The teaching embraces the many traditions of the huge world of yoga from Ancient times right up to the most recent scientific research on the efficacy of yoga; the yoga at Sheepdrove Yoga is constantly evolving in order to support each individual.

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All lessons are normally taught by Jane with some weekend workshops being taught by invited teachers. We have had the good fortune to welcome Senior Iyengar teachers June Whittaker and Richard Agar Ward to teach at Sheepdrove Yoga.

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Iyengar yoga - the world’s most practiced yoga method and known worldwide for its safe, progressive instruction in a wide range of yoga postures and breath control techniques. It was developed and taught by BKS Iyengar who earned worldwide respect and recognition for his achievements and made yoga accessible and relevant to people everywhere with the use of props. Jane was trained as a teacher by Mira Mehta, one of the most senior Iyengar Yoga teachers outside India and recognized as an authority in all its aspects: asana (postures), pranayama (control of your breath), philosophy and therapy. Mira co-authored the classical yoga textbook, Yoga; The Iyengar Way.

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Yoga Therapy and Butekyo Breathing – yoga can be used on a therapeutic basis to help promote physical and mental health and well-being. A therapy session includes a personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management and yoga practices. Jane holds a Yoga Therapy Diploma and is registered as a Yoga Therapist with the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council. Many of the testimonials on this website result from work done during Yoga Therapy sessions.  Jane is also a qualified Buteyko breathing teacher and breathing practice is integrated into her Yoga Therapy practice or a client can request a 1-2-1 session dedicated to Butekyo.

 

NEW for 2024 is a pop in Group Yoga Therapy class on Tuesday evenings - if you have been given a yoga sequence to work on you can pop along, either regularly or on one off basis, to work through that sequence with Jane in a group session. We will start working as a Group together, then you will work through your personal sequence before we finish the session together.
 

Jane will help each individual with queries during the session and amend the sequence as they work through it. Ideal if you have a medical condition or difficulty with certain postures because of weak knees, shoulders, back, little toe (!) that you need to pay attention to but can't do a 1-2-1 or 1-2-2 session. You can book here for one session https://www.sheepdroveyoga.com/booking-calendar/new-pop-in-group-therapy-1-2-1-class or book a plan of sessions here https://www.sheepdroveyoga.com/plans-pricing/payment.

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1-2-1 or 1-2-2 Yoga sessions  - group classes are a recent innovation - in ancient times students worked on a 1-2-1 basis with their teacher. In a 1-2-1 /1-2-2 session as a Beginner you can try out yoga before your first class or if you are already practising yoga, you can improve your yoga postures after your 10th/100th/1000th class or improve your knowledge of yoga philosophy, relaxation, meditation or pranayama or address a specific health challenge using Yoga Therapy. More recently, Jane has been using Yoga Therapy to help individuals to understand, and implement Physio recommendations in their daily lives.

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Please pay for your Yoga Therapy or 1-2-1 Yoga Sessions via the Book Online or Plans and Vouchers page and then contact Jane to arrange a convenient time for your first session.

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Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs - Jane is a qualified to teach a specialised 12 week course of Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs. The course is an innovative, evidence-based way to improve back health and function.  It aims to help people get back to being more active again and give them the knowledge to self-manage their back pain long term. The University of York (Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit) ran one of the largest yoga research studies, funded by Arthritis Research UK. The research found that the Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs course resulted in 78% improvement in daily functioning. It has been featured on the media including on James Gallagher's BBC Radio 4 Inside Health  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001jksr. If you would like to find out more about this course please contact Jane direct. The course can be run on a 1-2-1 or Group setting.  

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​Yoga Nidra  - the deepest kind of relaxation – an ancient but little-known yogic practice that is becoming increasingly popular which helps create balance and harmony in the nervous system by quietening the mind. Yoga Nidra is frequently observed as a kind of ‘yogic sleep’ whereas within the state of yoga nidra, you’re further beyond a waking state, past a dreaming state and inside a kind of sleep or very deep meditative state, even though you are truly awake. It often brings immediate physical benefits, such as reduced stress and better sleep and has the potential to heal psychological wounds. As a meditation practice, it can engender a profound sense of joy and well-being. It is a deceptively simple guided practice, taught lying down and can be introduced and practiced in less than 10 minutes. It is now used in the USA across military facilities to manage negative emotions and stress and reduce PTSD symptoms, anxiety, addictions and insomnia as well as in homeless shelters, Montessori schools, hospitals and hospices. Jane trained as a Teacher of Total Yoga Nidra with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli and Nirlipta Tuli, co-founders of the Yoga Nidra Network.

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​Yoga for Pregnancy - pre and post-natal 1-2-1’s are offered on demand to support a woman through pregnancy and birth. Jane trained with Sally Parkes to deliver safe, effective and uplifting classes and 1-2-1’s based on a combination of appropriate anatomy, physiology, asana, pranayama (control of your breath), mudra and relaxation based on the teachings of Yoga. Post-natal classes include gentle exercise rehabilitation to assist postnatal recovery. ​

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Classes are normally fully equipped in a purpose built cedarwood Yoga Shack equipped with a Yoga Wall with stunning views down the beautiful green and tranquil Lambourn Valley. In light of COVID  participants are asked to bring as much of their own yoga equipment as possible (at least a mat and 3 large towels/blankets). It would be hugely appreciated if you could sanitize any equipment you do borrow before and after a lesson with the sanitizer provided.