Barbara Sunchaser Yoga

28/08/2025

Working in yoga—or any solo wellbeing work—is a beautiful job, but it can also feel precarious…

I want to be honest about the boundaries I hold as a teacher and practitioner. Most of you are here for guidance, community, and connection—and I love that. I enjoy our chats in class, in DMs, and even outside sessions. But sometimes people cross the line, and it has an impact.

In the past, I used to offer 1–1 sessions from my home studio. I’m so glad I don’t do that anymore—because two clients crossed the boundary. That experience showed me how important it is to protect myself and keep my work environment safe.

Unwanted advances, sexualised jokes, or overly personal messages don’t belong here. They can make anyone working alone feel unsafe. That’s why I’m clear: inappropriate messages will lead to a block, and those people won’t be welcome in my classes or sessions.

This space is for people who want to engage respectfully and enjoy the content and community I share. If you’re not here for that, please unfollow — it helps keep this space safe and positive for everyone.

Thank you to everyone who keeps this space warm, respectful, and about the work we do. You make teaching and wellbeing work possible🤍🙏

18/08/2025

Thank you to everyone who has joined the past 15 yoga classes — time really does fly!

Yoga in Hanwell Village is a friendly evening class to help you ease tight shoulders, stiff hips, and achy backs. We do a mix of feel-good stretches and mobility exercises to release tension and lower stress. No experience needed — just come as you are and enjoy a good reset before bedtime.

Here are the next 5 dates:
🧘‍♀️ 20:00 Thursday, August 21
🧘‍♀️ 20:00 Thursday, August 28
🧘‍♀️ 20:00 Thursday, September 11
🧘‍♀️ 19:15 Wednesday, September 17
🧘‍♀️ 19:15 Wednesday, September 24

As you can see, from the 17th of September the class moves to Wednesday at 19:15. A few of you asked for an earlier start, so I hope this works well.

Who’s coming?

You can book here: https://www.barbarasunchaser.com/book-a-class

14/08/2025

Hi! I just added the new 20-minutes long practice on Youtube. Have a look next time when your hips are feeling stiff

This 20-minute yoga practice focuses on building long-term hip health through mobility work, joint rotations (CARs), and functional movement.Great if you hav...

14/08/2025

I first joined the gym because I had chronic back pain and felt weak.
But it wasn’t just my body – I was stressed, anxious, and having frequent migraines. I couldn’t enjoy much in life.

At that time, I was also quite lonely. I’d left my best friends in Poland and was struggling to connect with people in the UK.

Finding yoga changed everything.
It gave me a way to move that felt good, not punishing.
It helped me feel calmer, stronger, and more present.
And over time, it connected me with a community.

If you feel stuck with movement, start with something you enjoy – even if it’s 10 minutes.
Let enjoyment, not guilt, guide you.

💬 What kind of movement do you actually enjoy?

29/07/2025

Yoga in Hanwell – Thursdays 8pm

If you're around this summer and want to improve your wellbeing, you're very welcome to join my weekly yoga class at Hanwell Village Hall.

It’s a gentle, friendly space to:
• improve mobility
• keep your joints healthy
• build strength in a kind, sustainable way
• unwind after a busy day

No pressure, no experience needed—just come as you are.

Spaces are limited, so booking is essential.

Message me if you’d like to join or book here:
👉

Be the first to know about new classes, workshops, and get local recommendations by subscribing to my monthly newsletter!

24/07/2025

Here’s what people don’t always see:

I got divorced at 31.
Moved countries with no savings.
Left jobs that drained me, even when it meant earning less.
It was scary every time.
I still did it.

I used to follow different plant-based diets—mostly out of fear of gaining weight.
It took years to admit that was disordered eating in disguise.
Now I eat what I want.
Sometimes it’s a green smoothie.
Sometimes it’s steak and chips or a pastry for breakfast.

I used to stay out late to prove I was “fun.”
Now I choose sleep over social pressure.
If I’m not in bed before midnight, it must be something really special.

I stopped forcing myself to work out.
Now I move in ways that feel good—yoga, swimming, walks (often with other people’s dogs 🐕), paddle boarding (including pumping up the board 🥵).

I still feel fear.
But I choose what’s real over what’s safe.
Peace over performance.
Presence over perfection.

What would your “You look happier” post say? Comment or dm me👇

Hi! I’m Barbara Sunchaser
Inclusive yoga teacher in Banbury, Oxfordshire
Helping stressed adults live with less physical and mental discomfort

19/06/2025

Not celebrating International Yoga Day?

Same.

Yes, I’m a yoga teacher. Yes, I care deeply about this practice. And that’s exactly why I don’t join in.

This day was created by a Hindu nationalist government. A regime that’s actively harming Muslims, Christians, Dalits and Adivasi people in India- while using yoga to push a narrow, nationalist message.

Yoga doesn’t belong to one religion. It comes from many South Asian cultures- Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and beyond. Flattening it into a patriotic branding tool erases its depth, complexity, and the people who shaped it.

Teaching yoga in the West is messy. There’s no perfect way. But learning about the roots, staying critical, and centring people from the margins is a good place to start.

I know the pressure to post something today. To share that sunny photo in fancy asana, get likes, sell your class.

But maybe we can do better. Maybe yoga deserves better.

✸ If you’re curious to learn more or want resources, I’m happy to share.

15/06/2025

🕔 Slow Down Sunday | 6–8pm
🧘‍♀️ longer stretches, rest, and nervous system reset
📍 London Yard Studio, Banbury
📩 book through my website

13/06/2025

It took me years to unlearn these things.

🌀 I find fast, repetitive flows dissociating. They confuse a lot of people too — especially when they feel they can’t keep up. That’s why I don’t teach them.
💭 I’ve learned that yoga doesn’t always feel calm. Sometimes it brings things up. That’s not a problem — it’s part of the process.
🧘‍♀️ I don’t believe advancing in yoga means going deeper into poses. I want my practice to help me live with more ease, to be a better human being, not twist into shapes.
🫶 And I definitely don’t think I know better than my students anymore. You’ve lived in your body your whole life. My role is to support, not direct. I’m not physio, dietetician, or therapist (yet🙈).

If you’re in Banbury, Brackley or nearby villages and this speaks to you, you’re not alone.

Yoga can be a steady companion through life’s ups and downs — not just a workout.

(If you’re curious about my group yoga classes or 1-1, feel free to message me. No pressure.)

01/06/2025

Most of us want better habits.
But we often rely on willpower—then feel guilty when it runs out.
There’s a better way.
Take decision-making out of the equation.

🗓️ Plan your habits in advance.
Put them in your calendar like appointments.
Not “I’ll try to do yoga this week”
But “Tuesday 9am – Yoga at ”
Not “I’ll rest more”
But “Sunday 4pm – No plans. Rest.”
When habits are scheduled, they become real.
They stop being ideas and start being actions.

🧠 Why it works:
Your brain likes clarity and routine.
Every time you decide in the moment, you use up mental energy.
That’s called decision fatigue—and it’s a real thing.
Pre-planning removes the friction. You don’t ask if—you just follow through.

🧍‍♀️ Start small:
– Choose 1–2 things you want more of
– Pick 1–2 things you want less of
– Block time in your calendar
– Tell people around you
– Stick with it for 2 weeks and review

Want to move more?
Schedule short walks, gentle yoga, or time in nature.
Need more stillness?
Plan screen-free evenings, self-massage, or naps.

💡 Ask yourself:
What would make June feel more easeful?
What’s one thing I can plan in today?

20/05/2025

“I can’t switch off.”
“My back always hurts.”
“I’ve tried yoga… but it wasn’t for me.”

If any of that sounds like you, this post is for you.

I teach yoga for people who think they can’t do yoga.
For busy minds, stiff bodies, and anyone who doesn’t feel at home in a typical class.

My classes are slow, kind, and full of options.
You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to be new. You don’t need to be flexible.

I created this space because I needed it too.
In my 20s, I lived with chronic back pain, self-judgment, and so much overthinking.
Yoga helped me reconnect with my body and shift how I treat myself.
Now I offer that to others.

🧘‍♀️ Based in Banbury & surrounding villages
🔗 Link in bio to try a class
📩 DM me if you’re unsure- it’s okay to be nervous

You don’t have to be ready. You just have to be curious.