Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is the root of nearly every modern yoga style, and at Blossom Yoga it is taught in its classical form. Each class opens with a short centring practice to arrive in the room, followed by gentle warm-ups, a sequence of standing and seated postures held for several breaths each, and closes with a restorative savasana. The focus is on alignment, breath and awareness, not on achieving advanced shapes. Over weeks and months students find their hips release, their backs feel supported, their breath lengthens and their minds settle.

The character of the class shifts a little across the week. All classes welcome beginners, who are gently held through the first few weeks, but the rhythm differs. The evening sessions at Barnham Broom, Sprowston and Cringleford have a slightly more challenging intensity: held poses are a touch more demanding, the warm-up moves at a steadier pace, and the room tends to carry a little more energy. The Thursday morning class at Garvestone & Thuxton Village Hall sits at the other end of the spectrum, the gentlest pace I teach, with a long-standing, settled community of regulars who have practised together for years. Every class is suitable for beginners, though, so pick the one that fits the shape of your week.

Ania’s teaching is rooted in a deep study of traditional Hatha Yoga and in two decades of adjusting the practice for real bodies. Poses are offered with multiple variations so you can match the work to your day: softer on a tired evening, more active when you have energy. Props are always available and students are encouraged to use them freely.

Classes are limited to 16 students, which means you will be seen and adjusted when helpful. Many students have practised with me for years; new students are welcomed at any time and given a short orientation before their first session. There is no shame in not knowing the Sanskrit names, no expectation to keep up, and no silent competition at the front of the room.

Hatha Yoga is particularly well suited to men and women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond (the demographic I most often teach) because it builds the kind of strength and mobility that matter: steady hips, a resilient back, a breath you can rely on when life is loud. It is also the foundation I recommend for anyone new to yoga.