Yoga & Pilates
The Balance Rooms has a wonderful purpose built studio with underfloor heating, ambient lighting and fully equipped for all our Yoga and Pilates classes.
Yoga and Pilates do look similar. They are both low impact, mat-based exercises which are great for core strength. However they come from very different traditions and have different goals. This page explains some of the key highlights of both and the classes we offer.
Yoga
Origin: Ancient Spiritual Practice from India (thousands of years old)
Focus: Mindfulness, Mind–body connection, flexibility, breathwork, and sometimes spirituality.
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Key features:
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Emphasis on breathing techniques, deep, mindful breath (called pranayama)
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Flowing stretches and poses (called asanas), and sometimes meditation
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Improves flexibility, balance, mobility, and stress relief
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Styles range from gentle (Yin) to fast-paced (Vinyasa)
Feels like: A combination of stretching, balance training, and mindfulness. Often included meditation.
Pilates
Origin: Early 1900s, modern exercise system, created by Joseph Pilates
Focus: Core strength, stability, posture, controlled movement, and alignment.
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Key features:
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Strong focus on core, strength and stability (“the powerhouse”)
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Precise, controlled movements and repititions
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Can be done on a mat or on machines (like reformers)
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Builds strength, stability, and muscle tone, especially around abs and back
Feels like: Slow, controlled body conditioning. More physical, less meditative.
At a Glance
Our Classes cover a wide range of ability and experience so there is something for everyone!
Timetable
Classes will be added so for most up to date classes and prices dowload our booking app
Monday
9.30am–10.30am
Morning Flow Yoga with Kristina
10.45am–11.30am
Gentle Pilates with Liz
11.45am–12.30pm
Chair Yoga with Liz
Tuesday
12.00pm–1.00pm
Gentle Yoga with Liz
6.30pm–7.30pm
Energising Flow Yoga with Kristina
Wednesday
9.30am–10.30am
Beginners Yoga with Kristina
11.45am–12.30pm
Chair Yoga with Kristina
Thursday
5.15pm–6.15pm
Iyenga Yoga wiith Bridget
Friday
9.30am–10.30am
Beginners Yoga with Liz
10.45am–11.30am
Gentle Pilates with Liz
12.00pm–1.00pm
Gentle Yoga with Liz
Prices start from £7.50 per class
(when a block pass is purchased)
Gentle Yoga
Gentle yoga is aimed at those who enjoy moving through the asanas (poses) at a much slower pace. It also involves a greater focus on breath work and achieving a deep sense of calm both physically and spiritually. This is a great practice for those who don't necessarily want to feel as if they've had a workout but who want to connect with their body and their breath in a relaxing space. This class is accessible to all levels.
Morning Flow Yoga
Flow yoga, also known as Vinyasa yoga or dynamic yoga, focuses on connecting the breath to the movement, with emphasis on movement series like The Sun Salutation and the Warrior Series. A vinyasa class will leave you feeling energised and connected to your body and your breath. Some knowledge of yoga poses or asanas and breathing techniques can be useful to follow this class, but our practioners will make sure any new Yogis feels welcomed and can easily follow the class.
Energising Flow Yoga
Energising flow yoga is a form of Vinyasa flow yoga and is quite a fast paced form of yoga, with emphasis on movement series like The Sun Salutation and the Warrior Series. This class will leave you feeling energised and connected to your body and your breath, and you will know that you have had a workout! A great option for those with yoga experience. Some knowledge of yoga poses or asanas and breathing techniques is recommended to follow this class.
Beginnes Yoga
A flowing approach that links the breath to your movements while stretching the whole body through easy yoga poses and sun salutations. Yoga for beginners typically includes basic poses, breathwork, stretching and relaxation techniques at the end of the class. It will help you improve flexibility, balance, and overall well-being. This class is accessible to all levels.
Chair Yoga
This is a 45 minute practice for those with limited mobility, where the practice is based in a chair. You will strengthen your body, stretch your muscles and connective tissues, and you'll have time to connect with your breath. This class is accessible to all levels.
Iyengar Yoga
Suitable for beginners and also those with more experience. Using yoga poses to gently stretch out the body, build strength and develop greater flexibility, promoting well-being, reducing stress and prevention of injury. A perfect antidote to sedentary lifestyles and also great for people who are more active. Classes all end with relaxation.
Gentle Pilates
This practice is designed at a slower pace than a regular Pilates class. It is still made to enhance and strengthen your entire core and work on alignment. Not only you will work on your transverse muscle and abdominal muscles, but also the obliques, the pelvic floor, arms, shoulders, legs and glutes to align and strengthen your body as a whole. This practice will be entirely down on the mat, so no need to worry about getting up and down. We end the practice with a long stretch of the deep muscles and relaxation.