Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs
Date: Start Oct 13th
Time: from 1:30 pm- 2:45 pm
This course will help you to help yourself forever
This evidence-based (University of York / Arthritis Research UK) quality yoga programme is gentle; beginner-friendly; effective; enjoyable. The specialised classes give you a tool-kit to improve comfort and long-term health.
Small group, early enquiries/booking advised.
Dates of the course:-
2025
13th & 27th October, 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th November, 1st December
2026
Dates TBC
Comments from previous students on this course at Canterbury Yoga:
“I came in from work with aching back, put on the CD relaxation track, lay down & it was marvellous – after 15 minutes the pain had gone! The course has given me confidence in moving my body.”
“I can now move more comfortably, including reaching my toes to do my own pedicure!”
“The course has improved my confidence to manage my back pain. I now go out more as I know how to help myself if my back starts to become painful.”
“Alison Ley, Osteopath, Canterbury tried one of our classes and now recommends the course to her patients. She commented
Your guidance was friendly, kind and clear. I enjoyed the stretches and gentle challenges and found the colour visualisation very relaxing at the end. I can see how this approach would be very helpful to people returning to a more healthy body-use after suffering the disability of chronic pain. ”
From Annie Cox, YHLB student, September 2023
“This course has helped me very much to cope with lower back problems. If I get a ‘twinge’, I know how to exercise and help it. The classes were excellent.
Over approximately 43 years ago I began practising yoga. Over that time I have learnt varying practices, postures, techniques etc. However, I must say that the Yoga for Lower Backs course has still taught me new techniques and has enhanced my understanding of how to help myself. You are never too old or experienced to learn.”
“All the skills/exercises taught to me on this course have dramatically improved my back, how I move in day to day life, as well as how I move in my chosen sport of climbing. I have been in a much better mood and have been able to go back to my sport after an absence due to back problems.
I have learned how to use my breath: to calm myself and to engage my core. I am a climbing instructor and I have been able to teach others some elements of the course to aid them, either through stretches or breath control to clear their mind to be able to commit to moves.
I recommend this course to others 100%. It’s a great course.”
Willow Hudomiet-Forrest, Feb 2025
“The course has really helped me to strengthen and develop my core and to lift safely. I feel more confident in my back, which feels more stable and I have no pain.”
Claire Woodley, Feb 2025
“The classes have been helpful and I believe that I am better prepared to deal with my awkward back when it is painful and have more strategies to prevent problems occurring in the first place. I have an increased range of measures to deal with pain and have learned the benefits of frequency of movement.
It’s been very good to work under your instruction because you are very thorough and precise in the instructions you give and can ‘talk in pictures’. In my experience this facility is critical to good teaching so I’m glad to have found you.”
Nick , Feb 2025
Current general yoga students who may suffer from episodes of back pain can often gain great benefit from attending a 12-week YHLB course – you then have this lifelong toolkit to hand for self-management plus it is a very user-friendly motivator to instil a habit of regular home practice for general well-being. The sequences have the aim of improving and maintaining health of the lower back, but involve the whole body and the whole person. You will also learn how to function in general classes more happily.
YHLB is also an ideal foundation course for newcomers to yoga, even if you only have occasional back pain, as you will learn the basics of most aspects of yoga.
Cost: Fees provided on enquiry
How to book Contact: Dr Susan Jeffery for info/to book at sjyogaandphilosophy@gmail.com or call 01304 620467 or text 07817 319939
More info at: www.yogaforbacks.co.uk
The British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course 1
Date: December 1st
Time: from 10:00 am- 5:00 pm
Our next course starts December 1st 2024
Introductory morning Oct 26th
Come on a Yoga journey to explore together with like minded people who share your passion for Yoga. This course is an excellent way to deepen your knowledge and understanding of yoga. It includes practical and theoretical work on the eight limbs of yoga from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali including the ethical foundations of yoga, asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing practices) concentration, meditation practices and relaxation techniques. You will learn about the history of yoga, the different paths of yoga and different schools of yoga. You will learn about different mudras (hand gestures) and some simple chanting and mantra.
The course is designed to explore yoga in much more depth than you would in an average class. You will learn how to build and develop your own personal yoga practice as well as gaining a deeper insight into all aspects of yoga. Former students have found the Foundation course to be life changing!. Students are expected to continue to practice with their own teacher regularly. You will also be encouraged to reflect upon your Yoga experiences and keep a Yoga journal. The course includes private tutorials with tutors at different stages of the course which may be done by phone or Skype.
Who is the course for?
This course is suitable for all those who have had approximately two years of yoga classes with a qualified teacher.
Anyone wishing to train to become a British Wheel Yoga teacher.
Anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of Yoga.
Course dates
Introductory morning, Oct 26th,
Dec 1st 2024, Jan 18th,Feb 15th, March 15th, April 5th, May 10th, June 7th, July 5th, Sept 13th, Oct 11th 2025
Tutors
Cora Kemball-Cook
Cora has been practising yoga since 1974 initially learning in the Iyengar style but since 1999 has been greatly influenced by the gentler approach of Vanda Scaravelli and has learnt from Peter Blackaby and Chloe Freemantle who teach this style. Originally, she trained as a Speech and Language therapist and worked in the health service for many years. Cora has been a BWY Teacher since 2000 and trained as Diploma Course Tutor in 2005. She runs the busy Canterbury yoga studio hosting many different yoga and meditation workshops. She has completed a BWY Post Graduate Module in Meditation, an 8-week Secular Mindfulness Based Living Course, (MBLC) and has a personal practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM). She also holds a diploma in Practical Spirituality and Wellness She enjoys the continual journey of discovery which Yoga provides.
Lina Newstead
Lina started practising Yoga when she was 16 from a book! She started serious practice with an Iyengar teacher some 10 years later and then trained as a BWY teacher. She has been influenced by different traditions including Viniyoga T K V Desikarchar and Tibetan Buddhism in meditation practice. She has taught BWY Diploma and Certificate courses with Cora at the Canterbury Studio and also in London at the City Lit. She has taught specialist classes to teenagers, people with MS & ME, Gentle Years Yoga to seniors alongside regular classes, now online. She also teaches Mindfulness Meditation online and yoga and meditation retreats at the Claridge House Retreat Centre in Lingfield Surrey.
Special Guest tutor
Emma Slade /Lopen Pema Deki
Emma has taught yoga for over twenty five years and within that time spent over 12 years as a Buddhist nun. She has completed many yoga and meditation qualifications and has done intensive study in Buddhist meditation, retreat and philosophy and is fascinated by the links between yogic and Buddhist traditions. She strongly believes in the potential of humans and their innate capacity for wisdom and kindness.
Resources
The following resources will be supplied
Course book ‘The Heart of Yoga’ T.K.V. Desikachar. Inner Traditions International ISBN 0-89281-764-X which includes Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
A pack of handouts that will cover the various practices
If wishing to teach later on this book is also recommended.
‘Asana, Pranayama, Mudra and Bandha’ Swami Satyananda Saraswati Bihar School of Yoga
Other books will be recommended and talked about during the course.
Venue
Highfield House Yoga studio, Summer Hill, Harbledown,CT2 8NH
A beautiful purpose-built Yoga studio on the outskirts of Canterbury within easy reach of both Canterbury East and West stations. Free parking.
Cost: £750.00 or £699 if course paid for before November 15th
How to book 
Please email Cora Kemball-Cook for application form corakc@hotmail.com
Qi -gong and mindfulness
Date: Monday March 3rd
Time: from 10:00 am- 11:15 am
Qigong is part of traditional Chinese medicine and developed many thousands of years ago by Shamans from different regions of China.
Qi = Vital Life Force energy, Gong = to work or gather & cultivate. Cultivating better circulation (both physical and energetic) to remove stagnation and blocks within the mind/body/spirit system in order to release vitality & heal. This is by using the Chinese meridian system.
Qigong is an internal process working with * Movements * Breath * Healing Sounds * Intention *Meditation * Massage
The movements aim to keep the fascia fluid (enhancing movement) stretching and strengthening the body, improving co-ordination, balance, proprioception, increasing fluid movement. The class includes mindfulness meditation, relaxation and reflections on Daoist texts.
This will run every Monday from March 3rd for 6 weeks
Facilitated by Simone Stolton BAMBA Registered Mindfulness Teacher
How to book Contact Simone Stolton 07784 304843
