Wellness Focus: Tips from The Yoga Sanctuary

New Alma Yard resident The Yoga Sanctuary aims to become an expansive wellness community offering bespoke services to help their clients achieve complete serenity.

We caught up with Hannah of The Yoga Sanctuary to hear her tips for improving our wellbeing throughout 2022...

First of all, can you tell us a bit about The Yoga Sanctuary's ethos?

The Yoga Sanctuary's aim in the long term is to become an expansive wellness community that offers a variety of bespoke wellness services. The Yoga Sanctuary provides both a calm and elegant environment for us to ensure that our members are able to achieve complete serenity during their time with us here.

We celebrate the ancient wisdom found in yoga and seek to share it with all. We provide various styles of yoga, meditation and a wide range of classes, workshops and offerings. Our Yoga Studio is home to all levels of practitioners, recognising that each individual has their own, unique path to follow.

As well as this we are absolutely delighted to be able to offer hypnotherapy at our studio too. I (Hannah) specialise in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. This type of Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool that helps you move out of your ‘stuck’ mentality and into a positive, successful frame of mind.

Have you got any tips for improving wellbeing in 2022?

As we move into the New Year, we often delve into the realms of self transformation. Pledging our new year's resolutions and making promises to be a better us.

Whilst transformation is a wonderful focus to have in our lives, we should also tread carefully when we are being reflective about what we want to change, improve or achieve and why.

It would do many well to remember that comparison is the thief of joy. We should be steadfast in our transformative goals but mindfully flexible in the process we engage in to achieve these goals.

Life is beautifully unpredictable and oftentimes our goals are gently interrupted for one reason or another or put on hold and that is ok. Transformation should always be the result of looking inwards and creating change that comes from a place of love and softness rather than a place of self criticism or a desire to mimic another or keep up.

It is also important to celebrate small changes as we ebb and flow through this new year. Our recent shared experience of the pandemic has left many feeling unsure and uncertain of the world. Moving with caution will feel like the safest option, so taking the time to stay present and bask in the joy of small milestones is so important.

Trust the process, operate from a place of self worth and love and enjoy every small joy that comes your way this year.

What classes and experiences can we find at The Yoga Sanctuary?

Hatha yoga

Hatha yoga focuses on moving the body slowly and deliberately into a variation of poses. This style of yoga is excellent for building strength and flexibility whilst at the same time focusing on relaxation and breathing. There is particular emphasis on controlled breathing and correct alignment. Suitable for everyone from beginners to our most experienced yogis.

Yin yoga

Yin yoga, also referred to as restorative yoga, works deeply into our bodies with passive longer held poses. The areas that are predominantly focused on are the hips, pelvis, inner thighs and lower spine. It targets deep connective tissue, ligaments, joints, bones, the deep fascia networks of our bodies and our meridians. Yin improves the energy flow of our bodies and enhances the flow of qi within the body. Suitable for all.

Vinyasa yoga

Vinyasa yoga is based around flow. The pace and poses vary from class to class. Slow flows will be much more beginner friendly whilst Vinyasa remix classes will be more fast paced and physically challenging. Vinyasa yoga relies on the coordination of breath and movement on the inhale and exhale. It can often feel as if the breath is propelling you through the sequence.

What are you most looking forward to in 2022?

I am really looking forward to people getting to know our wonderful community and all the amazingness it has to offer. I think that this artisan community we have can do so much good for Plymouth and I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this!

For the Yoga Sanctuary itself I am looking forward to becoming a go-to place for people to find serenity and calm. I want it to be a place people come to unwind and relax from their day-to-day lives. A place where people feel free to explore not only their physical vessels but the deepest roots of their being. I am so looking forward to getting to know everyone who walks through the door!

You can find most of the Yoga Sanctuary’s classes and events online, and for any tips and advice, Hannah suggests getting in touch via email.