Yoga for Stress & Burnout with Emma-Jane Bunn - starts January 2025 for six weeks
Saturdays
January 11th - 15th February
11.00 am - 12.30 pm
Price - £100 (6 week course)
20% off for unlimited members
x1 low income/scholarship place at 50% off - apply here
x1 low income/scholarship place Free Of Charge - apply here
Over six weeks expect to build up a collection of techniques that can be layered together to increase resiliency and combat the effects of stress and burnout. These are quiet practices that help to help nourish and reset your nervous system, facilitate relaxation in the body and stillness in the mind.
Restorative Yoga provides the 'container" in which this course is delivered, and it weaves together yoga, mindfulness meditation, somatic exercises and pranayama/breathing practices. Studies have shown that these types of practices help us to elicit the relaxation response; a neurological response that tells us we are safe, pulls us out of “flight or fight” mode, and initiates the body’s self-healing process. Our bodies switch from worrying about staying “safe” to fostering the systems of longterm mental and physical health (“rest and digest”).
This course is for everyone - including those who have never practiced yoga or meditation before - as well as those who may be working with chronic pain and/or injury, and non-acute anxiety, depression or trauma. Emma is trauma-informed and offers a safe and inclusive space to rest and heal.
•Six week course: 90mins per session. Taught in-person.
•Build up a collection of techniques that can be layered together to combat the effects of stress and burnout.
•Receive individual attention and support from the teacher. "Homework" is often set.
•Theory is offered at each session to help contextualise your learning and time is set aside for sharing and discussion
•Each session is progressive and attendance each week is encouraged.
Session One: The Building Blocks. Learn the foundational practices of restorative yoga and mindfulness meditation techniques.
Session Two: Rest, and Rest Some More. Layering up more foundational practices; including mindfulness meditation techniques and introductory pranayama/breathing practices.
Session Three: Space to Breathe. Simple breath practices, freeing up the abdomen, exploring pranayama specifically for stress and anxiety.
Session Four: Safety, Compassion and Connection. Introducing polyvagal theory, exercises to increase polyvagal function and exploring compassion practices.
Session Five: Coming to Rest Through Movement. Practicing simple yoga, movement and somatic exercises whilst exploring how to use these techniques to bring you into a deeper restful state.
Session Six: A Homecoming Practice. A nourishing and well-rounded practice combining the learning from all previous weeks. There is also time for discussion around building a home practice.
Words from previous students:
#1 - “I really wasn't sure what to expect before starting... having not done something like this before. I guess what struck me most was how welcoming and accepting your practice and offerings were. It felt as though the space was one in which you couldn't do any wrong or not get it right, which created a strong sense of safety allowing me to fully engage with your sessions. I enjoyed your focus on the simple processes rather than the end result. And I really appreciated the references you made to theory (polyvagal, trauma etc) to help us understand the why behind what we were practicing. I thought your approach was incredibly personal and attentive, I noticed you seemed to be intuitively mindful of our needs and responded to these easily and naturally in the room." - Niamh
#2 - “Emma's calm approach was spot on. I cried at the end of my first session. And I'm not a crier. The simple exercises and holistic approach really worked for me where a lot of other practices have failed. I've since been diagnosed with breast cancer and the breathing and meditative exercises have really helped me get through my treatment. I'll be forever grateful." - Catherine
#3 - “From the moment you step into the room, the welcoming, safe space that Emma creates is not like anything i’ve experienced. I always come away feeling reenergised and restored. The best part of it is that I have learnt useful techniques in class that I am then able to apply in my day-to-day life. Thank you Emma” - Louisa
#4 - “I have found the regular classes I have attended extremely beneficial in learning to wind down and take a complete break both mentally and physically. The comfortable and peaceful environment makes me relax immediately, and switch off from any external worries and interferences, and I always leave feeling rested and looking forward to the next one!" - Alex
Emma - Jane Bunn / Bio
Emma is a facilitator with a passion for sharing yoga and mindfulness as practices to support mental health. She advocates for gentle self-enquiry and curiosity, with the aim of fostering a sense of compassion. She endeavours to facilitate a trauma-informed space with a down-to-earth, patient and encouraging approach. Students can expect an inviting, non-judgemental practice and a safe place to reconnect and rest.