Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs
Date: Start Sept 30th
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:-
2024
Sept 30,Oct 14 & 21 Nov 4, 11, 18, 25,
2025
Jan 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 24
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.”
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.
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
British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course 2
Date: March 23rd - November 16th 2024
Time: from 10:00 am- 5:00 pm
This course is now full and has already started but let us know if you are interested in future courses like this.
The course is for students who have already completed a Foundation course 1 or equivalent qualification but want to continue and deepen their yoga studies.
It is also suitable for those who have completed a yoga teacher training course and would like to refresh their knowledge of pranayama, meditation and philosophy and can use the course as CPD .
This course will be conducted over 10 full day sessions on Saturdays from 10.00 – 5.00pm. The course starts next year but email me for full details and an application form.
Cora Kemball-Cook and Lina Newstead are very experienced yoga tutors who have run many Foundation courses and teacher training courses and look forward to sharing their wide experience and knowledge with enthusiastic students of yoga.
Introductory morning March 2nd 2024 10.00 – 1.00pm – cost £18.00 
The course will be on the following days in the studio
March 23rd, April 20th, May 11th, June 15th, June 29th, July 20th, Sept 14th, Sept 28th, October 19th and November 16th
Cost: £750.00 which can be paid in installments or early bird price of £699.00 if paid by January 31st.
How to book Contact Cora Kemball-Cook at corakc@hotmail.com for full booking details and an application form.
Learn Transcendental Meditation
Date: October 5th - 7th
We are delighted to welcome the Meditation Trust, to Canterbury yoga studio where Dr Gemma Beckley will be teaching Transcendental meditation.
Transcendental meditation is based on an ancient technique yet it is very simple to learn and has very powerful effects. Meditators report many health benefits such as improved sleep, lowered blood pressure, better relationships, more energy, reduced anxiety and depression, stronger immune system, relief from migraines and asthma and much more!
The course commences on Saturday 5th October when you will be given one hour of personal instruction in the technique.
On Sunday 6th October there will be two group sessions in the morning and afternoon. These sessions will give you further instruction and advice and this is followed by an evening session on Monday 7th October.
Cost of the course will be on a sliding scale according to income, when you book you arrange the time of your one to one session on Saturday.
Ring the TM office on 01843 841010 between 10.00 and 2.00 pm.
Go to their website for further details www.meditationtrust.com 
Gemma Beckley
Cost: on a sliding scale according to income
How to book Further details can be found on the website or by phoning the TM office.
Here are some testimonials from happy meditators
“Learning TM had an immediate impact, it transformed my life. I was a trained nurse on night duty at the time and my colleagues noticed the difference. I don’t know how I would have managed without it. It is because of TM that I’m where I am today” Rachel Redcliffe
In my early 20’s, I learned TM whilst at University, with wonderful results. The thought came to me that if I can gain so much from a meditation technique learned in the UK, surely if I go to its source in India I could learn the real thing and get even better results… I have recently returned home after 10 years touring India. I have visited every type of Ashram and learned meditations of every conceivable description – only to realise that by far the most powerful technique I have learned was here in England before I left – that’s the TM technique!
JJ Marsden
