Yoga and Meditation, with Sally McRae -- One Creative Choice

Yoga invites a deeper awareness that reacquaints us with our true-self which allows us to recalibrate. This is a life-long practice that goes beyond what we do on the yoga mat or meditation cushion. The practice of yoga can help you move through life in a more authentic way, with grace and ease.

Sally’s guidance draws both on current science - an area that is ever-developing - and the ancient traditions, which also continue to evolve. Working with this knowledge and self-inquiry we create strength and balance in both the mind and body. Helping us to navigate the world in a positive way, both physically and mentally, despite illness, injury or upset.

Sally loves to teach beginners and finds joy in their growth (more specialisms below). There is always humour in her teaching; her gentle encouragement allows students to soften and witness, to reflect not just upon the yoga on the mat but how it shows up for us in the world.

Delivered in a joyful way, with a lightness of touch, her classes provide deep-rest, and often deep-laughter.

Teaching originates from many styles including Haṭhayoga, Kuṇḍalinī and Iyengar (Patañjali yoga). Most classes incorporate the use of breathwork (prāṇāyāma), props, held poses, vinyāsa (flow) and meditation.

About Sally

Testimonials

"An excellent introduction to yoga."

"Being able to focus on getting the details of the postures right in a beginners class really helps all the other moves start to fall into place."

"A complete beginner a few months ago - I'm stronger & more confident & now have yoga as my regular go-to for moments of calm, strength & reflection."

"It was really enjoyable getting back to basics in a small class setting.".

"I never feel rushed or intimidated by the classes - It feels like a natural progression that is fun, accessible and a good challenge too.".

"Sally is brilliant-she's enthusiastic, explains things very well & is descriptive which makes it easy to follow and stay in tune with your own body."

Specialisms
Private Tuition | Beginners | Scoliosis | Perimenopause & Menopause | Deep relaxation

Private Tuition
Sally has worked with private clients for over a decade.
Some of the benefits of private tuition are:

sessions are tailored specifically to your needs
begin your practice
deepen your practice
work at your pace
aid recovery from injury
convenient to your schedule and location
focused attention from teacher
beginners, intermediate and advanced students welcomed.

Investment: £60
Duration: 90 minutes.

Beginners
Sally is passionate about and dedicated to supporting people who wish to start a yoga practice – because yoga is for everybody. Every. Body. Perhaps you’ve thought yoga isn’t for you because you aren't flexible. Despite the constant stream of imagery to the contrary, yoga isn’t gymnastics.

Two options are offered for beginners, either private tuition or a group class. Sally has created two four-week introductory courses, Beginners Module 1 & 2, each lasts four weeks and gives students a strong foundation to their practice, equipping them with the tools to cultivate a home practice and to feel more confident in a group setting.

Class sizes are purposely small, max 6-8 students, to allow Sally to offer personal guidance and nurture growth. In this friendly, supportive environment she gently guides students through postures (āsanas) and breathing practices (prāṇāyāma) allowing each to find their yoga practice.

Scoliosis
Functional or structural, fused or not, strengthening muscles helps the body function well and reduces pain.

Structural scoliosis is a curvature of the spine in a C or S-shape, the spine can also twist or rotate. There are several types of scoliosis; some cases are functional (the appearance of a curved spine but caused by another condition) and some are genetic; some are present from birth and others develop in childhood, adolescence or as we age. Many times, the cause is idiopathic (unknown). Some people have a lot of pain, some have occasional pain, and some have none. Surgery or not, all benefit from muscle-strengthening, not to correct or halt progression but to prevent or lessen pain by strengthening and retraining muscles.

Sally uses a number of techniques and tools including; balls; yoga bricks; Pilates; yoga postures (āsanas); and breathing practices (prāṇāyāma), depending on the client's need and preference.

Being consistent with exercise is important; when so much feels out of control this is an area where ownership can be claimed – improvements in strength and self-confidence make it all worthwhile.

(Please consult with your medical team before starting a new practice.)

Perimenopause and Menopause
Yoga and meditation are both powerful tools that can help support us during this time. Brain fog, insomnia, irritability, over-emotional, depression and exhaustion are just some of the issues reported at this time of life. By reducing stress and its attendant hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, we help our bodies regulate our endocrine system, keeping in-check all those other delightful hormones that are renowned for causing havoc when they get out of whack. There is a lot we can do to help ourselves at this time. Aches and pains? Working with the body we maintain muscle, joints, and ligaments, balance and bones. Through movement we floss nerves and help the lymphatic system fight infection.

Doing all we can to address things ourselves is empowering, mediation, yoga, nutrition, time in nature and rest are all recommended by medical practitioners. Depending on your personal situation, this may be enough or can be used in conjunction with appropriate medical assistance. Each journey is different and each individual should be supported holistically at this time of fluctuation and transition. Don’t suffer, help is available.

This time of life is very powerful; it’s often a time when we can take stock and reassess, and with new clarity, make decisions that lead us to live our lives more authentically.

Deep Relaxation
Ah, life! Overwhelming at times, isn’t it? Suffering from insomnia or waking unrested? Many people run at a constant level of stress and exhaustion and don’t even notice how this has become the norm for them. The long-term health impact is well documented. The endocrine system, cardiovascular system, immune system, mental health, digestion, and the reproductive system can all be impacted. Then the cycle continues, you feel ‘off’ which creates stress and so on and on…

Sally offers reset sessions specifically to target this issue. After an initial phone consultation, she selects appropriately from Yin Yoga, guided meditation, Yoga Nidra and reflexology. You’ll also be given some techniques to use at home and build on the benefits of the session(s).