CHARLIE HARTLEY

I have been practising yoga for twenty-five years and teaching for ten, and am certified with the British Wheel of Yoga.

I discovered yoga in my twenties and it had such a positive impact on my life that ultimately I gave up a career in book publishing to concentrate on teaching yoga. I am a firm believer in the healing and transformative power of yoga, in addition to the physical advantages of improved posture, balance, strength and flexibility.

Yoga is for everyone, whatever age, size or fitness level – and you don’t need to be flexible! I teach a wide age range from teens to late seventies, and from beginners to advanced. I also teach one-to-ones, and specialize in helping people with back pain, and those suffering from anxiety or depression.

Classes are both energizing and relaxing, the teaching often intuitive and drawn from a variety of traditions and teachers I have studied with over the years, ranging from Ashtanga yoga in Mysore (I studied in India for over a year in 1999) to Inner yoga, a more Vanda Scaravelli-type yoga.

Classes and one-to-ones are tailored to suit individuals’ requirements, but there is always an emphasis on alignment, breath awareness and self-enquiry; also, the flow of energy, quality of attention and being present in the moment. Some classes may feature more pranayama, meditation and Yoga Nidra, a unique guided meditation.

I am certified to teach Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs, a specialized course in back-pain management, and Yoga Nidra with the Bihar School of Yoga, and have completed numerous workshops and courses over the years including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

Classes are friendly and welcoming, and everyone is encouraged to feel at ease and to go at their own pace. The aim is for people to leave class feeling revitalized and more connected and at peace with themselves and the world around them.