Our Courses

We are delighted to offer a wide variety of regular Yoga based courses, tailored to suit your individual needs and interests

To stay up-to-date with our upcoming courses, please refer to the information below. We are constantly adding new offerings to our schedule, so be sure to check back regularly to ensure that you don’t miss out on anything that catches your eye.

At Canterbury Yoga, we take pride in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and supported. Our experienced instructors are passionate about sharing their knowledge and helping you achieve your goals, no matter what they may be.

So why not join us for one of our upcoming courses and discover the transformative power of yoga for yourself? We can’t wait to welcome you and share our love of this ancient practice with you!

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


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


Back to the body

Date: Monday March 3rd,17th, 31st and 14th April
Time: from 6:30 pm- 7:45 pm

Yoga Classes with Katherine Winter.  Yoga sequences to manage and soothe the eager and busy mind, and find strength and joy in the body.  Expert  sequencing with a focus on anxiety-relieving postures, helpful cues for improving your practice and long savasanas with guided meditation.


Cost: £12
How to book

To book, email katherinejwinter@gmail.com or contact Katherine on Instagram @katherinejoyogi.