Hi, I'm Nikki
Your Serenity Flow Yoga
Teacher
RYT-200 Yoga Alliance Professionals UK certified yoga teacher
I began practising yoga in 2010 to try to counteract repetitive movements in cycling and corporate life spent hunched over a desk or travelling for hours. I soon became aware of the more unexpected physical and mental benefits that yoga introduced and realised it had become my crutch and stability through life's challenges; I was hooked and was keen to explore this connection further! This lead me to undertake my RYT-200 teacher training and subsequently wanting to share what I'd learnt with others through Serenity Flow Yoga.
My approach is welcoming, lighthearted and supportive with an emphasis on safe, steady and strengthening classes designed to keep the body moving fluidly and to complement other lifestyle activities and sports. I love exploring different styles of yoga and using props to allow all bodies and abilities to enjoy their time on the mat and experience the many benefits of yoga themselves.
Benefits of yoga
- Increases strength, balance and flexibility
- Focuses and calms the mind
- Increases respiratory efficiency
- Reduces stress responses
- Promotes inner peace and awareness
Yoga has been practised for thousands of years with many different styles and approaches over this time. The traditional purpose of the physical practise of yoga (asana) was to prepare the body for long periods of meditation, and evolved with the quest to prolog life and attain liberation, enlightenment and self-realisation. Nowadays, yoga asana is practised as one eighth of the Eight Limbs of Yoga (Patanjali) to balance the mind, body and breath for optimum wellbeing.
Essentially, modern yoga practices provide a method to develop strength, flexibility and stamina in the body, as well as increase focus and control of the mind and breath. Practising yoga allows us to utilise and balance our energy channels, helping to energise us when we’re feeling lethargic or allowing us to rest and relax when we’re in need of calming. This in turn can help to lower stress levels and promote greater feelings of wellbeing.
Movement benefits our bodies in many ways, including stimulating our circulatory, respiratory, lymphatic and nervous systems, lubricating the joints, toning muscles and keeping everything flowing to efficiently circulate blood, oxygen and nutrients around the body, as well as eliminate toxic waste. Even a short regular yoga practise will return many benefits.
Styles of yoga
