Category: newsletter

Viniyoga Teacher Trainer Graduation

Kim Mackie and I have arrived back from Chiang Mai in Thailand, proudly bearing our teacher trainer certificates in Viniyoga. Over the last two years, Kim and I have been part of a group of 16 experienced Viniyoga Teachers and Viniyoga Therapists, undergoing intensive hybrid training (both online and offline modules), and have just graduated as Viniyoga Teacher Trainers. With this certification, we are now authorised to conduct official Viniyoga Teacher Training programs in our respective countries, following the high standards of the tradition.

It was an honour to train with teachers from Japan, Korea, China, New Zealand, India, Italy, Belgium and Spain. We all graduated on the auspicious day of June 21st, International Yoga Day and the birthday of Sri TKV Desikachar, who, as the son of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, “The Father of modern yoga”, brought Viniyoga to the West.

“Viniyoga is the appropriate adaptation of Yoga’s holistic tools such as Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, chanting, Mantra, and meditation to meet the needs of the individuals respecting differences in age, culture, religion, philosophy, occupation, physical, emotional and other health parameters that define each practitioner.”

– ‘Sir’ TKV Desikachar

Viniyoga International Conference

We were in Thailand for 2 weeks, the first week finishing our teacher trainer course, and the second week we were joined by Fred Burnham, Sarah Ryan and Arianna Puran Udini for a Viniyoga International Conference.

With around 100 participants from across the world, we shared in a week of learning, connecting and celebrating Viniyoga. We were deeply honoured by the presence of Madam Menaka Desikachar, TKV Desikachar’s wife who led us each day with Vedic Chanting.

Teacher Training Course 2026

Kim and I will start a teacher training course next year for anyone interested in becoming a yoga teacher in this tradition. We will hold an introductory day in the Autumn with more information for those who might be interested. Contact Kim or me if you would like to register your interest or find out more.

Kim Mackie

Kim Mackie has changed the focus of her classes, and from July, she is offering: Mondays – Yoga To Reduce Stress and Anxiety; and Saturdays – Yoga To Improve Energy and Circulation. You can find more about these classes here.

She is also offering 3 workshops throughout the next few months, along with her husband Fred. The first one is this month, Saturday 20th July, 2.00-3.30 pm – Yoga For Spine Health

Maxine Craig

Maxine Craig is offering a workshop in July called ‘Yoga Zen and Hara – The Vital Centre‘. She is often asked, “What is Zen Yoga?“. She says, “I could summarise and say that it is physical movement for mobility and strength, and mindfulness for calming and steadying a busy mind, but it is so much more… and yet fundamentally simple.”

And what exactly is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the secret to bringing all our experiences to life, without which we find ourselves either rushing towards or away from things, or drifting without direction or sense of participation. When your mind stays in one place, it is like beginning an adventure, and right there unravels the adventure of you. This one place is the present ‘now’ moment. By learning to follow your own map, your body, you awaken the mind, which by design reciprocates in guiding you, in telling you just what your body, your whole being, needs for wellness.

With an emphasis on physical alignment, mindful breath and movement, Zen Yoga supports core stability, joint health, and builds overall strength, balance and mobility. Qi gong and meditation elements help practitioners connect with the body, experience mental clarity, bring emotional resilience, and feel a reduction in stress.

As well as Maxine’s Monday morning class, she is starting a Sunday evening class in September from 5.00-6.00 pm called Body Flex & Flow. A special fusion of yoga, Tai-Chi inspired movement, and Pilates set to uplifting and motivating music.

Following a gentle Tai-Chi inspired warm-up, we’ll flow together through a selection of standing and sitting yoga sequences, Pilates-based core work, and finish with a restful guided relaxation. With a variety of music as the backdrop, this class will round off your weekend & set you up for the week ahead. Beginner or not, this class has something for everyone and is suitable for all.

You can contact Maxine on zenwaichi@outlook.com for more information on any of the above.

Only you can give yourself closure!

Last month, we looked at: The only one who can change you is YOU! The first of 8 uncomfortable truths based on the yoga philosophy of Patanjali. This month, we discuss the second uncomfortable truth: Only you can give yourself closure!

Maybe you were in an unhealthy relationship with someone, or you went through a traumatising experience. It could also be that you are still trying to move on from someone who abandoned you. Whatever it may have been, you must understand that while your trauma is not your fault, your healing is your responsibility. Closure is not something you get from someone else. It is something only you can give yourself, as it is a choice you make to move forward. Keep going, and do not let your pain define you anymore. Closure is the peace of mind that only you can give yourself.

There will be no newsletter in August, so July and August’s events are both listed below. Enjoy the rest of the Summer and the beauty of nature all around us.

Namaste,
Sharon

July Workshops & Events

Wednesday 2nd 5.00-6.00pm
Conversation With Chris – Christopher Matthews

Friday 4th 6.30-7.30pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 5th 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Sarah Ryan

Saturday 5th 12.00-1.00pm
Vedic Chanting – Sarah Ryan

Friday 11th 7.00-8.30pm
Angelic Cakra Rebalance – Tuning Fork Workshop Nicki Greenham

Saturday 12th 11.00-3.00pm
Iyengar Yoga Workshop – Rachel Lovegrove

Sunday 13th July 2.00-4.00pm
Nervous System Meditation Session – Lucy Bowtell

Wednesday 16th 8.00-9.00am
Pilates Taster – Sharon Morgan

Friday 18th 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing With Crystal Bowls – Ellen Wells

Saturday 19th 10.00-1.00pm
Satsang – The Wonder of Consciousness – Derek Thorne

Sunday 20th 10.00-12.30pm
Yin Yoga Workshop – Chrissie Haskett

Saturday 20th 2.00-3.30pm
Yoga For Spine Health – Kim Burnham and Fred Burnham

Friday 25th 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

Friday 25th 6.30-8.30pm
Reiki Share – Saira Francis

Sunday 27th 10.00-3.00pm
Yoga Zen and Hara – The Vital Centre – Maxine Craig

August Events

Sunday 24^th 10.00-12.30pm 
Yin Yoga Workshop  – Chrissie Haskett

Sunday 24^th 12.00-1.30pm
Yoga To Improve Energy and Circulation – Kim Burnham and Fred Burnham

Friday 29th 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

“The ultimate goal of yoga is to always observe things accurately and therefore never act in a way that will make us regret our actions later.”

~ T.K.V. Desikachar ~

The gardens are blooming, and the meadows are peaking; they are as colourful and teeming with life as they are going to be!

The summer solstice on the 21st marks the height of the sun’s radiance in the northern hemisphere. The days are long, the nights short, and life is for living to the full. Now is the time to embrace dreams that were seeded in Winter.

Midsummer can sometimes feel overwhelming, as there is so much to enjoy. Of course, we can’t capture midsummer just as we can’t hold winter back – it is as fleeting as all the other moments of the year, but we can make sure we soak it in. Sit in it, savour it, don’t rush around trying to do too many things, hold the feelings within you and enjoy them.

The Dance of the Sun and the Moon

The sun and the moon will enjoy a beautiful dance this month, something that happens every 18.6 years. Just as the sun reaches its highest point, the full moon will be at its lowest, looking extremely large, as it does when it is close to the horizon. When the sun is so high dusk stretches deep into the evening, and it is worth staying up with the moths and the bats, and as the sun finally sets, look to the opposite part of the sky to catch the beautiful low moon, a phenomenon that will have been enjoyed by many for thousands of years as they have gathered at stone circles.

Viniyoga Travels

Quite a few of our teachers will be training in Thailand in June, so the timetable will be slightly reduced. Kim Burnham and I are doing an advanced teacher trainer course with Dr Kausthubha Desikachar in the Viniyoga tradition, and then Fred Burnham, Sarah Ryan, Arianna Puran Udini and I will take part in a worldwide celebration of Viniyoga. We hope to come back and share it all with you!

Dr Kausthubha’s teachings are deeply rooted in the philosophy of the Yoga Sutras, to reduce human suffering and to help us become the best of ourselves. He talks about 8 uncomfortable truths that we need to accept about ourselves, the first one being:

The only one who can change you is YOU!


Just as you are responsible for your happiness, you too are responsible for your own personal growth and development. The moment you stop living in denial and open your eyes to your flaws and toxic traits, the sooner you stop making the same mistakes over and over again. Everyone in your life may be aware of it already, but until you call yourself out, it will not make much of a difference because the only person who can make any real, lasting change in your life is you.

Self-growth, Healing and Activation

Two of our newer workshop leaders, Rachel Tapping and Lucy Bowtell, have joined together to bring a workshop called ‘Self-growth, Healing and Activation’, the first one being at the end of the month – find out more here.

We have many of our usual workshops, although as we head to Summer, some will take a break until the Autumn.

Looking ahead to July

Sharon Morgan is running a taster session for an early morning pilates class 8-9 am on Wednesday 16th July, please contact Sharon (sharon@westdorsetpilates.com) if you are interested.

Cheree Low’s Iyengar workshops are finished now until September, but we welcome Rachel Lovegrove again, who is offering an Iyengar workshop on the 12th July.

We are delighted that leading Advaita teacher, Derek Thorne, is visiting the Yoga Centre again on the 19th July. Derek leads the Vedantarama Community (vedantarama.com) and has over 30 years of experience guiding and directing people in living and applying the profound teachings of Vedanta and navigating the human experience.

Deeply established in the teachings of Advaita Vedanta (the oneness at the heart of all things), Derek is able to bring clear, insightful and inspiring vision to these timeless teachings and to articulate them with clarity and flair. This public session is open to all genuine seekers curious about their true identity and the reality of this experience. Derek will be talking about the “Wonder of Consciousness: Knowing Your True Self” – Dorchester Satsang – Vedantarama. Suitable for all levels of experience. For more information and to book, please contact Marj – marjsnape@gmail.com, mobile 07747429559, or Nancy Chantrell – nancychantrell@outlook.com, phone 01305 750174.  

And finally, on the 20th July, Kim and Fred Burnham are doing a workshop “Yoga for Spine Health”.

All the above details are on the website.

Enjoy the fruits of your winter dreaming and spend as much time as you can outside in nature, soaking up the sunlight.

Namaste
Sharon

June Workshops & Events

Wednesday 5th June, 5.00-6.00 pm
Conversation with Chris

Friday 6th June, 6.30 – 7.30 pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 7th June, 10.30 – 11.45 am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 7th June, 12.00 – 1.00 pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Friday 13th June
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 14th June, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Back to the Heart: Counted Practice – Half Primary, Half Second with Ness Sherry

Friday 20th June, 6.30 – 8.00 pm
Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Saturday 21st June, 10.00 am -12.30 pm
Yin Yoga with Chrissie Haskett

Friday 27th June, 6.00 – 7.30 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Toni Franklin

Saturday 28th June, 7.00 – 8.30 pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

Sunday 29th June, 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Vedanta Group with Marj Snape

Sunday 29th June, 1.00 – 4.00 pm
Self-growth, Healing and Activation with Lucy Bowtell and Rachel Tapping

“Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.”

~ B.K.S. Iyengar ~

Welcome to MAY.

“May the sun bring you new energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your worries,
May the breeze blow new strength into your being,
May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.”

– Apache Blessing

I took a holiday with my daughter to the South of France, and whilst wandering amongst a hilltop garden, we came across a few small gatherings of yoga students with their teachers. It reminded me of how yoga was traditionally taught in India, outside and sitting at the feet of the teacher.

There is a classical text of Indian spirituality: The Upanishads. A translation of the word Upanishad means “sitting down near” or “at the feet of a teacher.” The Upanishads are a collection of texts of ancient wisdom, flashes of insight which are revealed through a dialogue with a teacher; question and answer sessions to reveal spiritual teachings, an intimate session of spiritual instruction.

These ‘conversations’ are the results of an investigation into consciousness itself by ancient sages, and have thankfully been recorded so that we have these amazing understandings of consciousness today. Our present-day yoga practice, although seemingly very removed from these ancient practices, can lead us to the wonder and discovery of who we really are, what the universe is, and what is the significance of the brief drama of life and death. The wonder and enjoyment of why we feel so good at the end of our class or practice, or why it has left us emotional or even tearful, helps us to understand that yoga is more than just a physical exercise. As we bring ourselves out of relaxation or meditation there is a taste of ‘santi’ – peace, what the Taittiriya Upanishad calls the “body of joy” a freedom from all conditioning and limitations of time and space.

The Isha Upanishad is generally presented as the first Upanishad, and the invocation to it will be very familiar to some of you:

oṃ | pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidaṃ pūrṇātpūrṇamudacyate |
pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate ||

Om santi santi santi

A translation could be:

All this is full. All that is full.
From fullness, fullness comes.
When fullness is taken from fullness,
Fullness still remains

Om peace, peace, peace

Materialism reinforces the idea of scarcity, that there is not enough to go around, and so we are doomed to fight for ever diminishing resources. Spiritual economics are, in fact, the opposite and could simply be summarised by Gandhi as “there is enough in the world for everyone’s need; there is not enough for everyone’s greed.”

New Event with Melanie Philip

It is normal practice within African Tribes that when the Joy of the people becomes low, then it is time for a Grief Ritual to be held so that the vibration of the community can come back into balance. Find out more about this wonderful movement and dance workshop, to bring back the essential balance between joy & sadness.

May May be all that you wish for, and hopefully those wishes will include some of our events below, 

Sharon 

May Workshops & Events

Friday 2nd May 6.00-7.00pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra Sharon Cox-Button N.B change of time

Saturday 3rd May 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 3rd May 12.00-1.00pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Wednesday 7th May 5.00-6.00pm
Conversations With Chris

Friday 9th May 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 10th May 10-12.30pm
Yin Yoga with Chrissie Haskett

Saturday 10th May 2.00-4.30pm
Life Transitions – A Movement Medicine Event with Melanie Philip

Friday 16th May 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing with Crystal Bowls with Ellen

Saturday 17th May 10.30-12.30pm
Ashtanga Workshop – Counted Primary – Tristana in Focus with Ness Sherry

Sunday 18th 10.00-11.00am
Pilates Workshop with Sharon Morgan

Sunday 18th 1.00-3.00pm
Kundalini Activation with Rachel Tapping

Saturday 24th May 1.00-4.00pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

Saturday 24th May 2.00-3.30pm
Reiki Share with Peter Griffiths

Friday 30th May 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

“We have never arrived. We are in a constant state of becoming.”

~ Bob Dylan ~

A new moon – a moment of renewal, reflection, and quiet beginnings. The sky, though dark, is brimming with unseen potential, just like our lives in this very moment. The new moon reminds us that every fresh start begins in stillness, in the space where we choose to release what no longer serves us.

April reminds us that growth often comes through moments of challenge and renewal. We have had a wonderful period of sunny weather so far, but for farmers, finding the right balance of rain and sunshine to kickstart the year’s crops is always a challenge. I am sure they would like some warm, damp weather and a little more rain to boost growth. 

As we step into this season of renewal, we can be reminded that our yoga practice isn’t an exercise regime but a philosophy to help us transform our lives. Use time in nature to feel and reflect as it teaches us how we need to be constantly flexible and open to change, and of course, we invite you to our many classes, workshops and events to help this constant journey of transformation and nurture new beginnings. 

Ongoing 3-year Yoga therapy diploma with Dr Kausthubha Desikachar

Kim Mackie, Fred Burnham, Arianna Franklin, Sarah Ryan, and myself are currently participating in the 5th module of our 3-year Yoga therapy diploma with Dr Kausthubha Desikachar.

It has been a transformational course, an experience that goes beyond surface-level learning and into the heart of Yoga Therapy, based on Patanjlis yoga sutras.

But every session goes beyond theory, we are engaged in deep self-inquiry and personal healing. The course is in the Viniyoga tradition, as Yoga was initially intended – as a personalised, adaptive practice that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit. It’s a deep dive into the classical roots of Yoga, designed to empower the student with profound wisdom, authentic techniques, and a life-changing personal journey.

We hope the yoga centre is full of the energy of growth and renewal.

New Events

We would like to welcome Lucy Bowtell (some of you will know her as Lucy Coffin) to the yoga centre. She is offering a workshop called Nervous System & Heart Energy Workshop to Soothe, Realign and Shift on the 27th April. This workshop will be repeated on the 25th May.

Returning Workshops

Ness‘s ashtanga workshop this month is called Redefining Ashtanga – Ashtanga Energetics.

Ashtanga is often misunderstood. It’s not just a physically demanding sequence – it’s a moving meditation, a play of breath, bandha, and drishti. When we focus solely on the external postures, we lose touch with the deeper energetics that transform this practice into something truly integrated. You can find out more about Ness’s workshop here.

We welcome back Rachel Tapping with another Kundalini Activation workshop.
Nicki’s Tuning Fork workshop this month is a chakra tuning and rebalance. See all our regular workshops below.

Our new Reiki Therapist, Carol Thwaite, is doing an “Introductory offer for April – £30 for a 1hr session”, you can book with Carol here.

Enjoy Spring as it springs into life, get into nature as much as you can, get the life-giving sunlight onto your face and in all the cells of your body.

Best wishes from us all,
Sharon

April Courses & Workshops

Friday 4th April 6.30-7.30 pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Sunday 6th April 1.00-3.00 pm
Kundalini Activation with Rachel Tapping

Friday 11th April 10.00-11.30 am
Pregnancy Circle with Bec Oakaiah

Friday 11th April 7.00-8.30 pm
Chakra Clear Cleanse and Rebalance Tuning Fork Sound Bath with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 12th April 10.00-12.30 pm
Yin Yoga with Chrissie Haskett

Saturday 12th April 2.30-4.00 pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

Sunday 13th April 10-00-1.00 pm
Vedanta Group with Marj Snape

Friday 18th April 6.30-8.00 pm
Sound Healing with Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Friday 25th April 10.00-11.30 am
Pregnancy Circle with Bec Oakaiah

Friday 25th April 6.00-7.30 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Toni Franklin

Saturday 26th April 1.00-4.00 pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

Saturday 26th April 2.00-3.30 pm
Reiki Share with Peter Griffiths

Sunday 27th April 2.00-5.00 pm
Nervous System & Heart Energy Workshop to Soothe, Realign and Shift with Lucy Bowtell

Coming in May

Life Transitions: A movement medicine workshop with Melanie Philip

“The success of Yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships.”

~ T.K.V. Desikachar ~

Welcome to March at Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre.This month we reach the Spring Equinox when day and night are momentarily the same length. A brief moment of balance before the days become longer and the light encourages the energetic growth of Spring and the excitement of all that we have to look forward to. From our dreaming and planning in deep Winter, we can begin to act on the many seeds planted deep within the subconscious.

Just as there is brief balance at the equinoxes throughout the year the reality is that for most of us, although we search for and try to find balance in our lives, we know it is not really within our control. We are carried through life by patterns, thoughts, and memories and react to actions we have no control over. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a philosophy that helps us cope with the ups and downs of life and the constant chatter of our minds. Chapter 2 is called Sadhana Pada, meaning practice. It was written for the majority of us who have a disturbed, distracted mind and for whom meditation is not easily accessible.

11.1 Tapas svadhyaya isvara pranidhana kriya yoga

Sutra 1 tells us that practice is called Kriya Yoga, the yoga of action consisting of tapas (self-discipline), svadhyaya (self-enquiry) and isvara pranidhana (surrender to a higher state).

These three aspects are the start of the yoga journey, the journey to discovering our inner selves, leading us to spiritual absorption or the state of Samadhi and beginning to weaken all causes of suffering.

11.2 Samadhi bhavana arthah klesha tanukarana arthah ca

The self-discipline, (tapas) of daily yoga practice, with self-enquiry, (svadhyaya) through reading ancient texts, self-help books or maybe seeing a therapist. The third part of Kriya Yoga is Ishvara Pranidhana. This is offering all actions to a higher force, and remaining humble to the realization that we are not in control of all that happens to us.

New Classes

We have two new classes starting this month with two familiar faces.

Healing and massage Therapist Melina James is offering a new breathwork class on Tuesdays 7.45-8.45pm. This is suitable for beginners, you can find more details here. Melina is also offering 10% off her treatments in the therapy room for any new clients.

We are delighted to have back Katie Pitney who taught a few years ago. She will be offering a Beginner’s Yoga class on Thursday evenings at 7.45-9pm. Katie has a lovely gentle teaching manner and I know many of you will be pleased that she is back again.

New therapist: Reiki 

Carol Thwaite, a familiar face at our Reiki Shares is joining the team and offering Reiki treatments in our therapy room, so a big welcome to Carol.

Susie the famous Dorchester cat has discovered the yoga centre as an evening hang out, although her favourite practice is definitely Savasana.

Enjoy the longer days and practice Kriya Yoga: self-discipline, self-study and surrender.

From Sharon and the team

Monthly Courses & Workshops

Wednesday 5th March 5.00-6.00pm
Conversations With Chris – Christopher Matthews

Friday 7th March 6.30-7.30pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Sunday 9th March 10.00-11.00am
Pilates Workshop – Strength Balance Restore with Sharon Morgan

Sunday 9th March 1.30-4.00pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Friday 14th March 10.00-11.30am
Pregnancy Circle with Bec Osadiah

Friday 14th March 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 15th March 1.00-4.00pm
Iyengar Yoga Workshop with Cheree Low

Saturday 15th March 6.00-7.30pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

Sunday 16th March 10.00-12.30pm
Yin Yoga with Chrissie Haskett

Friday 21st March 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing With Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Saturday 22nd March 10.30-12.30pm
Drishti – The Power of Intention with Ness Sherry

Saturday 22nd March 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 22nd March 12.00-1.00pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Friday 28th March 10.00-11.30am
Pregnancy Circle with Bec Osadiah

Friday 22nd March 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

Friday 28th March 6.30-8.30pm
Reiki Share with Saira Francis

“True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied. ”

~ Aadil Palkhivala ~

February heralds the first signs of Spring and this return to life is celebrated traditionally with the pagan fire festival Imbolc on the 1st of February. What joy the first snowdrops bring as they push up through cold hard ground, the company of a robin as you venture back into the garden and enjoy the lengthening afternoons, the sound of the first bumblebees and the promise of new life at the sight of pregnant ewes.

The promise of creation and love will be celebrated on the 14th of February, Valentine’s Day with Nicki Greenham. She is offering you a date at her Love Date – Angel Sound Bath. Spend an evening with the harmonies of the tuning forks and a little Angelic Love in this special nurturing Valentine’s Sound Healing. With beautiful candlelight, all you need to do is lay back and listen to the specific harmonies of the forks. It’s a soothing experience to feel nurtured in mind and body.

The days are full of little joys if we take the time to look and see the subtle daily and seasonal changes. Such as the time of sunrise and sunset, how the light changes throughout the day, what grows when, the migration of animals, the phases of the moon etc. This relating to various aspects of your environment is crucial. Not only does it anchor and ground you in the physical world, but it also slows you down and brings a new level of intimacy into your life.

Embrace the Morning Sun

Start the day by facing the sun and feeling the warmth of it on your face. This may sound like a simple tip, but its impact on our well-being is profound. Exposure to natural light in the morning stimulates the brain, awakening it without the jarring effects of an alarm clock. This natural stimulus helps regulate our internal body clock, and our circadian rhythms, promoting alertness throughout the day, and sets the foundation for restful sleep at night.

The influence of sunlight extends beyond waking up; it has the power to improve mood and reduce stress levels. It Increases serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness, and boosts vitamin D production to contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

Our ancestors lived in harmony with nature, and their sleep environments were characterized by natural darkness. In today’s digital age, the invasion of artificial light, especially the blue light emitted by screens, disrupts our circadian rhythms. Research indicates that exposure to electronic devices before bedtime can suppress melatonin production by more than 50%, affecting our ability to fall asleep and the quality of our sleep.

Of course, the yogis knew the importance the sun played in our wellbeing. Surya, in Hinduism, is the name for both the Sun and the Sun god and there are many temples throughout India, and many mantras and chants worshipping the sun as the giver of life. A simple mantra Om Suryaya Namaha – Oh sun! We offer you our salutations! can be used throughout your morning practice, with hands held at the heart or the belly.

The Gayatri mantra below is chanted daily by many Hindus at sunrise:

oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt

– Rigveda 3.62.10

Waking at sunrise, and chanting this mantra is a wonderful way to connect to the energy of the sun, and serves as a ritual to connect you more deeply to nature too. 

By honouring the sun, we can cultivate gratitude and a deeper connection to nature. The repetitive, rhythmic nature of the practice induces a meditative state, promoting spiritual growth and self-awareness. Or cultivate a stronger physical practice of Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar such as the one below.

Homeopathy

Homeopath Zofia Dymitr is passionate about how useful homeopathy can be in the home setting to improve health because that was her way into homeopathy and what inspired her to start homeopathy education. There’s a new book coming out later this month:  “Homeopathy at Home” an essential guide for anyone looking to take control of their health naturally. In this comprehensive book, Marcus Fernandez shares expert insights and practical advice to help you confidently treat everyday acute health issues using safe and effective homeopathic remedies.

Zofia would be happy to run a Homeopathy at Home course in March or April  at the Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre if there’s enough interest. Please email her on zofiadymitr@protonmail.com

New Therapist: Lisa Jelly

Discover the path to inner balance and meaningful change with Lisa Jelly, who joins our therapeutic team. A compassionate psychotherapist and coach dedicated to helping you navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re facing a personal crisis, seeking clarity, or striving for deeper self-connection, Lisa offers a safe and supportive space for exploration. Combining a holistic approach through psychosynthesis with over 20 years of leadership coaching experience, she empowers clients to uncover their inner wisdom, overcome obstacles, and embrace their true potential. Find out more.

New classes

Sharon Morgan is hoping to start a new pilates class and is trialling a new Tuesday session from 10.30 – 11.30 am. If you would like to come along to the complimentary taster session, hopefully, followed by a four-week short course with a view to continuing for the summer term. Free Taster Session Date: Tuesday 11th March 2025.

We have a Pregnancy Circle starting fortnightly on a Friday morning with Rebecca Oakaiah 10.00-11.30 am starting 31st January. Click here for more information.

We welcome back Bex Leonard who took some time off due to personal reasons last year but is excited to get back to her Saturday Soundbaths. She is offering two workshops on February 22nd.

Check out all our wonderful workshops below, and make us a part of your new rhythm and return to life!

From Sharon et al

Monthly Courses & Workshops

Sunday 2nd 10.00-11.00 am
Pilates Workshop with Sharon Morgan

Sunday 2nd 1.00-3.00 pm
Kundalini Activation with Rachel Mapping

Friday 7th 6.30-7.30 pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 8th 1.00-4.00 pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

Sunday 9th 1.30-4.00 pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Sunday 9th 4.00-6.00 pm
Energy Mapping Workshop with Nicola Moss

Friday 14th
Tuning Forks Love Date-Angel Sound with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 15th 10.30-11.45 am
Yoga Sutras with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 15th 10.30-12.30 pm
Year Of the Snake Ashtanga Vinyasa workshop with Ness Sherry

Saturday 15th 12-1.00 pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 15th 2.30-5.00 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Chrissie Haskett

Saturday 21st 6.30-8.00 pm
Sound healing with Crystal Bowls

Saturday 22nd 2.30-3.45 pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

Saturday 22nd 5.30-6.45 pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

Friday 28th 6.00-7.30 pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

Friday 28th 6.30-8.00 pm
Reiki Share with Ellen Wells

“Flowers don’t worry about how they are going to bloom. They just open up & turn toward the light & that makes them beautiful.”

~ Jim Carrey ~

The natural year can act as a guide to living, and if we let it, January is a great time to start. If you step outside and look for activity you will find very little. Even the moon this year is at a ‘major lunar standstill’ a phenomenon that happens only every 18.6 years and will probably have been tracked by our neolithic ancestors in stone circles thousands of years ago!

It seems like there is not a lot happening in nature, but the work is happening underground, plants and animals are laying the foundations for the year ahead, doing it from a place of slumber. The challenge for us busy-busy humans is to do the same, to continue this time of darkness, rest and recuperation. Sleep more, daydream, meditate, think about and lay the foundations for your coming year and beyond. The busyness of the festive season is behind us, enjoy the clarity and stillness of January, we can be more intuitive now because we have the time. Time to do the inner work. Contrary to popular belief it is not a time for new beginnings, it is a time for reflection and imagining and dreaming, believing in your wildest of dreams. Your dreams and intentions now will set the scene for the year, the journey ahead. Remember energy flows where attention goes, so …imagine your year of 2025.

Restorative Workshops

My last three Restorative Workshops, which follow the darker half of the year, are on Sunday 12th of January, the 9th of February and the 9th of March. These two and a half hour classes offer plenty of time for reflection, dreaming and svadyaya (self-study). Through passive and supported asana, using bolsters, blocks, chairs and blankets the body is given time to unwind, the breath to slow and the mind to become present. This is followed by the practice of yoga nidra, a systematic method of inducing mental, emotional and physical relaxation and a moment to set a positive intention, a sankalpa for the coming year. This is suitable for anyone and particularly if you are very tired, stressed or recovering from illness.

New Children’s Yoga Class

We have a very exciting new class starting this January!!

Nikki Gardiner is offering a children’s yoga class on Tuesdays from 4.00 to 5.00 pm. The class is for 5-7 years olds, (although Nikki can be flexible with age if appropriate). Nikki has combined her passion for both yoga and children’s development, being an Early Years Teacher, and then achieving her children’s yoga teacher foundation course for 3-12 years. She is currently training in yoga for children with SEN. She has such an amazing amount of equipment to share with the children such as this feeling fan for children who don’t want to be verbal.

This class will help children gain resilience, emotional autonomy, and physical well-being, to help cope with society’s ever increasing demands and pressures.

Kim Jones is offering another 5-week post-natal yoga class, for mums and babies and this starts back on Tuesday January 7th 11.00-12.00pm. You can find more details here.

Two Free Events

Kim Jones is also offering a free Dancing For Birth trial workshop on Saturday 4^th from 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm. Please contact her for more information.

Melina James, who offers massage and energy work in the therapy room is offering a free breathing class on Friday 10th of January from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Here you can:

• Reconnect with Your Breath – Discover the power of breath awareness as a foundation for mindfulness.
• Explore the Breath-Mind-Body Connection – Learn how your breath can influence your well-being and help you feel more centred.
• Take Home a Stress Relief Technique – Leave with a simple, effective breathing practice to use in your daily life.
• This session is ideal for anyone curious about breathwork or looking to bring a little more calm and clarity into the new year.

New Therapist

A big welcome to Nicola Moss, who will be offering Systemic Coaching & Family Constellations in our therapy room.

Her offerings have been created to support the release of what feels blocked and to take meaningful steps towards balance and flow, so perfect for this time of year.  As a systemic practitioner, her work draws on family constellations, heart-led business and leadership, shamanic practices, energy work and sound medicine. She is offering a workshop on February 9th Energy Mapping – A Path to Clarity.

We have two more exciting workshops at the beginning of February so I will mention them now.

A big welcome to Rachel Tapping who is teaching for the first time at the centre. She is offering a Kundalini Activation workshop on the 2nd of February – Kundalini Activation with Glow With Rachel, you can find out more here.

In this Year of the Snake, Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher Ness Sherry is offering a workshop on the 15th of February called Freeing The Spine, you can find out more here.

We look forward to welcoming you back through the doors, to all our regular classes and workshops.

May you dream big this year
With best wishes form us all,

Sharon

Monthly Classes & Workshops

Friday 3rd 6.30 – 7.30 pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 4th 3.00 – 4.00 pm
Free Dancing For Birth Trial workshop with Kim Jones

Friday 10th 6.30 – 7.30 pm
Free Calm and Balance Breathwork with Melina James

Friday 10th 7.00 – 8.30 pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 11th 1.00 – 4.00 pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

Sunday 12th 1.30 – 4.00 pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Friday 17th 6.30-8.00 pm
Sound Healing With Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Saturday 18th January 10.30 – 11.45 am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 18th January 12.00 – 1.00 pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 18th January 2.00 – 3.30 pm
Reiki Share with Peter Griffiths

Sunday 19th January10.00 – 11.00 am
Pilates Workshop – strength | balance | playing with planks | functional mobility with Sharon Morgan

Sunday 19th 2.30 – 5.00 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Chrissie Haskett

Saturday 25th 10.00 – 12.30 pm
Qi Gong Workshop with Tim Button

Sunday 26th 10.00 – 1.00 pm
Vedanta group with Marj Snape

Friday 31st 6.00 – 7.30 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Toni Franklin

“Train your senses to be obedient. Regulate your activities to lead you to the goal. Hold the reins of your mind as you hold the reins of restive horses.”

~ The Upanishads ~

Stillness covers the land as we enter December. The earth’s energy draws down the life force of trees and plants, nourishing and supporting their roots for a well-earned rest. The long hours of darkness encourage us to do the same, so dim your lights, sit in candlelight or the light of the fire. Kim Jones is offering Candlelight Yoga on 13th December to get you in the mood.

Winter is our natural rest and restore season. Eat nourishing soups and stews. It is a time that reminds us of the impermanence of physical life, the cycle of birth and death, and the need to rest in order to rise again. As the outer world surrenders its light, our inner worlds can sparkle and shine, let your yoga practice be quiet and slow and meditative, bringing healing and health. It’s a time to reflect and let go of patterns and habits that don’t serve you and to make room for the new.

The Winter Solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year, and when the Sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky. Sian Lalita Alcock is offering a wonderful celebration of the day – Honouring The Winter Solstice. We have many nourishing and restful workshops throughout December to help you find some stillness, we hope you enjoy them.

A Winter Solstice Practice

Exhale and drop your mind energy down into your heart space. Exhale and drop your heart energy down into your lower belly space. Exhale and drop your lower belly energy down and out through your legs and into the earth. Inhale earth energy through the soles of your feet. Let it connect, heal & replenish your entire body.

From us all, thank you for sharing the year with us, seasons greetings, happiness and good health.

Sharon x

Workshops in December

Sunday 1st, 4.00-6.00pm
Restorative Yoga For Deep Rest with Tracey Boast

Wednesday 4th 5.00-6.00pm
Conversations With Chris

Friday 6th, 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks for Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Thursday 12th 6.30-7.30pm
Meditation with Lilu Lelew

Friday 13th, 7.00-8.15pm
Candlelit Yoga Kim Jones

Saturday 14th, 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 14th, 12.00-1.0pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 14th, 1.30-4.00pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Sunday 15th, 10.30-1.30pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

Sunday 15th, 2.30-5.00pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Chrissie Haskett

Friday 20th, 6.30-8.00pm
Sound healing with Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Saturday 21st, 10.00-1.00pm
Winter Solstice with Sian Lalita Alcock

Friday 27th, 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

Friday 27th, 6.00-8.30pm
Reiki Share with Saira Francis

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
~ From movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ~

In October we were bendy like the tree branches in the wind, Cheree Low showed us how to work up to getting our feet behind our head in her Iyengar Yoga workshop; Bhairavasana, such fun, something I hadn’t achieved in a while.

Ness Sherry encouraged her students to find an easy approach to Padmasana, (lotus pose) whatever their level.

This month Ness will be looking at the art of headstands, a workshop dedicated to transforming anyone’s headstand practice. The session will dive deep into self-supporting alignment techniques, by building a strong and centred foundation to lift into a headstand with lightness and control.

There are so many wonderful workshops to choose from this month: Lifecoach Lilu Lelew is offering a “Mind Body Reset”.

Bowen therapist and Healer Melanie Philip invites you to “Lose Yourself To Dance”, by embracing the journey of discovering and expressing the free-flowing you.

We also welcome back Dominique Preston with one of her “Somatic Flow and Fascia Roll” workshops, always lovely at this time of year.

Sharon Morgan is doing her yearly workshop supporting “Movember “ the leading charity raising awareness and changing the face of men’s health. She is offering a Pilates class for men.  A “More to core” workshop for strength and flexibility for men of all ages and abilities.

As well as all our regular monthly workshops listed below, yes there is far too much to choose from!!!

November’s mantra is ‘let go and release’. Do as nature around you is doing, boldly step into a place of surrender… be like the trees that drop their leaves, and just let go of anything that no longer serves you. We don’t want to take anything into the nurturing darkness of winter that will take root in the unconscious. We want to pick out our metaphorical weeds before they spread, we don’t want them popping into our lives again in Spring. As Patanjali says in sutra 1.12 abhyasa vairagyabhyam – the state of yoga arises out of practice and detachment. Letting go of attachments to lifestyle habits and choices, that inhibit our capacity to grow and discover our seed potential.

The Trees Said   

November – on this earth 
this year
reflecting back
each leaf a memory gone to ground
streams always finding their course
branches reaching up as if the answers are in the sky
the light softer now
days shortening
sleep beckoning
like tiny footsteps on broken bark
shadows rest like ink smudged on skin
if you only knew how easy it is to grow one day at a time
I was once a promise in a nut shell
I was once as small as that dream you hold

Polly Hall

New Classes

We have three new classes starting this month to help you with your practice. 

• Fortnightly Meditation with Lilu on Thursdays 6.30-7.30pm, see website for dates 
• Beginners Yoga with Claire Jones on Sundays 5.00-6.15pm
• Evening Ashtanga Vinyasa class starting on Tuesdays 6.15-7.30pm with Ness Sherry.

Enjoy this beautiful season, 

From us all at the Dorchester Yoga and Therapy centre, and here are some of us at our teachers breakfast meeting last month:

Monthly Classes & Workshops

Thursday 31st October 6.30-7.30pm
Guided Healing Meditation – Lilu Lelew

Friday 1st 6.30-7.30pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Friday 8th 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief – Nicki Greenham

Saturday 9th 10.00-12.30pm
Mind and Body Reset – Lilu Lelew

Saturday 9th 1.00-4.00pm
Lose Yourself To Dance – Melanie Philip

Sunday 10th 2.00-5.00pm
Embodied MFR; Somatic Flow and Fascia Roll – Dominique Preston

Sunday 10th 5.00-7.00pm
Restorative Yoga for Deep Rest – Tracey Boast

Thursday 14th 6.30-7.30pm
Guided Healing Meditation – Lilu Lelew

Friday 15th 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing with Crystal Bowls – Ellen Wells

Saturday 16th 10.30-12.30pm
Mastering The Headstand – Ness SherrySaturday 16th 1.00-4.00pm
Iyengar Yoga Workshop – Cheree Low

Sunday 17th 1.30-4.00pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 23rd 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Sarah Ryan

Saturday 23rd 12,00-1.00pm
Vedic Chanting – Sarah Ryan

Sunday 24th 10.00-11.00am
Pilates For Men – Sharon Morgan

Sunday 24th 2.30-5pm
Yin Yoga Workshop – Chrissie Haskett

Sunday 24th 6.30-7.30pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Thursday 28th 6.30-7.30pm
Guided Healing Meditation – Lilu Lelew

Friday 29th 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga – Toni Franklin

Saturday 30th 10.30-12.00pm
Healing Sound Bath – Arianna Franklin

“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.”
~ Unknown ~

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 11.30
Ahimsa-satya-asteya-brahmacarya-aparigrahāh yamāh

Non-violence, truthfulness, not-stealing, moderation in our actions and not accumulating are the five social constraints which are part of the Eight Limbs of Yoga that help us in our search for a meaningful and liberating life.

At Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre this month we have been deeply ensconced in the philosophy of yoga, reminding us that yoga is not just an exercise system but a philosophy to help alleviate suffering. Those of us involved in the 10-day yoga therapy course with Dr Kausthubha Desikacar have chosen a Yama: to live it for the next six months until we meet again in March 2025 (although as yogis we should be constantly living the yamas) and to see how it changes us, to live it in terms of thought, word and action…. Why not join us?

Last Saturday Derek Thornes and Vedantarama captivated us by taking us on an enquiry into the true spiritual nature of ourselves. “From the unreal to the real. What am I and what is this all about?’ By applying the Advaita Vedanta vision in a modern setting, we had an inspiring, emotional, thought-provoking and joyful discussion. Beginning with and concluding that we and the world we live in are stunning.

For those of you interested in any of these philosophical topics, you can join Sarah Ryan with Patanjali’s monthly Yoga Sutras, Christopher Matthews monthly Conversations with Chris or Marj Snape’s new 3-year Vedanta Course that starts this month.

As Autumn approaches we look forward to the rest that the darker evenings bring, to walk in the beauty of nature, to our yoga practices that help us to slow down, withdraw and to enjoy the coziness of the fire.

Enjoy the beauty of Autumn, practice one of the yamas, and know how stunning you are.

Warm wishes,
Sharon

Looking ahead to November

For those of you interested in expressing your body in a different way we are excited to have Melanie Philip (who does Bowen and Energy healing in our therapy room) offer a dance workshop: Lose Yourself to Dance. No dance experience necessary, this is a small group (limited to 10 people) exploring movement to rid the body of numbness and dissociation. More information on our website.

Monthly Classes & Workshops

Wednesday 2nd October 5.00-6.00 pm
Conversations with Chris – Christopher Matthews

Friday 4th October 6.30-7.30 pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 5th October 10.30-11.45 am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Sarah Ryan

Saturday 5th 12.00-1.00 pm
Vedic Chanting – Sarah Ryan

Saturday 5th 6.30-7.30 pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief – Nicki Greenham

Sunday 6th 4.00-6.00 pm
Restorative Yoga for Deep Rest – Tracey Boast

Saturday 12th 10.00-12.30 pm
Qigong Workshop – Tim Button

Sunday 13th 10.00-1.00 pm
Advaita Vedanta Group – Marj Snape

Sunday 13th 1.30-4.00 pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra Workshop – Sharon Cox-Button

Friday 18th 6.30-8.00 pm
Sound Healing With Crystal Bowls – Ellen Wells

Saturday 19th 10.30-12.30 pm
Easing Into Lotus – Ness Sherry

Saturday 19th 10.30-12.00 pm
Sound Bath – Arianna Puran Udini

Saturday 19th 1.00-4.00 pm
Iyengar Yoga Workshop – Cheree Low

Friday 25th 6.00-7.30 pm
Yin Yoga – Toni Franklin

Saturday 26th 2.00-3.30 pm
Reiki Share – Peter Griffiths

Sunday 27th 2.30-5.00 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop – Chrissie Haskett

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”
~ Anon ~