What is Reformer Pilates?

Your guide and what to expect from a reformer session…

In recent years, Reformer Pilates has gained significant popularity among fitness enthusiasts and those seeking effective ways to enhance their physical well-being. This unique form of exercise offers a variety of benefits, making it a valuable addition to any fitness regimen. But what exactly is Reformer Pilates, and how does it differ from traditional Pilates? Let’s delve into the details.

What is Reformer Pilates?

Reformer Pilates is a specialized form of Pilates that uses a piece of equipment called a Reformer. Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, the Reformer is a bed-like frame with a sliding carriage, springs for resistance, and various attachments such as straps and bars. The primary aim of Reformer Pilates is to improve strength, flexibility, and overall body alignment through controlled, precise movements.

How Does It Work?

The Reformer provides a versatile platform for exercises that can be adjusted to accommodate different fitness levels and goals. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

  1. Resistance Training: The Reformer uses springs to provide adjustable resistance, allowing users to tailor the intensity of their workout. This resistance helps to engage muscles more deeply and enhance the effectiveness of each exercise. You will be shown how to adjust the springs on the reformer to get the most out of your class depending on how hard you want to work and any existing conditions you may have.
  2. Controlled Movements: Exercises on the Reformer are performed with a focus on controlled, deliberate movements. This emphasis on precision helps to improve muscle coordination, posture, and balance. The reformer provides a foot bar that can be used to stabilise the upper or lower body (depending on the exercise being performed) and assist with developing balance.
  3. Varied Exercises: The Reformer allows for a wide range of exercises targeting different muscle groups. From fundamental moves like footwork and leg circles to more advanced exercises like the teaser and the long stretch, the Reformer offers a diverse workout experience.

Benefits of Reformer Pilates

Reformer Pilates offers numerous benefits, making it a popular choice for individuals of all fitness levels. Some of the key advantages include:

  1. Improved Core Strength: Reformer Pilates places a strong emphasis on core stability, helping to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen, lower back, and pelvis. Improved core strength can assist with back pain or stiffness and reduce pain or assist with injury recovery.
  2. Enhanced Flexibility: The controlled stretching and lengthening of muscles during Reformer exercises contribute to improved flexibility and joint mobility. Improving flexibility and mobility has significant benefits for sports performance, but also for wellness as we age.
  3. Increased Muscle Tone: The resistance provided by the Reformer helps to build and tone muscles, contributing to all round stability and strength.
  4. Better Posture: Reformer Pilates promotes proper alignment and body awareness, which can lead to improved posture and reduced risk of injury.
  5. Low Impact: The Reformer provides a low-impact workout that is gentle on the joints, making it suitable for individuals with injuries or those recovering from surgery.
  6. Customizable Workouts: The ability to adjust resistance and modify exercises allows for personalized workouts tailored to individual needs and goals.

Reformer Pilates vs. Traditional Pilates

While both Reformer Pilates and traditional mat Pilates share the same foundational principles, they differ in their approach:

  • Equipment: Traditional Pilates is typically performed on a mat using body weight for resistance, while Reformer Pilates utilizes the specialised Reformer with springs and other attachments. If you’ve tried mat pilates before, you may be familiar with pilates rings, balls, boxes and resistance bands. These can also be incorporated into the reformer sessions to increase focus, coordination and physical challenge.
  • Resistance: The Reformer provides variable resistance through springs, whereas traditional Pilates relies on body weight and gravity.
  • Range of Motion: The Reformer allows for a greater range of motion and more diverse exercises compared to mat Pilates. Using the reformer for active assisted movements means that balance is supported and the body can safely move into deeper stretches.

Getting Started with Reformer Pilates

If you’re interested in trying Reformer Pilates, here are a few tips to get started:

  1. Join us at The Well Nest: Several classes are available at the studio and sessions can be booked on a pay as you go basis. There are different classes to choose from; what you can expect from each classes outlined below.
  2. Wear Comfortable Clothing: Choose fitted, stretchy clothing that allows for a full range of motion. Avoid loose clothing that might interfere with the equipment. You will need sticky/grippy socks for reformer pilates. These can be purchased online or at the studio.
  3. Consult a Professional: If you have any pre-existing health conditions or injuries, you are advised to consult with a healthcare professional before starting Reformer Pilates.
  4. Start Slowly: Begin with basic exercises and gradually progress to more advanced movements as you build strength and confidence.

Types of Classes Available at The Well Nest

Reformer Fundamentals

A great class for beginners, this slower paced class will allow you to practice some common foundational postures on the reformer to build confidence. You will also be shown how to use the reformer carriage, springs and equipment safely.

Reformer

A mixed level reformer class focussing on posture, strength, flexibility and balance. Suitable for all levels with options to increase the challenge and progress.

Reformer stretch

A more restorative focus to reformer pilates. Relaxing and calming with emphasis on stretch to relieve tension and improve posture. Suitable for all levels.

Join us!

Reformer Pilates is a versatile and effective form of exercise that offers numerous benefits, from improved core strength and flexibility to enhanced muscle tone and posture. Whether you’re new to Pilates or looking to elevate your fitness routine, Reformer Pilates provides a dynamic and customisable workout experience. By understanding its principles and exploring its potential, you can harness the power of the Reformer to achieve your fitness goals and enhance your overall well-being.

The Seven Types of Rest: A Comprehensive Guide for a Healthier You

In our fast-paced world, rest has become a crucial aspect of maintaining our mental and physical well-being. While sleep is the most well-known form of rest, there are other types that are equally essential for our overall health. Understanding and incorporating the seven types of rest into our daily lives can help us recharge and stay focused, leading to increased sense of achievement and well-being. In this article, we’ll explore these seven types of rest and provide tips for incorporating them into your routine.

woman lying on grass front of sea at daytime

Physical Rest

Physical rest is the most familiar form of rest, and it’s often associated with sleep. However, it can also include other activities that allow our muscles and joints to recover from the strains and stresses of daily life. Examples include stretching, yoga, and massage. Incorporating physical rest into your day can reduce fatigue, improve muscle recovery, and lower the risk of injury.

Mental Rest

Mental rest is essential for reducing brain fog and maintaining focus throughout the day. This type of rest involves taking breaks from cognitive tasks, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and creative thinking. Meditation, mindfulness exercises, and stepping away from screens can all help in providing mental rest. Aim for periodic short breaks during the day and create a routine that allows your mind to recharge regularly. Taking a mindful tea break or a mindful moment outside can really make a difference.

Emotional Rest

Emotional rest focuses on processing and expressing our feelings to maintain emotional balance. This type of rest can be achieved through journaling, therapy, or simply having open conversations with a trusted friend or family member. By addressing our emotions and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, we can experience relief and a sense of emotional well-being. It’s often said in mindfulness practice; what we feel, we heal.

green moss on gray rock

Sensory Rest

Sensory rest is essential for counteracting the constant bombardment of stimuli from our environment, such as noise, light, and screen time. To practice sensory rest, create a calm and quiet space where you can retreat and unplug. Activities like reading a book, taking a walk in nature, or closing your eyes for a few minutes can all help to reduce sensory overload and provide restorative benefits. Earplugs can also be really valuable to increase sensory rest when you share space with others and it’s harder to find quiet.

Social Rest

Social rest is the act of finding balance between socialising and solitude. This type of rest can involve spending time with people who recharge your energy or seeking out moments of solitude to regroup and reflect. Identify which relationships in your life provide support and comfort, and make an effort to prioritise those connections.

Creative Rest

Creative rest is the process of rejuvenating our creative energies and nurturing our imagination. It involves stepping away from our usual creative outlets and engaging in activities that inspire and invigorate us. Visiting an art gallery, attending a concert, or exploring a new environment can all help to stimulate our creativity and provide the rest our minds need to stay innovative.

Spiritual Rest

Spiritual rest is the practice of connecting with a higher power, whether that is through religion, spirituality, or a sense of purpose in life. This type of rest can help us find meaning and foster a sense of inner peace. Spiritual rest can be achieved through prayer, meditation, or participating in religious or spiritual activities that resonate with your beliefs.

Incorporating the seven types of rest into our daily lives can help us maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. By understanding the different ways we can rest, we can address our individual needs and prioritise self-care. So, take a moment to assess which types of rest are missing from your life and begin to create a well-rounded rest routine that supports your overall well-being.

Rest doesn’t need to be another thing that’s added to your ‘to do’ list. Once you identify which types of rest you need more of, try adding micro-doses of rest into your day as often as possible. Leave yourself post-it note reminders, set alarms on your phone, add mini rest breaks to your calendar – whatever it takes to create the habit of healthy rest.

Join us at The Well Nest for regular workshops, classes and retreats to help you find rest and self-care.

Natural Balance Wellness Retreat – Sattva

Sunday 24th July 2022, 10 am – 4 pm

With modern life becoming ever faster and more demanding, the rise of a movement to live well and in natural harmony with the environment (Sattva) is becoming more appealing. The concept of Sattva is central to this desire to live simply, live purely and live happily. Sattva is the wish to have an awakened life, peaceful mind, vital body and pure spirit. 

If you have a wish to ‘feel’ life a little more; to slow down and find your true purpose, then it’s time for you to rediscover your natural balance. This day retreat is designed to bring body, mind and spirit back into natural balance through carefully designed movement, creativity, food and deep relaxation. Retreats at The Well Nest are led by our resident expert and Director, Hannah. With 20 years experience in yogic study and practice, you couldn’t be in better hands.

Programme for the day:

9.45 am – Arrival and welcome
10 am – Kundalini yoga kriya (breath, mantra, movement and rhythm) to balance body, mind and spirit. The focus of this session will be creating hormonal balance for overall wellbeing
11 am – Creative aromatherapy workshop. Create natural, organic self-care products to be kinder to the body and to the planet. We will create a collection of products from bath salts, body scrubs, sugar scrubs and deodorants.
1.30 pm – Lunch and gin tasting at Mercia Spirits Lab. Delicious, healthy platters with bespoke gin creations and herbal additions.
3 pm – Yoga nidra (yogic sleep) and sound bath to leave you deeply relaxed and balanced to end the day.

What to expect:

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is an ancient tantric practice of manipulating energy to find balance, vigour, vitality and to allow the body, mind and spirit to thrive. This isn’t yoga as you know it; this is a deeply beneficial holistic practice. The kriya (yoga set) that we will practice on this retreat is designed to balance hormones, bodily systems and mental wellness to bring the body back into a place of balance, strength and alignment. We will use rhythm, posture, breathwork and mantra to control the flow of energy and awaken healthy functioning of our physical and energetic body. If we are fortunate enough to have good weather, this part of the retreat may take place outdoors in the beautiful secluded grounds of Bishton Hall.

Creative Aromatherapy

The retreat will then move into creative design and blending of self-care products that will continue the natural balance element of this retreat. Discover essential oils that can be used to address your specific health concerns so that your body can be cleansed, strengthened and rebalanced. We will create natural, organic deodorant, body scrub, bath salts and sugar scrubs – a complete self care ritual that will lift the mind, body and spirit.

Lunch and Gin Tasting

You will then visit Mercia Spirits Lab for a wonderfully warm welcome and carefully designed lunch to complement the sattvic life. As you enjoy the wonderful platters available at the Spirit Lab, you will also be treated to a gin tasting – a special blend of Mercia Gin with herbal additions. (Vegan and gluten free diets can be catered for upon request).

Yoga Nidra and Sound Bath

The retreat will then be rounded off with a wonderful yoga nidra practice – a guided visualisation to induce deep yogic ‘sleep’ where the mind is calmed into deeper brainwave states. The nidra will flow into a sound bath where you will absorb the wonderful sounds of instruments chosen to bring balance to mind and body. Relax deeply as the gong, Tibetan bowls, crystal bowls, chimes, wind and percussion instruments are played in this wonderful, soothing end to the retreat.

Participants will take away a bag of treats as well as the self-care products created on this retreat.

We can’t wait to meet you and help you to reclaim your natural balance.

NOTE: if the booking calendar fails to load, please book via this link

Book your space here for Sunday 24th July 2022:

It’s The Well Nest’s 5th Birthday!

We are celebrating our 5th birthday this month – come and join us for special offers, prizes and wonderful new workshops and experiences at The Vegan & Sustainable Living Festival 22nd – 24th April at Bishton Hall.

Thank You

I’d like to start by saying a huge, huge thank you to everybody that has joined me for a yoga class, workshop, meditation, therapy or treatment over the last 5 years. I’m truly grateful to each and every one of you that have joined me on this journey. You have all helped The Well Nest to survive through the toughest of years. A lot of you have become great friends over the years – some have been with me from the start! – and I have absolutely loved seeing you blossom on your wellbeing journeys. It’s a great privilege and a joy to work with people and share the gifts of holistic therapy, meditation and yoga…there is so much more on the way from The Well Nest!

What’s on This Month?

To celebrate our 5th birthday, there are number of special offers, workshops and experiences to try.

£5 off all 60 minute holistic therapy treatments – throughout the month of April, every holistic therapy (60 minutes or more) has £5 off. Get yourself booked in as soon as possible as spaces are already filling up.
Prize giveaway – enter our prize giveaway at The Vegan & Sustainable Living Festival. Your opportunity to win therapies, treatments and wellbeing products.
Workshops and experiences – This month there will be new workshops with sustainable themes such as making your own natural deodorant and body scrubs. There will be sound baths, mini holistic therapies such as Indian head massage and hand massage. Join me in the fabulous Nordic Tipi at the Vegan & Sustainable Living Festival.

Coming Soon…

More exciting things will be coming soon to The Well Nest…regular PILATES classes with our new teacher Sue: perfect for beginners and those wishing to begin a movement practice. Pilates is fantastic for building stability and core strength as well as assisting with hip and back strength and mobility. You might just find a new lease of life! If you’re interested in Pilates classes, use the button below to sign up to the waiting list and be the first to grab a space when classes go live:

MEDITATION classes with Hannah will soon be starting on a weekly basis at The Well Nest. This will be your weekly opportunity to take time out for yourself, practice meditation in a quiet and friendly atmosphere and seek advice on your practice. We will try meditations from lots of different traditions (not just mindfulness) so you can become a skilled meditator; able to find peace of mind even under the most difficult challenges of modern life.

See you soon!

Classes are now by Zoom!

There is no need for your wellbeing practices to take a hit at this difficult time. We need to stay social (even from a distance) and we need to stay active and connected. Our bodies and minds may be under significant stress, but things will be continuing at The Well Nest.

Most of the community classes are moving online. You can still practice with the same yogis, same teacher…but from your living room, kitchen, spare bedroom…any comfortable place.

Class Schedule

The following classes will be available every week from week commencing 23rd March:

Tuesdays 12 pm – 12.30 pm – Mindfulness & Meditation (on Facebook Live) Currently free as we all need this right now. No sign-up, just join @TheWellNestUK on Facebook from Tuesday 24th March.

Wednesdays 12 pm – 1 pm – Yin Yang Yoga by Zoom, £5.

Thursdays 6 pm – 7 pm – Vinyasa Yoga by Zoom, £5

Fridays 10 am – 11 am – Yin Yoga by Zoom, £5. This gentle, restorative class is back by popular demand. Mindful movements to connect body and mind.

All classes can be booked through the Events page of the website. Booking for each class opens 10 days before the event so you have time to book.

Classes are running at nearly 20% discount (and free in some cases). We all need to survive these tough times and we will do if we work together. I want to be able to continue to offer wellbeing classes for all when life gets back to ‘normal’. Your support right now means the world.

Workshops and Retreats

Staying at home doesn’t mean missing out on developing your mindfulness practice and learning the tools to help us navigate difficult times.

This month’s retreat will be a Home Retreat by Zoom. Teachings and meditations will be provided with notes and guide sheets being provided by email.

Saturday 11th April 2 pm – 4 pm – Reducing Stress and Anxiety with Mindfulness, £15

Full details fo the Home Retreat can be found on the Events page where you can also book your place.

This workshop is running at 25% discount. We all need to survive these tough times and we will do if we work together. I want to be able to continue to offer wellbeing classes for all when life gets back to ‘normal’. Your support right now means the world.

Namaste

Easing the Transition into 2020

So, we’re now two decades further along the path since we navigated the new Millennium. We have created a lot for ourselves to be concerned about in that time, but equally we find ourselves caught up in many things that we have very little influence with. It’s the nature of life that things will happen, as they are meant to, when they are meant to. Our resistance to this simple fact of life often causes us so much turmoil. How about starting this new year with a change of mindset – one that helps you find peace, ease and joy in life? It’s been a long time coming. Find your sense of purpose and allow your life to unfold; you don’t need to force it.

Change your mind

Hands up if you’ve set an intention or resolution in the past that involves changing your body? Diets, detoxes, fitness regimes, gym memberships, quitting smoking, vegetarianism, healthy eating…dry January?? Yes, we’ve all done these things to make ourselves more healthy, give ourselves more confidence and to improve our long-term health. But, how much success and longevity have you had with these attempts?

Meditation can be life changing. It changed my life ten years ago which is why I decided to share what I have learned with as many people as possible. It isn’t a secret; there are thousands of studies on meditation techniques that confirm that we can change our minds, change our behaviours and change our traits over time. If you change your mind, you can change your life.

If you want to be happier, get on with people better, be more patient, carry less tension in your body, see more positivity in the world, be more compassionate…then meditation might be the resolution for you in 2020.

Start with You

Meditation is a practice of training the mind to focus, pay attention and notice. Notice the present moment and what it has to offer. Focus your attention on what’s happening right now rather than ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. Freedom can be found right now.

Changing the way you relate to your thoughts and emotions can be liberating. You can choose to direct your mind to better things and learn to let go of what causes you mental distress. You can lower stress levels, improve relationships, improve physical health (by turning down your body’s reaction to stress) and overall wellbeing. A resolution to try meditation can benefit you and those around you.

If meditation has been on your ‘to do’ list for some time, why not come along and give it a try in one of our upcoming sessions? There is a lot to choose from at the Well Nest and it’s accessible to all.

**Meditation comes in many different forms such as Mindfulness, vipassana, Zen (Sesshin) meditation, Buddhist meditation, mantra, sound healing, shamanic drumming etc. At the Well Nest our teacher Hannah is deeply experienced and qualified to teach many methods; you can try several different traditions and find what works for you.

Instead of focusing on changing your body in 2020, try changing your mind. You will find things flow more easily, you start to feel lighter and have a greater sense of purpose. Your body will thank you for it too.

Here’s what you can try:

Weekly classes: Drop-in sessions at lunchtime on Tuesdays for 45 minutes. A teaching and guided meditation so you can try something different each week. Classes are at TopLine Studio at 12.30 pm and are £5 each.

Monthly sessions: Drop-in sessions on the third Wednesday of each month. Meditate in the evenings and enjoy relaxation, teachings and guided meditations exploring different themes and traditions each month. Classes are at Ingestre Orangery at 8 pm and are £6 each.

Workshops: Regular longer sessions with a focus on a particular practice or life skill. Coming up we have The Calm (for balancing, relaxation and focus), Learning to Let Go (a mindfulness morning retreat) and A Shamanic Journey (sound meditation)

Courses: Over several weeks you can give yourself the best chance at succeeding with a meditation journey by building a habit. Practices in groups each week followed by home practice and feedback is the best way to make a meaningful change to your life – in mind and body. Practitioner Courses are a great way to build meditation and mindfulness into everyday life.

Yoga: Not just for the body; yoga classes are moving meditations bringing focus, clarity, breathing and awareness into focus. Quieting the mind and relaxing the body. There are several different classes to choose from each week depending on your mobility levels. Men’s Yoga classes are also available.

Free courses and classes: Classes, workshops and courses are available throughout the year (free of charge) run in partnership with other organisations. Contact me to find out when the next free sessions are available.

Namaste.

Autumn Renewal

As the summer draws to a close and we start to look inwards, the Autumn provides the perfect opportunity to invest in renewal; of the mind, body and spirit.

Whether you are looking for relaxation, self-care, indulgence or a total change of direction through insight, there are courses, workshops and retreats at The Well Nest this season to suit every need.

It’s important to take holistic approach to wellbeing; looking after body, mind and spirit, to ensure that a balance of overall wellbeing is achieved. At The Well Nest you will find it easier to achieve this balanced approach to wellbeing as events are all designed with a holistic approach in mind. Working on one element of wellbeing, whilst beneficial, often doesn’t address a more long-term imbalance. Make new habits and invest in you this season. It might just change your life…

What’s on this season?

All Workshops and Retreats can be booked on the Events page where you will find lots more information on each session.

September

  • Yoga for Menopause – by Candlelight. Friday 6th, 7 pm – 8.30 pm, £15. TopLine Studio, Stafford. A gentle Hatha and Yin Yoga session with relaxation and meditation. Postures to help manage the symptoms of menopause and tune into the body through meditation.
  • Be Kind to Your Mind – Mindfulness for Wellbeing. Tuesday 10th, 6 pm – 8 pm, Free. The University of Wolverhampton in Stafford. A public seminar exploring why and how we should practice mindfulness for better health and wellbeing. If you are interested in the 8 Session Practitioner Course (below) this seminar will give you a lot more information on that course and its benefits.
  • Introduction to Mindfulness – Morning Retreat. Saturday 21st, 10 am – 12 pm, £20. TopLine Studio, Stafford. A full introduction to the practice of mindfulness that will allow you to practice at home and approach life’s challenges with a different perspective. 

From the first week of September:

  • Guided Meditation every Wednesday morning 8 am – 8.30 am at TopLine Studio, £5.  Guided morning practice of Mindfulness and Meditation to help you establish a routine of Mindfulness. Morning is the best time to practice and where you will feel the most benefit for your day and your week.
  • Yin Yang Yoga – Beginners & Improvers every Thursday morning 10 am – 11 am at TopLine Studio, £6. A gentle mid-morning practice of Hatha and Yin Yoga to help you stretch out, work on strength, balance, flexibility and joint mobility in a comfortable and supportive environment.

October

  • Eight Session Mindfulness Practitioner Course. Tuesdays from 8th October, 2 pm or 6 pm, £160. The University of Wolverhampton in Stafford. A complete course to enable you to practice mindfulness fully and to provide the tools for you to change your mind and your life. The course provides an in-depth toolkit to tackle the challenges of life from work/life stress, relationships, sleeplessness, emotional and physical pain (plus more!). All course materials and refreshments provided.
  • Choosing Happiness – Morning Retreat. Saturday 19th, 10 am – 12 pm, £20. TopLine Studio. A morning retreat looking at our relationship with happiness, what it means to each of us and how we can cultivate it to live freely and more joyfully.

Welcome in the new season and find your balance with The Well Nest. Renew this season, for you.

World Meditation Day 2019

Tuesday 21st May 2019 is World Meditation Day! I wrote recently about the benefits of a Mindfulness or Meditation practice and the difficulties of getting started.

When we are presented with an opportunity like World Meditation Day, there really is no better time to get started on the meditation journey.

Just sit…and observe

Meditation is for everybody

So what can you expect as a beginner? The good news is, absolutely everybody and anybody can meditate. It seems difficult because we hear phrases like ’empty your mind of thoughts’ and immediately we have fear that we won’t be able to do it. Luckily that’s not what meditation and mindfulness are about. If we could empty our minds, we wouldn’t need to meditate! Don’t be put off by popular phrases and preconceptions; come with no expectations and you’ll find your meditation experience all the better for it.

So what will you find at group meditation with the Well Nest? A warm and friendly welcome, a calm atmosphere in relaxing surroundings, full instructions from start to finish, knowledgeable insights and teachings and guidance through your meditation experience. At the Well Nest, we love beginners – because we remember how it feels to attend that very first group meditation session and feel like a fish out of water. But don’t worry, meditation really is for everybody. We will sit in chairs (no special clothing required) and enjoy teachings, progressive relaxation and meditation.

Meditation is for everybody

Join us…

Come and join us on World Meditation Day as we hold a Lunchtime Escape in Stafford town centre. At 12.30 pm at TopLine Studio, I will help you find 45 minutes of calm in the middle of your day. This is a great opportunity to try something that could really make a difference to your life and those close to you.

If sitting doesn’t appeal to you, why not try walking meditation. Learn to tune into the body and your surroundings in a whole new way: mindful walking classes are available at The Wolseley Centre. Spend your Saturday mornings wisely and invest in you.

You can read more about my Mindfulness and Meditation journey here. Isn’t it about time you gave meditation a try?

May is National Meditation Month

We hear about Mindfulness and Meditation all the time; on social media, in the news, at the doctors surgery and in the workplace…but where do you start if you haven’t tried it before?

Meditation and Mindfulness are founded on some of the simplest practices that have been relied upon for centuries by cultures that truly understood the real benefits of a meditation practice.

Take a seat…and find some peace

Although some of the practices are very simple, they can be very difficult. It’s understandable that most people read articles and think “I should learn to meditate” or “I know I’d benefit from mindfulness” but many don’t actually take the plunge. Part of that is availability, part of it is knowing where to start (what to try?) and what the experience might be in a class or group meditation.

Why not start with The Well Nest?

At the Well Nest we run Mindfulness & Meditation sessions through the week , evening sessions, courses and workshops in relaxed and welcoming environments. No experience is necessary; just come with an open mind and a willingness to learn a practice that could change your life. At the Well Nest we focus on delivering simple and effective teachings and practical meditations that you can take away and practice in daily life, right from the first session.

You are welcome to start your journey with us this month as we launch new Lunchtime Escapes in Stafford – 45 minutes of Mindfulness and Meditation on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the new TopLine Studio on Stafford Street. An opportunity to try something new that could last life time and make a real difference to your quality of life. Or, why not join us to learn the art of Mindful Walking in the beautiful surrounds of the Wolseley Centre on 25th May.

Learn to walk mindfully with the Well Nest

The benefits of a Mindfulness & Meditation practice

The benefits of a regular meditation or Mindfulness practice are well documented: here are just a few…

  • lower stress levels
  • reduced anxiety
  • better sleep quality
  • improved mental resilience and overall mood
  • better overall wellbeing
  • less instances of heart disease
  • less instances of respiratory illness
  • Improved blood pressure
  • Improved relationships….

It’s time to make this May, your meditation month. Join us and learn a practice that could truly benefit your life and free your mind.

Yin Yoga and Mindful Movement

Mindful movement provides a combination of physical and mental benefits that can connect the individual with the present moment and help develop a greater appreciation of how the body feels and moves.

Yin Yoga is the practice of holding yoga postures (asana) for extended periods of time providing stretching of the connective tissues and release of the energy flows within the body. Through long holds and conscious relaxation of certain muscle groups, participants are brought into deep focus in the present moment. Using mindfulness techniques participants learn to feel the true experience of the body in the moment. This combination of physical and mental practice makes Yin Yoga a deeply relaxing and balancing practice.

The practice of Yin Yoga is not the dynamic flowing yoga often seen on social media, but is instead a gentle series of asana combined with breathing and focus on the direct sensations in the body. Over time, joints become more fluid as the connective tissues (fascia) in the body begin to loosen. The muscles, tendons and supporting tissues of the joints gradually become more supple allowing greater movement and flexibility.

Yin Yoga is based on the principles of Taoist Yoga and the flow of Chi (energy) through channels in the body. By spending several minutes in each asana, individuals may start to feel the release and flow of energy in the body. Focusing on the momentary experience of these sensations in the body is a mindfulness practice that allows individuals to connect more deeply with the moment and with themselves. Combined with breathing practices and meditative relaxation, Yin Yoga is a holistic approach to mind/body wellness.

Yin yoga is a great lesson in surrendering to the present moment and the sensations of the body. The practice of holding asana leads to a breakdown of mental barriers that naturally steer us away from discomfort. Feeling into poses is a great release for the mind as the bodily sensations take over. This is beneficial for reducing stress, anxiety and low mood and can allow a deeper sense of relaxation which helps with sleep and improvement in general wellbeing.

Sign up via the events pages for upcoming Yin Yoga workshops to experience the effects of the practice for yourself.

Yin Yoga and Mindful Movement Workshop – By Candlelight Friday 5th April 2019, 6.30 pm – 8 pm


Regular Yin Yoga classes with The Well Nest are coming soon!

Namaste