Farmside Yoga in Sidcup Why practicing yoga is something that we should all try.
As promised, we’re offering more wellness events at Beck Evans Farm, and yoga in Sidcup is coming your way! What better way to explore the real physical and mental health benefits of practising and connecting with nature than a zen, outdoor yoga class? We’re heading into summer, and yoga on the farm might be all that we need!
Read on to hear from Mandy, a yoga teacher coming to Beck Evans Farm for your next day out in Kent! And be sure to grab your pre- and post-class fuel at Penelope’s farm shop and farm restaurant!
Tune In and Connect With Nature
We’ve all heard of yoga, or have maybe even tried a few poses, but what we might not know is this form of activity is a historical and sacred practice.
The word ‘Yoga’ translates as ‘yoke’ or ‘union’, encapsulating the core principle of yoga as a means of unifying:
– The mind and body
– Breath and energy
– Soul and body
Spiritual enlightenment is thought to be achieved once one unifies each of these things.
Yogi’s (a person who practices yoga) has been around for over 5,000 years, where the origin of yoga can be traced back to Northern India. It is believed it was first explored in ancient sacred texts, known as the Rig Veda, where the Vedas are a set of four ancient, sacred texts written in Sanskrit. It wasn’t until the 1800s when the West became more familiar with yoga as we know it today.
Yoga has been known to improve strength, balance and flexibility. Techniques through slow movements and deep breathing help increase blood flow and warm up our muscles, and through holding these poses, is what builds our strength.
Outdoor Yoga in Sidcup, Kent
Mandy Abbott is heading to Beck Evans Farm to share outdoor yoga in Kent and we thought it would be good to get to know her and hear how she fell into teaching yoga.
How long have you been teaching yoga for and how did you fall into it?
I have been teaching yoga for 20 years and came to yoga 30 years ago when my first child was one year old. I felt instantly at home and had a couple of years of practising before I embarked on Teacher training with the British Wheel of Yoga.
What type of yoga do you teach?
I teach Hatha Yoga, but I have been influenced by many styles and practice Ashtanga as a home practice.
What benefits does yoga have for the mind and soul?
There are so many benefits — it’s like medicine and keeps the body strong and flexible, nourishing the inside too. It helps the nervous system as you connect with the breath, and I believe it opens your heart wide so you feel connected and at peace more easily.
What has yoga done for you as a person?
Yoga has helped me in so many ways over the years. It’s kept me grounded in turbulent times, strong, fit and able to move with any changes in my life. It’s my constant “go-to” and has so many layers; it really is like a toolbox.
It makes me feel happy and ultimately when asked in my Teacher training, “why do you want to become a yoga teacher”? I replied, “I want to help make people feel like I do”… That remains the reason I teach today.
What advice would you give to someone looking at starting yoga?
I would say to anyone looking to start yoga, take your time and know it all comes in layers; it will make you feel better in so many ways, body, mind, breath, energy, and lots of people say it also helps with stress and sleep. It’s an ancient practice.
Spend tranquil time outside with mother nature for £10 per drop-in class! Please bring your own mat and, please note that classes are weather-permitting.
Outside yoga class dates:
Sunday 25th June – 9:30 – 10:45 AM
Sunday 30th July – 9:30 – 10:45 AM
Sunday 27th August – 9:30 – 10:45 AM
We’re so excited and grateful that Mandy will be able to offer her yoga classes here at Beck Evans Farm in Sidcup, Kent! Learn more about Mandy and her offerings here.