Class Options

Learn Yoga and/or Meditation throughout the year with regular, seasonal and ad hoc classes. 

In these insightful gatherings, we blend the wisdom of Yoga, Buddhism, and Taoism to guide you on a transcendent journey of self-realisation and harmony. Our sessions are intended to enlighten you on using your life force - your prana, your intrinsic energy, your Qi - focusing it on a well-rounded state of well-being, balance, and self-healing. Our classes are humble, simple and focused on the practices. 

Drawing from the yogic practices, we encourage connecting with your inner self, allowing you to harness and channel your divine energy toward wholeness. Incorporating Buddhist teachings, we guide you on the 'Middle Path', nurturing mindfulness and understanding impermanence, leading to liberation and inner peace. From the Taoist perspective, we help you understand and flow with the Tao, the universe's natural order, emphasising self-equilibrium and tranquillity.

While adhering to traditional practices of Yoga, Meditation, and Taoist principles, these classes offer a more comprehensive experience. They merge seamlessly into an enriching tapestry, offering a unique self-regulation, healing, and holistic well-being approach.

The Club 

Welcome to the Yoga & Meditation Club in Great Waltham

We are a humble and cosy community lovingly nurtured by Mark and Susan over the years. We're just a bunch of local enthusiasts who enjoy coming together regularly, creating an inviting and inclusive space for anyone wanting to join.

Our members are as varied as the rhythms of their practice. Some pop in twice a week, while others find their harmony with a once-a-month visit. The best part? The choice is entirely yours! We are proud to host a diverse mix of experience levels, from those just embarking on their yoga and meditation journey to those who've been finding their zen with us for years. We don't believe in subscriptions; pay as you go per class.

In our friendly corner of the world, you'll find a beautiful mix of people, irrespective of gender, ability, and age (ranging from the youthful 21 to the graceful 84). And don't worry, you don't need the latest yoga gear, specialised equipment, fancy clothing or any particular beliefs to be part of our community. There's no need to be super athletic, or to fit into any mould - we embrace and celebrate all shapes and sizes. We are a low-key, ego-free zone where the only requirement is your commitment to explore the practice of yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and chi body movements. It's all about improving yourself at your own pace. So, come as you are and join the journey together! 

The Classes

Many attendees love to immerse themselves in our dual Yoga/Meditation/Breathing/Chi Body movement sessions every time. Others might fancy just one or the other - and that's totally cool too! We're just happy to see your smiling faces in whichever classes you pick. After all, you're the one driving your journey, and we're here to support your ride. 

Click that friendly purple "Book a Class" button to pick and choose your classes. It's hanging out at the bottom of your screen, always ready to help you schedule your next session with us. No matter what you choose, we're excited to see you and share in your practice.

Booking onto a class

Please use the purple 'Book a Class" button below. Sometimes, the classes become full early, so we advise booking a few days before to avoid disappointment,

The Classes - Yoga with Susan

Hatha yoga is over 5,000 years old, with its influences taken from Shaivism, Shaktism (Kundalini), Advaita Vedanta and Vajrayana Buddhism.

It has now branched off into many different yoga styles and schools of practice, but these all originate from Hatha yoga.

Hatha yoga is about balancing the body and mind. 'Ha' represents the esoteric sun (strength, giving, masculinity) and 'the' the moon (receptive, nurturing, female) energies. The practice of Hatha yoga unites these two opposite energies to balance our energy and physicality, using the breath, which is always at the centre of the practice. The breath that we use is called Ujjayi Breath, sometimes known as the Ocean Breath, because when performed correctly, it sounds like a smooth stream of water. The breath envelopes our body movement and cleanses our system so that prana, or life force, can move more easily within us. The inhale refreshes our mind, and the exhale calms and relaxes the body. This deep breathing has so many benefits, including increasing our immunity and circulation and oxygenating our cells. 

Our Hatha yoga classes are suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners, consisting of asana (the movements), pranayama (breathing practice), and meditation. Hatha yoga is a powerful practice that can physically, mentally, and emotionally change us. 

The Classes - Meditation with Mark

Mark is an experienced meditator who has taught many forms of meditation, breathing classes and Tao Chi Meditation movements for many years. All sessions are guided, and others support practice and notes for you to absorb at home . Session can be anywhere between 3  to 15 others join each session: mixed age, mixed gender, mixed religious beliefs, mixed ethnicity. All are welcome.

Regular meditation practice has been shown to enhance stronger family/partner coherence, help with stronger focus and concentration, reduce tension and alleviate anxiety and stress, together with clearer thinking and less emotional turmoil. 

After 21 days of regular meditation, most people start to see signs of change. Meditation helps many people change their relationships with stress and depression and fosters a new, peaceful way of living. For many people, meditation helps them frame a more profound sense of meaning, purpose, and spiritual advancement whilst enabling greater creativity and enhanced performance in work, sport, and play. The key, though, is regular 'practice'. Come along if you're looking for increased awareness of self-understanding or enhanced feelings of happiness and contentment. 

What Do I Need To Know About The Meditation Class?

Our classes offer you the flexibility to choose your own comfort. You can either roll out a mat on the floor or cosy up in a chair. If you decide to take the floor route, here are a few things you'll need:

* A meditation cushion or a stack of cushions to lift your hips about 6 inches off the ground,

* A warm, sturdy blanket, and some snug socks to ward off the chill during the cooler months, especially if you're joining us for yoga first. You'll generate some body heat, and we want to keep you comfy!

And don't fret if you're missing a mat - we've got plenty to go around.

Our meditation sessions invite you to close your eyes and embrace stillness in your chosen spot and posture. There's always room for some wiggle to ensure you're comfortable. Each session, lasting between 45 to 60 minutes, is lovingly guided by Mark, who's shared his meditation wisdom with us for many years.

You'll get to experience different styles of meditation, each with its unique charm. On Tuesday evenings, we delve a bit deeper into the spiritual realms of self, inspired by Buddhist teachings. On Saturday mornings, we keep things simple yet equally enriching in Taoist styles of meditation. 

For those of you who'd rather sit in a chair than on the floor, we've got you covered! We've got plenty of chairs, so take your pick. We recommend soft, warm, and comfortable attire that envelops your whole body. Our classes will have you sitting, laying, or standing in serene quiet and stillness, sometimes for up to an hour, and we want you to be as snug as a bug during this journey

I have written short articles on the benefits of meditation in your lifestyle. Click to read articles.

Who Goes And What's It Like?

In every class, you'll always find both Susan and myself welcoming you with warm smiles. Our group size can vary, from just a handful of people to many, depending on factors like the time of year. But one thing remains constant - our approach is always gentle, calm, and friendly, as we guide every member to nurture their practice.

We love seeing our members carry their practice beyond the class and into their daily lives, and we're always here to support you in this by providing resources and guidance. Our group is like a little family, brimming with regulars who openly welcome newcomers.

Curious to hear what others have to say about their time with us? You'll find some heartfelt reviews on the link below. And if you'd like to have a chat with someone who's already part of our community, just let us know! We'd be more than happy to connect you.https://marknicholls.org/testimonials-about-mark

How Can I Find Out More About Mark?

You can find out more about me here by visiting the link. 

How Can I Find Out More About Susan?

You can find out more about Susan here by visiting the link 

How Much Does It Cost?

You can book and pay for classes individually on the purple button below. 

Venue location/Address

(venue image above)

Hulton Hall

South Street

Great Waltham

Essex

CM3 1DF

Map location using what-three-words. Click to see location details so that your smartphone navigator can start you on your journey 

https://w3w.co/stirs.awestruck.firelight

Can I Pay What I Can Afford For A Class Instead?

If you'd like to discuss a different contribution to the classes, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at mark@marknicholls.org. We believe that everyone should have access to the transformative experiences of Yoga and Meditation, regardless of financial constraints.

That's why we've got some free spots available for those who would like them (with complete discretion) and even offer a few at a reduced rate if you would prefer that approach. During this time of economic difficulty, we look only to cover our running costs in the first instance and hope to make a living from our service to others in the future, hopefully with a meditation and yoga studio. But for now, it's about service to others. So, if you're eager to dive into the practice and can commit to your practice but are facing some financial bumps along the way, please give me a shout. There are no catches with free or reduced-fee classes. Remember, we're here to support you on your journey.

Please let us know by clicking the button below if you have any questions.

Thank you • Mark • Susan • Om Shanti

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