Shine Yoga & Pilates with Dawn

Shine Yoga & Pilates with Dawn Yoga Alliance Professionals Senior Yoga Teacher. Level 3 Mat Pilates Instructor. Level 1 & 2 Sound Healing Practitioner at Sound Bath Kent

In previous lives I was a corporate PA in the City of London and a SCUBA diving instructor/dive centre manager in various far-flung locations around the globe. My love for yoga, and the realisation from my time as a diving instructor that I had a knack for teaching, drove me to the Arizona desert to immerse myself in a yoga teacher training in September 2010. From there I went on to teach group and private classes at boutique resorts, leisure centres and vacation villas in the British Virgin Islands, and private classes in Grand Cayman, alongside working as a dive resort manager. After hanging up my dive instructor fins, I moved back to the UK. I teach group and private 1:1 classes full-time in and around Gravesend and Kent. My usual yoga class style is a fusion of Hatha and Vinyasa with much emphasis on breath, sensation and alignment. I teach Yin Yoga regularly too. And chair yoga/fitness for those that find it difficult to get down on the mat. And while a little Pranayama, Meditation and Yoga Nidra/Relaxation is an integral part of all my physical classes, since the advent of COVID I now have many more requests for a full class of these more mindful practices from students that want to use yoga to help them alleviate stress and anxiety issues. I also run regular yoga day retreats that coincide with events in the Wheel of the Year. I love the variety that teaching yoga brings to my days. And the blissful look on my students’ faces as they emerge from Savasana (Relaxation) never fails to bring a smile to my face! In January 2019 I became qualified as a Level 3 Mat Pilates instructor and teach regularly in the same area. My Pilates classes are based on the traditional methods laid down by Joseph Pilates, the founder of the Pilates movement. I use Pilates balls, resistance bands and other props in my classes to deepen the Pilates practice. I also teach standing/chair Pilates for those that find it difficult to exercise down on the mat. I have an easy, casual style of teaching. I don’t take myself too seriously and encourage the same from my students.

06/10/2025

I’m on holiday for a week 🤿 ⛴️ ☀️ Classes resume on the 15th 🙏💚

As the sun crosses the celestial equator, the autumn equinox marks a moment of perfect balance—day and night in equal me...
21/09/2025

As the sun crosses the celestial equator, the autumn equinox marks a moment of perfect balance—day and night in equal measure. It’s a gentle reminder from nature that life flows in cycles, and balance is not something we hold onto, but something we continuously return to.

In yoga, we explore this same dance of opposites: strength and softness, effort and surrender, movement and stillness. Just as the equinox teaches us to embrace change, our practice encourages us to ground ourselves in the present while opening to new possibilities.

🍁 How to honour the equinox in your practice:
• Flow through grounding postures like Mountain Pose, Warrior II, and Tree Pose to cultivate steadiness.
• Embrace stillness with forward folds and restorative poses, allowing space for reflection.
• Set an intention that mirrors the season—perhaps letting go of what no longer serves you, just as the trees release their leaves.

This is a powerful time to pause, breathe, and reconnect. The equinox invites us to notice where we may need more balance—on the mat and in our lives—and to welcome the beauty of transition with grace.

✨ How will you invite balance into your life this autumn?

20/09/2025

Movement is medicine for body and soul 💫 Are you ready to join one of my classes - your body will thank you ☺️ Full class schedule and bookings here : www.bookwhen.com/shineyogaandpilates

🧘‍♀️ Savasana: One of The Most Important Yoga Poses😌 You might think Savasana—also called Co**se Pose—is just “lying dow...
08/08/2025

🧘‍♀️ Savasana: One of The Most Important Yoga Poses

😌 You might think Savasana—also called Co**se Pose—is just “lying down” at the end of class. But it’s so much more than that. It’s the moment when your body, breath, and mind finally settle. Your nervous system shifts into deep rest, allowing true healing and integration to happen.

🌿 Why do we do Savasana?
• It calms the nervous system
• It helps your body absorb all the benefits of your practice
• It teaches us presence, stillness, and the art of letting go

🧠 What if your mind wanders?
That’s totally normal! When you notice your thoughts drifting, gently bring your focus back to your breath or the feeling of your body resting on the ground. It’s a practice, not perfection.

⏱️ How long should you stay?
Ideally 5–10 minutes—longer if your practice has been intense. This gives your nervous system time to truly reset and repair.

🪷 Savasana isn’t just the end of your practice — it’s where the real transformation begins. In stillness, your practice takes root and blooms.

💫IF YOU WANT TO LEARN THIS AND OTHER KEY YOGA POSES join my 5-Week Yoga Foundations Course. Stepping into a new class can feel daunting, but my Yoga Foundations Course is designed to be welcoming, encouraging, and completely non-intimidating. You’ll be surrounded by other beginners, and each session will guide you step by step, ensuring you feel comfortable and at ease from day one.

📅 Every Monday from 1st-29th September 2025

🕰️ 5.30-6.30pm

📍 The Veterans Club, Clarence Place, Gravesend DA12 1LB

💵 £45 for full 5-week course

🎟️ Book Here: https://bookwhen.com/shineyogaandpilates/e/ev-sq8t-20250901173000

🌙 Someone asked in class this week “Why Do We Close Our Eyes During Meditation or Relaxation?” Good question…Closing th...
01/08/2025

🌙 Someone asked in class this week “Why Do We Close Our Eyes During Meditation or Relaxation?” Good question…

Closing the eyes is a simple but powerful way to help turn the senses inward and reduce external distractions. Here’s why it’s so effective:

🧠 1. Calms the Nervous System
When we close our eyes, we send a signal to the brain that it’s safe to relax. It lowers sensory input, especially visual stimulation, helping shift from “fight or flight” into the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) mode.

👁️ 2. Enhances Focus and Awareness
Sight is our dominant sense. By closing our eyes, we’re less likely to be pulled outward by movement, color, or light. This makes it easier to focus on the inner experience — like breath, body sensations, or thoughts — without distraction.

🧘 3. Deepens the Meditative State
In many meditation traditions, closing the eyes helps guide the practitioner toward pratyahara — the yogic concept of sensory withdrawal. It allows us to move deeper into stillness, silence, and self-awareness.

💭 4. Encourages Introspection
When your eyes are closed, you become more aware of what’s happening within — emotionally, mentally, and physically. It’s like turning down the volume of the outside world so you can really hear what’s going on inside.

That said, closing the eyes is optional. Some people may feel more grounded or safer with eyes open or softly focused — especially in trauma-informed or beginner settings. It’s always about what supports the most comfort and presence for the individual.

👁️✨ So next time you close your eyes in meditation, know you’re not just tuning out — you’re tuning in.

✨ Exciting Events Incoming! ✨Whether you’re craving deep rest, meaningful movement, or time just for you — there’s somet...
01/08/2025

✨ Exciting Events Incoming! ✨
Whether you’re craving deep rest, meaningful movement, or time just for you — there’s something beautiful coming your way 💫

🧘‍♀️ Yoga Day Retreats – A whole day or just a morning to unwind, reconnect, and gently refill your cup. Think mindful movement, breathwork, nourishing rest, and of course…

🎶 Sound Baths – Upcoming sessions designed to soothe the nervous system, quiet the mind, and support your body’s natural healing response. Some sessions even begin with a deeply relaxing Yoga Nidra (a guided full-body meditation) to prepare your mind and body for an even deeper experience of sound. It’s a powerful combination for those needing a reset on all levels — physical, mental, emotional.

🌿 5-Week Beginners Yoga Course – Ready to begin (or restart) your yoga journey? This supportive, confidence-building course is designed to help you build strength, flexibility, and inner calm — one breath and one step at a time. A gentle and welcoming way to kickstart your practice.

There’s much to look forward to in the months ahead, and I’m committed to offering a variety of events to suit every body, every energy level, and every pocket.

💌 If your soul is calling for rest, reset, or a little magic take a look below and click on the links for full details and to book your slot. I’d love to welcome you at one (or more!)

WELLNESS MORNING IN THE WOODLAND TEEPEE – INCLUDES YOGA, INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE, SOUND BATH & BRUNCH
📅 Saturday 30TH August
🕰️ 10am-1pm
📍 The Manor Gardens, Birling Estate, Snodland Road, West Malling ME19 5JQ
💷 £60
🎟️ To book your space, contact me direct on 07497436045 or email dawn@shineyogaandpilates.co.uk
HURRY - SPACE IS ALMOST SOLD OUT!

5 WEEK YOGA FOUNDATIONS COURSE – START YOUR YOGA JOURNEY WITH CONFIDENCE
📅 Every Monday from 1st-29th September 2025
🕰️ 5.30-6.30pm
📍 The Veterans Club, Clarence Place, Gravesend DA12 1LB
💵 £45 for full 5-week course
🎟️ Book Here: https://bookwhen.com/shineyogaandpilates/e/ev-sq8t-20250901173000
JUST FOUR SPACES LEFT!

CANDLELIT SOUND BATH
📅 Friday 19th September
🕰️ 7-8pm
📍Larkfield Village Hall, New Hythe Lane, Aylesford ME20 6PU
💷£18
🎟️ FULL DETAILS & BOOK HERE:
https://bookwhen.com/shineyogaandpilates/e/ev-svh4-20250919190000

YOGA DAY ESCAPE & SOUND BATH
📅 Sunday, 28th September 2025
⏰10am-3.30pm
📍 Shorne Woods Country Park
💷 £55 EARLY BIRD Price until 7th September, £60 thereafter
🎟️ FULL DETAILS & BOOK HERE: https://bookwhen.com/shineyogaandpilates/e/ev-saou-20250928100000

CANDLELIT EVENING OF SOUND HEALING & YOGA NIDRA
🗓️ Date: Saturday, 25th October
🕰️ Time: 7-8.30pm
📍 Location: The Veterans Club, Clarence Place, Gravesend DA12 lLB
🎟️ FULL DETAILS & BOOK HERE: https://bookwhen.com/shineyogaandpilates/e/ev-skha-20250801093000
💷 Cost: £20

Sound Bath Kent

Even on holiday — especially in the heat 🌞 — a little yoga goes a long way.This is my little shaded yoga hideaway 🧘‍♀️🌿—...
22/07/2025

Even on holiday — especially in the heat 🌞 — a little yoga goes a long way.

This is my little shaded yoga hideaway 🧘‍♀️🌿—just enough space to roll out my mat, breathe, and move with intention.

Just 10–15 minutes can shift everything.
☀️ In the morning, I flow through energising movements like Sun Salutations, Warrior II, and a few rounds of Crescent Lunge with gentle backbends — they open the heart and energise the body.
🌙 In the evening, I keep it slow and grounding — seated forward folds, hip openers, and supported twists, with long, steady breaths to wind down.

It doesn’t have to be a full hour. Show up as you are. Let your practice meet you where you are 💛

“A little each day is better than a lot someday.”

🌀 Did you know Pilates was originally called “Contrology”? 🌀Back in the early 1900s, Joseph Pilates developed his method...
17/07/2025

🌀 Did you know Pilates was originally called “Contrology”? 🌀

Back in the early 1900s, Joseph Pilates developed his method not just for dancers or elite athletes, but for everyone — from soldiers recovering in hospitals to everyday people wanting to move better and feel stronger.

He believed that true strength comes from the mind-body connection — and that when you learn to move with intention, everything else falls into place. 💫

✨ The aim? Not big muscles — but balanced, coordinated, resilient ones. ✨

Pilates was first used to help people recover and rebuild after injury, using hospital bed springs for resistance (which later became the Reformer!). That’s why it’s still so adaptable today — gentle or strong, beginner or experienced, it meets you exactly where you are.

Whether you’re:
✔️ Looking to build core strength and improve posture
✔️ Coming back from injury or managing chronic tension
✔️ Wanting to feel more grounded, mobile, and strong in your body
Pilates is for you.

It’s not just about exercise — it’s about learning to move well, so you can live well.

🌀 Come try a class and feel the difference for yourself — your body will thank you. My class schedule is here: www.bookwhen.com/shineyogaandpilates




🎶 Spot that slightly unusual instrument in the top of this photo? That’s the Windsinger — an odd-looking therapeutic ins...
17/07/2025

🎶 Spot that slightly unusual instrument in the top of this photo? That’s the Windsinger — an odd-looking therapeutic instrument I use in my sound baths.

💫 It may not win any beauty contests, but when moved through the air, it creates a deep, buzzing hum - almost like a sonic breeze — stirring your senses and awakening something ancient within you. I use it to shift energy, clear space and guide you into deep presence.

☸️I often play it between the grounding depth of the gongs and the clear tones of the singing bowls — it acts like a soft thread weaving the whole sound journey together, helping your nervous system glide smoothly from one vibration to the next.

The Windsinger has roots in ancient instruments like the bullroarer, traditionally used in sacred rituals to shift energy, call on spirit, and move between worlds.

🌀So next time you hear that mysterious buzz dancing through the room, you’ll know — that’s the Windsinger, doing its quirky thing!

☀️ Too Hot to Flow? Your yoga practice doesn’t have to go on pause during this current heatwave 🥵 You just need to cool ...
01/07/2025

☀️ Too Hot to Flow? Your yoga practice doesn’t have to go on pause during this current heatwave 🥵 You just need to cool it down. Here are a few ways to keep your practice going while staying refreshed:

❄️ Cooling Yoga Poses & Practices:
1. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose)
A gentle hip opener that calms the nervous system. Try it with a bolster under your spine and an eye pillow for deeper relaxation.
2. Viparita Karani (Legs Up the Wall)
This restorative inversion helps reduce swelling in the legs and promotes circulation without heat buildup.
3. Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)
Forward bends are naturally cooling and introspective. Keep it soft and restorative by using a strap or bending the knees.
4. Cat-Cow with Deep, Slow Breathing. Focus on slowing your breath to cool the body and calm the mind.

🌬️ Breathwork for Cooling:
• Sheetali or Sheetkari Pranayama (Cooling Breath)
These traditional yogic breathing techniques literally help lower your body temperature.
• Sheetali: Inhale through a curled tongue, exhale through the nose.
• Sheetkari: Inhale through the teeth with lips slightly parted, exhale through the nose.
Practice 5–10 rounds in a quiet, seated position.

🌿 Other Summer Yoga Tips:
• Practice during cooler parts of the day—early morning or after sunset.
• Stay hydrated before, during, and after.
• Use props for support—restorative poses are your best friend.
• Avoid intense hot yoga styles or prolonged sun exposure right before practice.
• Dress in light, breathable clothing.

Your practice can adapt with the seasons—just like you. Embrace slower, soothing movement, and let your mat be a place of cool retreat from the summer blaze. 🌞🧘‍♂️

🔥 Pilates Core: It’s More Than Just Abs 🔥When we say “core” in Pilates, we’re not just talking six-packs. We’re targetin...
25/06/2025

🔥 Pilates Core: It’s More Than Just Abs 🔥

When we say “core” in Pilates, we’re not just talking six-packs. We’re targeting your deep stabilizing muscles—the powerhouse of your body. 💥

🧠 So what is your core in Pilates?
Think of it as a cylinder that includes:

🔹 Transverse Abdominis – your natural corset
🔹 Pelvic Floor – supports your organs & spine
🔹 Multifidus – deep spinal stabilizers
🔹 Diaphragm – key for breath & control
🔹 Obliques – twisting, bending, stabilizing
🔹 Glutes – yep, part of your core too! 🍑

💡 Why we target them:
Because everything stems from your center—balance, movement, posture, even how you breathe. A strong, coordinated core reduces back pain, prevents injury, and makes everyday movement more efficient and effortless.

🌀 In Pilates, we don’t just strengthen the core—we train it to fire properly.
The result? Stronger movement, better alignment, and a body that works smarter, not harder.

✨ Your core is your center of power, stability, and control ✨

🌞Summer Solstice: A Time to Shine from Within🌞Today marks the Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year and a powerf...
21/06/2025

🌞Summer Solstice: A Time to Shine from Within🌞

Today marks the Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year and a powerful turning point in the rhythm of nature. 🌿✨ Spiritually, this day symbolizes light, abundance, clarity, and the fire within - it’s a perfect moment to align with the sun’s radiant energy and set new intentions.

To honor this time, many yogis gather as a community to complete 108 Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) - a flowing series of yoga postures - as a gesture of gratitude to the sun and a moving meditation that connects breath, body, and spirit 🙏🏼☀️

But why 108? 108 is a sacred number in yoga, astronomy, and spirituality:
*️⃣There are 108 energy lines (nadis) converging at the heart chakra.
*️⃣The distance between the Earth and the Sun is roughly 108 times the Sun’s diameter.
*️⃣Mala beads used in meditation have 108 beads, guiding us through a complete spiritual cycle.

Through these 108 salutations, we can release what no longer serves, stoke our inner fire, and open ourselves fully to the light, transformation, and growth this season brings.

How many Sun Salutations will you manage?!

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I am a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and member of the Yoga Alliance UK. Trained in Classical Hatha Yoga, I also teach Vinyasa Flow, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Partner Yoga, Chair Yoga, Pranayama (breathing control) and Meditation. Among the many benefits of yoga are increased flexibility and muscular length & strength, improved posture, respiration, energy & vitality, lower anxiety, stress & blood pressure levels and better sleep. People seem happy and smiley when they leave class!

I am a Level 3 Mat Pilates Instructor and teach using the traditional methodology set down by Joseph Pilates, the founder of the Pilates Movement. My classes will strengthen the core muscles, lengthen & strengthen the other major muscle groups, improve flexibility & joint mobility, posture, coordination, balance and body awareness.

Classes are suitable for all abilities. I provide modifications and progressions for most Yoga poses and Pilates exercises, allowing students to work at their own level and progress at their own pace. Class sizes are small, allowing for more personal attention.

Information about the group classes that I run in the Gravesend area can be found in the Services section.