Yes! There are no drop-in or walk-in places available, so booking is essential. For in-studio classes, booking is essential to ensure that you reserve your mat. There are limited spaces available each session, so please contact me the day before the class you’d like to attend to ensure your space is reserved – it would be such a shame to turn up for a class only to be turned away becuase you have not booked your place. So, call, email or text the day before! For LIVE On-line Zoom classes, booking the day before the class is also a must – once you are booked in, I will send you an email link to enable you to join the scheduled class. So again, call, email or text me the day before to book in for your Zoom class.

Yoga is not just a collection of poses for gymnasts and dancers to look impressive while they twist themselves into all sorts of shapes. Sure, there are some pretty advanced postures which require a strong and flexible body – but all that equates to is years of dedicated yoga practice to achieve that level of flexibility and strength. And ripple yoga classes – all of them – are created to be safe, accessible and inclusive for all levels of ability, from absolute beginners onwards. There are modifications, adjustments, and props to use throughout every class, depending on your needs and challenges, so that you can always stay within your own safe, comfortable limits. I am here to tell you that ANYONE CAN PRACTISE YOGA – and by yoga, I am not only referring to the postures and movements within the practice. I am encompassing all of the aspects of yoga ….the breath-work, the meditation, the physical movement and stillness, the concentration of the mind, the awareness of our own personal effect on the earth and those around us, how we interact and re-act within our environment, the choices we make and the decisions we come to….all of this is yoga. Yoga asks us to begin. Wherever we are along our journey through life, in whatever shape we are in, with whatever challenges we face or strengths we possess – we are to simply begin. We begin at a level that suits our needs and we practise, sometimes regularly, sometimes infrequently. But every time we come to our mats, we are investing in our own health and wellbeing. Whether we are developing our physical flexibility, increasing the strength of our bodies, learning how to quieten our busy minds, teaching ourselves to create space in our lives for self-care, or devoting some time to self-awareness through meditation – we are practising yoga and we are gaining the benefits of our practice. No matter what shape we make! So, regardless of whether or not you can touch your toes, take yourself along to a ripple yoga class and experience for yourself the difference yoga can make in your world.

Ripple Yoga classes combine the benefits of movement, stillness, breath-work and meditation. For this reason, you will need to wear something in which you will be comfortable to stretch, sit, lie and also move between postures. Wear stretchy or loose fitting clothing which allows for movement and comfort. If you are practising during the cooler months, it’s a good idea to wear layered clothing which you can remove as you warm up throughout the practice. Wearing warm socks is fine for seated or kneeling postures, but standing postures really need to be done bare-footed. The most important thing is your comfort – if you are comfy and not restricted by your clothing, then it will be fine!

The studio is set in my home, in a spacious room with raked ceilings and a comfortable, country atmosphere. There is carpeting underfoot which provides a little extra cushioning beneath us as we move on our mats, and there is a wood burning heater to keep the space warm and cosy during the winter months. The large windows bring the outdoors in, creating a light filled, airy space where you can be certain of hearing birdsong as you practise. Our rural location in Tregeagle (15 mins drive from either Alstonville or Lismore) ensures a quiet and tranquil experience and also provides plenty of space for off-road parking. I provide all props to ensure your yoga experience is comfortable and accessible for you – mats, blankets, bolsters, straps, blocks….whatever you need. I even bring in the chairs where necessary. Your comfort, safety and ease within your practice is my aim. Curious? Would you like to come, check out our space and try a class yourself? I’d love to welcome you to my space to explore and experience Ripple Yoga effect on your body and mind. Give me a call – let’s talk!

Although I provide all of the equipment and various props you might need for your practice, you are also welcome to bring your own if you would like to. During the warmer months, it would be great if you could bring along a towel in case you work up a bit of a sweat in the more active classes, or for your own comfort while down on the mat with bare skin against the mat. Other than that, if you tend to need hydrating throughout classes, a water bottle might be a good idea as well. Really, the only essential is yourself – with an open heart, a curious mind and a willingness to listen to your body and respect what it asks of you.

There is no right or wrong answer to this question….the answer will be determined by you, and whatever that answer is for you, it’s your practice and it needs to suit your life. Of course, as with anything, the more regularly and consistently we practise, the more we will experience the benefits our practise will bring us. But to place too much importance on the frequency and regularity of our sessions is putting pressure on ourselves for something else we "should" be doing and I’m not sure that’s particularly healthy either. I simply encourage you to make time for yourself to take part in the activities that bring goodness to your life. If you find that yoga is one of those things, then I encourage you to practice as often as you need to create a positive impact in your life. If you are just beginning to incorporate yoga into your life, then I would always recommend, as with any new practice, that you begin slowly and start where you are – that is, be kind and gentle with yourself and don’t push or force any posture or practice beyond what is comfortable for you. A gradual, mindful exploration of a new practice allows the mind and the body to adjust, to learn and to develop slowly and without stress or fear. That is always more beneficial than forcing or pushing and, in doing so, having the mind create boundaries which it will not want to venture over again. So, practise when you can – when you choose to – and take it slowly, mindfully and kindly.

There isn’t a singular response to this question, as it will be more a matter of coming along and giving it a try to find out for yourself. However, if you have a pre-existing medical condition or a known injury, I would recommend you seek the advice of your trusted Physician or Medical Providers before incorporating any new physical activity into your life. Ripple Yoga offers a number of different classes to cater for different goals and generally, there are plenty of postures, movements and practices within yoga which will suit and benefit all sorts of prior conditions and injuries. There are modifications, props and adjustments to practices we can make to accommodate many and varied injuries, challenges and difficulties students may face. With some prior communication, postures can be adjusted to suit you throughout the course of the class, so letting your instructor know of your injuries or concerns is a great start. And then it is simply a matter of starting slowly and listening to your body; asking for help or advice throughout the class and not pushing yourself….and then deciding for yourself – do you feel benefit from your practice? Or are you uncomfortable with the practice in any way? Are there modifications we could try? Perhaps a lower level of activity or effort or some props would help you feel comfy? These are questions for you to answer – decisions for you to make, as you know your body better than anyone else and you are your best advisor. And if it really isn’t for you, you’ve not lost anything at all by having given it a try. You’ve gained a clearer understanding of what feels good for you and you have listened to your body. Bravo!