Bright + Well Yoga

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Bright + Well Yoga

ONLINE Yoga for All : Pregnancy yoga : Birth Partner Yoga : Postnatal Yoga : Kids Yoga : Mini- retre Welcome to Bright + Well Yoga, with me, Sarah.

I aim to help you create a bit more physical and mental space in your life, enabling you to live with more awareness and balance. Bright + Well Yoga classes are focused on connecting with your body, your breath and your mind, building strength inside and out, enabling you to live more fully as a result. There is something for everyone. Whether you are in need of some time out from everyday stresse

s to reconnect to your body and mind, pregnant and looking to feel more comfortable and connected with your ever changing body, or postnatal and looking to regain strength and find some relaxation with baby alongside you. There will be movement, breath-work, meditation and of course lots of yoga poses. You can join me online via zoom for one of my workshops or classes, or for a private one-to-one session either online or in-person. Let me know if you have any questions at all. I'm here to help!

14/07/2023

H E L L O
It's been a long while since I posted on here. A lot has been happening behind the scenes and I wanted to share a little.

When there is a lot going on it's easy to forget the joy you get from doing certain things when they are squeezed in too tightly between everything else, so this is my FACE OF JOY after teaching a one-to-one via zoom today. I absolutely love teaching yoga and sharing wellbeing tools with others and am very grateful to get these opportunities.

I am currently taking a break for the summer from teaching. Something that I've learned is sensible over the years, but not something that I fully enjoy as I do miss it a lot.

As I mentioned, there is a lot going on behind the scenes so future classes are a bit up in the air.

My accounting job has recently been very demanding and really putting all my stress management tools to the test! Deep breaths, on repeat.

On a more positive note I am very excited to be starting a part-time masters in September in Applied Positive Psychology and Psychology of Coaching at University of East London. I'm looking forward to expanding my coaching and wellbeing tools, and learning how positive psychology can help people thrive.

So watch this space. I will be teaching and sharing after the summer but things might look a little different.

I'd love to hear what's going on for you? Any adventures? Challenges? Changes?

Sending lots of love...

Sarah

06/06/2023

T H I S T H U R S D A Y!

Come and join me this Thursday for a chance to press pause and find some moments of calm and stillness.

My next 4-week block of yoga classes is themed around pressing pause.

If you ever find yourself wishing you had a personal pause button you are not alone! Just an hour or so to stop, recharge and step out of auto-pilot...

My classes themselves will give you this opportunity, but I'll also be sharing tools that you can weave into your week so that you can find these moments of clarity and stillness whenever you need them.

This is an in-person class in Ipswich, at the Quaker Meeting House. Thursday 8th - Thursday 29th June. 7.30-8.45pm. Suitable for all levels.

Hope you can join me! 🤍

24/04/2023

T H U R S D A Y C L A S S E S A R E
B A C K . . .
Starting this week after a break over Easter.

We will be focusing on Yoga for Finding Calm. Something that I think is much needed by many people (myself included!)

We will be thinking about ways to create space for calm, but also how to find a place of inner calm when that isn't possible!

Classes include yoga, meditation, breath techniques and mindfulness. And each week you will receive an email with notes and practices to use at home.

Classes are from 7.30-8.45pm at the Quaker Meeting House in central Ipswich. The 5 week block runs every Thursday from April 27th to May 25th.

There are 2 spaces left, so book in now if you'd like to join.

Can't wait to get teaching again!

14/02/2023

C O M I N G S O O N
But first, a little break.

I too am seeking that elusive sense of balance. It's definitely a work-in-progress that sometimes feels in reach but then slips through my fingers.

I'm much better these days at taking a break every now and then so that I can recharge and stay closer to a sense of balance.

This year has been pretty busy so far. Not in a bad way, but I definitely need a chance to pause.

Lots of people have asked me recently how I manage to fit everything in. Working as an accountant 25hrs a week, two children, teaching yoga, life etc. And I'm never really sure how to answer. I just do. I have an incredibly supportive husband, and I probably spend less time teaching yoga than it would appear on social media!

Having said that, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming.

But my daily yoga, journaling and meditation practice give me a chance to check-in with myself on a regular basis which helps me ease off when I need to.

Obviously this is real life and sometimes there isn't an option to press-pause, but there's usually a chance to get an early night or to prioritise self-care when I need to.

Acceptance that the to-do list will never get finished, and that "done is better than perfect" as are also some valuable lessons that I have learned over the years.

Pressure to do too much is often self-inflicted...

Finding balance is the theme of my upcoming 4 week block of classes. We'll be looking at what balance means to us as individuals, and how we can make achievable changes to move towards it.

Yoga, breathwork, meditation and journaling practices will be shared in the class, and in the weekly email I send to students, to help you gain greater self awareness which is key to finding your own version of balance that works for you.

There are just 5 spaces left. Classes are every Thursday, 2nd-23rd March, 7.30-8.40pm, at the Quaker Meeting House in central Ipswich. Book in via the website (www.brightandwellyoga.com/book-online) or via the link in my IG profile.

I'd love to hear some ways that you find balance 👇

17/01/2023

F A I L T O P L A N . . .
Plan to fail?

How do you feel about this saying? I tend to agree... Within reason.

I really enjoy planning my classes and workshops and it gives me a sense of control (which is one of the elements crucial to happiness according to the new book Happy Mind, Happy Life ) so I always have a plan on hand.

But I try not to be too attached to plans these days. Maybe it's my experience of teaching and never knowing what is going to come up on the day, or being a parent and knowing that trying to stick to a plan too rigidly is a recipe for stress.

It can be more useful to think about overall intention. How do you want to feel? What are you trying to achieve and why?

Which is why I think that setting intentions for the year ahead is much better than new year resolutions.

Intentions focus on your values, and how you want to live in alignment with those qualities.

Intentions focus on present moments and your reason for doing something rather than a certain outcome at a point in the future.

For example, you may want to focus on prioritising your wellbeing. Your intention could be to feel happy and healthy in your mind and body. You can then use this intention to plan achievable actions to move you towards this. Keeping your intention in mind will help you achieve it.

This Sunday's Intention setting workshop is a chance to press-pause and be guided through setting intentions based on how you want to feel in 2023.

There will be yoga to slow down and connect into how you are feeling, breathwork to help you feel calm and grounded, journaling and discussion to get clear on your intentions for 2023, vision board making so that you can create a visual representation of your ideas to take home with you.

There will also be tea and cake to help with your creative energy and we'll finish with a guided relaxation.

If you are local to Ipswich, I'd love you to join me this Sunday at the Quaker Meeting House on Fonnereau Road, 3.15-5.45pm. Suitable for all.

Spaces are limited but there are a few left. Book in via www.brightandwellyoga.com/book-online

📷

02/01/2023

G O O D B Y E 2 0 2 2 , H E L L O 2 0 2 3

Rather than charging into the New Year, I've been enjoying spending some time looking back at the year just gone, appreciating the good moments, acknowledging the not-so-good ones and reflecting on the memories that were made.

I've been working through the 'Unravel your year' workbook and scrolling through the hundreds of photos from the past year, and reminding myself of all the things that happened.

(Note to self - try and get more photos with both kids looking at the camera. Photos of leaves are much easier to take, very pretty, but less meaningful... I'm sure there's a message about life there!!)

Reflecting on 2022 reminded me of some big moments for Bright and Well...

- teaching at Mind Body Zen area for
- guiding a 24 hour WellNess retreat at for the National Trust
- teaching my lovely regular Thursday night class at Quaker Meeting House in Ipswich
- starting the Bright and Well book club at

As well as teaching in businesses, one-to-ones and online workshops.

I've also had some amazing personal experiences with mindfulness and meditation including attending my first Buddhist retreat with the and joining a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course with

I'm not sure what 2023 will hold, but I'm going to be taking my time and trying not to do too much at once. I juggle Bright and Well alongside working 4 days as CFO for a charity and being mum to my two lovely children, and am learning that I can't do everything.

Thanks so much for all the support over the last year! It means so much to me to be able to share my classes with people who are so appreciative and make yoga a part of my life.

I'd love to know if you look back over the last year or if you prefer to just leave it behind?

29/12/2022

C O M I N G U P I N 2 0 2 3
This is definitely a week for hibernation and taking it a little slower. But also a week for reflecting and thinking about how to head into 2023.

With this in mind I've got a couple of workshops planned which are a chance to take a moment to reflect on 2022 and set intentions for 2023.

The first is on Sunday 8th Jan via zoom, so you don't need to venture out, just set yourself up somewhere comfy and enjoy some yoga, time for journaling and reflection on the year just gone and the year ahead, and a guided relaxation. My online workshops are a chance to press pause, relax and (if you want to) chat about challenges and dreams with other lovely folk.

The second workshop is in-person on Sunday 22nd Jan at Quaker Meeting House in Ipswich, where we will practice yoga to feel grounded, journal and set intentions for 2023, create a mood board to take away, enjoy some cake and then end with a guided relaxation. (Suitable for all levels).

And my next block of classes starts on Thursday 12th Jan. It's a 5 week block running every Thursday, 7.30-8.40pm until 9th Feb. And we will be looking at how yoga can benefit our wellbeing and be part of a home practice. Something I personally find hugely helpful.

That's as far as I've got so far with my plans for 2023. If you have any requests or ideas for workshops or class themes then let me know below.

Have a lovely last week of 2022! And thanks for all the support this last year 🙏

Oh, and if you want to join my classes or workshops visit www.brightandwellyoga.com/book-online where you can find out more and book your place.

23/10/2022

W E A V E Y O U R P A R A C H U T E
People often turn to yoga and meditation when they are feeling stressed or burnt out.

And that's ok.

When we are feeling like we urgently need to slow down and create some space in our lives, yoga and meditation can provide some much needed calm.

But starting a new practice when you are feeling like you already have too much going on can be hard.

A quote from .kabat.zinn keeps coming up for me and I shared it in my yoga class this week.

"Weave your parachute every day, rather than leaving it to the time you jump out of the plane”.

This makes so much sense. Practice ways of creating space and calm in your life BEFORE you are feeling burnt out.

Master tools to manage stress BEFORE you are completely frazzled.

Stress can make us return to our old ingrained habits so the more you can create healthy habits when you are feeling less reactive, the more likely you will be able to access them when you're having a stressful time of it.

My last yoga course of 2022 is starting on 3rd November for 4 Thursday evenings, at the Quaker Meeting House in Ipswich, 7.30-8.40pm.

Create some space before the madness of December sets in and learn some useful tools to take with you into 2023.

27/09/2022

F I L L Y O U R . . . B O W L
You won't be alone if you are finding the world a bit much right now. The news is an endless supply of doom.

It's at times like these that it is so important to take time to look after ourselves so that we can be more resilient against what the world throws our way.

It feels like a good time to be restarting my in-person classes THIS THURSDAY. They provide a space to put the news and your to do list to one side and connect inwards.

Whatever is going on around us, we can use our breath and our body to feel more present and less in our heads, less in the future and less in the past. More here. For ourselves and our loved ones.

By investing time in practices to slow down, you will find it easier to access a feeling of calm off the mat whatever you are up to.

My classes always include accessible movement to develop strength, flexibility and body awareness and we will end with a guided relaxation to help you to sleep well and let go of tension.

There are a few spaces left on the next block which starts this Thursday. 29th September at Quaker Meeting House Ipswich. 7.30-8.40pm. Suitable for all levels. £45 for 4 weeks.

I'd love to see you there if you are local. 💚 And if not, do check out my videos. Via my profile, to access a little bit of physical and mental space 🙏🙏

16/09/2022

R E A D I N G L O V E
One of my favourite things about holidays is being able to read. Anyone else?

Ever since I could read I would try and cram as many books into my suitcase as I possibly could and then endeavour to read at every opportunity

Here's what I read whilst on holiday this summer. (There's one missing. Olive by ) as it had to go back to the library. (It was the perfect escape book in case you're wondering).

From the bottom of the pile:

Do Less by . The book for next week's Bright and Well book club. Love this insightful book which encourages you do less by working out what you can let go of, and being ok with resting and being more in tune with your energy.

After by Wow! This book was recommended by one of the lovely people from the Bright and Well book club. (Thanks ) It was so interesting and really challenged my preconceptions about consciousness and what happens when we die. Definitely recommend this book!

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason. A brilliant book that was also recommended at the book club. A funny relatable novel about a woman's struggles with everyday l

Utopia for realists by This book was referred to in Lost Connections by Johann Hari. Thought provoking book about how making dramatic but achievable changes to society such as governments giving everyone a universal income and working a 15 hour work week can have massive benefits for society and will help make the world a better place. Sign me up!

Breath by Loved this book and the fascinating research into how breathing through our noses can have huge health benefits. I have been sleeping with my mouth taped closed since residing this book and am trying to bring nose breathing into my running too. This book joins up lots of the dots from breath work in yoga too. Definitely recommend this book! Thanks for recommending

Klara and the sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. Loved this very sweet book about Artificial Friend Klara. Slightly terrifying that this may be a glimpse into the future but loved it nonetheless.

What have you been reading? Love a recommendation!

06/09/2022

B O O K C L U B
I'm really excited about this one.

Do Less by is a book that I have recommended to so many people.

We will be discussing the ideas in this book and sharing how we are getting on with the exercises over the next two Bright and Well book club sessions.

Do Less explores some really thought provoking and reality-checking ideas.

Such as;

Our resistance to rest and doing less.

How our education systems and work lives are set up around the idea that we need to be being productive, and constantly busy in a world that fails to take into account our cyclical nature and our need for periods of rest and recuperation in order to emerge with creative and inspired ideas.

And how before we fix the system we need to start with ourselves and undo some of the programming which causes us to work ourselves to the point to stress and overwhelm. ........................

Come and join us if you would love to adopt a kinder pace of life. This doesn't mean letting go of what matters to you. Rather discovering what is important and decluttering the rest.

As usual the book club will be at the beautiful on Tuesday 20th September and 18th October, 7-8.30pm. It is £28 for the two sessions including cake and a drink.

It's always a brilliant evening with so many interesting ideas shared amongst lovely people and a sense of hope that comes with collectively challenging how we exist in the world.

05/09/2022

H E Y S E P T E M B E R
After a summer of laying low and taking a little break from teaching I can feel the back to school energy creeping back in.

I try and practice what I preach but finding the elusive balance between work, teaching, parenting and space to enjoy life can be a struggle.

I always find the summer holidays are one of those times where I need to make some changes and take a break from teaching and social media so that I can make the most of my days off to spend with the kids and take things a little slower.

But it's back to school this week and I'm excited about getting back to teaching (and having a bit more time to think).

How was your summer?

Are you ready to embrace September or wishing summer could last a little longer?

P.s I'll be adding the next 4 week block of classes to the website this week which will start on Thursday 29th September... And the next Bright and Well book club which is coming up on Tuesday 20th September and 18th October. We're reading Do Less by

18/07/2022

L A T I T U D E ! ! !
I am so excited for this weekend as I am heading to Latitude festival to teach yoga in the Mind, Body and Zen area for the brilliant The Zen Project ( The Zen Project] )

The Zen Project are a social enterprise whose mission is to bring moments of zen to.those who need it.

They have loads of exciting things going on, including crowdfunding, wellbeing events plus a very full schedule at Latitude. Check them out!

I'll be guiding a meditation on their converted school bus on Friday and then teaching some energising yoga sessions in the yoga tent on Saturday and Sunday.

I've ordered my glitter and silver leggings so just need to get through the last week of school and I'm there...

Let me know below if you're heading to Latitude. 👇

Do come and say hi and join me for yoga if you're there.🙏💚

Posted • The Zen Project] New additions and booking for Mind, Body & Zen at Latitude Festival] 🙌🚌✨

Posted • Latitude Festival] We have brand new additions to Mind Body and Zen for 2022 which include the Woodland Stage and Outdoor Retreat! 💫

Visit the Woodland Stage for panel discussions with key writers and experts in the world of all things wellbeing, readings and live musical performances ✨

Refresh yourself with a woodfired sauna and ice bath experience at the Outdoor Retreat – book your place as spaces are limited.

Plus, bookings for yoga, treatments and experiences at The Retreat are now open!

Bookings and more info at the Mind Body and Zen section on our website 💛

27/06/2022

H A N G I N G M Y M A T U P
F O R T H E S U M M E R
Not quite yet but there's only one more 4 week in-person yoga course until the summer break.

I feel like a stuck record, but time is whizzing past so quickly this year.

If you want to take some time for yourself and head into the summer months with an air of calm and presence then this course is for you.

Starting this Thursday at the Quaker Meeting House in Ipswich I'll be teaching a 4-week course of yoga classes focusing on mindfulness.

There are many benefits from developing a more mindful approach to life;

- greater ability to focus
- being more present in the moment, helping build deeper connection with those around you
- reduced stress and anxiety as you become more aware of what triggers your worries
- greater sense of purpose from being more aware of the choices you make.

I'll be guiding you through strong yet gentle yoga practices which help you develop greater awareness of your body, your breath and your mind.

We will also be practicing meditation and breathwork, and as part of the course I share a weekly email of resources such as links to books, podcasts, journaling prompts and meditations to help you dive more deeply into the topics covered in your own time.

There are still some spaces left. Book in via the website. (See the link in my profile for more info.)

And before I hang up my mat I will also be teaching at Orford Ness on the WellNess retreat for on 9th/10th July (check out their website for more details).

And, I am very excited to be teaching at Latitude this year for The Zen Project ... Check out their latest post for how to book.

And then I will then be taking a little break over the summer but will be back in September...

13/06/2022

B O O K C L U B
Next Tuesday is Bright and Well book club at Applaud Coffee]

This month and next we will be looking at Lost Connections by .hari

If you haven't read this book already I'd definitely recommend it. You don't need to be depressed! (I do wonder if the sub-title puts people off?) You just need to be human.

It's a deep dive into the causes of depression and anxiety in order to look at what makes people happy and find much needed connection.

In Tuesday's book club, as well as enjoying Applaud's delicious hot drink and cake selection, we'll be looking at the first half of the book which looks at the disconnections which are causing more and more people to struggle with their mental health.

Here are a few which I'm sure most of us can relate to:

🌼Nature
🌼Meaningful work
🌼Other people
🌼A hopeful and secure future.

Looking forward to some interesting discussions about how we can learn from the studies mentioned in the book to live a happier life.

Join me on Tuesday 21st June and Tuesday 19th July at Applaud Coffee] on St Peter's Street, Ipswich. 7-8.30pm.

Tickets are available on Applaud's website under Creative workshops....

11/06/2022

W H A T I S E N O U G H ?
One of my favourite things about teaching yoga and sharing ways to feel well is being joined on this journey by all the lovely people that come along to my monthly workshops, my classes and who connect with me here online.

I find the practices I share so helpful in my own life for keeping stress in check, for feeling more present and to cut myself some slack!

And I know from the feedback I get from my students and coaching clients that they find them helpful too.

And that's enough for me to keep showing up!

Thanks for sharing this journey with me. 🌷

In my online workshop tomorrow morning I'll be sharing ways to feel comfortable with the idea that "Less is More" and taking time to reflect on what 'enough' looks and feels like for you, compared to the ideas you might be subconsciously chasing.

There will be a grounding yoga practice, breathwork, journaling, discussion and a guided meditation.

The workshop is via zoom so you can enjoy all this from wherever you are. 10am-12 UK time. Book in via www.brightandwellyoga.com

Address

39 Fonnereau Road
Ipswich
IP13

Telephone

+447773330691

Website

http://www.brightandwellyoga.com/

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My Story

Hi, I'm Sarah. Yoga teacher and founder of Bright + Well Yoga.

Since discovering the benefits of yoga in my own life, I am passionate about sharing this powerful practice with others, helping to bring some mental and physical space and comfort, whatever stage of life you are at.

There is something for everyone, whether you are a complete beginner, an experienced yogi, pregnant, postnatal, time-rich or time poor.

Yoga is now a key part of my life, both in my practice on the mat, the physical benefits it brings off the mat, but also in the emotional benefits that I have gained through my practice and understanding of yoga.

I haven't always had the benefits of yoga to help me navigate life, and this time 10 years ago I was in a very different place, physically and emotionally. I was in a demanding corporate job as a chartered accountant in London, working all hours, exercising very little, and very stressed out. I felt like I was on a never-ending treadmill and I couldn't see anything changing in the near future.

It was around this time that I started taking yoga a bit more seriously. I'd been to classes on and off for 10 years but only seen it as an exercise class. My husband and I moved to Brighton, still working all the hours in London, but I discovered Bikram yoga, which was the start of my journey to where I am today.

Things really changed when I was pregnant with my daughter and I attended pregnancy yoga classes with Clare Maddalena, (now the founder of LushTums). I used to float out of class and started to understand more about meditation, relaxation and noticing what my body was telling me. I loved it. I continued classes with Clare after the birth of my daughter, going to Postnatal classes. I found this such a valuable time in my week, which was otherwise a blur of sleep deprivation and baby classes, to reconnect to myself and my body.

I returned to work as an accountant part-time in a local charity (where I still work today, remotely from Ipswich). And it was at this time that Clare set up LushTums teacher training. I was in the first class of teacher trainees and it was truly life-changing. We learned about yoga philosophy, anatomy, the effect of pregnancy and birth on the body, and the effect of breath and the physical yoga practice on the body and mind.

My pregnancy yoga training opened my eyes to a world that I hadn't realised existed. A world away from corporate accounting and working yourself into the ground. I began teaching in Brighton and realised that I wasn't alone. People were so interested in this knowledge to connect to themselves, trust their instincts and gain some peace in their busy lives.

When I was pregnant with my son we moved to Ipswich, close to where I grew up, so that we could be closer to family.

I began teaching pregnancy yoga again and haven't looked back.

I have since trained to be a postnatal yoga teacher with LushTums, passionately believing that women should be able to regain strength and confidence after having their babies.

And most recently I have completed my 200 hour teacher training with CamYoga.

And that brings us to today. Via my studio (Bright + Well Studio) I am now beginning my journey to share yoga with a wider audience. Still teaching pregnancy and postnatal classes, plus hatha yoga for all and self-care workshops.

I love continuing to learn about yoga, how it actually works to change your mind and body, and see this as the beginning of a journey of self-discovery, and living a life that is true to my values.

I hope to be able to share what I learn with others along the way.

Thanks for listening and I hope you can join me!

Namaste

Sarah