Category Archives: Teachers

Christmas Timetable 2019

Posted on December 10, 2019

Classes running over the Festive Season 23 December–2 January

C xmastreepose-150x150 lasses are running every day throughout the holiday period at Yogawest, except on Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Download the Christmas Timetable 2019

A big thank you to the Yogawest teachers who are keeping classes going over the festive period.

The updated Yogawest timetable resumes on Thursday 3rd January 2020, printed copies will be available to download online from mid December.
NOTE Check course and termtime start dates online as they may differ:
Termtime dates listed here
Course dates listed here

Which classes are running?

Many of our usual classes are still running over the festive period, but as teachers are fewer on the ground, some classes are not on.

Which classes are suitable?

To make things simpler, and to include everyone in our plans, many classes are billed as general level – this means that ALL are welcome, whatever your experience or ability (the teacher will adapt the class accordingly). Beginners are encouraged to general classes: just let the teacher know you are new and they will look after you.

Who is teaching?

Some of our usual teachers are taking a well-earned break over Christmas, and recharging their batteries for the New Year. All classes are being taught by fully certified Yogawest Iyengar teachers.

Timetable for your fridge

Download the reduced Christmas 2019 timetable here

Posted in Advanced, Annemarie Caracciolo, Beginners, BKS Iyengar, Bristol, Christmas, Classes, Community, Edgar Stringer, experienced, General, holiday, holiday opening times, Intermediate, Lizzie Biggin, Naomi Maggs, New to yoga, newcomers, news, pranayama, Sam Xenofou, studio, Teachers, timetable, Yoga

Congratulations to Zoë, Annemarie and Katy!

Posted on November 13, 2019

Many congratulations to the Yogawest teachers that have recently passed exams, gaining a new level of qualification.

Intermediate Junior exams (the next level after Introductory) are taken in October and there are 3 levels.

This year Zöe Hope, Katy Hinchliffe and Annemarie Caracciolo all passed their next level exam.

Well done to all!

Posted in Annemarie Caracciolo, Intermediate, Katy Hinchliffe, Teachers, Zoë Hope

Open Day 12 Oct 2019

Posted on September 18, 2019

Free Classes, Tea & Cakes and Meet the Teachers

As part of the Bristol Yoga Trail 2019, Yogawest are opening our doors and offering free classes all day long. We invite you to come along, take a tour of our beautiful building, chat to some teachers and try a taster class or two.

Come at least 10 minutes before the start time so you can register with us and secure your place. Some classes may be busy, and some may fill up before the start time, so do arrive in good time!

Timetable of FREE classes at Yogawest

9.30–10.45 Beginners

11–12.30 General

12.45–1.45 Family (all ages welcome)

2–3 Total Beginners: a class for complete newbies

4–5.15 Beginners

5.30–6.45 Restorative: restful poses focusing on good breathing

Donations to OTR

Although all Open Day classes are free, we are collecting donations for OTR – Off The Record, a marvellous Bristol Charity offering mental health support to young people. A £10 donation pays for a free counselling session for a young person. Read more about OTR here.

Local TV coverage of the Trail

Bristol TV came to talk to us about the Bristol Yoga Trail, many thanks to Katy and the Tuesday morning class!

We look forward to seeing you then!

Posted in Beginners, BKS Iyengar, Bristol, Bristol Yoga Trail, Charity, Children, Classes, Cleo Edwards, Diana Penny, Family, foundation, free class, General, getting to Yogawest, Health, Iyengar Yoga, Joanna Lambe, Luke Hutchison, New to yoga, newcomers, news, Newsletter, Offers, parent & teenager, stress, studio, Teachers, teenagers, timetable, Yoga

Full Timetable restarts 31 August

Posted on August 7, 2019

The Autumn timetable at Yogawest

The updated full timetable begins on Saturday 31 August, download your copy here or pick up a copy at reception from 15 August.

NOTE that some termtime and courses start later: check termtime classes dates and course dates.

There are some small changes this Autumn, with highlights as follows:

Naomi adds a class

Naomi Maggs now teaches two classes on Wednesday evenings: the Beginners class starts at 6pm and her new General class starts at 7.30pm.

Welcome to Sarah

Sarah Dietz joins the Yogawest team and is teaching the Beginners class on Tuesday evenings at starts at 7.15pm, two teenager classes on Thursday afternoons and some Foundation courses.

Welcome back to Cleo

Cleo Edwards is back on the timetable, teaching the Beginners class on Saturday afternoons at 4pm and some Foundation courses.

Low cost classes

Yogawest offers some classes to those with low wages (eg NHS, students) and operates on a fairplay basis to those who cannot afford to come to class otherwise. Classes currently listed include the 4.30 Friday class and the Saturday 4pm class and details are updated regularly here.

1:1 classes

Yogawest offers one-to-one classes for people who want a little more attention, perhaps because of a particular injury, or those who are unable to attend group classes. Classes are by arrangement, and are usually an hour long. More info here

Quieter classes

Autumn is a busy time at Yogawest and some classes can get quite full: this makes for a great atmosphere – seasoned yoga practitioners usually enjoy busy classes. However, some people prefer quieter classes and we regularly update our list of current quiet classes here

Posted in Advanced, Beginners, Bristol, Children, Classes, Cleo Edwards, Community, experienced, foundation, General, Health, Intermediate, Iyengar Yoga, Naomi Maggs, New to yoga, newcomers, news, Sarah Dietz, Teachers, teenagers, timetable, Yoga

Congratulations to the new Iyengar teachers

Posted on August 7, 2019

We are celebrating…

An incredible set of exam successes this Summer!

Very many congratulations to eight newly qualified Yogawest teachers for passing their Introductory Iyengar exams this summer.

This is a truly incredible pass rate and credit must go to Lydia Holmes, Edgar Stringer and Sheila Haswell who guided the trainees throughout their training.

Some of the group are still training and will take their exams in future years.

A big thank you also to the marvellous Yogawest students who supported the trainees towards the end of their training as they practised teaching in class.

Many of the newly qualified teachers live far away from Bristol, so won’t be taking on regular classes here; most will return to continue training.

New teachers at Yogawest

Joining the Yogawest team this September is Sarah Dietz.
We are also pleased to welcome Cleo Edwards back onto the Yogawest timetable.

The Autumn timetable will be published in mid August: it will be announced in the August newsletter and available to download from the online timetable or from reception at Yogawest.

Posted in news, teacher training, Teachers

Easter Period classes 8–22 April

Posted on April 11, 2019

Easter at Yogawest

While schools are on holiday, the termtime classes and courses at Yogawest take a break, but most classes run as usual.

Over the Easter weekend, 19–22 April, most classes are running as usual, however a couple of classes are not on.

See the full list of Easter weekend classes below and as usual check your favourite class details on the online timetable.

Easter Weekend 19–22 April

Friday 19 April, Good Friday
10.00–12.00 Experienced Edgar
12.15–13.45 General Edgar
18.00–19.30 Restorative Lizzie

Saturday 20 April, Easter Saturday
9.15–10.45 Intermediate Luke
9.30–10.45 Beginners Joanna
11–12.30 General Luke

Sunday 21 April, Easter Sunday
10.00–11.30 General Edgar
11.45–13.15 Intermediate Edgar
18.00–19.30 General Joanna

Monday 22 April, Bank Holiday
10.00–11.30 General Janet
17.45–19.15 Intermediate Lizzie
19.30–21.00 General Annemarie

Posted in Advanced, Beginners, Bristol, Classes, Edgar Stringer, experienced, General, holiday, holiday opening times, Intermediate, New to yoga, newcomers, news, studio, Teachers, timetable, Yoga

Monday evenings changes from 8th April

Posted on April 3, 2019

Mondays Are Changing

As of 8th April 2019 Monday evening classes
at Yogawest are changing to:

17.45–19.15 Intermediate Lizzie
18.15–19.30 Beginners Zoë
19.30–21.00 General Annemarie

See you at Yogawest soon!

Posted in Annemarie, Annemarie Caracciolo, Beginners, Classes, Diana Penny, Lizzie Biggin, news, Teachers, timetable, Yoga

Join your local Iyengar institute!

Posted on March 2, 2018

A message from Edgar Stringer, Chair of AIYI

I’m writing to you on behalf of the Avon Iyengar Yoga Institute with a request for your support.

Are you aware that for just £20 you can become a member of the AIYI (your local Iyengar Institute), and your membership will include 2 magazines a year from the national association IY (UK) and a members discount to AIYI events.

This is a good time to join (the year starts on 1st April) and it’s a straightforward process on the IY(UK) website link below. New members: just select AIYI as your regional institute and you will join both automatically.

https://iyengaryoga.org.uk/membership-joining/

Here’s a link to the AIYI website.

Please also consider joining the AIYI committee. It is not an onerous task there are just 3 or 4 meetings a year. We really value non-teacher members as well as teachers.

Next Meeting 11th March 2018

Our (AIYI) next meeting is on Sunday 11th March at Yogawest at 6pm which should last for about an hour.
We would love to see you there, and to hear any ideas you might have to help us to continue to promote and develop Iyengar Yoga in our area.
Please let Edgar know if you’re interested in getting involved.Many thanks,
Edgar Stringer (AIYI Chair)

Posted in Avon Institute, BKS Iyengar, Community, Edgar Stringer, news, Teachers, Yoga

Weather Impact on Classes (March 2nd & 3rd)

Posted on March 1, 2018

The heating is on 24/7 and classes are running!

This page last updated at 5.30pm on March 2nd 2018

STOP PRESS: all weekend classes running as per online timetable.

Yogawest is currently fully open, with all classes running as per the online timetable, which is where we will post any updates: check the comments box next to your class for latest info, or call us to check on 0117 924 3330.

The heating is on permanently and so far the studios are coping well with the cold snap, but you may want to wear an extra layer and a pair of grippy socks in class!

And because Denmark Place is unlikely to be gritted, please be careful on your way in.

Teacher Training this weekend

The training weekend (March 2–4) is going ahead. Some participants have already travelled from afar, and many others are local (snow boots on!), so we are not cancelling it at this stage.

However, we would advise you to make your own decision as to whether it is sensible and safe to travel to us, and completely understand if you cannot make it.

We will email all trainees as soon as (and if) the situation changes.

Posted in Bristol, Classes, getting to Yogawest, newcomers, news, studio, teacher training, Teachers, timetable, weather update, Yoga

Welcome to the new Yogawest Teachers

Posted on August 18, 2017

In September 2017 Yogawest is adding several new classes and teachers to the timetable.

We are delighted to have persuaded the marvellous Lydia Holmes to teach 2 classes for us on a Wednesday night: a General at 5.30pm and an Intermediate class at 7.15pm. They will start at 90 minutes each, and we hope that the Intermediate class will change to 2-hour class before too long. Perhaps some of you will do both the classes! Many of you know Lydia as she has regularly covered classes at Yogawest, and she also assists Sheila Haswell on the teacher training course.

Naomi_ParsvakonasanaHR We have asked all our newly qualified Iyengar teachers to take on classes: we hope you will come and try them and find out what marvellous new talent there is in the building. Both Naomi and Joanna have been teaching classes over the summer and we are getting great feedback – well done to both of you! It can be quite daunting when you start teaching, but those trained at Yogawest by Sheila Haswell are well prepared for taking on classes with confidence and a solid knowledge.

Our new teachers

Lucy Payne (Monday 12.30 General)
George Healy (Monday 8pm Beginners)
Naomi Maggs (Wednesday 5pm Beginners)
Harriet St Leger (Wednesday 6.30pm Beginners)
Andrew Lux (Friday 8am Beginners)
Joanna Lambe (Saturday 9.30am Beginners)
Luhia Shakti (Saturday 4pm Beginners)

Snapshot of other changes

Frances is taking over the Monday evening Intermediate class (now 6–7.30pm);
Zoë Hope is taking on a Monday evening General class at 6.15pm, and her dynamic class now starts at 8pm;
Jess’ early morning class moves to Tuesday at 7am, followed by a 9am Beginners class, and an additional Gentle class at 11.15;
Katy is taking over the Tuesday 9.30 General class;
Zoë Hope is taking over the Wednesday 10am General class;
Luke’s Thursday 6.15pm Beginners class now ends 15 minutes earlier at 7.30 and Lizzie’s Thursday evening General class starts 15 minutes earlier at 6.45pm;
Annemarie is launching a new Thursday evening Intermediate class at 7.45pm;
Zoë Reason is starting a new Friday afternoon occasional Self Practice session, followed by a weekly Friday 5pm Beginners class;
Lizzie is taking over teaching the Friday 6pm Restorative class;
Jess is teaching a new pregnancy course on Saturdays at 12.45;
Zoë Reason is taking over the Sunday 6pm General class.

Posted in Andrew Lux, Beginners, Classes, experienced, General, George Healy, Intermediate, Joanna Lambe, Lucy Payne, Luhia Shakti, Lydia Holmes, Naomi Maggs, New to yoga, newcomers, news, studio, Teachers, timetable, Yoga