Kerry Miller - Yoga Instructor Bristol
WELCOME
I want to share with you my passion for both Yoga and Pilates. I teach yoga classes in Bristol UK covering Vinyasa Deep Flow Yoga, Antenatal Yoga and Pilates.
The practice of everyday Yoga and Pilates individually are endless... and more specifically Deep Flow Vinyasa will improve your strength and flexibility on a physical level overall, resulting in a fitter and more toned body. Pilates will improve your core strength (it is the best method for strengthening your abdominals and back).Breathing is a key component and compliments movements. Both can help calm the mind and help you deal with the stresses and anxiety of modern day living.
I strongly believe that both forms of exercise can be life changing and that everyone can benefit from a little of both!. If you can accommodate the two different styles, you will feel the benefits they collectively bring. To feel the benefits of any style, I welcome you to join a class and experience it for yourself at a yoga class Emersons Green, Kingswood, Downend pilates or Mangotsfield pilates, better yet a one of the Bristol yoga studio sessions.
ABOUT ME
I first discovered Yoga in 1998, attending a local class in North Bristol, I then trained as a fitness trainer, later qualifying as a Pilates Teacher in 2004. In 2007, I enrolled with the British Wheel of Yoga (the governing body for yoga in the UK) on a two and a half year teacher training course. I started teaching as a Yoga student teacher in 2007, setting up my first classes in Bristol, South Gloucestershire. I qualified as a British Wheel of Yoga Teacher in 2009.
Whilst pregnant in 2011, I enrolled on the British Wheel of Yoga antenatal module. I qualified in September 2011 as a Yoga Pregnancy teacher, just before my daughter was born in October 2011! I can vouch for the fact that practicing antenatal yoga and pilates certainly helped me stay very fit and strong whilst carrying my second child. So much so, I continued teaching two weeks before I gave birth.
VINYASA YOGA
Yoga is a lifestyle where poses (asanas) are strung together to form a single fluid sequence, a flow, that's what makes the style. I discovered the flow at a local Bristol yoga class and fell in love.
There is something spiritual and energising moving with my breath and letting my body flow. I personally try to keep my classes fast-paced and rhythmical, with a focus on connecting the movements with the rhythm of the breath. The term itself means to move with the breath, which is essentially the core of a class. My deep flow practice, is a style of yoga with a focus on transitions and movements. Ever since I started teaching, the Flow has been at the core of my own classes.
It is often considered a fast and physically challenging practice, it can also be soft and gentle. Moving with the breath can also mean slowing down your transitions with deep inhales and slow exhalations, but fundamentally it is about alignment.
Unlike Iyengar or Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow classes do not have a set sequence, each is different. Nor does a Flow class have a specific number or type of asana to complete. No two classes are EVER the same and the sequences are creative and varied.
Below is an example of a yoga for beginners video to give you a flavour of what you can enjoy. Explore further for a complimentary yoga flow or try one of the free yoga Bristol classes.
Cardiovascular:
A great cardiovascular exercise, you can burn in excess of 500 calories an hour because it is fast-paced.
Strength:
Consistent practice can help you build muscle throughout the whole body. The flows work all parts of your body building balance and functional strength, sometimes referred to as alignment yoga.
Stress Relief:
You'll Sometimes hear people refer to the class as moving meditation. The constant motion and rhythmic movement can help quiet the mind and allow you to focus inward. It’s this connection between body and mind that is often experienced with Deep Flow that helps calm the nervous system, which in turn helps relieve stress and anxiety.
Range of Motion:
The variety of movements in a class means you will often be working the whole body throughout a class. Expanding your range of motion, moving beyond your normal range of motion.
PILATES
By definition, Pilates is a system of repetitive exercises to promote strength, stability and flexibility. Core strength is the foundation of how it works, strengthening the core, developing stability throughout the torso. It targets the glutes, hips, pelvic floor and lower back. Similar to Yoga it encourages deep, controlled breathing. It is widely used in rehabilitation, but is equally beneficial to anyone.
Pilates focuses on eccentric muscle contraction, primarily in the core, promoting core strength and torso stability, which is what sets it apart from other forms of exercise. With practice, you will learn how to better engage your core muscles in every day activity.
Functional Strength:
When the core muscles are strong and stable, they work in harmony with the muscles of the trunk to support the spine. Typically with more control, which can relieve pressure on the spine to allow the body to move freely and efficiently. Regularly routines have been known to relieve lower back pain.
Flexibility:
Workout routines will develop core strength through core muscular engagement. But not only that, it improves flexibility, which also increases range of motion.
Stability:
When the spine is supported by the core, the bones can shift into ideal alignment to promote stability in the body. Exercises develop the muscles surrounding the joints to improve balance and posture.
PRACTICING YOGA WHILST PREGNANT
Like traditional practice, antenatal yoga uses asanas (poses) and breathing techniques to balance your mind and body. Some asanas will mirror those found in traditional yoga classes, whilst others will be suitably modified.
Expect your class to take you on a journey of breathing and relaxation techniques that you can apply during labour.
Yoga is renowned for its health and well-being properties, addressing common ailments such as backache and restricted breath. The practice is a safe way to continue exercising and maintaining good fitness whilst carrying your baby to term. The practice allows the body to open gently, to release physical tension and to work through emotional fears in preparation for birth. As well as keeping your body flexible and strong, research suggests it can also improve sleep, reduce anxiety, stress and even depression. Those who have practiced the style have claimed it has helped with nausea.
The practice can help you become more in tune with your body and breath. All of which aims to provide you with a positive & empowering birth experience.
You can find me teaching in South Gloucestershire, covering Emersons Green, Lyde Green, Downend, Kingswood & Mangotsfield.
I also teach classes at David Lloyd (members only though). If you can't make a physical class then feel free to join me for an online yoga class, yoga for beginners and those who are already well versed in their practice.
If you want to contact me please fill out the the short form here and I will get back to you.