YOGA BASICS — TEN-WEEK COURSE FOR BEGINNERS
Yoga Basics is back, starting on 25 September 2025!
Do you live in Southampton — especially Woolston, Bitterne, Sholing, Netley or Hamble? Have you always wanted to try yoga because you’ve heard good things about it, but haven’t had the courage to just show up at an established class?
Yoga Basics is a ten-week long yoga course for beginners. If you have no experience with yoga whatsoever, this is the place for you! Although I might add that even if you have done yoga in the past, you will probably learn a good deal of new information.
Here are the main benefits of the course:
- learn up to sixty yoga poses and exercises
- develop the skills to create your own routine
- prevent and reduce back pain
- instantly improve your mood and energy levels
- find confidence and personal power through your body
- improve your strength and flexibility
- learn self-care relief for common aches and pains
- learn how to strengthen the pelvic floor, reverse and/or prevent urinary issues
- relax and thoroughly de-stress
There are about 60 key asanas (or poses) on our syllabus, along with transitions and dynamic mobility-building exercises that are the hallmark of BraveBodies yoga. You will learn the proper technique, breathing and anatomy of each pose, as well as how to link asanas together. Each week we also explore different anatomical principles and how they relate to yoga as well as our everyday life. This is a journey of self-discovery. You will gain a greater insight into the workings of your body, and learn to apply the most up-to-date principles of optimal movement as supported by scientific research.
In each class you will receive handouts, and you will be also given a bit of homework. In addition, there will be a video each week of a gentle practice supporting the session. You will be encouraged to use it in between sessions to progress faster.
COURSE TIME: 19:30-21:00, Thursday
COURSE DATES:
25 September 2025 — start date
2, 9, 23, 30 October
6, 13, 27 November
4, 11 December
LOCATION: Bitterne Spiritualist Church, Bitterne, Southampton
COST: £150, £130 students or seniors (60+)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 18 September 2025 (you are welcome to enquire after this date if there are any leftover available places or cancellations for a last-minute admission)
CANCELLATION POLICY:
I understand that plans can change, and I want to offer a refund policy that’s fair to you and respectful of the time and energy that goes into preparing this course.
Cancellations made by 11 September 2025 (14 days before the course starts) will receive a full refund, minus any transaction fees.
Cancellations between 12–18 September 2025 are eligible for a 50% refund.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made from 19 September 2025 onward. If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to transfer your spot to a friend at any time before the course begins—just let me know by email.
Thank you for your understanding and for supporting this space with your commitment.
Contact Barbara to check availability and register — barbara@bravebodies.com or call 0798 223 6118.
Note: This is a beginners course but successful participation does require a basic level of fitness and mobility. If you struggle to bend over, step your legs apart wider than two feet, get on and off the floor, kneel on all fours, or put pressure on your hands due to weakness or injury in your wrists, you may find the course a bit too much and would probably feel happier in SUPPLE SILVER classes, which I run in Woolston and Hamble. This also applies if you are over sixty and very new to exercise or have a health condition that needs a gentler approach. Private sessions are available, too, and the best option if you want a tailored approach.
Some questions you might have:
Will the course be hard?
Anything worth doing is worth doing well. I want you to give things your best shot while also being aware of any limitations — body awareness, and working with — not against — the body, is a skill we practice straight from the start. Prepare to be challenged, and rewarded as you improve in strength, flexibility, endurance and coordination. Yoga gives you a feeling that no other movement does — and it’s addictive!
By the end of the course, you should feel confident to walk into most beginners/intermediate yoga classes and get on with it, and also be able to roll out the mat at home and create a coherent sequence that makes sense and achieves some of your goals.
Who will be my classmates?
An important part of the BraveBodies experience is being part of a fun and supportive community. The youngest participants are in their twenties, the oldest in their sixties or even seventies. The atmosphere in each course is always friendly, relaxed and encouraging. You will get to know all your classmates throughout the ten weeks, and will have familiar faces to look forward to during the course and beyond as you continue on your yoga journey together.
What do I wear?
Please wear something stretchy and comfortable (but not too loose, unless you want everyone to have a close look at your six-pack!). No shoes are necessary. Give your dinner an hour or two to go down — this includes coffee or any other acidic drinks. You will be glad you did!
Once you have completed the beginners yoga course, you will have the choice of moving onto the established class at the same venue, running on Mondays and Thursdays at 18:10.
If you don’t have a mat, you can borrow one from me, as well as other equipment. Even though I have quite a few communal mats, I encourage my students to have their own mat for sanitary reasons. I work with two mats, as you can see on the photo — so you can have one mat as your main and another one for extra padding and movement. A good place to purchase discounted quality mats is TK Maxx. Please make sure it’s a proper mat intended for yoga.
Do you need any more information? Then please get in touch and I will answer all other questions. Again, my number is 0798 223 6118, and my email is bhelisova@gmail.com.
WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT YOGA BASICS
“My plan to improve my fitness and posture lead me to Barbara’s yoga course which I love so much, I’m going back for more. Barbara has a very practical teaching style and explains the impact of each move on our anatomy. I love this as I really like to know the ‘how’s’ and ‘whys’ of anything I do. The class is hard enough to make you feel you have achieved something, without being impossible.” Alison, interior designer, Lowford
“BraveBodies Beginners Yoga Course with Barbara is superb. Whatever your age or ability Barbara can improve your knowledge and awareness with your body for quick progression. Barbara explains what happens with your body and relates it to everyday life so you can improve even when you’re not on the mat – helping me with my fashion injury from a too big handbag!” Tracy, Southampton
“Got back into yoga after a long time and the beginner course run by Barbara helped me getting there at the right pace while understanding the poses and their meaning. I enjoy Barbara’s teaching, she is very knowledgeable but also very supportive and always open to questions and clarifications.” Roberta, lecturer, Bitterne Park
“I signed up for this yoga course for beginners because I really wanted to learn the foundations of yoga. I wasn’t disappointed! This isn’t just a rock up and pose class. Week by week Barbara takes you step by step through different poses, ensuring you have the correct form and understand the benefit of each one.
My class had a varied mix of ages and fitness, but Barbara showed us how to adjust the poses depending on our own flexibility and we all quickly saw how easily we could progress! Barbara’s commitment to your learning doesn’t just stop with each class, she actively encourages this by supplying homework. Each week you are given informative sheets which show each pose you have covered that session, something I found very helpful. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Brave Bodies classes and think Barbara is a walking advocate for how yoga can benefit your life!” Nicky, business owner, Southampton
“I recently completed Barbara’s beginners course and loved it as a way back into yoga after a 5 year break. I learnt a lot I didn’t know about muscles and what they all do and really enjoyed Barbara’s friendly approach.” Amy, Southampton
IF YOU AREN’T ABLE TO ENROL ON A COURSE AT THIS TIME BUT WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE UPDATES AND NEWS FROM ME, YOU CAN LIKE BraveBodies ON FACEBOOK OR SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER AT THE TOP RIGHT CORNER OF THIS PAGE!
I look forward to meeting you!
Stay brave,
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