calm mind, healthy body, happy life
About Me
I am a qualified yoga and meditation teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) www.bwy.org.uk . I completed the 4 year BWY Teaching Diploma (including the foundation year) in 2004 & the BWY Post-Graduate Meditation & Personal Development qualification Level 1 and 2 in 2011/12. I am a fully insured teaching member of the BWY. (copy of liability insurance policy is available upon request)I have been teaching weekly mixed ability adult classes and one-to-one sessions in Bedford since 2002. Clients are individuals from all walks of life and professions including people managing specific debilitating health conditions, everyday general stress and anxiety.I practice mindfulness yoga and meditation on a regular basis. This practice supports and prepares me for the ups and downs of everyday life and relationships and helps me to stay open to the moment with increasing courage and patience. I feel fortunate to be able to share my own experiences and support others to investigate the practice and resulting effects for themselves.I continue to study the Mahamudra tradition of meditation which incorporates the practices of shamata (mind calming) and vipashyana (wisdom/insight) under the experienced guidance of my teacher; Maarten Vermasse, BWY Diploma and specialist module course tutor and founder of the Mahasiddha Yoga Group in Oxford.In 2008, I began working voluntarily for the BWY as the County Representative for Bedfordshire www.yoga-east.co.uk. This role included looking after the needs of county members and teachers, organising training days and being a member of the Regional Committee playing an active role in the development of the BWY Eastern Region. I handed over the role in 2012.I grew up in Bedford watching my inspirational Anglo-Indian mother doing headstands and encouraging us to join in! I did not connect what she did with yoga until I started going to classes in the early nineties. The weekly class became a haven from my every day stresses.Over the years I have practised many different styles of yoga and have been influenced, inspired and supported by some very special teachers including; Maarten Vermaase, Peter Blackaby, John Stirk, and David Sye. I am extremely fortunate and grateful to all of my teachers including my husband, two daughters and close friends.
Classes
I teach a range of class sizes and styles, all taught in my bespoke built garden studio:
Weekly group classes
Regular specialised workshops
In addition to the classes held in my Bedford studio, I organise and teach residential retreats at home and abroad
I also teach one-to-one sessions for:
Bespoke personal development
Stress and anxiety management
Aiding sleep issues
Trauma recovery
Meditation, practice and theory
Breathwork
Managing an over-thinking, over-active mind
For further details or to contact me to arrange a friendly chat about your particular requirements, please drop me a line using the Contact page
Meditation
I teach basic sitting meditation, called ‘Shamata’ (see tradition section below for more details) or ‘mind calming’, in the Halcyon Yoga studio, based in Bedford.Shamata is a state of being aware of our present reality without judgement of ourselves or our experience. In this respect it is similar to the way very young children experience life; free from the attachment of importance to desired outcomes and expectations.Meditation practice allows us the opportunity to connect with and ultimately to accept the present moment exactly as it is. During the practice we do not need to change anything, improve upon anything, analyse or be afraid. This can feel deeply relaxing and peaceful.We begin by sitting quietly and noticing what we can sense, we usually start with our breathing. We need to ‘train’ our minds to rest in awareness, as initially we are constantly distracted by becoming caught up in the story line of our mind chatter. There are many different mind training practices to try and choose from. These are best approached in progressive stages and taught by a qualified meditation teacher.Ultimately, when our reactions have calmed down and we are able to sit for prolonged periods in a state of shamata or calm-abiding we can begin to observe our minds and start our investigations (called ‘Vipashyana’ – see tradition section for more details).The state of shamata is a fine balance between mental alertness and a sense of deep relaxation.We all have the same potential mediate, i.e. to re-connect with our natural state of peace and equanimity.It is a simple concept but is challenging to master. It requires patience, practice and perseverance!
Reviews and Testimonials
I have taught literally hundreds of students over the past 2 decades.Here is a selection of reviews and testimonials from some of these special people.
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8 Years of Yoga
I just wanted to say thank you so much for another fabulous term; I’m not sure what I’d do without your teaching and guidance. You are a very special person with outstanding teaching abilities and I am so lucky to have found you all those years ago.
- Jo
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Rejuvenating Retreat
My retreat experience was one of renewal. I came away feeling calmer and more relaxed as well as feeling energised and ready to pick up my activity levels with enthusiasm. The transition from the retreat back to the "real world" was particularly well handled. The retreat group was nurturing and mutually supportive but not earnest and we had plenty of laughter.
- Delia
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Creating Calm
Attending Jacquelyn's courses are far more than just attending yoga classes; she provides you with a 'toolkit' that you can use to create little oases of peace and calm within yourself in all aspects of your daily life. It's like giving your mind a little holiday whenever you need it! Furthermore, the sessions themselves are an absolute joy and I can honestly say that every single session ends with me feeling better than when I started.
- Caroline
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Anxiety Management
I had a 1-2-1 session with Jacquelyn at a particularly stressful time just before sitting the final oral exam of my degree. She created a very peaceful, calm space where I felt particularly held and relaxed during the deep breathing and visualization exercises.Jacquelyn has a particularly calm and warm presence, and I found her 1-2-1 session extremely supportive, to the extent that when I sat my exam, I felt calm, focused and grounded. I would highly recommend her.
- Carol
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Space for unwinding
Jacquelyn’s yoga classes in her lovely garden room provide a haven in the stress of everyday life. She guides you through techniques to explore breathing, postures and the stages of meditation leaving you feeling revitalised and free of tension. She has a very relaxed and playful approach so her lessons are always fun and enjoyable, whether you’ve been practising for years or are a newcomer to yoga.
- Emma
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Superb Yoga Space
Jacquelyn has the most beautiful yoga studio with a lovely garden view which gives the whole practice a unique quality and much preferable to an enclosed studio. Her classes are warm enlightening and hugely supportive. Anyone that is a little nervous as a beginner should have no qualms and experienced yogis will enjoy the wonderful feeling of peace and togetherness. (Parking is an added bonus!)
Definitely highly recommend Halcyon Yoga
- Lynne
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Yoga Classes
Have just completed second term of yoga classes with Jacquelyn and have felt the benefits both physically and mentally. Learnt new techniques and ways of practice even though I have attended yoga classes for a few years so glad to have found a proper yoga approach. Excellent studio as well and very friendly group.
- Lucy
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Termly Yoga Tuition
I've just finished the first term of yoga with Jacquelyn. I'm sure it won't be my last! I learned much about breathing and being in touch with my body and what it's telling me, but the main (and unexpected) benefit was to realise just how much tension my body holds when I think I'm relaxing... in 7 short weeks I've lost a lot of tension I didn't know I had, I've become more supple and am comfortable mentally and physically. It's a beautiful feeling, and one I'm very keen to get more of!
- Shirley
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Weekend Yoga & Meditation Retreat
I found the retreat in Kingham a perfect way to ‘Spring Clean’ my mind and body. The cottage and its facilities were a real treat, Jacquelyn and her daughter Imogen prepared delicious home cooked meals and the yoga was just what I needed. I want to hang on to the feeling of those ‘halcyon days’,
Thank you Jacquelyn
- Jenny
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