Ashleigh MayesYoga in Bishop's Stortford

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Ashleigh MayesYoga in Bishop's Stortford

Please get in touch if you have an enquiry – I’d be happy to help in any way I can.

There are plenty of ways to contact me. For quick responses, email ashleighmayes@hotmail.com or message me on Instagram or Facebook.

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ash_tangayoga

Everyone’s favourite party trick 🔥 We’ll b

Everyone’s favourite party trick 🔥

We’ll be sliding into some kind of splits this week. Eye watering stuff 👁️ 🤸‍♀️

Pop me a message if you’d like to join an online or in-person class. Beginners are more than welcome 💙
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#bishopsstortford #bishopsstortfordfitness #hertfordshire #hertsandessex #yogacommunity #ukyoga #yogauk #yogachallenge #flexibilitytraining #splits #splitstraining #splitsprogress #yogafitness #yogafit #yogafun #fitfamuk #ukfitness #lowerbodyworkout #yogatime #yogapractice #yogalife #mentalhealthadvocate #yogaforflexibility #yogastretches #hamstringstretch #practiceyoga #moveyourbody #healthymind #mindovermatter #mindset

A truly spectacular stay in Norfolk and Suffolk.

A truly spectacular stay in Norfolk and Suffolk.

We consumed way too much beer and cheese, and watched the most gorgeous moon rises 🌕

We woke up early to chase (mostly unsuccessfully) woodpeckers, tits and finches 🐦

We saw and snapped plenty of firsts, including Tyler’s favourite - the goldcrest.

Until next time 💙

This stung a little 😬 . . . . . #splits #splits

This stung a little 😬
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#splits #splitstraining #splitsprogress #splitschallenge #middesplits #yogachallenge #flexibilitytraining #flexibilitygoals #flexibilityprogress #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #yogachallenge #yogapractice #yogaforflexibility #ukyoga #yogauk #fitnessuk #ukfitness #fitfamuk #girlswhoworkout #yogastudent #yogateacher #yogaclass #bishopsstortford #hertfordshire

This one’s a real test of ankle strength and hip

This one’s a real test of ankle strength and hip flexibility 🦶🔥

It might look silly, but it’s a fantastic way to prepare the feet for some of the trickier transitions in yoga:
➡️ Rolling from a cross-legged seated position into all fours, plank or downward dog
➡️ Jumping from downward dog, through the arms, to a seated position
➡️ Standing up from a cross-legged position without using the hands

It also teaches us to keep the ankle/foot active in precarious postures like pigeon and half lotus – it’s easier to twist and torque floppy, flimsy feet. Give it a go and play safe ✨
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#anklestrength #ankleworkout #ankleexercises #anklemobility #hipflexbility #baddhakonasana #boundanglepose #yogachallenge #yogaforstrength #yogafun #yogagirl #yogafitness #yogafit #yogapractice #ukyoga #yogauk #fitfamuk #ukfitness #bishopsstortford #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #yogavideo #lowerbodyworkout #hipmobility #movementismedicine #fitnessfun #hertfordshire #hertsandessex #yogaclass #yogaforhips

I’m having such a good time with these 😂 Ano

I’m having such a good time with these 😂

Another little mobility challenge we’ll be visiting this weekend 🧘‍♀️
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#mobilitytraining #mobilitytraining #mobilityexercises #mobilityflow #mobilitychallenge #yogafun #hipworkout #hipexercises #hipmobility #yogaclass #yogachallenge #yogamotivation #yogauk #ukyoga #yogatime #bishopsstortford #hertfordshire #hertsandessex #yogalover #ukfitness #fitnessuk #fitnesschallenge #yogafitness #yogaforhips #yogapractice #movementismedicine #flexibilitytraining #practiceyoga #fitnessfun #yogalifestyle

You know I love a good old-fashioned mobility chal

You know I love a good old-fashioned mobility challenge. Seen this one doing the rounds and it fits in perfectly with this week’s theme - malasana 😍

We’ll be breaking it down in this week’s classes and seeing how low we can go 🍑🔥
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#mobilitychallenge #mobilitytraining #mobilityexercises #malasana #yogasquats #ukyoga #yogauk #bishopsstortford #yogaclass #yogateacher #hertsandessex #yogachallenge #functionalmovement #yogadrills #flexibilitydrills #yogamotivation #yogapractice #ukfitness #fitnessuk #yogateacher #yogavideo #fitnesschallenge #flexibilitychallenge #hertfordshire #yogalover #lowerbodyworkout #hipmobility #lowerbodystrength #pistolsquat #quadburn

Pincha took me forever to learn, but I really enjo

Pincha took me forever to learn, but I really enjoyed the journey – a million dolphins later, I’m balancing on my forearms every chance I get 🐬🙃

I started to see real progress when I ditched dogma and deadlines. I explored different hand positions, and the wall became my best friend. My mantra became (and still is) “soft body over stiff mind” – when you approach postures with a little more sukha (ease), amazing things start to happen.

There are so many instances in everyday life where we have to force ourselves to do things we might not want to do. We all have obligations, and staying committed and disciplined is important.

Nevertheless, yoga shouldn’t be another to-do on a long list of to-dos. Desperately striving for postures, beating yourself up and leading with single-mindedness over curiosity actually impinges progress – not to mention our enjoyment of the practice.

Having goals is brilliant, but see what happens when you hold onto them loosely – you invite more freedom into the process.

Freedom to explore.
Freedom to play.
Freedom to make mistakes.
Freedom to change course.
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#forearmstand #forearmbalance #pincha #pinchamayurasana #pinchapractice #pinchaplay #inversion #inversionpractice #yogafun #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #yogalifestyle #yogastudent #yogateacher #bishopsstortford #hertfordshire #ukyoga #yogafitness #ukfitness #fitfamuk #yogauk #yogafit #yogapractice #shoulderworkout #upperbodystrength #yogaforstrength #mindfulmovement #mindfulnesspractice #mindsetiskey #hertsandessex

I'm not particularly interested in writing down al

I'm not particularly interested in writing down all the ways in which I can help you – not because I don't value my skills as a yoga teacher, but because I prefer to lead by example.

I've used yoga to heal my relationship with my body, ending a half-decade battle with food disorders and bulimia.

I turned to yoga after my dad's death – I'm an expert on modifying the practice to accommodate a grieving body.

Throughout illnesses, redundancies, financial difficulties, relationship break-ups and a global pandemic to boot, I've drawn strength from my practice – it continues to grow and evolve with me 🌱

I know what yoga can do for people, but we writers live by "show, don't tell". That's why I'll never ask you to do something I wouldn't do myself, and I practise all my classes before teaching them.

It's why I'm committed to walking alongside you and helping you find a way of moving that's nourishing, not punishing.

I understand how it feels to be anxious and disconnected, which is why my classes prioritise confidence-building, curiosity and having fun – without expectations. Of course, yoga is serious stuff, but we don't take ourselves too seriously 😝

If you're a little nervous about starting yoga, you're always welcome in my classes. DM me for more information – I also teach one-to-one lessons, subject to availability.
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#pincha #pinchamayurasana #forearmstand #forearmbalance #pinchapractice #bishopsstortford #stortford #hertfordshireyoga #essexyoga #hertfordshire #essex #yogafitness #yogafit #yogaformentalhealth #yogaforanxiety #yogaclass #yogaheals #inversion #inversionpractice #yogaforstrength

A few conscious breaths go a long way toward reduc

A few conscious breaths go a long way toward reducing anxiety. Plus, it's a little easier than standing on your head 🧘‍♀️🫁

I use a ratioed breath in times of stress – usually a 4-6 split (inhale for 4 and exhale for 6). This method is also a beginner-friendly introduction to pranayama, easily modified for those with breathing difficulties.

So, imagine my delight when I found a simple and beautifully executed app that makes focused breathing even simpler – @thebreathingapp. If you're struggling with flighty thoughts and feelings of dread, I seriously recommend giving it a go.
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#pranayama #breathcontrol #mindfulness #mindfulnesspractice #mindfulnessmeditation #yogastudent #sirsasana #headstandpractice #inversionpractice #mindbodyspirit #wellbeingtools #mentalhealthtools #mentalhealthawareness #healthymind #yogaformentalhealth #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #headstandpose #yogafun #pranayamabreathing

Dad died in debt and didn't have much to leave, be

Dad died in debt and didn't have much to leave, besides a few personal belongings and a dodgy van that probably wasn't road legal. We shared out his clothes, shoes and books – all desperate to hold onto a little something of him.

I took his binoculars, which were my granddad's before that, and a bottle of aftershave that I think is slowly evaporating. In the days, weeks and months after his death, I used both to manage my grief.

Everyone feels and reacts differently when they lose someone. Many friends and family took comfort in spirituality, but I couldn't stomach platitudes about him "always being with me". It took me a while to find a way to remember him that felt authentic, and that's how we ended up birdwatching.

Dad loved all wildlife. I remember him sitting in the garden, looking out for circling buzzards, and talking about what birds of prey he'd seen that week. We were equally excited when a sparrowhawk landed on my fencepost and gobbled up an unsuspecting sparrow, bones and all. He was rarely peaceful, but he seemed most content in those lazy summer months before his final Christmas, binoculars glued to his face.

What started as a way to feel connected to dad has blossomed into something I genuinely love. I like to imagine all the conversations we might've had about kingfishers on the Stort and hungry raptors in the local area. Maybe, we would've gone birdwatching together.

In the run-up to the second anniversary of his death, I'm sure I'll be out more, twitching in his memory 🕊
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#birdwatching #ukbirdwatching #griefawareness #griefjourney #parentloss #uknature #ukwildlife #mentalhealthawareness #natureformentalhealth #griefsupport

It seems like the seasonal change has left us all

It seems like the seasonal change has left us all a little anxious – myself included.

When I fall into holes of sadness and irritability, I think back to my grandad's favourite adages: "Don't let the bastards get you down" and "you can't do everything because you're not a robot". Simple but effective.

If I'm on a knife's edge, I'll take myself outside the situation, sometimes for a walk and other times to my yoga room. Since my dad took his own life, I've realised that protecting my energy isn't a luxury, and no amount of deadlines or to-dos should come at the expense of my mental health. I always knew this in theory, but it took a tragedy to make me live what I so often preached.

I hope you find some time for yourself this week. Although the mornings and evenings are darker, autumn is a magical time full of potential 🍂🧡☀️
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#parighasana #ashtangayoga #ashtanga #ashtangaintermediateseries #ashtangacommunity #yogaformentalhealth #yogaforlife #mentalhealthtools #mentalhealthawareness #yogaforhealth #yogastudent #yogalife #mentalhealthrecovery #anxietytools #anxietysupport #mindbodyconnection #mindbodyspirit #spiritualpractice #yogateacher #healthymind #healthandwellness #mindfulliving #mindfulnesspractice #yogafun #ukyoga #exerciseformentalhealth #yogatime #ukfitness #bishopsstortford #hertfordshire

Sure, arm balances and headstands are difficult, b

Sure, arm balances and headstands are difficult, but have you ever tried to stand one-legged with a blindfold on? In this week's classes, we're putting pratyahara into action – withdrawing one of our senses to strengthen the mind/body connection.

Of course, we'll have a laugh (or I will). However, the ultimate goal is to feel the intricacies of postures more acutely – the grounding of a big toe, the shake of an ankle and the line between the feet. It's a valuable exercise to help us understand where the body is in space, rather than relying on teachers or neighbours for visual cues.

Remember to bring some kind of makeshift blindfold (or an actual one, who am I to judge your kinks). Otherwise, it'll be a strap around the head.
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#yogafun #yogaclass #yogateacher #yogastudent #yogapractice #yogabalance #ukyoga #bishopsstortford #hertfordshire #yogaclass #yogachallenge #yogacommunity #yogatime #yogalove #ukfitness #fitfamuk #yogachallenges #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #mindfulliving #mindbodyconnection #mindfulnesspractice #balancepose #balances

Soon I'll be posting photos of actual pigeons alon

Soon I'll be posting photos of actual pigeons alongside yoga pigeons. We've finally invested in a second hand camera and lens. 10/10 ready to live my best autumn watch life 🐣
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#kingpigeon #pigeonpose #yogacommunity #ashtanga #ashtangayoga #ashtangi #yogafun #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #backbend #yogafamily #yogatime #yogagirl #yogateacher #bishopsstortford #hertfordshire #ukyoga #ukfitness #fitfamuk #yogatime #yogastudent #mindfulliving #mindfulnesspractice #wellness #healthyandwellness #healthymind #yogafit #yogafitness #mindbodyconnection #yogaandmindfulness

Running has given me extra heavy legs, so this was

Running has given me extra heavy legs, so this was a real challenge 😂

Pursuing my shared interests has reinforced what I already knew – everything requires sacrifice. I can't get into eka pada sirsasana so easily, but I can run up the stairs without gasping for air. Life is a never-ending compromise 🤷‍♀️

Seriously though, I often remind students that postures are transitory, and this is a great reminder. Something will feel amazing one day and shockingly difficult the next. Bodies morph, and motivations change.

If we don't learn this lesson, attachment will kick us in the teeth eventually.
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#flyingpigeonpose #ekapadagalavasana #yogapractice #bishopsstortford #hertsandessex #hertfordshire #armbalance #armworkout #upperbodystrength #upperbodyworkout #yogacommunity #ashtanga #ashtangayoga #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #yogatime #ukyoga #fitfamuk #ukfitness #yogagirl #healthandwellness #moveyourbody #movementismedicine #mindfulnesspractice #nonattachment #growthroughwhatyougothrough #yogalifestyle #mindbodyspirit #yogaforstrength #yogastudent

Had the best time in the Lake District. Plenty of

Had the best time in the Lake District. Plenty of walking and bird watching. Lots of ale and good food. We hiked the tallest mountain in England and accidentally went on the country's steepest road (never again). Tyler's navigation skills were sketchy, but he did manage to spot a secretive red squirrel (wildlife highlight).

Thank you for the 30th birthday wishes. It was the perfect trip to wave goodbye to my 20s ✨💙
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#lakedistrict #windermere #scafellpike #hiking #birdwatching #wildlifewatching #adventurebuddies

Movement as creativity 💙 . . . . . . . #yogamot

Movement as creativity 💙
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#yogamotivation #puppypose #yogainspiration #yogapractice #yogalifestyle #yogatime #bishopsstortford #hertsandessex #hertfordshire #yogafun #yogagirl #ukyoga #fitfamuk #ukfitness #yogateacher #yogastudent #healthandwellness #healthylifestyle #doyoga #mindfulnesspractice #mindbodyspirit #healthymind #movementpractice #shoulderworkout #selfcarepractice

Sneak peak at what we'll be working on this weeken

Sneak peak at what we'll be working on this weekend 👀
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Thoracic attack 🔥
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#yogavideo #yogaflow #yogapractice #yogafun #yogalifestyle #yogagirl #coreworkout #yogacore #yogastrength #ukyoga #ukfitness #yogamotivation
#yogainspiration #yogastudent #yogaclass #bishopsstortford #healthandwellness #yogatime #healthylifestyle #mindbodyspirit #doyoga #yogacore #abworkout #upperbodystrength #upperbodyworkout #movementasmedicine #moveyourbody #growthroughwhatyougothrough

It took me a good few years to hold side plank, an

It took me a good few years to hold side plank, and I never thought I'd take my toe. Here's your daily reminder to stay consistent and enjoy the journey - persevere and those puzzle pieces will fall into place. We're stronger than the stories we tell ourselves 💙🔑
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We'll be taking a look at side plank and a bunch of wacky variations this week. Get ready for some heat 🔥🥵
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#sideplank #sideplankvariation #sideplankpose #upperbodystrength #upperbodyworkout #corestrength #yogafun #yogaforstrength #consistencyiskey #stayconsistent #yogastudent #yogateacher #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #ukyoga #fitfamuk #ukfitness #strengthtraining #bishopsstortford #hertfordshire #hertsandessex #movementmatters #healthandwellness #healthylifestyle #fitnesslifestyle #yogalifestyle #yogalove #yogagirl

I've enjoyed expanding my movement practice lately

I've enjoyed expanding my movement practice lately.

Anyone who comes to my classes knows that I promote whatever movement feels joyful, whether that's yoga, running, strength training or an eclectic combination. We spend so much time beating our bodies into submission – it's better and more sustainable to stick with the stuff we enjoy.

I don't think there's a best movement practice, or blend of movement practices. It depends on your goals, history and schedule. We only have so many hours a day, which means sacrifice. Getting as much functional movement in as possible is probably a good start.

It's not helpful to view movement through the lens of "best" or "enough". We'll only set ourselves up for disappointment because there's always something else we could or should be doing. Instead, tune into your body's feedback and pay attention to what feels good in the moment.
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#ukfitness #bishopsstortford #hertsandessex #hertfordshire #ukfitfam #fitfamuk #upperbodystrength #plank #upperbodyworkout #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #yogastudent #yogateacher #moveyourbody #healthandwellness #yogafun #yogaforstrength #movementismedicine #fitnessfun #healthymind #healthylifestyle #movementpractice #movementmatters #movementasmedicine

A fun little mobility sequence we'll be playing ar

A fun little mobility sequence we'll be playing around with in this week's classes 🔥💙
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#mobility #legworkout #mobilityexercise #yogasequence #yogafun #yogamotivation #yogainspiration #yogapractice #yogaflow #yogastrong #ukyoga #fitfamuk #ukfitness #yogateacher #bishopsstortford #hertfordshire #yogalove #flexibilitytraining #yogacommunity #yogalife #yogastudent #healthylifestyle #moveyourbody #movementismedicine

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