Yoga

Yoga takes place every day at La Crisalida UK, as it is an important part of the La Crisalida holistic programme for health and wellbeing (link opens in a new tab).

Enjoy your daily yoga practice in our stunning yoga room, with views over our gardens, trees and the valley.

Yoga practice can help us to become more centred and present, helping our mindset and wellbeing. It shapes our physiology, activating our rest and restore function. Yoga can help to improve strength, flexibility and balance.

We offer a number of different yoga styles here for you to explore and enjoy. Our core teaching is Hatha Yoga, however we also offer Hatha flow, Restorative, Yin, Vinyasa and Kundalini yoga. Classes can vary each week according to availability of the teachers.

The practice of Yoga is centuries old, and current scientific reserarch is continuing to document the myriad of health benefits it provides for us, body, mind and spirit. When you begin to connect with your body and mind you can start to notice the positive effects and changes happening in your overall health.

Yoga classes our UK retreat

Our programme of yoga classes varies from week to week, but we always offer a minimum of 12 classes and there is at least one yoga class every day of the week. All yoga classes are optional, so you can pick and choose to attend all, none, or whichever classes you would like.

We offer two lengths of classes: 90 minutes (at least one per day) and 60 minutes.

There are two levels of classes: “all levels” and “intermediate”. “All level” classes are suitable for beginners upwards. Variations and modifications are provided to support guests trying yoga for the first time as well as additional instructions for guests who have been practicing for many years. Intermediate classes are designed to be more challenging, so might include more advanced asanas or series. All classes are open to all guests, however if you are new to yoga we recommend attending the “all levels” classes first. In all classes, our guests are reminded to listen to their body. Yoga is a journey, we practice mindfully, with no force or pushing, and focus on the here and now. Regular practice can help to build both strength and flexibility.

Each week we also offer one Yoga Nidra, designed to relax your body and connect body, mind and spirit, plus a guided visualisation. Meditation sessions are also available most days of the week.

Yoga teachers

Read more about the yoga teachers leading the yoga classes at La Crisalida UK:

Lisa

Lisa combines mindfulness in her classes to encourage you to become present in the yoga asana and in the moment. Lisa first took up yoga many years ago to help relieve lower back problems, build core strength and to find a release from stress. Lisa has been practicing yoga for more than 15 years. She trained with the Mindful Yoga Academy (Alicante, registered Yoga Alliance UK and USA), with Sarah Powers (Insight Yoga) and is also qualified in therapeutic yoga. Lisa is one of the owners of La Crisalida Retreats. She teaches Yin, Yin-Yang, Mindful Hatha and Restorative yoga classes.

Kelly

Kelly believes that true wellbeing comes from nurturing the connection between mind, body and spirit. Her yoga journey has been one of personal growth, self-discovery and learning to live with greater awareness and balance. After completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training in Spain and qualifying as a Yoga Nidra teacher, Kelly began sharing practices that help others slow down, reconnect and find space for themselves. She teaches Vinyasa, Yin and Slow Flow yoga with a gentle and supportive approach, creating an environment where everyone feels welcome. Alongside teaching yoga, Kelly has facilitated men’s mental health groups and delivered chair yoga sessions for older and vulnerable individuals. She is passionate about helping others cultivate greater wellbeing through movement, mindfulness and meaningful connection.

yoga teacher health wellbeing mentor yoga retreat uk

Donna

Donna’s yoga journey began in 2010 when she was feeling lost and experiencing musculoskeletal issues that restricted movement. Through yoga, she discovered a path to healing, self-awareness, and connection with a mind body balance. In 2014, Donna complete her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in India, followed by Yin Yoga Teacher Training in 2016. Her passion for therapeutic movement led her back to India in 2022 to study Yoga Therapy. Today, Donna combines yoga, yoga therapy, and somatic practices to support a deeper mind-body connection, helping students move with greater awareness, ease, and resilience while creating space for healing and personal growth.

Sharna

Sharna first discovered yoga while studying Musical Theatre in college. As she moved through periods of grief and personal growth, yoga became a way to reconnect with herself and process what was being held in both body and mind. Sharna’s teaching style blends gentle, grounding practices with stronger, more dynamic movement, creating a space where students can cultivate both strength and softness in their practice. Sharna teaches Hatha flow, restorative and Yin classes, and is also one of our mentors.

Yoga styles

One of the joys of yoga is exploration and so we offer a range of different styles of yoga for you to practice during your retreat. The yoga classes available at La Crisalida UK include:

Hatha Yoga and Hatha Flow Yoga

Hatha yoga includes a variety of classical yoga positions ranging from seated, standing, twisting, balancing, and supine (lying down). Some classes might incorporate all of these elements, whereas others might be more focused, for example on hip opening, balancing, arms and shoulders, or building to a particular asana. Breathing is an important part of both Hatha and Hatha flow classes (indeed all yoga classes taught at La Crisalida).

Hatha flow is similar to Hatha but includes more connecting movements between asanas (positions). All classes finish with relaxation in savasana.

Yin Yoga

Yin is a delightful slow style of yoga, where we practice mindfully, holding asanas (positions) for a few minutes at a time. Yin yoga originates from the Taoist concept of yin and yang, opposites in nature. Our connective tissues, bones, joints and ligaments are Yin and these are the areas we are focussing on in a Yin class. (Muscles are Yang and we work with the muscles in a Hatha or Hatha flow class). We practice with relaxed, passive muscles and slow, deep stretches, with a moment in between each posture to reset.

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga is a journey into stillness and is one of the most relaxing yoga styles available. Much of the class uses supine (lying down) positions, which are held for 10 minutes or more. The idea is to come into the position, using bolsters, blankets, blocks and props, to support the body. We then relax the muscles, close our eyes and allow our whole body, mind and spirit to relax. Find deep relaxation in one of our restorative yoga classes.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is a flowing sequence of poses that is dynamic, and can be physically strong. The emphasis is on flowing smoothly from one movement to the next. The base tends to be Hatha, just practiced in a different way.

Yin Yang Yoga

Yin Yang Yoga is a combination of Yin Yoga poses and more Hatha-based “Yang” poses. This balanced class provides a blend of the slow paced passive Yin poses, together with the more dynamic Yang poses that develop muscular strength and stamina. This lovely class provides both physical and mental benefits. increasing flexibility too.

Kundalini Yoga

Sometimes we might offer Kundalini yoga, a style of yoga that is focused on the energy in the body. It can be very energetic and specific yogic breathing techniques are also used.

Common yoga questions

Q: I have not done much yoga before and am concerned that I will not be able to keep up in the classes. Can you reassure me?

A: If you are new to yoga then this is a safe environment in which to try it out. To us, yoga is not about achievement or looking “good”. Our approach to yoga is based upon listening to your body. Yoga is a personal journey and as such is part of the holistic approach to achieving and maintaining health. If you are completely new to yoga we suggest that you go to the all levels classes first. If you choose to attend an intermediate class, please do listen to instructions carefully and not force things. In all our classes, and with every teacher, you can rest whenever you want and join in again whenever you are ready. If you have concerns or questions, speak to the yoga instructor.
Q: I have a back problem, or other injury, can I join in?

A: If you have any major health issues, we ask that you tell us in advance of your retreat. We also suggest you speak to each of the yoga teachers before your first class with them, so they are fully aware and can provide modifications or alternatives during the class. Some yoga classes may be less suitable, depending upon the type of injury that you have, so please speak to one of our mentors when you arrive. All our teachers are highly trained and can offer alternative asanas during most classes. Developing a regular yoga practice is great for building back (and core) strength, so can help to prevent back ache in the longer term. Yoga is great for helping to reconnect to your body, which is important after injury.
Q: I usually practice Astanga or Bikram yoga, do you offer these styles?
Q: Can I go to any yoga class or other activity, without signing up?

Q: How many people are usually in a class?
Q: Can I book a private class?
Q: I have a regular yoga practice, is this retreat suitable for me?

A: If you want some dedicated time to practice yoga daily, then our retreat is a great place to visit. We offer a range of classes designed for different levels – some classes are intermediate level, which will include more challenging yoga asanas or sequences. Other classes are suitable for all-levels, so there might be some beginners present. In these classes, most of our teachers give instructions beginner level upwards, so there are instructions for people who are more practiced, so they can be more challenged.

Find your balance. Yoga everyday.

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