Emma Therese Lewis
Foundations for Living
Yoga Practice
Our direct experiences of aliveness, of humanity, come through the body. But our environments and personal history can make it difficult to live through the experience of their body in a sustained way. A disembodied mind can then become the central organ of our awareness.
Hatha yoga is not about physical prowess. It is not about being flexible or athletic. The practice of yoga develops an ability to breathe fully, focus awareness in our bodily experience and observe our mental processes. These abilities are universally available and universally challenging regardless of body shape, age or physical ability.
"The main objective of hatha yoga is to create an absolute balancing of the interacting activities and processes of the physical body, mind and energy."
- Swami Muktibodhananda, Hatha Yoga Pradapika
“Yoga, thus aims at bringing under control of the person their immediate and proximate environment (the mind and body of the yogi) so that it mirrors the true self...(T)he very distinctions between one’s body and the outside world must be deconstructed...”
- S. Ranganathan, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (Penguin ed.)
I teach yoga both one-to-one and in small group classes (detailed separately).
The Individual Yoga Process
Historically yoga was mostly taught on a one-to-one basis as a very direct way to establish the balancing requirements for your own nature. Each body and being is unique and the practice that will best support and develop will also be individual. This approach is appropriate for both beginners looking to establish some fundamentals or more experienced practitioners wanting to deepen their experience of the practice and of Self.
An initial session is arranged to meet and understand something of your nature and needs and subsequently a bespoke practice is designed to meet those needs. This practice would form the basis of the teaching for on-going sessions and is adjusted over time. Sessions can be arranged on a one-off basis or with some regularity.
Individual yoga sessions are ideally interspersed with psychotherapy sessions to provide space to explore insights and experiences that arise out of working closely with your body and breath.
The Practicalities
One-to-one sessions take place about five minutes from Maida Vale tube (W9). Further direction on appointment. You will need to wear loose, comfortable clothing. Changing facilities are available. No equipment is necessary.
An individual session is either 60 minutes (£60) or 90 minutes (£75). Quotes for small group or couple sessions are also available.
Individual yoga sessions:
Mon-Sat by appointment
