Barbara Allison Yoga

14/02/2026

Sharing the yoga love this morning at class and well done to everyone for taking time out for yourself.
Have a great weekend ❤️

12/02/2026

A great post from Skyblue Yoga!

Flexibility vs Mobility
As we get older its important to give the body a good mix of Flexibility & Mobility exercises.

Reduced Muscle Elasticity, stiffness in tendons and ligaments along with lower water content in our muscles, can reduce Flexibility and leave us stiff and tight.

Muscle weakness and pain around the joints can be a result of age-related muscle and bone decline. Mobility exercises can be the answer and its never too late to start.

Flexibility = how far a joint can be moved.

Mobility= how far a joint can move itself.

Examples of Mobility exercises
Cat-Cow
Thoracic Rotation
Child's Pose
Thread the needle

Examples of Flexibility exercises
Cobra
Butterfly Pose
Forward fold
Wide leg Stretch

Mobility comes first, due to the attention on joint movement and stability which is important before muscle flexibility.
We practice mobility when we transfer from sitting to standing, and walking.

Combining stretching for flexibility and strength training for mobility is perfect for all round balance for everyday life.

I find we often practice what we enjoy, and miss out what the body needs. Going to class or taking a one-to-one session with a qualified teacher is advised. This way you get the balance you need to enjoy the tasks of everyday life without the risk of injury.

Have a thought for all the planning that goes into a class session. The class itself is just the tip of the iceberg!!!

The after effect is well worth it......

12/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined me for yoga this week - our practice included lots of mobility. ‘Tight hamstrings, achy shoulders and spine ‘…… We all have them !

Moving more before we stretch helps to ‘oil the joints’ so we can move easier and feel more comfortable.

It’s not just about being bendy but moving well too .

Have a great weekend
(Saturday - Yoga with Weights 9am - please send me a dm to book )
Barbara x

09/02/2026

Treat yourself to some self care this Saturday 14th February and join me for Yoga with Weights.

Class starts at 9am and suits beginners. £8
Guide Hall, Terrace Row, Coleraine.

The best start starts to the weekend with breath work, mobility, poses and stretches with light hand weights and ending with relaxation.

Read the benefits here in this great article
from Skyblue Yoga.

Please send me a dm to book. Everyone welcome.

Muscle Mass and Strength As you Age!!

As we get older we begin to notice small changes regarding movement and strength.
Age-related saropenia happens as we get older, muscles get weaker. This condition is caused by natural ageing, hormone changes and your lifestyle. If you lead a busy life, exercise can be put on the back burner. In your head you will start something, but before you know it months have passed and nothing has changed. Sarcopenia can start in your forties, but is more common later in life!

You may notice getting out of a chair or a car more difficult. Going up and down stairs can also be a challenge. You notice you get tired more easily. Your mental health is negetive due to fatique and loss of motivation.

We use the physical body for everyday things like carrying shopping, gardening, housework. Joint pain can be a factor also meaning the quality of your life is not what it used to be.

Can you prevent saropenia or slow it down?

Strength training, Yoga, Pilates and Gym sessions will all play a huge factor in keeping your body strong, flexible and mobile. Group activities give you motivation and lift your energy. Before you know it you feel better within yourself and daily tasks become easier!,

You have control over your body as you get older, so getting weaker and weaker as you age dosn't have to happen!!,
Some of my class members are more flexible and stronger than others half the age!!!,

You have the potential to be strong and have great energy as you get older. If you have been thinking of starting a class or a gym. Start now! Why are you waiting??

The aim is to live a long quality life....

09/02/2026

Thank you to all my Monday night yogis for showing up for themselves tonight
🧘‍♂️

08/02/2026

Happy Sunday and what a great day ! Last week I took some time off to recharge my batteries and ‘fill my own cup’. I had a few days away and yesterday I enjoyed a workshop all about the immunity system and how yoga can really keep us healthier.
I’m looking forward to sharing this and lots more with you in the next few weeks.

All 5 week block classes are back next week and are fully booked. Thank you !

Saturday 9am - Yoga with weights 💪🏼
Suits beginners
Guide Hall, Terrace Row, Coleraine.
Please message to book your space £8/ class

Have a great week x

06/02/2026

East Antrim Boat Club members raised almost £150 last night for the RNLI at the Taster Yoga Class. Great support for a great cause.

05/02/2026

It was lovely to share some yoga practice tonight with the members of East Antrim Boat Club in Larne and raise some money for the RNLI. They all impressed me with their enthusiasm and I am looking forward to bringing some more yoga to the Club in the next few weeks.

04/02/2026

Treat yourself to some me time in February and show up for yourself ! - it is Valentines month of course ❤️

Thank you to everyone who has booked my classes and for keeping me so busy - I really appreciate it !

5 week block of beginners yoga classes starts next week- Monday 9th February £35
Guide Hall, Terrace Row, Coleraine -

Monday 6pm - one space
Tuesday 7.50pm - one space
Thursday 10am - one space

Saturdays 9am - 14th February
Yoga with light weights 💪🏼
Combine strength and flexibility
This is a pay as you go class. £8
Spaces available

Peter Thompson Hall, Castlerock
Tuesday 9.30am - Class full

Please send me a message to book a place including Saturdays. All classes suit beginners - remember to bring a mat and blanket. Blocks, straps and bolsters are provided.

Looking forward to sharing some yoga love with you all in February. X

01/02/2026

Happy Sunday from a very chilly Krakow -12 !
It’s still feeling very festive here - they have winter decorations which just aren’t for Christmas and makes the cold slightly more bearable!

No yoga classes next week - 5 week block of yoga classes starts Monday 9th February. Have a great start to February x

31/01/2026

When 80% would be enough!!

Have you ever tried hard in class to touch your toes and bend over backwards, and instead of enjoying the pose you beat yourself up because the person beside you makes it look so easy as she rests her head on her knees!

When we try hard we also invite tension into the effort, destroying the aim of the pose and any progress we could be making.....

The ego wants perfection, yet thats not what class is about. If you can relax in your body you will stretch much deeper, pulling back from trying to hard and feeling the pose work, will reward you in so many ways.

Yet life is like that we give 110% when 80% would be enough. The road to perfection is paved with tension. Fear and it's sister failure put pressure on us to do the job well despite the consequences.

Next time you do class, dont try so hard, instead breathe into the pose and smile.
Notice how you melt towards your legs and fold effortlessly. When we overdeliver the body tightens up, the breath changes and the fascia tightens. We might even feel tighter after the class due to the struggle.

Have you ever tried to people please and inside you are tense and you feel mentally drained. Compare that to feeling relaxed with friends and uplifted afterwards! Your body responds to your thoughts and feelings. Energy follows thought!

So if your demotivated because you feel stiff and tight. Soften and relax! Keep stretching and stop trying so hard! 😊

Everybody is different!!!!

31/01/2026

Thank you to everybody who joined me for class this morning. An early start that sets you up for the day and weekend . Enjoy x