Birchwood Yoga

03/09/2025

Breathing practices have the power to heal. This is the title of my latest blog post which can be read here:

https://www.birchwoodyoga.co.uk/blog/breathing-practices-have-the-power-to-heal

We will be working on a various breathing techniques to soothe the vagus nerve over the coming months, beginning with Slow Sunday on September 14th 9.30-11.00.

Only one space left! Email me to book: anneliese@birchwoodyoga.co.uk

23/08/2025

The Calming Breath is the first theme to my De-Stress Your Midlife course and will be the same for Slow Sunday on 14th September 9.30-11.00.

When we're stressed, the nervous system gets the message primarily to run or fight. In this state, the breath moves into the chest as oxygen is pumped to the muscles for action and the breath becomes fast but shallow.

If stress in chronic, we can get stuck in this pattern meant for short term survival.

Practices are used in Yoga Therapy to release tension, soothe the nervous system and restore calm so that we can breathe into the belly once again using the diaphragm rather than accessory muscles.

22/08/2025

Women at midlife are frequently carers for ageing parents and children while holding down a job and being the main housekeeper in the family.

Time is not on our side and the one thing that slips all too often is self care.

I'm thrilled to announce the opportunity to benefit from the themes of the De-Stress Your Midlife course without the commitment.

Slow Sundays are an extended monthly lesson that will run through the themes of the course and weekly lessons will follow each theme. There will be a variety of practices taught that support your mental and physical wellbeing.

The first Slow Sundays themed The Calming Breath is on 14th September 9.30-11.00 a.m and it's not too late to join the latest 8 week block of weekly lessons. You can also drop in.

Slow Sundays and classes are suitable for complete beginners and would offer you a thorough initiation into the practices of Yoga and mindfulness.

Click below for more information:
https://www.birchwoodyoga.co.uk/events

23/07/2025

Hello, I'm Anneliese. I prefer to be identified not by my job, but by my personality. I am kind, compassionate, considerate and honest. I have a good sense of humour. I can be known to have verbal diarrhoea but I am also quite shy! I am happy in my own company but enjoy one to one or small group interactions. I am curious about the world around us, particularly the flora and fauna. I love gardening and cooking - I grow my own vegetables and always cook from scratch. I love making potions and teas from dried herbs/flowers. I enjoy singing, dancing, visiting exhibitions of all kinds. I volunteer for In a previous life, or maybe my next one, was a dancer!

Over to you...

10/07/2025

Hello everyone, I am now teaching from my attic; a bright airy space in my beautiful rural home in Barcombe. Although classes are smaller, the intimacy of entering a home has created a fabulous sense of community. People stay and chat, appreciate the garden and sometimes the morning class students get to enjoy a coffee after class!

I have updated my website so do please have a look and email me if I can be of service.

https://www.birchwoodyoga.co.uk

27/06/2025

Hello everyone, I'm back after 3 years because Facebook blocked me after I forgot my password.

I have so much to tell you, not least that I'm teaching in my attic these days. But for now, give me a wave if you see this.

Anneliese 👋

05/10/2022

I just want to apologise to anyone trying to get hold of me via my page. If I don't reply to comments it's because I honestly haven't got a clue what Facebook have done to their platform. It used to be so easy and now I can't even see how to post an event. It's become so complicated that I can't use it.
Please follow me on Instagram instead.

20/08/2022

Hello, you may not know this about me but I have been keen to preserve the environment for decades now so I wanted to share this. A bit late after the holidays but perhaps it's something to consider for next year. Personally I haven't flown much in my life but that's less of a considered decision and more out of necessity. I believe flying should be a luxury and here are some positives to back up the alternatives. If nothing else, the alternatives offer a chance to still the mind and enjoy the moment at a slow pace. Something I am very passionate about!

On the Yoga front, classes resume on September 1st and there are a few spaces available so do get in touch if you want to join Slow Mindful Yoga. Slow doesn't necessarily mean easy but it does give your mind permission to quiet and your nervous system the opportunity to find a place of calm, all of which benefits any menopausal symptoms you may be suffering from.

When travel journalist Helen Coffey decided to quit flying, hercolleagues were stunned. But she soon wondered why she hadn’t done it before

28/07/2022

Lammas Day Retreat; an opportunity to celebrate summer with like minded women in a stunning setting in East Sussex. The day will be both uplifting, calming and restorative; nourishing in every way!​​​​​​​​
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Not just 1 but 2 Yoga practices are on offer. Time will be spent in nature, gathering local herbs to make a head dress in celebration of the harvest. What a gorgeous opportunity to slow down and be fully present while you craft a memorable item to wear, dry as a wreath or gift to someone special. ​​​​​​​​
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There will also be a delicious and nutritious, locally grown lunch on offer.​​​​​​​​
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The day will be a fabulous way to celebrate all that summer has brought us but also to prepare for the coming months.​​​​​​​​
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Sunday 7th August 10.00 - 16.00 at Birchwood Yoga. ​​​​​​​​
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Book via link in bio ☺️

27/07/2022

We are so lucky to have nature right on the doorstep alongside some fabulous backdrops such as this old hanger. The best thing is being able to share it with you. ​​​​​​​​
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While you practice Yoga, you get to listen to the lambs in spring, see the bluebells and hear all kinds of birds throughout the year. Even those of you who come to evening classes enjoy the owls hooting and if you're lucky, hear the stags rutting in the Autumn.​​​​​​​​
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The environment adds to the calming nature of classes at Birchwood Yoga that combine strength building with flexibility and practices to help you build resilience such as pranayama, meditation and restorative savasana.​​​​​​​​
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If you're completely new to Yoga, I'm offering private tuition on Tuesdays throughout August which is a great way to build confidence and learn the basics before joining a class.​​​​​​​​
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After this week, classes resume in September.​​​​​​​​
Sign up to my newsletter to stay in the know. Link in bio. ​​​​​​​​
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I'm always happy to chat with you about the best way to start your journey to mental and physical wellbeing at mid-life and beyond.

21/07/2022

Adjustments. Are you for or against them?...​​​​​​​​
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Sometimes I've experienced forceful adjustments where my body has been manipulated into position. ​​​​​​​​
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I've also experienced gentle guidance; a lighter touch to give direction rather than forcing my body into a position it might not like. After all, I'm the only one who can feel what's happening inside my body. ​​​​​​​​
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And of course there are verbal cues and asking questions to encourage self inquiry. ​​​​​​​​
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I prefer the latter two. They empower me to figure out what I should feel, how to get there and what to do. If I'm physically manipulated I feel annoyed as I don't learn that way. ​​​​​​​​
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Perhaps there's a place for each method depending on the person and the level of experience but in my teaching I stick to guidance over manipulation.​​​​​​​​
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What's your preference? Do you prefer being left alone entirely even?

13/07/2022