SIMONSTONE HALL HOTEL: A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES

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Jane Cable reviews a rather special country house hotel

Sometimes when you’re travelling, quite unexpectedly you come across a real gem of a place that you know you’ll go back to time and again. And that’s what happened when we spent a few nights at Simonstone Hall Hotel near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales.

Arriving late on a wet afternoon, I have to say the building looked a bit grim from the outside; very grey and mullioned, but the welcome inside was as warm as could be, and our ‘estate room’, while not large, was extremely cosy. The bathroom was state of the art (so much so it had one of those extremely trendy rainfall showers that deluged half the floor), the bed comfortable, and there was proper coffee for the cafetiere. And that view… did I mention the view?

Simonstone still has the feel of a proper country house and we walked past a number of well-furnished living… or should I say drawing… rooms, overlooking the terrace with its rattan furniture and firepit, and perfect for curling up in with a good book or meeting friends for a chat. We walked past them because we’d had a long journey and were heading for the bar, where we received yet another warm welcome and a decent choice of drinks, including some locally brewed draft ale.

We were coming to realise that friendly staff and great customer service are at the heart of everything Simonstone does. You are quickly on first name terms with the people looking after you because they introduce themselves that way, and while everything happens as it should and when it should, there is still a very relaxed feel about the place, something you don’t always associate with a country house hotel. It was clear most of the guests were not on their first visit, and that in itself is always a recommendation.

The food was very good too. There were five or six dishes to choose from for each course and my gluten intolerance was catered for without fuss – there were even delicious warm bread rolls and quality gluten free crackers to accompany the cheese. Unlike a Michelin starred establishment we stayed in later in the week that thought it was OK to serve supermarket sliced GF bread. But I digress… at Simonstone the style falls just on the cheffy side of hearty, and my beetroot and goat cheese starter was absolutely exquisite. Mains were robust and delicious, in particular the Wensleydale beef and Texel lamb. There were some interesting wines on the list too, with bottle prices starting at £22 so no-one was going to feel ripped off.

On our one full day at Simonstone we left the car where it was and walked. There are some wonderful footpaths to follow with steep climbs (optional) and dramatic views (everywhere) so we tramped until we were desperate to take our boots off. Returning to our room mid-afternoon, the only small fly in our ointment was that we’d run out of the excellent coffee. It seemed no sooner than we’d thought it than there was a knock on the door. It was a young lady with a basket over her arm, filled with goodies. We’d run out of coffee? Take two… and some more mineral water. Did we need anything else? Biscuits? Tea?

It kind of summed up Simonstone. The warm generosity of the place, the nothing too much trouble attitude. We’ll certainly be going back.

 

Simonstone Hall Hotel is currently offering autumn and winter breaks and fabulous Christmas and New Year packages. Check them out at https://simonstonehall.com

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie Williams of Williams’ Handbakes told Margaret Graham all about her family run bakery that produces the biscuits and cakes Margaret and Dick eat far too often.

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Back in the late 1990s, Valerie Williams began selling traditional tarts and cakes at local farmers’ markets around Lancashire. They sold like hot cakes,  (sorry about that) and never one to stand still, Val developed a more extensive range of traditional homemade biscuits , based on local recipes. These continued to gather fans , so much so  that very soon farm shops and garden centres were asking to stock her range. Steadily,  like Topsy, Williams’ Handbaked  ‘growed’.  Now their Eccles and Chorley cakes, Goosenargh Biscuits and Lancashire Parkin are a by-word in the area.

As the team has expanded, so too has the bakery’s reach: exhibiting at food festivals and events across the country, and now  it’s good to know that their online wing is growing fast.

Situated on the Docklands in Preston, Lancashire, in the very same spot where Val began it all, the bakery is still very much a family affair, though now the day-to-day running of the business is  the capable hands of the next generation,  Val’s son Thomas, with help from her daughter-in-law Katie. Though it has to be said, Val is still in evidence.

    

       Val- Director                                                   Tom – Director                                               Katie – Operations Manager

As Val told Margaret,  ‘Williams Handbaked will continue the same principles instilled from the start. Our focus will always be on quality. All our products are still made and packed by hand with the utmost care and attention by our small but beatifully formed bakery team(!) using only the finest ingredients.’ 

So let’s meet the Williams’ team:

       

                             Rachel                                                         John                                                                    Julie

Rachel  – head baker – joined Williams as a modern apprentice, and they wouldn’t let her leave. A very talented baker,  she is always to be found experimenting with new recipes. John has worked for Val since he was 16. He’s responsible for logistics, making sure every single order is packed and shipped correctly and on time. The team always know when baker Julie is in the building as they’ll most likely hear her before they see her, and quite frankly, they wouldn’t have her any other way.

  

Tom has been selling Williams’ biscuits and cakes at events and shows for over ten years, and, says Val, he has the market trader banter to match.  Rory is responsible for the Williams brand, incorporating the website, packaging, point of sale, social media and photography. Bringing a wealth of experience to the role Tim manages the dispatch warehouse and ensures every order sent out is spot on.

                    

                  Sheryl                                                        Vicky                                                         Toby

Sheryl , bakery assistant, has been with Williams for twenty years, and has a keen eye for detail. Sheryl is currently working on her piping technique. Vicky .also bakery assistant says it’s been ‘a joy joining the Williams family‘ Vicky always arrives with a positive attitude, and will do whatever’s needed. Toby’s been baking cakes since he was 12. He first joined the team on work experience and is now working on his Apprenticeship.

           

Jesse is the newest recruit and has jumped in with both feet. He’s a fast learner and enjoys testing out recipes with his young daughter. Megan is John’s little cousin, and in between her studies at college, Val tells me you  can find her packing our biscuits and cakes. Ben is currently working for his Warehousing Apprenticeship and is Tim’s assistant in our dispatch unit.

So there we have it, Margaret’s curiosity is satisfied. Somehow it makes the hampers even more delicious to have met the team, all exuding enthusiasm, and comradeship, just as a family should. I do wonder what the Christmas hampers will look like. Seems likeChristmas presents for my family  is pretty much sorted

https://www.williamshandbaked.co.uk/

Have You Considered Downsizing As Part Of Your Retirement Planning? Here’s Why Going Small Could Benefit You

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For many people planning their retirement, downsizing is becoming a popular option for amassing retirement funds. However, having lived a life where bigger is often viewed as best, the idea of downsizing can seem slightly counter-intuitive. 

This article aims to alleviate any concerns you might have about downsizing and highlight its social and financial benefits.

What is Downsizing?

The enduring goal throughout your life has likely been aiming for something bigger and better. After all, it is this principle that tends to give people status in Western society. 

More essential than status is practicality. As you age, you tend to need more space for children, a bigger vehicle to transport the family, and more stuff for everyone to use. 

However, your family might have left home when you reach middle-age, and your interests may have changed. Perhaps you’ve had your fill of the latest gadget and sporty cars. Maybe you’re finding your large family home is a little too spacious for just the two of you. It is at this point that downsizing becomes a viable lifestyle choice.

Now is the time to consider focusing on more minor things rather than larger ones, and this is the principle behind downsizing. Downsizing offers you the opportunity to realise a lifestyle that you and your partner, reduces stress in your life, and is financially rewarding. 

Therefore, downsizing is not so much about cutting costs but about adjusting your lifestyle. Re-evaluating your spending and the resources you need will allow you to match these to your streamlined lifestyle. 

Benefits of Downsizing

  1. Assessing Your Lifestyle

The initial benefit of downsizing is that you’ll conduct an inspection of your lifestyle and assess what things are crucial. It’s too easy to drift through life, simply enjoying the same creature comforts that everyone else craves, often striving to go bigger and better. Conducting a lifestyle assessment is enlightening and is the first benefit of downsizing.

  1. Financial Rewards of Downsizing 

If you’ve owned your home for some time, it is likely to have increased in value by a considerable amount. Therefore trading in your property for something smaller could leave you with a significant amount of cash. 

This boost of money can enable you to live mortgage-free, pay off other loans, or pay for some substantial capital purchases. 

The same applies to cars and other large items. Downsizing to a smaller vehicle might not only allow you to get some capital return but could also save you a considerable amount of money on running costs each month. The accumulated money you release from your downsizing will not only give you financial benefits but will enable you to enjoy a more stress-free life. 

  1. Long-Term Benefits 

Although society is enjoying modern advancements in medicine, healthcare, and lifespan, it’s still likely that you’ll suffer from an illness or restriction at some stage of your life. As you age, your health and home environment become much more of a priority. 

Downsizing is a way of meeting these needs and providing you with long-term benefits. For instance, you might find downsizing from a three-story townhouse in the city centre to a bungalow in the suburbs more suitable as you get older. 

Considerations When Downsizing 

By now, you might think that downsizing is a good idea. However, there are several things to consider before making any hasty decision.

  • Practicality. Although your downsizing venture might be to boost your finances, you should also consider the practical aspects. Moving home is stressful at the best of times, and you should ask yourself if the hassle is worth it.
  • Adapting to a Smaller Space. Having lived in a large space for some time, you might find it challenging to adapt to a smaller space. You may have become too used to extra bedrooms, bathrooms, or TV rooms.
  • Emotional Ties. You are bound to have plenty of memories and emotions associated with your family home. Consider how you’ll feel about severing these emotional ties with your home.
  • New Area. If you are moving into a smaller home, chances are you’ll be moving to a new area. You’ll be leaving behind neighbours you may have known for many years. Will you be able to maintain these relationships?
  • Shedding Possessions. Moving to a smaller home means you’ll likely have to get rid of some of your possessions. Before downsizing, consider which of your prized possessions you can shed and those you can’t live without.
  • Paying a Premium. Bungalows are a popular choice for downsizing. However, these properties are rare, so you’ll likely have to pay a premium to secure a purchase. 

Using Your Freed-Up Capital For Your Retirement

Downsizing is a considerable undertaking, so you should ensure you put the money from it to good use. Of course, you might have downsized as a lifestyle choice, but many people also have financial goals for the process. Therefore, you should clearly understand what you will do with the money you release from downsizing.

You’ll notice the most immediate impact of downsizing on the reduced cost of your lifestyle. You can release yourself from the burden of some debts or even clear your mortgage. Doing so will give you substantially more disposable income every month. 

However, you mustn’t use all of this additional money for short-term spending. You should also consider the longer term and your retirement years. If you regularly check your pension, you’ll understand what you might need to do to improve your pension’s performance.

An excellent option for boosting your retirement savings is to make top-up payments into your pension. Also, if you have any gaps in your National Insurance contributions, you might be able to use some of your spare money to fill these.

Conclusion

Downsizing is a natural process as you age and your lifestyle priorities shift. However, it often goes against everything you may have strived for previously. Before you make the leap and start shedding a large property for a smaller one, a more modest vehicle, and fewer possessions, consider the practical aspects of giving such things up. 

The financial benefits of downsizing are probably the most significant. These include the opportunity to clear your mortgage, other debts or make substantial top-up payments to your pension pot. Regardless of the amount of money you free up from downsizing, being more comfortable in your retirement should be one of your primary considerations for doing so. 

If you are thinking about your pension, consider using a regulated pensions specialist such as Portafina or, view the advice at Pension Wise.

Brand post from our partner.

Grandma’s Poetry Book – a collection of poems by Di Castle, illustrated by Denise A Horn

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Is it a bit early to recommend things for Christmas?  Well, even if it is, I suggest you make sure you send this to all the grandmas you know.

The rhymed poetry is as jaunty as the cover illustration; marching along and relatable – what Grandma has not made a call to a daughter, to find the receiver is picked up, there is clicking, breathing, and then, the burr of the line,as the receiver is replaced.  Ah yes, the grandchild has discovered the thrill of answering the phone. Read it and nod, smile, laugh, remember… Click click, clack clack, burr.

Di Castle covers the gamut from one’s child becoming pregnant, to the arrival of the grandbaby, to the advent of another. Words of wisdom, of observation, the highs, the lows… Life’s rich pattern.

Di Castle told Frost Magazine that as a child she enjoyed A A Milne’s poetry (as did most of us) then onwards to Spike Milligan’s humour and Parm Ayres laugh aloud poems so often read in her own inimitable way.

That’s where poetry  sat in Di Castle’s writer’s world until the birth of her first grandchild, when the emotion of it all set the poetic cogs turning.

Chance remarks became germs of ideas, which became poems., some of which won competitions. As the collection grew , the obvious thing was to gather them into a book. But what about illustrations? Enter Denise A Horn, and a happy partnership was born.

Grandma’s Poetry Book is many things. A memoir.  A creative view of changing roles. A humorous vehicle. But most of all a pretty fine book of rhyming poetry and one that should be enjoyed by many. Lovely illustrations too.

Grandma’s Poetry Book is available on Amazon, here:  Amazon  Kindle and Paperback.   pub Matador.

 

 

Michael Rowan learns how to love himself and get into better shape in the process, with tasty calorie controlled ready meals and snacks from https://www.loveyourself.co.uk

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The pandemic related lockdowns caused much introspection in the Rowan household, partly brought about by an unexpected sudden addiction to baked goods. You can imagine the resulting tightness of clothes, and the gloom. So steps had to be, and were,  taken.

Now that we have returned to a semblance of normality, hours in the day hasve become something of a precious commodity. and we have slipped into the habit of resorting at times to  slim-line ready meals. Some proved more successful than others, but nothing really convinced and generally left me feeling hungry not long afterwards.

So, I approached the Love Yourself range with a degree of scepticism, particularly as I am a vegetarian, and it often seems as though  we are a bit of an afterthought where ready meals are concerned.

Not only does Love Yourself provide a thoughtful menu for vegetarians, but a calorie controlled one at that.

If being a vegetarian wasn’t challenge enough, I ordered two of the 1500 calorie packages, (various other calorie and dietary options are available) prices start at £15.00.

The food is delivered daily and has a shelf life of a few days, so if you don’t eat it all, you could have it another day. Each box contains five packages, Breakfast; Snack; Lunch; Snack, Dinner

A gourmet chef uses fresh ingredients, cooks each day without additives. Furthermore advice from  a nutritionist ensures that the food is tasty (it really is). Thanks to the slow-release carbohydrates each dish keeps you feeling full for longer (it really does).

Every meal is scannable via MyFitness app to help keep track of calories and macro-nutrients though I confess that for me  this was a step too far, (stepping on the scales is exercise enough) so this aspect remains untested.

Obviously, as I only tried this for two days, I cannot vouch for exact weight loss but I can say that I never once felt hungry, and the food was uniformly delicious, therefore sustaining 1500 calories per day would not be difficult – and how could the weight not come off?

Each week Love Yourself provides an exciting combination of innovative dishes and a constantly changing menu.

My breakfast began with scrambled eggs and homemade country style bread, delicious and surprisingy filling, so much so that I barely needed my morning snack of a sweetcorn and feta cheese muffin. The muffin felt somewhat counter intuitive, but I forced myself for Frost Magazine, and was glad that I did.  A winning combination that took me through to lunch without a problem.

Lunch was a meatless mince Bolognaise with pasta, and the mince had real bite, not the sloppy stuff that I have had in the past.

I was so full, that I moved my afternoon snack of an apple and banana slice which was as filling and tasty as it sounds to a late night snack, allowing me to savour a dinner of Cumin spiced lentils and Brussel sprouts. Now I love brussel sprouts, so I should declare an interest, but these were taken to a whole new level.

So all in all possibly the tastiest diet day I have ever had and quite without feeling ravenous the next morning. when  I embarked on a breakfast of crunchy granola with sharp tasting berry yoghurt offering intense burst of flavour.

The morning snack was Butter bean and rosemary hummus with carrot, which felt worthy and the closest we came to a diet food, but tasty for all that. Lunch was Tempeh chasseur which was possibly my faourite of both days and my afternoon snack was energy chocolate,  prune and orange cookie.

Because the lunch and snack were filling, I was pleased to have a fresh, crisp and tasty Tofu and grape salad with a sesame dressing for dinner.

Love Yourself lets you enjoy a hot filling tasty meal on the table within 3 minutes, and one that will aid weight loss if that is your aim.

Meal plans with higher (and lower) daily calory allowances and of course containing meat are available and if the vegetarian option is anything to go by, you are in for a treat.

https://www.loveyourself.co.uk

 

 

 

 

A Melt In Time – Pure Pleasure – by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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I love candles, I do. But I’m seriously impressed by wax melts. A Melt In Time is a family-run UK company and their mission statement says it all: to create luxury wax melts that stimulate the senses while being gentle on the planet.

All the melts are made with best quality natural wax. This is important as candles made from poor quality ingredients or chemicals can be harmful, sometimes irritating the eyes and lungs.

These lovely natural melts are so easy and convenient too. They come as a block of six small cubes and you simply put one cube on your burner, light a tea light underneath, sit back and enjoy the beautiful aroma. The pack of six have a total burning time of 30-40 hours so they last for ages, and any residue can just be popped in the bin once cool.

As soon as I opened the package, I could smell the Sandalwood and Myrrh. Even within the wrapping the scent was stunning, and when I melted a cube on the pretty burner, the room filled with the powerful fragrance within minutes. I felt strangely compelled to stop everything, relax on the sofa, sip green tea and read a magazine. The Lavender melt smells equally amazing and I can’t wait to test it with a relaxing bath tonight. (Note to self – keep away from melts when I need to work – they are surprisingly addictive and ‘melt’ away my stress maybe a little too much.)

I love that A Melt In Time have such a huge range of traditional and unusual scents – from Vanilla Cinnamon and Rhubarb and Rose to Fresh Bread (good for house-selling I hear) plus some rather quirkly scents such as Unicorn Sparkle and Alien Invasion.

But don’t take my word for it, check out their website for yourself. The melts are just £3.99 for a block.

There’s also a range of very attractive and unusual Tea Light Wax Burners available. You can buy these individually, or as a set with two blocks of wax melts, currently on special offer at just £12.99 which make a fabulous present.

But if you want a real bargain, for everyday use, watch out for their ‘Waxidents’ (not quite perfect melts) at just £2.50 a pack of six.

So if you’re looking for a lovely Christmas present for friends or just out to treat yourself, take a look at A Melt In Time – you’ll wish you’d discovered them sooner.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

CARIADS’ CHOICE: SEPTEMBER BOOK REVIEWS

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Eva Glyn’s The Olive Grove, reviewed by Kitty Wilson

The Olive Grove is also the story of Antonia, a middle-aged woman who has left an unhealthy love affair and whose daughter is of an age where she needs to become more independent. With no job, no relationship and the understanding she needs to make space for her daughter to grow, Antonia finds herself working for Damir and together the two of them help each other heal, forge a future and learn to believe in themselves.

Eva Glyn writes with empathy and compassion about Damir and her exploration of the conflict in Croatia reminds us powerfully of the atrocities of a war that was so close to home and the long-term effects war has on a community, generations after the fighting has stopped.

It is a beautiful story and Eva Glyn’s powerful prose creates the most magical setting. As I read, I was transported to another country and loved how all of my senses were stimulated by the evocative descriptive writing. A fabulous book that I am more than happy to recommend.

 

Tania Crosse’s Nobody’s Girl, reviewed by Jane Cable

I do love a saga and Tania Crosse had been recommended by so many people, when I wanted a reliable book to read I chose one of hers. I wasn’t disappointed. Nobody’s Girl charts the stories of two women in 1930s Kent, one a teenage farmer’s daughter and the other the childless wife of a well-to-do businessman. They meet in tragic circumstances and a rich and fascinating story unfolds.

Despite being true to its time the main characters are not stereotypical, and that and a strong supporting cast brings this novel alive. The surprises are not so much in what happens, but in how the characters react and grow, and I would highly recommend this book. I was also very pleased to discover there is a sequel, A Place to Call Home.

 

Freya Kennedy’s The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn, reviewed by Carol Thomas

 There’s lots to like about this lovely story. It was an uplifting, enjoyable read. The depth of Libby’s feelings for her grandad Ernie is evident in the affection with which she recalls her memories of him and her desire to realise his dreams. The characters were all likeable, and the community setting of Ivy Lane made it a cuddle of a book. The male lead, Noah, is portrayed well, and I could feel the growing affection between him and Libby. I frequently smiled as I read and even shed a tear. Overall, it’s a great read.

 

Sarah Edghill’s A Thousand Tiny Disappointments, review by Jan Baynham

A poignant and emotional read!

A Thousand Tiny Disappointments takes you on an emotional roller coaster of a journey dealing with grief, loss and a building of self-esteem. The title intrigued me and as I read further into the story, it became clear how apt it was. It’s a hard read at times; you feel for the main character, Martha, as she becomes physically and mentally exhausted by the demands put upon her. The relationship with her son, Joe, is beautifully described. The author creates authentic, multi-layered characters. The role of women as portrayed in both the characters of Martha and Alice as well as Martha’s dilemma to do the right thing are two of a number of themes explored in the novel, resulting in a thought-provoking read. I particularly liked the uplifting ending that made this a satisfying and enjoyable novel. Highly recommended.

 

 

 

 

Yoga Styles discussed by the fabulous Alex Bannard

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Recently I was chatting to someone about their yoga practice & I asked  what style of yoga was it? In his gorgeous Geordie lilt he replied, ‘I don’t know, it’s just yoga.’

This reminded me of my own journey of discovery around the time I did my yoga teacher training – that yoga wasn’t just ‘yoga’, there are in fact many different styles.

So to help you work out which style might suit you best, here’s a little run down of the most popular traditions.

Hatha yoga

This is an old system and relatively easy for beginners to access. It explores basic yoga postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama) to bring peace to the mind and body sometimes used in preparation for meditation. It is generally slow, gentle and relaxed with the poses being held deliberately and for longer than in other styles. You may not work up much of a sweat in this class but you will feel longer, looser and more relaxed.

Vinyasa yoga

This is a flow style class whereby the instructor will lead you through one posture to the next continually, often linking the standing poses through sun salutations. It is a dynamic class synchronizing the breath with the movement. No two classes are generally the same and you will work up a sweat and feel it.

Ashtanga yoga

Ashtanga yoga was bought to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in the 1970’s. There are 6 different series of poses, each of which are always practiced in the same order moving fluidly from pose to pose. It is typically physically challenging and fast-paced and not really aimed at the beginner, unless everyone is starting at the same point together. Like vinyasa every movement is linked to a breath.

Bikram yoga

This style of yoga was introduced around 30 years ago by Bikram Choudhury. Like Ashtanga yoga, Bikram yoga always follows the same sequence of poses. There are 26 poses in Bikram practiced in an artificially hot room around 40 degrees centigrade with high humidity for 90 minutes. It is a physically demanding class where you will sweat like never before. Like marmite, you either love it or you hate it. It was designed to emulate conditions in India where yoga originated and it is claimed to flush out toxins. Choudury himself is a controversial character, living a luxurious lifestyle funded by the success of his ‘Bikram’ brand of yoga and suing anyone who dares to use the name and not present the exact 26 poses in the correct order. Thus, many studios will offer hot yoga where the conditions in the room are hot and humid but the sequence of poses is different in each studio.

Iyengar yoga

‘Invented’ by B.K.S.Iyengar one of yoga’s original and authentic yogi’s. A typical class involves the poses being held for much longer than in other traditions to intensely explore the subtleties of each asana and pay attention to the foundation and alignment of each pose. Props are often used such as blocks, belts, blankets and chairs to accommodate individual’s limitations, tightness, injuries etc so that the student can move into a posture gradually and with precision. As such this is a great choice if you have a chronic condition or injury.

Anusara yoga

John Friend developed this style relatively recently in 1994. It is a deeply spiritual practice based on the belief that within us we are all filled with intrinsic goodness, we all hold our own Buddha nature. Physical poses are used to open the hearts of students allowing their grace and goodness to shine through. Classes are sequenced utilizing Friend’s Universal principles of Alignment and are a vigorous workout for both the mind and body categorized around the 3A’s: attitude, alignment and action.

Power yoga

This style is not dissimilar to Ashtanga whilst accessing elements of Vinyasa flow yoga too but it is not a determined series of poses, so each teacher will devise their own sequence. It is a more accessible style of yoga to most in the west than Ashtanga which is often seen as a more ‘purist’ style and is popular in many studios. In this class you will work hard and feel it. It is not so spiritual.

Kundalini yoga

Kundalini yoga repeats movements, dynamic breathing techniques, chanting and meditation designed to awaken the energy at the base of the spine allowing it to navigate through each of the seven chakra’s. Introduced to the west by Yogi Bhajan this style of yoga is quite different to the others due to its repetitive focus on breathing techniques and energy flow in the body. Not for the faint-hearted!

Yin yoga

A slower paced style of practice where each pose is held for several minutes, 2 minutes or more. You are encouraged to find your edge in the pose, commit to holding the pose in stillness & then open into the pose, release & let go, find the space if you will. This passivity in itself can be quiet challenging especially if you are not used to holding poses for such times. Yin opens the tissues, tendons, ligaments & fascia inside the body, whilst being quite a meditative style of practice. It was founded in the late 1970’s by Pauline Zink, a martial arts expert and I think the interesting thing is the link between martial arts and yoga, the mental discipline and flexibility necessary for both.

Restorative yoga

This is a gentle, passive, relaxing style of yoga. Students relax and release into a pose or a stretch with the support of blankets, bolsters and blocks in order to completely let go. Poses are typically held for 2 minutes at least. Despite the seemingly inactive approach, this style of yoga is actually fairly advanced and demanding. It can feel emotional to engage in one pose for an extended period. These classes are great if you are slightly injured and don’t want to put your body through a more dynamic class as well as being a fabulous way to relax and soothe yourself after a stressful week. A restorative class can be as rejuvenating as, if not more so, than a nap.

So now you are equipped with the right knowledge to go forth and practice, whether it be exploring a new genre or just feeling confident when perusing the studio or gym timetable, now you know vaguely what to expect.

If you would like to practice yoga with Alex her YouTube channel offers free short classes for everyone & is available here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQlKZJ7MeyYc6lqkv6seISw

Alternatively all of her classes are streamed on live on Zoom, for more information message her at alex@alexbannard.com

Free resources are also available on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AlexBannardYogaMindfulness

And her website is www.alexbannard.com

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for almost a decade, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a more mindful way of living & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices for a happier & healthier way of being.