Rachel Bayliss

I have been practising yoga since 2000. I completed the 3 year British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) Level 4 Teaching Diploma with Gillian Gee and Carolyn Clarke in 2014.

During 2017, I completed the BWY Mindfulness Module and then completed the Clear Mind Institute (CMI) Level 1 conversion training to enable me to incorporate mindfulness into my yoga teaching. I also studied breathing practices with Philip Xerri completing his Pranayama Foundation course.

Currently I am in the process of completing the BWY Gentle Years Yoga module which focusses on adapting yoga to meet the needs of older people with age-related health conditions.

I teach mat based and chair based hatha yoga in the Chesterfield area. Classes are mixed ability and suitable for beginners.

Each class is a balance of yoga poses (asana), breathing and/or concentration practices and relaxation. Yoga poses are practised to release tension; to improve strength, flexibility and balance; and to bring health and vitality to the body. The breathing practices bring awareness to the breath, focus the mind and help us to breathe fully, smoothly and steadily. Relaxation provides rest; further release of tension; draws the mind inwards; and can help to alleviate the adverse effects of stress.

My belief is that yoga should be accessible to as many people as possible. It is a means to improving our health and well being, enabling us all to live our lives more fully. Everyone is different in terms of their flexibility, strength and health. Modifications or alternatives will always be provided for poses that might not be appropriate for all students. The aim is that students develop an awareness of their body and work steadily with the breath to practise within their comfortable limits.