Laura Freeman Yoga

I am full! I have just returned from Wales where I was running a fantastic Retreat with my friend and Voice Yoga teacher, Olivia Playle.  Retreats are such a unique and special thing. They have a very specific flavour – i think it’s the mix of stepping off the treadmill of your usual life but not filling that space with “stuff”. That extra space feels to me, like a rare thing that is so vital and precious when we get it, but so hard to find in fast paced life. That space, plus the invitation to be fully nurtured and taken care of -where the daily decision making has been removed – What Freedom!  Add to that; some Yoga, Breathwork, Singing and a Sauna,  and the results are massive and palpable. Everytime I run a Retreat I am amazed at how powerful and joyful just a few days can be. The conversations are deep, the sensitivity is high, and the joy is explosive! This Retreat was no exception. What a tonic to be surrounded by humanity at it’s finest. Thank you to all who attended and to all who helped make it happen.   As I come back into my regular life and routine, I try to keep that spacious, heart open, connected feeling with me. It’s tough! Life does not seem to recognise that I’d like a soft landing please. It brings to mind a tool which Yoga offers, to help contain and direct our energy, rather than letting it dissipate as soon as we leave the mat.  The Bandhas! Last term in my online classes we spent 4 weeks working on the Bandhas. They are great and if you would like to learn about them, click the link below to find a fantastic cheat sheet that myself and the artist Sole de la Hoz created. If you have any questions on the Bandhas feel free to email me or book a 1-1 class to explore further. A new 8 week term will begin in a couple of weeks, and this one will be an all rounder practice but with a little more attention on the hips and pelvis. Finding stability and flexibilty in this area which is known to often hold some big emotions with it too. As Shakira said – Hips don’t Lie! If you would like to join me for this adventure you can attend on Tuesday mornings for the Early Risers 40 mins class. Or the deep dive 1hr class on Thursday afternoon. To book the full term or a drop in class click the link

I am absolutely delighted to announce this long awaited collaboration between me, and the fantastic Voice Yoga teacher- Olivia Preye.

If you are craving some time just for you. If you are in need of deep rest and a reset. If you want to blow the cobwebs out and bring some Joy in: We have a treat for you.

All Welcome

Go to the RETREATS section for more info.

A student of mine recently commissioned me to make “Crib Sheets” for some of the practices we had been exploring, which go beyond the familiar Asana (postures).

Thanks to his generosity and encouragement, I was able to employ my wonderful pal Soledad de la Hoz (drawnbysole.art) to create some images to illuminate the works. It was so fun collaborating on this project.

As a Yoga teacher I am often on my own at the helm of my ship. I plan the lesson, I find the retreat venue, I market my classes etc. Collaborating with Sole reminded my how great it is to share ideas and bounce inspiration between 2 minds. I loved it.

Watch this space for more Collaborations coming this year!

And check out my new pages on Pranayama, The Chakras and The Bandhas with Sole’s beautiful hand drawn images.

This term in my practice and in my online classes, I will be consciously informing the Asana of Yoga, with some of the philosophy of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra.

The Yoga Sutra (they sometimes add an “S” to make sure Westerners understand it’s a plural!) is one of the ancient texts that has greatly influenced the development of the Yoga. The sage Patanjali was not the inventor of Yoga, but the first person to codify and catalogue the practice. Previously to this Yoga would have been predominantly an oral tradition passed from master to student.

The Yoga Sutra was written in ancient Sanskrit, between 500 BCE and the 3rd Century. Sutra translates as “thread” and Patanjali, it would seem, purposefully has given us the bare bones to which we add our own meat. There are 196 Sutra in this manual, and amazingly only 3 Sutra refer directly to Asana practice!

Whether we are interested in the philosophy of Yoga or not, it is important as practitioners of this evolving tradition, to learn about it’s roots. Over the next 4 week mini term, we will bring our attention to 4 particular Sutra and see what happens when we let this ancient wisdom infuse our modern practice of Yoga.

I’m back in my home from home – The Forest of Dean. Teaching Yoga to a wonderful group of Meditation students. Working in collaboration with their Teacher is so fun and exciting. Being your own boss is great, but working in partnership always sparks new ideas. I’ve been putting together sequences and elements of yoga that i would never have thought to combine. The result is a fresh, responsive practice to share with the students and tons of creativity and fun for me. I love this game!

Asha 2022- what a joy.  We came together in this beautiful place, we sang, we dipped, we breathed, we practiced, we cried, we laughed and we let the nature, good company and the yoga do it’s magic.  Thank you for a wonderful Retreat.

What do you envision for 2022?
At the start of January a friend asked me what I envisioned for the New Year and (a surprise to both me and her) out of my mouth popped “Corporate Yoga”.

Many moons ago I became a teacher because of a strong desire to share Yoga with a wider audience. I felt a calling to make Yoga accessible & un-intimidating.
At the time I was working as a nurse and as I looked around at my co-workers, I could see they were physically fatigued, emotionally drained and getting through their shifts on biscuits and coffee. I knew they would benefit so much from Yoga, but I also knew they would never set foot in my beloved studio which was full of (mainly)Lycra clad young women, statues of Ganesh and incense wafting through the corridors. They would feel alienated by the trappings of Yoga- and this didn’t seem fair.

Im happy to say over the years I have taught Yoga to many diverse groups completely outside of the studio space.  I can’t count the number of happy students who report back after class, that they “never thought Yoga was for them.” Well it is!

In 2022 I’m expanding this area of my teaching. So if you would like Yoga at your place of work, please do get in touch. I have different packages that can be tailored to suit your space ( chair yoga is very popular), the individuals within your company, and create a Yoga practice that will enhance the unique objectives of your Business.  (Lycra entirely optional)

It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m not at a fabulous party, I’m not at a secret rave and I’m not on a spiritual retreat somewhere in nature….I’m in my dressing gown with a fruit smoothy in a cocktail glass, watching the fireworks out of our window, and joyously plotting my classes for next year.

Teaching Yoga, like everything in life, comes in ebbs and flows. The Yoga is always a pure constant but some days tuning into the frequency and transmitting it to others is  … harder and other times its easy to just let it flow. I’m feeling really excited about the New Year. I feel in my bones that we are turning a corner with the nature of this hellish virus. (I hope I am right). And I am feeling in full flow with my New Year class plans for you. Prepare for transmission!In 2022 the online classes will continue, Starting on the 4th of January with Tuesday Early risers and Thursday Full practice will continue on the 6th. This term will be 8 weeks and you can either book the whole course or drop in classes using this link :

BookWhen

Each class will be a rounded stand alone practice but this term we will be focusing in on back bending! Whether you are someone with a big spinal flexibility or some one who feels stiff as a board – there will be lots for you in this term’s sequencing, as we prepare the parts of the body that need opening up and we work to strengthen the parts of the body that need to stabilise our back bending practice. Traditionally backbends are thought of as energising and joyful postures so lets bring some bendy joy to January.

In addition to our usual practices, I am adding a monthly 30 min philosophy class on the last Sunday of the month. If you would like to join me you can book using this same button : BookWhen. I will talk a little about some of the elements of Yoga beyond asana (postural) and pranayam (breathwork), we will chat and I will set an assignment or writing practice for you to do in your own time.
As always if you would like to have a 1-1 practice with me or if you need a late Christmas present for a loved one – email me for a 1-1 yoga gift voucher.

Yoga – Winter Term Courses

I’m really looking forward to getting grounded and settled as I move into the cold season.
After living on land with my wonderful partner for the last 18 months; She’s going on a little wanderlust, and I’m heading back to the River for a Winter on my beloved boat. I’m looking forward to firewood and misty breath on cold mornings, practicing Yoga in 3 pairs of stretchy pants and a jumper etc etc. I genuinely love the slowing down and quieting and cozy of Wintertime.
This season I’m also looking forward to sharing a more steady rhythm in class too. We’ll be taking the term of 10 weeks to get really familiar with specific groups of Asana sequences and dive deep into some of the warming Pranayama practices. If you would like to join me online, please use the booking schedule below. You can sign up for the term or just drop in. Yoga from the comfort of your own home/boat/van/palace.