Queer Yoga - Finding your Practice

Transform your day with group meditation practice.

In the ancient writings of Yoga, meditation is one of the key steps on the path to enlightenment, seeing the world clearly. In Buddhism, meditation is a key aspect of ‘awakening’ but awakening to what?

Meditation is more than mindfulness and wellbeing. It is a crucial tool in experiential understanding on how to end human suffering. Almost all our suffering is created in the mind, it’s not the thing that happens, or doesn’t happen, the sensation or whatever the object is, no it’s actually the thoughts we have about the object that perpetuate long after the object or stimulus has passed that cause the pain.

Experiencing this truth has powerful consequences for how we live our lives.

Meditation isn’t something you do, although we can set an intention to meditate. Meditation is something that arises if the conditions are right. In our practices we focus on creating those conditions in the mind-body.

• adjusting the body to be comfortable
• developing our ability to concentrate
• becoming aware of how sensations arise and dissipate in the body
• focusing on objects to help us experience sensations in the body.

Some of the benefits of regular practice

• increased ability to handle our emotions and situations
• greater sense of peace and calm
• increased confidence to be able to participate fully in life.
• improved physical and mental condition

Join in a chair, on the floor, or lying down as you prefer. Sessions open to complete beginners and those who don’t find sitting still easy or those with busy minds.

In this practice, we are based on the floor, even in bed in our comfy clothes. We move through a number of postures where we seek to release tension over longer periods of time, dropping in to the breath and allowing the surface beneath us to hold us and gravity to do all the work.

We end with a sound bowl meditation and some guided medtiation toward sleep and if you wish, you could close your device and drift off to sleep.

This is a breath-based yoga practice for the LGBTQI+ community and allies to come together to practice one of the elements or limbs of yoga - asana (the movement bit).

The session is focused on beginners and those who want to re root to their foundational practice. There is no need to wear special yoga clothing (unless you want to) and this class is not about the Instagramable look in many crazy positions - nor do you need to be flexible or fit already.

Come as you are and work with your body and go from there.

Before you attend:

i ask all participants to kindly complete the form that will be emailed to you before attending your first session to ensure everyone is safe and there is a clear agreement about working together. If you have any questions, please use the chat button, I'l be glad to help out.

What to expect:
The session begins with a few minutes to welcome and we get into breath practice.
We start to bring in movement before practising together a flow that warms up the body. You can adjustments or physicalcal support can be opted in to If youd likee them.
We will then practice a number of asanas - postures with both movement and some holding.
We finish practice with a deep rest, guided relaxation and some silent sitting.

After the session:
Ed shares a recorded practice of the sequence so that you can practice at home between sessions if you wish. This means that you can develop and access the benefits outside of group practice. Ed is also available to answer questions via WhatsApp in the week. This isn't required but is highly recommended. Regular practice is very powerful.

What to bring:

1. something comfy to wear. This isn't a workout but you may want to bring a spare t shirt. There are toilets to change in.
2. yoga mat or you can buy one from Ed in advance if you don't have one.
3. 2x blocks or 2 thick hardback books - for balance and making postures more comfortable
4. a blanket or a large scarf to cover yourself if you like during the rest stage

The festive season can bring joy, but also emotional triggers, stress, and nostalgia. This one-day workshop is a chance to deepen your mindfulness and compassion practices to navigate the holidays with presence and resilience. We'll discover how the brain is perfectly designed to protect us from threats and also to rebalance when the perception of threat leaves us. You’ll learn techniques to manage emotional challenges, stay grounded in busy times, and strengthen your relationships. We’ll close the day with a deeply relaxing Yoga Nidra session and a healing Sound Bath.
Who Should Attend?
• Anyone seeking peace and presence during the festive season.
• Those looking to manage emotional triggers and stress.
• Anyone interested in mindfulness, self-compassion, and deep relaxation practices.
What You’ll Gain
• Mindfulness techniques to stay calm during the holidays.
•. Inspiration to start to identify the areas of the brain that are responsible for regulating and how to work with them.
•. Insight into how the wisdom in hatha yoga and also the observations of the Buddha can help us make sense of our experience and move toward a solution and greater peace in a non-dogmatic way.
• Self-compassion practices to manage triggers and enhance connection.
• Compassionate listening practices
• A sense of community with others who haven't found the season easy and are looking for change.
• Practical tools to navigate emotional stress and maintain peace.
• Deep relaxation through Yoga Nidra and Sound Bath.
Workshop Agenda
10:00 AM – Welcome & Intention Setting
10:30 AM – Understanding and Reframing Holiday Triggers
11:00 AM – Cultivating Compassion
11:30 AM – Break
11:45 AM – Mindful Breath & Movement
12:15 PM – Building Your Resilience Toolkit
12:45 PM – Lunch (bring your own or explore nearby cafes)
1:30 PM – Yoga Nidra and Sound Bath: Deep Relaxation, Healing Vibrations
2:20 PM - Action planning and sharing
2:45 PM – Closing Reflection & Intentions
3:00 PM – Farewell
You are welcome to stay for Queer Hatha Yoga
Reserve Your Spot
Join us for a day of transformation and self-care to help you thrive through the festive season with mindfulness and compassion.

To choose a different amount to contribute to this session if that makes it more accessible for you or if you wish to make an additional financial contribution to support the community you can follow this link here:
https://www.thespacetothrive.com/service-page/transform-your-breath-transform-life