Welcome to “Yoga in Somerset”.
Everyone needs a sense of purpose, and also the space in which to develop and grow. Here at Extons Barn, near Milverton, I offer a range of weekly yoga classes, weekend workshops, a 3 month yoga intensive course and a yoga teacher training programme, all of which teach people to form clearer thoughts, focus their energies and so to make the most of the individual potential they have. In its peaceful rural setting, with not another house in sight and an expansive outlook over fields and hills, the venue offers the space to help people step out of past constraints and open up for new, future ideals.
I also offer online classes.
Deepening your practice in Italy
If you wish to enter into both the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga in a much deeper way, I offer regular courses in the mountainous region of Trentino in Northern Italy. These more intensive courses delve into the spiritual meanings of the yoga poses as well as other spiritual practices such as breathing practices, soul exercises and meditation. You get a chance to experience how a whole new spiritual culture is emerging in this region of Italy, inspired by the spiritual teacher Heinz Grill.
The teaching style
All classes are taught by me Karen Patterson. My aim is for my students to develop the clarity and strength to take charge of their lives as individuals. We do this by developing mental clarity and physical strength in yoga. In the exercises, we strengthen certain parts of the body to give core stability, whilst other parts become more relaxed, flexible and free. Structuring the movements in this way gives the positions a graceful, artistic form.
I always base the weekly classes around a central theme with a main learning step each week. This means that you understand what you do and why you are doing it and can make better progress.
Here at Yoga in Somerset I invite you to experience how some of the ancient and wisdom-filled gestures of yoga can be shaped into a creative expression through the body.
The effects on body and mind
Some of the exercises are light and energising, others work more to build up strength, and others again emphasise a calmer, more focused awareness. This combination of calmness, strength and energy creates a feeling of centred alertness and aliveness.
This approach to yoga encourages us to focus our thinking, refine our awareness and strengthen our will power. This gives us valuable tools for life. The courses in Italy, weekend workshops, yoga intensive course and teacher training course all provide an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the personal strengths for life that we can develop through this practice. To find out more about this form of personal self-governance, visit my sister site https://self-governance.co.uk/.
The source of inspiration
As inspiration for my teaching I work with the interpretations of the yoga positions described by the spiritual teacher Heinz Grill . In his books and videos he describes in detail the forms and meanings of the poses. In shaping them artistically we develop both physical and personal, creative strength.
Recommended reading
The Soul Dimension of Yoga describes almost forty different yoga poses in their inner essence or soul-meaning along with detailed instructions for their practice. Each pose is assigned to one of the seven so-called chakras or ‘soul regions’. Details/Buy a copy
Watch me on YouTube
Click here for my YouTube channel with a large selection of yoga classes which you can do at home.