Yoga with Claire

04/11/2025

I love love love this photo - simply because it makes me feel happy - time spent in the water (and in nature) all year round with friends helps me reset - and deal with whatever is going on in life! Self- care is so important- whether it’s yoga practice, meditation, walks in nature or cold water swimming!!

And my friend’s charity, Blossome does such amazing work 🤩 super proud to know you Kim 🥰🥰

📣 We're in the press! 📣

Have you seen the feature on Blossome in the most recent edition of Essex Life Magazine

We are the lead feature in the magazine’s Business & Education section - a wonderful recognition of the growing impact we’re making for people affected by a loved one’s drinking, drug use, or gambling.

The feature covers our growth from Kim's personal blog, to qualifying as a Mindful Self Compassion teacher and also highlights our community activities, programmes, and support.

It also shares our mission to move towards charity status. An exciting move that means we are now looking for business partners and corporate sponsors who might be interested in partnering with us. In return for any corporate support we can offer workplace wellbeing support and self-compassion for leaders training.

🙏 Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far, and to Essex Life for sharing our story.

👉 Read the full feature in this month’s issue or visit https://vist.ly/4cnee to learn more about our work.

04/11/2025

🌿 IYCE CELEBRATION WORKSHOP – 30 YEARS! 🌿

📅 Saturday 15th November 2025
📍 Highwood Village Hall, Loves Green, Highwood, CM1 3QG

Join us for the final 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Iyengar Yoga Centre for Essex (IYCE) — a free event open to all practitioners!

✨ The day includes:
🧘‍♂️ Yoga Workshop with Paul Brown – 9:45–11:45
🪷 Talk by Susan Long – 11:45–12:45
💬 Q&A with a panel of Level 3 Teachers
☕ Refreshments – 12:45–14:00

In February 1995, a small group of Iyengar Yoga practitioners met at Susan Long’s home to discuss how to develop Iyengar Yoga in Essex. From that gathering, the Iyengar Yoga Centre for Essex (IYCE) was born — and 30 years later, we’re celebrating how far it’s come!

About Paul Brown:
Paul is a much-loved Level 3 Iyengar Yoga teacher — one of the first to be trained in Essex. Over the years, he’s refined his practice and teaching and now leads several popular classes across the county.

🎟️ This event is FREE, but booking is essential as places are limited.
Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

If you have a question you’d like to ask our teacher panel, please include it when you book!

Sandra Hitchcock is co-ordinating the bookings for this event. Please return a
completed booking form to her by email at sandra.hitchcock@outlook.com.

31/10/2025

It’s not just movement — it’s nourishment for your bones.

Through specific asanas, yoga helps stimulate bone growth and prevent density loss, especially in the hips, legs, and spine — areas most affected by osteoporosis and osteopenia.

✅ Standing & One-Legged Poses like Vrksasana (Tree Pose) work against gravity to strengthen the skeletal structure.
✅ Muscular engagement nourishes the bones through precise alignment and active grip.
✅ Postural awareness supports long-term bone health and stability.

🌿 Even small daily habits — like balancing on one leg while brushing your teeth — can make a powerful difference for your femur heads and hips.

29/10/2025

We’re delighted to announce that booking for our 2026 convention is now open.

Our Teacher:
Birjoo Mehta is a senior Iyengar yoga teacher based in Mumbai, India. Birjoo’s parents were Iyengar yoga teachers and encouraged Birjoo and his sisters to practice yoga as they were growing up. As a young man, Birjoo travelled with B.K.S. Iyengar to many international events, demonstrating and teaching. Birjoo currently teaches at Iyengar Yogashraya - Mumbai and is a trustee for the Light on Yoga Research Trust.

Venue
The convention will be held at The Hilton,1 William Street, Glasgow, G3 8HT.

Experience level
The convention is for practitioners with a minimum two years of Iyengar yoga practice.

Book here https://iyengaryoga.org.uk/birjoo-mehta-convention-2026/

29/10/2025

Happy Halloween week 🎃👻!!

☠️☠️☠️

28/10/2025

Next 6 week block starts Tuesday 4/11
All abilities welcome
Contact me for more details
07798 725 557

Thinking about trying yoga? Our classes are small, friendly and open to all levels.
Fully equipped dedicated studio set in the beautiful Essex countryside. See website for more details.

22/10/2025

Join me next Wednesday 29th October for a yoga workshop from 09:30-12:30, including asana practice, restorative & breathwork. A great opportunity to deepen your practice and understanding...

Message me if interested - 2 spaces remaining
For ALL levels of experience.

10/10/2025

🤸🏼‍♀️happy friday yogi's 🧘🏼‍♀️

09/10/2025

🍁As we ease into autumn and the days grow shorter, it's the perfect time to prioritise your self-care🧘‍♂️.

Join me at my small, friendly yoga classes in Chelmsford, Danbury and North End, Essex. Whether you're completely new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, there's a class to suit your needs.

I offer hand-on adjustments to help you find proper alignment in each pose, ensuring you get the most benefit from your practice🤸‍♀️ . With years of experience I tailor sessions to suit all levels and specific requirements.

To find out more or to book your space please email me at:

📧hanrahan_claire@hotmail.co.uk

or leave me a message on
📞07798 725 557

01/10/2025

Next Friday (10 October) Intermediate Level 2/3 workshop at Saints Green place 11am - 1pm. Message me to book a place...

24/09/2025

Twists in yoga are not just about “turning the spine.” They carry deep physiological, therapeutic, and structural benefits that impact the whole torso.

🔹 Promote Spinal Health & Circulation
By bringing circulation to the spine and nourishing the organs, twists make the ribs more pliable—preparing the body for both forward and backward bends.

🔹 Increase Rotation & Create Space
The essence of a twist is rotation of the spine. The key is to grow tall on inhalation and then turn on exhalation. This upward extension creates space, allowing the vertebrae to rotate more freely and safely. Remember: turn from the tailbone up the spine—not just the hips.

🔹 Engage the Abdominal Organs
Twists create a squeezing and soaking action for the abdominal viscera. Sharper exhalations—like turning the navel and waist—enhance this internal massage effect, stimulating digestion and organ health.

🔹 Relieve Neck & Shoulder Issues
Postures like Ardha Matsyendrasana help release neck and shoulder tension while aligning the elbow joint. Pro tip: look opposite to the turn to deepen the twist and avoid compressing the neck.

🌿 In essence: Twists rejuvenate the spine, invigorate circulation, massage the organs, and restore balance to the torso—keeping the body supple, strong, and aligned.

In your next practice, turn not just the body—turn awareness inward.



🌍 https://www.bksiyengaryogashala.com/