Group Classes
Yoga Classes In Nottingham for beginners, and beyond!
Start your yoga journey with Frananda Yoga. Francesca is a registered 200 hours Yoga teacher, with over five years’ experience in yoga, including additional training in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra. Below, you will find a short description of the styles of Yoga that she teaches. To book a class, please use the links on this page, or click here.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha – has 2 meanings; the first means ‘willful’ or ‘forceful’ and so Hatha yoga is referred to as the “yoga of movement/ action”. The practice focuses on movement and breath. Breathing is key in Yoga; wherever there is movement, there is breath. Hatha yoga strives to connect movement and breath, which has shown to have many mental and physical benefits.
The second meaning, Ha- means sun and tha- means moon, and so the word Hatha symbolises a balancing of these energies. In a sense, this cn be likened to the balancing of thoughts and emotions, and the physical effect that these have on the body. Hatha yoga is therefore a yoga practice which brings balance back into the body and mind, essentially.
Hatha Yoga is popular with yogis at the beginning of their yoga journey, as it is easy enough to follow, but challenging enough to make progress and feel the physical and mental benefits of this wonderful, ancient practice. Many adept yogis also enjoy Hatha Yoga as a way to refresh their knowledge and understanding of the fundamental postures in physical yoga.
Hatha Yoga Timetable:
Tuesdays 6pm @ Chilwell Memorial Hall, Beeston
Wednesdays 6:45pm @ Manor Arts, Beeston
Relaxed Yoga (Yinyasa)
A gentler version of my Hatha Yoga classes, or “Yin-yasa”, which begins with arriving into a claming space through a short guided meditation and intention setting to clear the mind. You are then guided through a series of revitalising yoga poses at a steady pace to release tension throughout the body; especially in hips and shoulders.
Practice at your own pace, you have the option to make the class as dynamic or as relaxing as you like. This is where the Yinyasa part comes in: Yin is traditionally poses which are held for a bit longer than in a typical yoga class. the Yasa part usually means ‘dynamic flow’, but in this class the flow will be gentle movements between poses to help stimiluate blood flow and ease aching muscles.
The class finishes with a deep relaxation or a short Yoga Nidra / body scan practice to release stress and calm the mind.
This class is perfect for ALL abilities, including beginners, who are looking to focus on increasing flexibility, strength and find a space in which they can switch off and relax.
Relaxed Yoga Timetable:
Thursdays 6pm @ TBC
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra translates as “Yogic Sleep”. It is a deep relaxation technique to help boost energy levels, enhance creative thinking and give the mind a chance to rest and rejuvinate. Practices can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 50 minutes plus. You are guided through a body scan and various other phases to bring the body and mind into a deep state of peace and wellbeing.
Yoga Nidra explores the liminal space between weakfulness and being asleep. Have you ever been in that peaceful state just before sleep and have a great idea, which you then can’t rememebr the next day? Then you have experienced a taste of Yoga Nidra!
Despite being called ‘yogic sleep’ you don’t actually go to sleep in the class – the body stays in a relaxed but alert state. And don’t worry if you do fall asleep – may be this is just what your body needs right now. There is no doing Yoga Nidra “correctly” and you can’t fail at this beautiful, calming practice.
The Yoga Nidra practice lasts around 20 minutes.
What to expect in a Yoga Nidra Class:
Relax more, sleep better!
Can help with anxiety and stress
No previous experience of Yoga needed
You will need:
* A quiet, comfortable place where you can lie down and won’t be disturbed. You don’t have to be on your yoga mat, you could be in bed, on the sofa or the floor.
* Make sure you have plenty of blankets and pillows to make yourself comfortable. If you have an eye pillow or eye mask, you can use this too!
What to expect:
I will guide you through the practice with my voice.
Try not to have any expectations of how you are going to feel during and after this practice. Sometimes, we can expect a quick fix and be disappointed when it doesn’t happen. Remember that every experience is valid and something we can learn from.
There is NO SUCH THING AS FAILURE in Yoga Nidra. Even if you have found it hard to switch off, as many do at the start, this is perfectly normal, so try not to worry to much if this happens to you.
Sometimes, you might fall asleep. This is OKAY! You will wake up when your body is ready to. Although the purpose of Yoga Nidra is not to go to sleep, some people find the practice useful in helping them to fall asleep.
Sometimes you can lose track of my voice when you’re in the Nidra. This is normal too! You’re welcome to gently come back to the sound of my voice, or just keep it there in the background, like an anchor.
If you want to come out of the Yoga Nidra practice at any time, all you need to do is move your hands and feet, and open your eyes and you will come out of the state.
Looking forward to our practice together!
Relaxed Yoga (Yinyasa), and Yoga Nidra:
Third Thursday of every other month, 7pm online. Click here to sign up and be notified of when these classes run.
Also, Join our Facebook Community Group for more tips and access to free Yoga Nidra recordings!
Yin / Restorative Yoga
Yin yoga – Yin in Chinese tradition means “cooling”. The opposite, Yang, tends to be the more energetic Yoga you see out there (e.g. Hatha, Astanga, Vinyasa) Yin Yoga tends to be slower and mostly floor-based postures. Yin Yoga has been shown to promote healing in the myofascial (deep tissue) layer of the body, improve blood flow and circulation.
Yin also tends to be a practice of the mind and is often be seen as a deeply meditative practice. Yoga poses tend to be held for longer (3-5 minutes). Pure Yin yoga can be quite challening for beginners, which is where the restorative part comes in! The restorative element essentially means that additional props such as yoga bricks, straps and bolsters are often used with the poses to make them more comfortable and accessible for all levels!
You bring the mat, we provide you with the props! (unless, of course, you want to bring your own!)
Yin Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra:
Coming soon, enquiries to studio@franandayoga.com.
Click here to sign up and be notified of then these classes will run.
