classes

Pilates- Linda Davies, Nicole Gatter, Wendy McGovern, Ruth Khan

Stretch & Tone- Nikki Moss

Yoga -Margaret Hall,  Linda Henderson, Brenda McAuliffe

T'ai Chi - John Richmond

Monday

Pilates with Nicole Gatter,  Body Control Pilates Instructor 9.30am - 10.45am
Stretch Tone and Relax Classes with Nikki Moss DO 1.00pm -2.30pm , 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Tuesday

Pilates with Nicole Gatter,  Body Control Pilates Instructor-

 10.00am -11.15am and 11.30am-12.45pm

Pilates with Ruth Khan, Body Control Pilates Instructor-

  1.30pm - 2.45pm

Pilates with Linda Davies, Body Control Pilates Instructor 

6.40pm - 7.55pm  and 8pm - 9.15pm

Wednesday

Pilates with Linda Davies, Body Control Pilates Instructor 10.00am -11.15am, 11.50am -1.00pm, 1.00pm-2.15pm
Tai Chi Classes with John Richmond 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Thursday

Postural Yoga with Brenda McAuliffe STAT 10.00am -11.15am
Iyengar Yoga with Margaret Hall 7.00pm - 8.15 pm
Stretch Tone and Relax Classes with Nikki Moss DO 1:00pm-2.30pm and 3pm - 4pm

Friday

Pilates with Wendy McGovern, Body Control Pilates Instructor 10 - 11.15am and 11.30- 12.45pm
Postural Yoga with Linda Henderson STAT 6.45pm - 8.00pm

Saturday

Pilates with Nicole Gatter,  Body Control Pilates Instructor  10.30am -11.45am, 12noon-1.15pm

Pilates

Body Control® Pilates (BCP) is an exercise programme recommended by medical professionals that aims to synergise mind and body to rebalance the individual from deep within. It combines the principles of alignment, breathing, core-stability, co-ordination, concentration, flowing movement, stamina and relaxation to give a workout that is both mentally and physically challenging. By strengthening core muscles within the body, BCP can help protect and strengthen the spine.  It also helps to restore the body’s correct movement patterns lost due to bad postural habits, continued repetition of movement and injury.  Regular practice can help relax and energise and provide many great benefits including increased strength, fitness and flexibility, improved posture and stronger, healthier joints.

Experienced instructors offer a variety of classes at Lee Complementary Health Centre suitable for different levels and abilities from beginner to advanced.  They also work closely with Osteopaths at the centre to offer tailored 1:1 programmes for individuals, where BCP has been recommended.

Yoga

WHAT IS YOGA

Yoga is an ancient science of physical postures recorded in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. There are many different types of Yoga, but they all have the common aim to bring harmony and peace to the whole being. Yoga means union – to yoke. The practice of Yoga therefore aims to unite mind, body and spirit. Yoga is a safe way to increase flexibility and muscle tone, improve posture and develop stamina. You will practice a wide variety of postures and learn relaxation techniques which aim to bring clarity, awareness and peace of mind into your daily life. We have a non-competitive atmosphere in all our classes, enabling you to work at your own pace. Yoga is performed in loose comfortable clothing and bare feet.   

POSTURAL YOGA

Postural Yoga is a unique integration of the Alexander Technique into your yoga practice. Integrating these two disciplines creates a continual awareness of postural alignment and promotes a safe method of stretching the spine. In a nutshell we teach, ‘Head leads, body follows’. This is a universal law of movement seen in all lesser vertebrates. We teach how to do this in your Yoga practice, so that you experience and benefit from the Alexander Technique teaching of the head moving away from the neck, allowing the spine to lengthen in all postures. The head, neck and back relationship is emphasised in all postures, so that the body is centred and the limbs are freely moving away from the torso, aiming to create space in your joints.   
The classes are designed to help the beginner as well as the more advanced practitioner. We begin with warm-ups and end with calming postures. For those that not only wish to stretch and relax, we offer a short meditation at the close of each class. Postural Yoga may improve your general health and sense of well-being: Benefits may include: postural awareness, a stronger more flexible spine, increased joint mobility, improved circulation, balance, poise and relaxation. These are but a few of the attendant benefits of practicing Postural Yoga.

For all classes please consider the following points:
Eat only a light meal before Yoga Practice   – do not eat for at least two hours before class. You should not eat or chew anything whilst practicing as you may choke.
Bring along a blanket.
Do not wear jewellery – long chains, bracelets and earrings can get caught and cause damage. During menstrual cycle inverted positions must not be performed.

If you feel pain in a posture, stop and tell your tutor. Always talk to your tutor. Explain any problems you might be having. Your tutor will find you alternatives if needed.

If you are suffering from any of the following you must inform your tutor. You might need to check with your doctor after talking to your tutor.

• High or low blood pressure
• any heart conditions
• any physical problems
• Meniere’s disease
• Conditions affecting sense of balance
• Epilepsy including petit-mal
• Diabetes
• Detached Retina
• MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
• ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
• Any recent operation
• Any other problems the tutor should know about
• Make sure you inform your tutor if you are pregnant.
  

T'ai Chi

Li Family T’ai Chi Ch’uan Form - Often Translated as ‘The Supreme Ultimate’ the T’ai Chi form consists of a long sequence of flowing movements performed at a slow rhythmic pace with deep co-ordinated breathing and full concentration. The form consists of 140 movements in 42 sections, which  help the practitioner to develop strong internal energy. A moving meditation, T’ai Chi Ch’uan may help to promote a sense of inner peace and tranquillity.

Benefits of the Taoist Arts – People of all ages, culture, religion, lifestyle and belief practice the Taoist arts throughout the world.

The gentleness of the Taoist physical culture helps to ensure that anyone practicing does not suffer strain and other muscular injuries, but obtains greater strength and stamina while developing a flexible and supple body.

Health: Regular practice can lead to an improvement in stress related illnesses; it may also have a positive effect on general health and Well-being, and may help to bring increased vitality.

Physical: Taoist exercise develops the physical body enabling it to achieve and maintain it’s natural potential for health and fitness with Coordination of movement. Coordination improves, as does sensitivity and balance. Self-discipline and bodily control are the first steps to personal growth and development.

Mental: The growth in physical control and stability is reflected in the form of a balanced mind, capable of making rational decisions and taking responsibility. T’ai Chi calms the spirit. Sharpens the faculties and improves sensitivity and awareness. Meditation stimulates and clears the mind, which becomes free, active and spontaneous.

Emotional: Good breathing, balance and a calm mental state help to stabilise the emotions. The physical and mental exercise provides a healthy channel for emotional energy. The Arts can help stimulate and release blocked energy and facilitate positive emotional expression.

Spiritual: The Taoist philosophy of Yin and Yang is inherent in all phases of growth and development. In it’s highest application the Taoist Arts teach the principles of natural spiritual Growth.