I help busy, exhausted time-poor grown ups start and maintain a yoga practice that works for them.
Delivering straight forward instructions as guides with humility and care.
Using my knowledge and experience to guide you to a better understanding of your health and well being through accessible yoga.
Gentle Mindful classes - online and in person, video content, retreats and workshops.
ETHOS
My aim is simply to share this practice as a means to realise the ultimate potential in all of us. To integrate mind, body and soul on and off the mat. To live fully, holistically and happily. Classes are crafted with a meditative feel, through movements of the body - asana (poses) and the subsequent releasing of tension and stress through the breath. Instructions are guides towards an experience rather than a goal - authentic and heart centred. Weaving some anatomy and philosophy throughout - pointing towards the deeper aspects of our being.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
I discovered my own practice through various styles of yoga including Astanga Vinyasa, Hatha, Iyengar and Hot Yoga, before finally finding the Vajrasati School set up by Jim Tarran in 2000. The combination of yoga philosophy and embodied practices such as meditation, mantra and pranayama gave me access to the depth I was looking for.
After being a student for 18 years I went on to complete my 500hr Yoga Alliance Teacher Training.
Rest in the Senses - Monthly Workshops with Donna Raftery - starting in March 2022
Friday 25th March
Sound Focus
Times
2pm - 4.30pm
£30 per person
Starting with Resting in Sound - an opportunity to meet the body and mind fully as it is with an emphasis on sound, vibration, listening and silence.
Settle movements in the mind to find stillness beyond the pull of the world. Reset to a calmer state. Re-callibrate your connection with the senses and recall the sensation of contentment.
Friday 29th April Sight Focus
Times
2pm - 4.30pm
£30 per person
With an emphasis on the eyes, vision, visualisation, meditation with eyes open and deep rest of the eyes, this workshop Rest in Sight is an opportunity to meet the mind and body fully. Finishing with yoga nidra, reiki infused Savasana.
Friday 20th May Touch Focus
Times
2pm - 4.30pm
£30 per person
This Workshop will focus on the sensation of Touch - an opportunity to reconnect with the importance of touch, with an emphasis on the hands, self massage, optional physical assists, full rest and release of the physical body with reiki infused Savasana.
Friday 10th June
Scent Focus
Times
2pm - 4.30pm
£30 per person
An opportunity to explore the wonderful world of smell - expect olfactory delights throughout the yoga practices - prepare to be transported by this powerful sense - with practices including enhanced nasal breathing, visualisation inspired by scent - followed by full rest and release of the physical body with reiki infused Savasana.
Friday 8th July
Taste Focus
Times
2pm - 4.30pm
£30 per person
In this Workshop explore the evocative world of taste - expect vegan delights to transport your connection with taste buds - do we really taste when we eat? With integrated practices including visualisation inspired by taste - followed by full rest and release of the physical body with yoga nidra finishing with reiki infused Savasana. (Any specific dietary needs please mention when booking)
Feel into the body through gentle movement
Make conscious connection to the breath
Tune into the depth and experience of letting go
Settle movements in the mind to find stillness beyond the pull of the world
Reset to a calmer state
Re-callibrate your connection with the senses
Recall the sensation of contentment
Reconnect with the bliss which is your natural state
Saturday 5th March 2022
TIMES AND SCHEDULE
8.30am - 9.30am Meet / Durga / Meditate offline practices - journal and reflect on blocks, connecting with the belly
12pm - 1pm Yoga practices - stir the energy, waking the tiger
3pm - 4pm Chanting and discussion
6pm - 7pm Gather for closing ceremony
EVENT PRICE £44Book
This Live Online Retreat will be a combination of presentation, discussion and practices in a group and some practices offline (to avoid Zoom fatigue).
Meet Durga (then embody her goddess energy)
Meditation
Chanting
Yoga asana practice
Pranayama
Journalling
Discussion and sharing
Learn how to work with the divine energy of the Goddess and her Tiger ‘vahana’
Feel empowered to take action with potent’ rajas’ energy
Embody Durga for personal strength, protection and transformation
Overcome old patterns and fear but working with ‘fire’ energy to burn and clear away
Transform your connection with the ‘manipura’ centre ‘trusting your gut’
Practice incorporating ‘tapas’ in your yoga practice (burning off impurities, austerity)
Make shifts and take action
Channel activity from busy and scattered to deliberate and focused
Deepen your knowledge of Durga and how to harness the shakti power
BONUS
Private Facebook Group -
Women of Wisdom - join our growing community to stay connected and share throughout the day and post-event.
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
You can now leave a Review on Google - I would really appreciate this! It helps others find and access the teaching I offer. Thank you.
Each week I will send you 3 things - bitesize morsels to enjoy, practice and mull over.
My weekly newsletter offering free content, video practices, audio meditations and much more. Sharing knowledge to inform and uplift even the most reluctant yogi!
I hope you like it - as always I really do welcome your feedback and interaction particularly if something is useful and worthwhile.
None of us are time-rich are we? So I will ensure each week to deliver content of value and occasional wisdom - from my heart to yours.
Elena Jessup and I have loved sharing the wisdom and practices of yoga, chanting and meditation with you over the last 18 months.
We have put together a sacred space celebrating Women of Wisdom - we do hope you will join us there.
A place to stay connected and share our practices, wisdom and community.
Here we will offer free content and LIVE practices plus news of our next events - both online and hopefully in person!
donnaramayoga
