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Yoga for beginners

Stiff? Sceptical? You're in the right place

No preaching, no crystals, no perfect poses. Just practical movement for real bodies that want to work better.

Best for

  • ✓Complete beginners (zero experience)
  • ✓Men (especially if you think yoga is "for women")
  • ✓Stiff, inflexible people who "can't touch their toes"
  • ✓Sceptics wondering "is it going to be weird?"
  • ✓Older adults and over-50s

What to expect

Everything modified for your body. I care about function: tying your shoes, getting out of the car, sleeping without shoulder pain. That's what we're working on.

Weekly class to start

Yoga isn't just for flexible people in Lycra

You can't touch your toes. Your hamstrings are tighter than guitar strings. You've never meditated and you're definitely not about to start. You think yoga is for women, for hippies, for people with time to "find themselves."

But you do want to tie your shoes without groaning. Get out of the car without your back seizing. Sleep without neck pain. Move like you did ten years ago.

That's what yoga is actually for. Not enlightenment. Not Instagram poses. Function. Your body working the way it's supposed to.

How the class works

Stress, desk work, old injuries and inactivity can all contribute to stiffness. Gentle movement can improve your range over time.

Classes are slow, with clear instructions and props everywhere: blocks, straps, bolsters, and a chair if the floor is a stretch too far. Nobody starts flexible, and nobody is asked to keep up.

I don't care what the pose looks like. I care whether you can get your socks on without pain, reverse the car without straining your neck, and get up off the floor. That's what we're working on.

Classes that help

Hatha Yoga

The foundation. Slow, steady, functional.

  • ·Clear instructions and lots of modifications
  • ·Builds strength and mobility at your pace
  • ·No prior experience needed

Yin Yoga

Surprisingly good for stiff people

  • ·Long-held, supported poses, no athleticism required
  • ·Slow and quiet
  • ·Harder to lie still than you'd think. In a good way.

Gong Bath & Sound Healing

For curious sceptics

  • ·You lie down and listen. That's the whole job.
  • ·Zero skill, zero flexibility required
  • ·Curiosity is the only prerequisite

What the research says

  • 1.There's research on yoga for all sorts of things, and most of it tested specific programmes on specific groups. None of it tested my classes, so I'll spare you the citations.
  • 2.If you want data, start with a single class and collect your own.

If you have acute injuries, joint replacements, or medical conditions, check with your GP before starting any new exercise.

If you need more than yoga

Yoga helps a lot of people, but it isn't everything. If you need more, here's where I'd point you.

Local physiotherapists

For rehabilitation and injury management

Local gyms

If you also want to build muscle alongside your yoga practice

Walking groups

Low-impact community activity in Wallington and Croydon

Common questions

Related guides

Yoga for back painNervous system regulation

Ready to move better?

No preaching. No judgement. Just practical movement for real bodies.

Book your first classEmail me

Turn up stiff. I'll work with it. Bring your scepticism. I can handle it.

Read about my training.