Introduction to Yoga at Middleton Lodge Estate

Can you tell us about your background and approach to yoga?

I’m Annabelle or ‘Bells’, founder of Yoga with Bells, the resident yoga teacher here at Middleton Lodge. Before moving back to North Yorkshire earlier this year, I was teaching full time in London. Generally speaking, I teach classes that are strong, steady and mindful. I endeavour to create and hold space for you to meet yourself where you’re at each time you step on your mat, and I’ll meet you there too. I will encourage you to practise mindfully and connect with the subtle signals your body gives you to be fully present with yourself. I hope to remind clients that yoga isn’t just about the physical asana (poses); this is merely just the start. It isn’t about flexibility or the ability to touch your toes. It is about connecting with our inner being; beginning the journey towards finding our true self, and a more harmonious and fulfilling life. I now have 355 hours of certified training in various disciplines, and teach Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Hatha, Prenatal, Postnatal, Baby Yoga and Baby Massage, and I’m about to embark on my 300-hour advanced yoga teacher training.

 What inspired you to become a yoga instructor? 

I spent the majority of my late teens and twenties struggling with my mental health and found little that helped me find space and quiet for my mind until I walked into my first yoga class. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t easy to find presence on the mat with a severely anxious mind, especially in the early years of my asana practice, but coming from a performing background, I found a much needed sense of grounding and stability on my mat that was lacking in my career; it became a constant that always had my back and in time, I started to find more space in my mind and was able to start carrying that with me off the mat. I wanted to be able to give that to other people; share the gifts that the practice had given me. Over the years I’ve seen first-hand how life-changing this beautiful practice can be. 

What makes yoga at Middleton Lodge unique?

The setting is what makes yoga at Middleton Lodge unique. Quieting the mind and finding presence on the mat can be one of the most challenging parts of the practice, especially with the pace of modern life, so being surrounded by nature and the sounds of running water in the spa, and seeing the tranquil view outside of the Thermal spa, really helps us when tapping into the senses and landing in the present moment so we can connect with the subtle signals of the body.

What are some of the key benefits of attending your yoga sessions at Middleton Lodge Estate?

Yoga can enrich your life in so many ways. A few key benefits of attending my sessions regularly would be:

• Release physical and emotional tension
• Build mental, emotional and physical awareness
• Relax the nervous system

How can regular yoga practice improve physical and mental well-being?

Regular practice can boost both your physical and mental well-being in numerous ways. A few of these include:

• Improves sleep
• Improves your strength, balance and flexibility whilst improving posture
• Reduces stress and boost your mood

Are there specific benefits that participants might experience after their first few sessions?

Like anything, benefits and changes can take time, and the more frequent a regular practice becomes, the more benefits you will feel and sustain. After the first few sessions. you may start to notice more energy, focus and alertness throughout the day following the practice and you may feel more relaxed and calm, even in stressful situations. Many clients often report feeling more enthusiastic about the day ahead following an early morning practice. 

What can participants expect to feel during and after a typical yoga session with you?

Every individual’s experience will be different, but generally, in our class, I hope you will feel welcome, calm and peaceful; you may sometimes feel emotions bubble up to the surface, which is completely normal, and you will likely feel a sense of focus throughout the class. Afterwards, I hope you will leave feeling grounded but energised and more connected as you move through your day. But I’d also encourage you to let go of expectations here; everyone is different, every day is different. Sometimes I step on my mat and feel restless and frustrated, at other times I feel light and focused, and sometimes it is somewhere in between.

How do you create a welcoming and supportive environment for newcomers who might feel intimidated by yoga?

I will always open an Asana class with a grounding meditation to encourage individuals to check in with themselves and where they’re at today. The practice isn’t about getting into every pose perfectly and as we warm up the body, I’ll remind them to explore poses, have a wiggle about in them, get to know the body there in that moment. I hope this helps to reinforce that it isn’t about the aesthetic of the poses I’m offering and getting it right.

The most important thing is to listen to your body, honour your own experience, and practice with mindfulness and self-compassion. Regardless of your experience, if your energy level is low and you just know you need to lie flat on your back in Savasana or in Child’s pose for the whole class, honour your body and energy, give it what it needs – that is yoga. That connectedness is a big part of the practice. It’s not about following the sequence I’m guiding you through or perfecting a pose. I would also tell newcomers to just take it in their stride, and not to be put off by pose names or Sanskrit. After your first few sessions, you will start to become more familiar with them.

Can you explain what “Hatha Yoga” is and what participants can expect from a Hatha yoga session?

Hatha is a very big umbrella that can encompass any physical style of yoga; most contemporary, physical styles of yoga are derived from Hatha. However, a Hatha class is typically a steady exploration of yoga postures, breathwork and meditation. Hatha is a foundational style of yoga that complements and enriches other types of yoga. It’s great for beginners and a wonderful practice to return to again and again to develop your practice, no matter your experience level. Unlike Vinyasa, the emphasis in Hatha is on individual postures rather than flow, which makes Hatha a good place to work on alignment and observe how your body reacts to longer hold times. 

What is “Vinyasa Yoga,” and how does it differ from other types of yoga practices?

This is often a more dynamic practice, where we link breath with movement. You will move through a sequence of asanas, at times in a continuous flow of one breath one movement, whilst other times pausing for a few breaths in a posture.  A Vinyasa Flow is a very open practice. As instructors, we can be creative as there is no set sequence, so the style, pace and intensity will all vary depending on the teacher.

Are there unique benefits to practicing Vinyasa Yoga compared to other styles?

Ujjayi pranayama is often guided in Vinyasa, and this is a type of breathwork that helps regulate the breath and build heat in the body from the inside out. You’ll sometimes hear it referred to as the Victorious or Oceanic breath. It is an audible cycle of inhalation and exhalation, uninterrupted, and so provides you with an anchor for your awareness. On the physical side, the continual movements, from one pose to another, do give you an added cardiovascular benefit creating internal heat and increasing the heart rate. 

 How do you structure your yoga sessions to accommodate different skill levels and abilities?

I will offer different options for different abilities, body type, energy level, injuries or health issues. I will always articulate that everything is optional and an offering for you to explore, and if it is not right for you that day, then that is ok. You can skip it, take a Child’s pose or do what it is you need to do.

What advice would you give to someone who is completely new to yoga and considering joining your classes?

Come with an open mind and no expectations. One of the Yamas in yogic philosophy is Aparigraha – the practice of non-attachment and so starting your asana practice and coming to a class, without attaching yourself to the results you expect, means you’re already practising yoga!

Are your sessions designed to cater to specific needs, such as stress relief, flexibility, or strength building?

I would hope in any of the sessions I guide, you’d feel these benefits and shifts for your body and mind. Especially if you embark on a regular practice with me.

Is there anything else you would like to share with potential participants or the broader community about the benefits of yoga and your approach to teaching?

Just to remind anyone that the movement and asana (poses) that we in the West generally associate with ‘yoga’, are actually just a tiny part of yoga practice and they’re one of many practices that are traditionally used to prepare us to sit in meditation. Yoga is an ancient, spiritual practice; it is a journey and a way of living, that at the very least is going to help you get to know yourself that little bit better.

Visit our events page to book your space on our yoga schedule.