Yoga for Grief & Solstice Integration
As we approach the Summer Solstice—the longest day of the year—we're invited to pause and notice what the light reveals. Whilst the solstice is often associated with celebration and abundance, it can also be a powerful time of reflection. As the sun reaches its peak, we have an opportunity to gently illuminate the parts of ourselves that may have remained hidden or overlooked.
Throughout these sessions, we'll explore the theme of grief—not only the grief that comes with bereavement, but also the quieter griefs of everyday life. The grief of change, ageing, relationships ending, children growing up, dreams shifting, opportunities missed, and old versions of ourselves falling away.
Using gentle yoga, breathwork and guided awareness, we'll create space within the body and nervous system for softening, release and reflection. There is no sharing required and no experience necessary. This is an internal practice, offering a compassionate space to connect with yourself and honour whatever is present.
Each session will also include an extended savāsana accompanied by live sound therapy instruments, creating a deeply restful space for integration. The combination of stillness, vibration and rest can help support the body's natural capacity to process, settle and restore, allowing the themes of the practice to be absorbed on a deeper level.
For me, yoga is a way of connecting deeper with the wisdom that already resides in the body. Coming into stillness and uniting with the breath are tools to help us become more present and less focused on the past and future. From the traditional poses of hatha yoga, to the more transcendental yin, yoga helps us to unite the mind and body.
Practicing the asanas has many health benefits: it helps with focus, builds flexibility, improves posture, lowers blood pressure, helps with depression, calms the nervous system, and lots more. It also works on the energy body, helping the prana (life force energy) to move more freely in our bodies, helping us to naturally heal (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually).
The classes I offer are aimed at beginners (we’re all beginners right?!) with some options of going deeper into the poses if you want to. There’s no expectation to do anything and you can lie on your mat and snooze if you’d rather! I also like to offer a more restorative option with regards to yoga than the fancy pants gym one. Having said that, sometimes it can be challenging…that’s all part of it.
WHAT TO BRING: Please bring yoga mat, blanket, cushion, eye mask and anything
else that will help you get super comfy. Please wear loose, comfortable layers. More info click here
All sessions suitable for beginners.
WHERE: Hillsborough Trinity Methodist Church Middlewood Rd, Sheffield S6 4HE 7pm- 8.15pm
DOORS OPEN 6.45pm - PLEASE USE LENNOX RD ENTRANCE & don't park on the clearways at the bottom of the side roads!
"I love Sara’s yin classes for so many reasons.
It’s the blend between Sara’s deep knowledge of yoga and a passion for bringing the most out of each of us. It’s because of Sara’s nurturing voice and the way she empathetically weaves music into her classes. It’s the careful way you are emotionally connected and moved during a class to explore where you are, what is arising and how to manage that. It’s the impact yin has once you’ve left the studio and returned to the everyday.
Sara’s teaching is truly restorative, it gives me strength - and challenges me to know more about myself in the best possible ways. I always feel safe and ‘held’ in Sara’s practices - to be honest I wish that the world was more like one of Sara’s yin classes. We’d be better connected, healthier and happier for it!
I went to yin with Sara yesterday evening and it was overflowing. All pre-booked places were taken, all walk in spots had gone and a couple of people had to be gently turned away. I think this sums up the power of what Sara gives us - and the esteem we have for her pretty well."
Cath, Sheffield