.

If you are interested in starting your Monday night Pilates or Yoga practice do get in touch by emailing me at barbarasyogaandpilates@gmail.com to enquire about availability and book. There is good availability for Pilates tonight; Yoga has very limited space remaining. I am now also taking bookings for the next five weeks from 9 February to 9 March inclusive.

If you have any questions please let me know.

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Aylesbury

Telephone

+441296821299

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