Soulful Yoga & Social
Movement, breath and community. A Hatha Yoga class followed by tea, cake, and unhurried conversation.
The midweek Soulful Yoga & Social class is designed to suit any body. The practice blends slow, gentle movement with breathwork and meditation, building strength, flexibility, balance and a settled kind of relaxation, and is offered with personalised modifications, so every student works at the right level for the day they’re in. Beginners are welcome alongside those who have practised for years.
The class is held at The Painted Barn Studio: a beautifully-converted barn on the edge of Barnham Broom, warm underfoot thanks to underfloor heating, with high rafters and big windows that fill the space with light. It is one of the most atmospheric rooms I teach in, and the venue itself does a great deal of the work of slowing the morning down.
What makes this class distinctive is what happens afterwards. Everyone is invited to join Ania at the café for a cuppa and unhurried conversation. The connection beyond the mat is part of the practice, most students stay for at least a cup of tea, and many for the full conversation that follows. For anyone newly arrived in the area, or simply looking for a quieter pause in good company, it is one of the easiest ways into a real community.
All mats, bolsters, cushions, blocks and straps are provided. The classes are popular, so booking in advance is recommended.
Benefits
- Regular movement that supports long-term mobility and strength
- Genuine belonging, an antidote to the loneliness that often arrives with midlife and retirement
- Nervous system regulation through slow yoga and warm human company
- A beautiful afternoon out in the Norfolk countryside
- A reliable rhythm for self-care: something in the diary that actually happens
Who it’s for
- Women who have more time in their week and want to use some of it well
- Anyone going through a life transition: empty nest, retirement, divorce, bereavement
- Those who find traditional yoga classes too impersonal
- Newcomers to the area looking for community
- Anyone who enjoys good energy and good company
Common reasons students come
What to expect
The session opens with a Hatha Yoga class, a slow, breath-led warm-up moving through supported standing and seated postures, and closing with a long restorative rest. Once everyone is up and gathered, the class spills over into the café, a beautiful setting that serves great tea, coffee, cakes and more, for unhurried conversation and good company. People stay as long as they like, usually for about an hour. Many of the friendships that find their way through this class are made over the second cup of tea.
Venues offering Soulful Yoga & Social
Offered at one venue.
Questions about Soulful Yoga & Social
Do I have to stay for the social part?
Is it women-only?
I don’t know anyone. Will I feel out of place?
Where exactly is The Painted Barn?
What is available in the café?
On Soulful Yoga & Social
"The Women’s Circle is a gift. A safe, unhurried space where you can just be, no pressure to perform, no pressure to share. I leave feeling lighter every time."
"Soulful Yoga & Social at The Painted Barn is a wonderful morning. The barn itself is beautiful, the yoga is slow and nourishing, and the tea and cake afterwards give you a chance to sit and actually talk. I leave feeling calm, stretched and connected. Highly recommended."
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Ready to try Soulful Yoga & Social?
Your first session is unhurried. Tell Ania where you’d like to practise and she’ll take care of the rest.