BEGIN YOUR WELLNESS JOURNEY.
Yoga & TANTRA
What actually is Yoga? We’ll begin with what it’s not because this is a huge misconception: Yoga is not an exercise. It’s not a method of losing weight or toning up (although, these benefits can occur from a regular asana practice). It’s not a downward dog or a handstand. Despite what is presented in many western studios and Instagram pics, Yoga cannot be defined by a physical posture because nowhere in any of the historical texts has it ever been defined as such. Yoga is an ancient and beautiful Indian philosophical system designed to awaken us to our true nature by varied means including, among others, meditation (dhyana), awareness cultivation, breath control (pranayama), and postures (asana). With its roots firmly embedded in the tradition of Tantra, which predates and gave rise to the Hatha Yoga tradition from which most other forms of yoga sprang forth, practicing Yoga is choosing to awaken ourselves to a life more deeply nuanced, connected, and wonderful than we could have ever imagined.
Whilst we’re at it, let’s bust another common myth: you don’t have to be skinny, strong, or flexible to practice yoga. And you don’t even need a mat (unless of course you’re practicing movement but even then it’s debatable!)
And what is Tantra? Well I’m sorry to disappoint you but its not sex, as the internet would have you believe! If you’ve come across Tantra for sexual intimacy then what you’ve stumbled upon is Neo Tantra which is a New Age creation. The purpose of non-dualistic Tantra (or Shaiva Shakta Tantra which is the lineage I come from) is spiritual liberation. In Tantric philosophy nothing is rejected but is instead used as a creative means of exploring our relationship with ourselves and the world. We use our own energy bodies to go deeper into ourselves in order to experience the world from a place of profound embodiment and as such, self-knowledge and empowerment are the primary intentions of Tantra Yoga. In Tantra we explore the subtle body practices - meditation, visualisation, mantra, breath control, and energy work - in order to learn how to cultivate the most profound intimacy with ourselves, and all of life as it unfolds around us. It’s this intimacy that empowers us and can ultimately lead us to a state of liberation (moksha). Tantra Yoga is an incredibly life-changing practice and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is wishing to explore and deepen their relationship with themselves.
HOW I TEACH
I teach and hold space first and foremost from the heart, and with passion. I want you to leave a session with me feeling inspired and encouraged to take what you have cultivated out into the world with you, which is where I believe we really need it. Your body/mind is your greatest teacher and so you have complete autonomy on how you approach a practice. I teach in a way that encourages you to move and think intuitively and freely. I will never dictate how you should move your body because your unique structure will do that for you, if you tune in and listen. It would be pretty challenging to tailor a Yoga class to meet the needs of every single person which is why you must take what you need, and ignore the rest. As Bernie Clark says: “We don’t use the body to get into a pose. We use the pose to get into the body.” There is always a huge emphasis on you as the participant relying on your intuition and autonomy to meet yourself each time in the way that is going to serve you best in that moment. Your body is your greatest teacher.
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Embodied Flow | Holford Village Hall
Mondays | 6:00 -7:00PM | Holford Village Hall | £10
Join us for these soulful Embodied Flow sessions where we flow in rhythm with the energy of the moon. Our practice ascends with the energy of her waxing phase, and descends during her waning phase. This helps us to stay rooted and in flow with the natural energies that are available to us, rather than working against them, and ensures that we benefit from the variety that a yogpractice has to offer.
Practitioners of all experience are welcome. Your body will lead the way in how you effectively practice. All I ask is that you show up with an open mind.
There is no need to book, just turn up with your mat.
N.B There are no classes on Bank Holidays
WHAT IS EMBODIED FLOW YOGA?
Embodied Flow Yoga is very similar to Vinyasa Flow but with a huge focus on embodiment. We flow seamlessly in and out of the poses along with the breath, chant, practice breath work, and meditation. Some flow classes can be fast paced but I teach movement in a way which is slow and controlled, yet still strong and powerful. The emphasis in this class is on building physical and mental strength. What we cultivate on the mat together each week sets us up for being out in the world where the real practice of yoga begins. All classes are sprinkled with non-dualistic Tantric philosophy.
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Embodied Flow | Old Rectory House, Kilve
Wednesdays* | 6:30-7:30PM | Old Rectory House | £10
*Please use the drop-down menu when you check-out to select the date you’d like to attend. N.B. The date selection is in US format so please reverse the day and month.
Join us for these soulful Embodied Flow sessions where we flow in rhythm with the energy of the moon. Our practice ascends with the energy of her waxing phase, and descends during her waning phase. This helps us to stay rooted and in flow with the natural energies that are available to us, rather than working against them, and ensures that we benefit from the variety that a yoga practice has to offer.
Practitioners of all experience are welcome. Your body will lead the way in how you effectively practice. All I ask is that you show up with an open mind.
Please bring a mat unless you are a guest at Old Rectory House.
WHAT IS EMBODIED FLOW YOGA?
Embodied Flow Yoga is very similar to Vinyasa Flow but with a huge focus on embodiment. We flow seamlessly in and out of the poses along with the breath, chant, practice breath work, and meditation. Some flow classes can be fast paced but I teach movement in a way which is slow and controlled, yet still strong and powerful. The emphasis in this class is on building physical and mental strength. What we cultivate on the mat together each week sets us up for being out in the world where the real practice of yoga begins. All classes are sprinkled with non-dualistic Tantric philosophy.
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Yin & Restorative Yoga | Old Rectory House, Kilve
November date TBC | 10:00AM-12:00PM | Old Rectory House | £25
This nourishing workshop places a huge emphasis on nervous system regulation and restoration. You will float out of the room with a sense of having really nurtured yourself, yet feeling completely grounded in your Being at the same time. The whole session will have a meditative and slow quality; stillness is a radical act of self-care.
WHAT IS YIN YOGA?
Yin Yoga is a meditative and introspective practice which is all floor based so there are no standing poses. The poses are held for a long time which gives us the chance to work deep into the muscle fascia and connective tissues by gently "stressing" them in order to elongate and strengthen them. It is not the same as Restorative Yoga which requires very little effort! It is a great practice for those looking to de-stress and is also excellent for those who participate in other sports and suffer from tight muscles and fascia.
WHAT IS RESTORATIVE YOGA?
In Restorative Yoga we relax deeply in the poses with the support of various props - bolsters, blocks, cushions, blankets, and straps. Its aim is to cultivate physical, mental, and emotional relaxation, and help us regulate the nervous system. Developed by B.K.S Iyengar, Restorative Yoga is a tranquil and meditative practice well-known and prescribed for its calming and healing effects.
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Tantric Meditation & Breath Work | Old Rectory House, Kilve
TBC | 7:00-8:00PM | Old Rectory House | £10
Take a deeper dive into the subtle body practices of Tantra Yoga: pranayama (breath work), dhyana (meditation), mantra, visualisation, and energy work. Tantra has given us so many incredible tools to help us realise the truth of who we are and we’ll be exploring them in far more detail in these sessions than we can in our flow classes.
Each session begins with a small amount of seated movement to create some space in the body before diving into the subtle body practices. These sessions are a powerful accompaniment for anyone who wants to deepen their practice and understanding of Yoga and Tantra, and are also the perfect choice for those who prefer meditation and breath work to movement.
These sessions will take place once a month on a Thursday evening.
WHAT IS TANTRA YOGA?
Not sex, as the internet would have you believe! The purpose of Tantra is spiritual liberation. In Tantric philosophy nothing is rejected but instead used as a creative means of exploring our relationship with ourselves and the world around us. We use our own energy bodies to go deeper into ourselves in order to experience the world from a place of profound embodiment. Self-knowledge and empowerment are the primary intentions of Tantra Yoga.
“Practicing Yoga is choosing to awaken ourselves to a life more deeply nuanced, connected, and wonderful than we could have ever imagined.”
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Haley Robinson
Senior Yoga Teacher & Teacher Trainer, Student Therapist, & Author
With a personal practice of 23 years, and 11 years of teaching and training yoga teachers under my belt, I am a Yoga Alliance accredited Senior Yoga Teacher with well over 1,200 hours worth of training including: Vinyasa Flow, Yoni Shakti Well Woman Yoga Therapy, Prana Flow, Yin, Kundalini, Tantra (in the non-dual traditions), Pre & Postnatal Yoga, Teaching Yoga & Mindfulness to Teens, Working with Yoga & Eating Disorders, and Pilates. I was initiated into Transcendental Meditation 14 years ago but my current lineage is the Vimarsha Foundation, the home of Shaiva Shakta Tantra.