Yoga with Maria

19/10/2025

Looking to start (or re-start) your yoga practice but not sure which session might be best for you?

Today the focus is on our ‘gentle yoga’ sessions, which take place every Thursday at Stonnall Village Hall 10am to 11am and also online every Thursday 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

In these yoga classes we take things nice and slow, making use of props like a chair/a wall or a yoga belt to ensure poses are accessible even if you have mobility issues.

We all stand for part of the practice but we also use a chair to help us find greater stability and comfort in the poses. In other parts of the practice, you have the choice to sit in the chair or to sit or lie down on the floor.

In addition to postures, we explore breathing and meditation techniques aimed at quietening and calming the mind.

These sessions are ideal for those looking for a slower paced class or those recovering from injury or illness.

If you’d like to join our small and friendly group, email me: mariasyogauk@gmail.com

05/10/2025

In need of some time for yourself?

There’s just one place left for our next Yoga & Qigong Full Day Retreat at The Deer Park on Saturday 08 November.

You’ll enjoy a morning of mindful yoga and qigong, a delicious seasonal lunch in the Deer Park cafe, great company, a countryside walk and a blissful Sound Bath to round off this special day.

For all the details and to find out how to grab the last spot, head to the website: https://www.mariasyoga.co.uk/coming-soon

03/10/2025

Thinking of starting (or re-starting) a regular yoga practice but not sure which might the best session for you?

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing details of each of the different sessions that I offer.

Today the focus is on our Mindful Yoga sessions (Tuesday nights at Fradley Village Hall, then Wednesday and Thursday nights at Stonnall Village Hall).

In these sessions you’ll experience a fully rounded yoga practice, incorporating posture work, breathing practices, meditation and relaxation techniques, all designed to help strengthen and mobilise the body while releasing the effects of chronic stress. We also look at how the teachings of ancient wisdom traditions can be applied to our everyday life.

The sessions are suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to more experienced yoga practitioners. Everyone practises at their own pace, with variations and modifications and the use of props actively encouraged.

If you would like to join any of our small and friendly groups, you can find more details on the website: https://www.mariasyoga.co.uk
To book, email me at: mariasyogauk@gmail.com

03/10/2025

Simple strategies for a more optimistic October from Action for Happiness 🙏

21/09/2025

In need of something to look forward to as the nights begin to draw in?

Treat yourself to a wonderful day of yoga and qigong at the beautiful venue of The Deer Park at Hoar Cross on Saturday 08 November.

You’ll enjoy a morning of mindful yoga and qigong practices, a delicious seasonal lunch in the Deer Park cafe and a countryside walk overlooking the Staffordshire hills. To round off your special day, Serenity Sound & Soul With Jen will be creating a blissful Sound Bath.

For all the details and to book, click on the link to the website: https://www.mariasyoga.co.uk/coming-soon

16/09/2025

WHERE DO I START?

Beginning a yoga practice (or returning to a regular yoga practice after a long break) can feel daunting.

With so many different types of yoga on offer you could be forgiven for thinking ‘where on earth do I start?’

Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be sharing posts looking in a little more detail at each of the sessions I offer to help you decide which session might be the best fit for you.

In the meantime, here’s a reminder of a blog I wrote last year with a few general questions you might want to consider before booking a session:

Beginning a yoga practice (or returning to a regular yoga practice after a long break) can feel daunting. With so many different types of yoga on offer you could be forgiven for thinking ‘where on earth do I start?’ So here are a few questions you may wish to ask before you commit to booking a s

14/09/2025

The last few weeks have been a balm for the soul. Escaping the constant noise of everyday life and immersing myself in nature. Spotting eagles, dolphins, harriers and otters and being reminded of the beauty to be found in the natural world.

As summer comes to an end, I’m looking forward to returning tomorrow (Monday 15 September) with all of our yoga and qigong sessions in Fradley, Lichfield and Stonnall.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be exploring ways we might ‘dial down’ the noise around us and focus on what really matters. If you’d like to join any of our small and friendly sessions, email me: mariasyogauk@gmail.com

19/08/2025

What a joy it was to gather together for our woodland workshop at Buzzards valley on Sunday.

We enjoyed yoga and qigong practices under the trees, had a natter over nibbles and made a few new friends.

Thank you so much to everyone who came and to Denise Walters for guiding a lovely yoga session.

We’ll be back! 🙏🌳

16/08/2025

We covered a wealth of material during last weekend’s fantastic immersion on the Physiology of Yoga with Andrew McGonigle (Doctor Yogi) and Matt Huy (Yoga with Matt) at Orangeyoga Studio in Cheltenham.

The great news is that all the latest scientific research shows that a regular yoga practice supports our physical, energetic, mental and emotional wellbeing 🙏😊

I’ll be taking a long summer break from Thursday 21 August but if you’d like to join our yoga or qigong sessions in Fradley, Lichfield or Stonnall once I’m back from 15 September onwards, get in touch via a DM or email me: mariasyogauk@gmail.com

05/08/2025

Come and join us at Water Orton Primary School tomorrow night (Wednesday 06 August, 7pm to 8.15pm) and help us raise money for the charities YOU choose.

I’m delighted to be guiding the first of this year’s annual charity yoga summer school sessions, all organised by the fabulous Denise Walters.

Each Wednesday there will be a different yoga teacher offering a different style of yoga but you’re guaranteed a fun, relaxing session each week. Minimum donation of £5 but feel free to give more if you can. Cash only.

See you there tomorrow! 🙏

04/08/2025

Our small and friendly sessions at Fradley, Lichfield and Stonnall are running until Wednesday 20 August. After that I’ll be taking my summer break.

If you’d like to join us before or after the break, get in touch. Please note, no session at Stonnall this Wednesday as I’m teaching at the annual charity yoga summer school at Water Orton Primary School (why not join us there? Scroll down posts for more details).

If you’re not sure which session might be best for you, keep checking in as over the next couple of weeks I’ll be posting about what you can expect at each of our sessions.

13/07/2025

It’s going to be another hot one this week, so don’t forget your Sitali (cooling) breath, which we’ve been practising during the heatwave.

Sit comfortably with the head level. Open the mouth into a narrow ‘O’ shape and stick the tongue out, curled up at the sides. Inhale with the tongue out in this position. To exhale, draw the tongue back into the mouth, close the lips and breathe out through the nostrils.

Keep breathing like this until you feel you’ve cooled down a little!