Engage : Public & group classes
I offer a combination of online and in person classes. In-person are mostly around West London, Ealing and Notting Hill. The beauty of online is that you can join from anywhere!
I have accumulated a vast amount of training in yoga and other healing practices, and have practiced and been influenced by some amazing teachers.
Due to my study and fascination with Chinese medicine currently I mostly specialise in the yin and restorative yoga asana practices, this also informs my more movement based classes which are usually thematic often influenced by the cycles of the seasons, the Sun, the moon etc.
Through lockdown I coined the class mantras mudras and movement /meridians as a way of encompassing the breadth and depth of the practice I teach.
Engage : Public & group classes
I offer a combination of online and in person classes. In-person are mostly around West London, Ealing and Notting Hill. The beauty of online is that you can join from anywhere!
I have accumulated a vast amount of training in yoga and other healing practices, and have practiced and been influenced by some amazing teachers.
Due to my study and fascination with Chinese medicine currently I mostly specialise in the yin and restorative yoga asana practices, this also informs my more movement based classes which are usually thematic often influenced by the cycles of the seasons, the Sun, the moon etc.
Through lockdown I coined the class mantras mudras and movement /meridians as a way of encompassing the breadth and depth of the practice I teach.
“Charlie never stops giving of her time, her experience, her knowledge of herself! Very special experience going on retreat with Charlie!”
– Gail –
Class schedule
As a curvier yoga teacher, I am committed to offering accessible practices and teach from a trauma informed perspective which is reflected in the language I use. I teach a soulful integral practice with the aim to reconnect you to the essence of your being, giving you permission to explore yourself through mantra, breath, mudra, movement and meditation. I pull together the vast threads of yogic practices and wisdom within my classes in a cohesive way to create a balanced practice connecting all my students to the ancient lineage and traditions, it’s more than just Asana (postures).
“Charlie is a wonderful, kind, considerate and welcoming person with so much knowledge of Yoga and TCM to share alongside her gift of Music, Mantras and Sound Healing via her Gongs and many other sound instruments. She truly is a beautiful Soul who cares about her students and ensures that you not only get the best out of yourself during Yoga practice but, come away from her classes feeling relaxed and revived.
The Retreat at Eden Rise was very well organised, in a beautiful setting in Devon, wonderful fresh food was prepared and cooked daily and the whole experience was just what I needed to kick start a new regime, health-wise, following the past two years of Covid restrictions and not being able to attend Charlies live classes. I look forward to attending more in the future.
Thank You Charlie and her wonderful team of helpers.”
– Sandra –
What is yoga?
Etymologically, yoga derives from the root yuj, ‘to bind together’, ‘hold fast,’ ‘yoke’…the word yoga serves, in general, to designate any ascetic technique and any method of meditation.” (Eliade)
On a more profound level, yoga is both a state and a practice and we can use the practice of yoga to enter the state of yoga, sometimes this happens, sometimes it doesn’t which is why it’s yoga practice not yoga perfect.
The aim of Yoga in the most vast sense of the word, is ultimately to yoke the body-mind in order to live a more integrated life, calling us to take responsibility for the life we are living which involves waking up to that life as it is. Expanding our capacity to live life to the fullest, to be present and pay attention achieved through taking care of the individual self (body-breath-mind) knowing that that increases individual will and capacity which emanates and inspires others (ripple effect).
What is yoga?
Etymologically, yoga derives from the root yuj, ‘to bind together’, ‘hold fast,’ ‘yoke’…the word yoga serves, in general, to designate any ascetic technique and any method of meditation.” (Eliade)
On a more profound level, yoga is both a state and a practice and we can use the practice of yoga to enter the state of yoga, sometimes this happens, sometimes it doesn’t which is why it’s yoga practice not yoga perfect.
The aim of Yoga in the most vast sense of the word, is ultimately to yoke the body-mind in order to live a more integrated life, calling us to take responsibility for the life we are living which involves waking up to that life as it is. Expanding our capacity to live life to the fullest, to be present and pay attention achieved through taking care of the individual self (body-breath-mind) knowing that that increases individual will and capacity which emanates and inspires others (ripple effect).
On a physical level it’s a practice which draws together movement practices for the body (Asana) breathwork (Pranayama) mindfulness/concentration/meditation (Dharana/Dhyana) mantra (Nada) seals/locks in the body (Bandha) and hand/eye positions (Mudra).
These components can be practiced simultaneously uniting movement-mindfulness-breath-mantra as in tantric yoga, or taken as individual isolated practices.
How we practice each day and indeed the kind of physical/meta-physical practice we undertake will vary based on factors such as sleep, injury, time available, space available. The beauty of this ancient science is that there is a practice for everybody, regardless or age, size, ability, disability, flexibility and part of advancing in the practice is being able to attune to the needs of the body each and everyday to enable you to bespoke the practice to best fit the YOU that is here right here, right now.
On a physical level it’s a practice which draws together movement practices for the body (Asana) breathwork (Pranayama) mindfulness/concentration/meditation (Dharana/Dhyana) mantra (Nada) seals/locks in the body (Bandha) and hand/eye positions (Mudra).
These components can be practiced simultaneously uniting movement-mindfulness-breath-mantra as in tantric yoga, or taken as individual isolated practices.
How we practice each day and indeed the kind of physical/meta-physical practice we undertake will vary based on factors such as sleep, injury, time available, space available. The beauty of this ancient science is that there is a practice for everybody, regardless or age, size, ability, disability, flexibility and part of advancing in the practice is being able to attune to the needs of the body each and everyday to enable you to bespoke the practice to best fit the YOU that is here right here, right now.
How do I know which yoga practice is for me?
My approach to teaching yoga is to help you experience the shape that is right for you, helping you to become more aware of where you are each day and then use the different practices to meet yourself where you are. I will guide you to listen to your body, breath, and mind, encouraging you to move in an awareful manner to harmoniously integrate all aspects of yourself and to discover the styles of yoga that best suite your individual needs.
The styles of yoga I currently offer
Yin
Yin is a simple practice but it’s also said that the hardest thing to master is simplicity.
“In addition to learning how to take control and assume responsibility, a person also needs to learn when and how to let go, to surrender, to go with the flow and not resist or fight it. Letting go versus taking control — this is, of course, just another version of being versus doing, that primordial polarity of yin and yang that assumes a thousand different forms and is never exhausted. It’s not yin or yang [that] is right, that being is better than doing — it’s a question of finding the right balance, the natural harmony between yin and yang that the ancient Chinese called the Tao — between doing and being, controlling and allowing, resisting and opening, fighting and surrendering, willing and accepting.”
– Ken Wilber
Essentially everything has two qualities — yin and yang — and these qualities are always in relationship to each other (so what has been yin can become yang and what has been yang can become yin). Taking a broad brush stroke yang could be described as bright, warm, soft, moving and changing — and yin as dark, cold, hard, solid and unchanging.
The sunnier side of a hill is yang, the more shaded side is yin. In terms of the body the yin area is between the knees and the navel. In the yin practice of yoga we hold postures for anywhere from 3 minutes and in some cases up-to 12-15 minutes. The emphasis on letting go of effort but yet staying with a mild sensation of stretch within target areas of the body to stimulate flow of energy in the channels and create myofascial release.
Restorative
Restorative yoga is the use of props to support the body in positions of comfort and ease to facilitate relaxation and health. Restorative poses are a context in which the body finds its own balance.
Why?
The Levels of stress we experience in modern life are unique. We’ve always experienced stress but not the same level of unrelenting stress that seems to plague many people in this day and age.
Restorative yoga is about learning how to do nothing, how to relax and let go in ways that are healthy. Learning what it means to be completely and profoundly still, and, How to be at ease within the stillness. Restorative yoga teaches us when our instinct is to speed up, we really need to slow down.
The difference between restorative & yin?
I often get asked the difference between yin & restorative yoga: Stretching is a mild irritant to the nervous system. In restorative we do not want to stretch, we want to rest and restore, whereas yin is a quiet & passive form of stretching but it is on the stretching continuum therefore is mildly stimulating.
Flow to Restore
Is a class which embraces mantra, mudra movement and breath with some alignment cues in both an anatomical sense and the metaphysical energetic qualities of allow the body to find harmony within itself. The practice is a steady but creative flow with time to be in each posture and to shape the breath yet with explorative ways of transitioning to support both passive and active range of motion within the body. The class has a restorative portion at the end, to create a sense of balance.
Pranayama
Pranayama is effectively breath control practice which work to manipulate the biochemical state of the body. The aim of these is to create a state in which you breath less frequently – the goal is to slow down the rate of respiration.
The irony of Pranayama is it’s about breathing less – not breathing more.
Kirtan (chanting or singing mantra)
Kirtan (chanting mantra) is a heart opening practice which is a form of meditation.
How we talk to ourselves and our inner dialogue is like an affirmation or a mantra. When we vibrate a mantra either mentally or vocally we can reprogram the self dialogue and bring awareness to that aspect of ourselves. We can use mantra to pacify the mind.There are so many benefits in the body and mind that come about through working with the breath and the voice –these include: increased levels of Oxygen, increased Melatonin, reduced stress by lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
Why practice yoga?
By paying attention to how we move (are we rushing or are we stagnant?) we can begin to see what that means in our lives. Do you run because you are afraid or are you afraid because you run??
Generally in this digital age we in, there is an inability to be still. Sarah Powers says “a busy mind is a lazy mind”. It is important to carve out a space for pure being – but that can also be like teaching fish to swim upstream!!
When we make ourselves busy are we just fooling ourselves into thinking our lives have more meaning? As apposed to, when you create space, life happens spontaneously as part of the flow of existence.
That being said one of the pitfalls many people fall into (including myself from time to time) is that we use the yoga practice (the act of doing) to escape the state of yoga (being).
Here is a link to an article in Yoga Journal 38 health benefits of yoga.
Benefits for the Body
• Improves mobility and flexibility
• Improves circulation and lowers blood pressure
• Nourishes, stimulates and maintains the vital balance of the endocrine glands (stimulating healthy growth and development)
• Improves energy levels
• Improves digestion and respiration functions
• Strengthens nervous system
• Improves immune system
• Promotes structural development by working through the joints therefore improving posture
Benefits for the Mind and Emotions
• Increases supply of fresh blood to the brain
• Improves mental capacity and promoting concentration Increases mental awareness
• Increases confidence and acceptance of the self
• Improves mental capacity and memory function
• Improves ability to deal with daily stresses
• Improves intuition
• Balances the emotions and the hemispheres of the brain
• Releases blocked channels of energy
“Many people mistakenly associate the word “yoga” with the body alone. Conversely, an equally large group of people think of yoga as a means of reaching a state of consciousness that transcends awareness of the body. But yoga leads neither to preoccupation with nor disregard for the physical level of being. Rather it seeks to optimise functioning at this level in order to free one from identification with the physical being and to bring the physical into harmony with more subtle levels of existence.”