Summertime!


It feels like such a long time since I last wrote to you, but I think that this is more to do with all of the events of the term rather than the passing of time itself. Sometimes I feel like time stretches itself to fit in all of life’s comings and goings. Also the bright and light extra long Summer days definitely help us to experience, do and feel more…and with more energy ;) (Though I know not all of you would quite agree with me on this matter!)

I’ve just hosted a beautiful collaborative Yoga Nidra & Somatic Sound event ( more info further down) where the theme was to use the pause within the practice to reflect upon what the year has brought you so far, and where you want to see yourself by the end of it.

I believe that it’s a really healthy practice to reflect in this way. It helps you see where you may have overcome challenges and difficulties, where you’ve reached completions, where you can identify where things aren’t working and what to let go of. Within the pause, it’s also a perfect time to look at not only where you want to see yourself by the end of the year, but also reflect upon what you need in your life to help you reach that place in the way that you want/need to. Sometimes this practice can bring all sorts of emotions up, so it’s something that needs to be explored in a safe & supportive environment. If you practice this alone, it may be good to ensure that you can talk to someone afterwards, as you may find all sorts of unexpected thoughts & feelings arise, some comfortable, and some not so.

For this terms newsletter, I’d like to share a little bit of what’s been happening including: Ashtanga Intensive with Adam Keen in Manchester; Monthly Well-Woman Online Classes & The Feminine Connection Subscription; Summer Serenity Yoga Nidra & Somatic Sound Event.

Then, we have this terms Health & Wellness Column featuring Mindset Coach Dan Graham.

And looking ahead: Summer Schedule; August Yoga Challenge; Well-Woman Autumn Equinox Yoga Event; Winter Sanctuary Yoga Nidra & Somatic Sound; Yoga Retreat in Turkey 2026…and a song.

Exploring the world upside-down :)

Ashtanga Yoga Intensive with Adam Keen in Manchester

I have been practicing Ashtanga Yoga with Adam Keen online for around 18 months now, so I was really thrilled to be able to attend a weekend workshop and 4 day intensive with him in person. I was even more excited when 3 of our LYY Ashtanga Yoga regulars were able to attend the workshop weekend too!

Having first started an Ashtanga Yoga practice when I had just turned 23, it’s always been the practice that I have returned to and fallen in love with that little bit more. I’ve always enjoyed exploring other yoga modalities that have supported me with injuries, illness, stress, pregnancies and postnatally, but as soon as I step back into my ashtanga practice, I experience it like a little home coming. I find that the familiarity of the postures really allow me to identify where I am in that moment in time. I don’t have to think about what posture I’m doing next, when in a continual flow I find it incredibly liberating. There have been times when I can’t even approach a certain posture if I’m feeling vulnerable or overwhelmed at life, and this makes me pay attention. It helps me navigate my energy and how to navigate the rest of the day. At the same time, when I was on the intensive, I realised how I have fear at approaching particular postures and had time to reflect upon this and observe where these fears were rooted and how I might be able to approach and work with them. The practice for me has become so much more energetic and psychological, rather than the physical acrobatic practice it can often be described as. It’s a lot richer in my experience and I strive for people to experience it that way in my classes.

Having some of our community attend the weekend was just fabulous! They were able to deepen their knowledge and experience too: both physically and historically as Adam gave talks on the history of Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga. We all left feeling full of inspiration and little bit more wisdom.

Thanks Adam and Theresa ! If you want to look up where Adams retreats and workshops are or subscribe to his excellent podcast, here’s the website: www.keenonyoga.com

Weekend workshop at Yoga Sangha Manchester

Monthly Well-Woman Yoga Online/The Feminine Connection

I thought to share a little bit about our monthly online Well-Woman Yoga Classes and The Feminine Connection Subscription that’s on offer.

The Well-Woman online classes are attended by people all over the country and Europe. It’s a wonderful community of women, of which many have met one another on retreats or events, or get to know and recognise one another every month online. To be honest, I didn’t know if online teaching would continue after covid, but I can honestly say, they work wonders! You can be part of a community in your own home from anywhere in the world and have a sense of being supported and in an environment with like-minded people.

Because we have such a strong community, I was really keen to offer a bit more of a service, as a way of showing my gratitude, but also to help the community feel that bit more connected. Having studied to a great extent the therapeutic benefits for women in supporting their life cycles, through yoga and holistic practices, I thought what better way to impart this knowledge than through a subscription. The subscription includes an abundance of resources, weekly emails with hints, tips, journal prompts and practices, as well as Yoga Nidra’s, Meditations and Pre Recorded Seasonal Practices. The annual subscription is only £200 and this also includes 12 monthly online classes with access to the recording for 30 days.

if you’d like to subscribe, head to the Book Classes page on my website www.livingyouryoga.co.uk

For more information, do drop me an email: info@livingyouryoga.co.uk

Summer Serenity: Yoga Nidra & Somatic Sound

Yesterday (Saturday) saw the first collaboration between myself and the wonderful Nicola Davidson of Eiraya Wellness. Nicola played the Sound Bowls and I weaved a Yoga Nidra throughout and together we found a great harmony! The feedback has been exceptional and we’ve already started taking more bookings for the December event as everyone had such a profound experience. Nicola worked with the bowls frequencies to help bring balance to everyone in the space. The yoga nidra supported deep rest, rejuvenation, release and reflection. We weren’t sure what to expect, but we’re totally over the moon at the response and will be running more of these next year on a more regular basis. Watch this space…

Summer Serenity: Yoga Nidra & Somatic Sound. Leek Wootton Village Hall. Saturday 12th July 2025.

Heath & Wellness Column

I’d like to introduce the lovely Dan Graham, Mindset Coach and LYY regular! I’ve known Dan for a few years now and felt really intrigued and interested in his area of therapy. After a coffee together, I asked if he’d write about his work as I think it could help just about everybody!

Read on and enjoy.

Uncovering the Hidden Stories That Hold Us Back
By Dan Graham, Mindset Coach

As a mindset coach, my work goes straight to the root of what holds people back — not surface-level motivation, but the deep, unconscious narratives that quietly shape our lives.

From early on, we start identifying with labels, roles, and beliefs. “I’m this kind of person,” “I don’t do that,” “This is who I am.” These identities become addictive. They give us a hit of familiarity — through people, places, roles — but over time they disconnect us from who we really are. We end up living from mental constructs rather than our true nature, which erodes our authenticity and sense of joy.

Most of these narratives are formed in childhood and go unnoticed. Yet they silently influence how we think, feel, and behave. My role as a coach is to help people uncover the unconscious story that’s shaping their life the most — and guide them in stepping free from it.

Over time, I’ve found that most unconscious human behaviour tends to revolve around five core narratives — recurring inner themes that shape how we see ourselves and the world:

  1. Inadequacy – “I’m not good enough,” “I don’t matter.”

  2. Psychological Safety – constant seeking of security in money, people, or status.

  3. Belonging – fear of not fitting in, leading to self-abandonment.

  4. Victimhood – feeling powerless or stuck in blame.

  5. Not Being Where You Should Be – the belief you’re behind in life or not on track.

So how does this relate to coaching? When these narratives lose their grip, a clearer, freer version of you begins to emerge — someone capable of moving forward in ways that once felt out of reach. That’s the heart of my coaching: helping people become who they truly are, by shedding who they’re not.

Because if you’re not the belief you’ve carried… then who are you? That answer reveals itself when you stop living from the stories that were never truly yours — and that is what true authenticity is.

To connect or learn more, find me on Instagram: @dangrahamcoaching or visit: www.dangrahamcoaching.co.uk


Dan Graham: Mindset Coach

Summer Schedule

I’m teaching a reduced Summer schedule over the school holidays and will be continuing to run Yoga Therapy Clinic and 1:1’s as normal, throughout.

I invite all Well-Woman Yoga attendees to come along on the following dates:

Monday 28th July, 4th August & 11th August (9.30-11am) at Leek Wootton Village Hall, Leek Wootton.

I invite all Mixed Ability, Men’s Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga attendees to come along on the following:

Tuesday 29th July, Monday 4th August, Tuesday 12th August, Tuesday 19th August (7-8.30pm)

at The Parochial Hall, Kenilworth.

You can book online or direct with me.

I’ve updated the website with the rest of the classes for the Autumn Term. Please direct message me if I owe you a class when I had to cancel the week due to illness. We can sort out payment then. Many Thanks.

Mixed Ability Yoga at the Parochial Hall

August Yoga Challenge!

Here we are again! Back by popular demand, the August Yoga Challenge returns!

What to do:

  • Check your WhatsApp and see if you’re already on the group! If not, message me and I shall add you.

  • August 1st, the challenge begins. Practice whichever variation of sun salutations you like - I will share the variations on the what’s app group to guide you as before.

  • When you’ve done your daily practice, comment in the group with a tick, a message or even a photograph (love these!)

  • The practice takes place 6 days per week - you choose which day you want off, which variation of sun salutation you want to do (you can mix it up as much as you like) and how much you want to comment and support one another!

  • Enjoy! It’s for fun. No stress. Get your friends and family involved for a giggle too :)

  • Please message me before 1st August :)

Well-Woman Yoga Autumn Equinox Event

The next Well-Woman Yoga Event is taking place on Saturday 20th September 2025 2.15-5.15pm. These events are LYY favourites and always promise to be deeply nourishing and restorative. This year it falls 2 days ahead of our Autumn Equinox, so all practices will be themed with this in mind - as will our delicious drink and treat provided by the fabulous Cafe Desa!

We will also have a visiting therapist give a talk about their line of work, their background, their passion and how they may be able to support you, or loved ones, using their therapy as a healing modality. I love inviting various therapists to impart their knowledge of some quite profound methods of healing - for some of us, these individuals are able to open our eyes to something completely new and inspiring! More about them in our next newsletter.

All practices that I teach during these events are designed to adapt to everyone’s needs. They include joint release practices (pawanmuktasana); therapeutic exercises for the spine; pelvic floor practices; both flowing and static posture work; balance practice; breath work; meditation and yoga nidra.

For more information please email: info@livingyouryoga.co.uk

Or to book head to ‘Book Classes’ on my website: www.livingyouryoga.co.uk

Well-Woman Yoga Event at Leek Wootton Village Hall

Winter Sanctuary: Yoga Nidra & Somatic Sound

The next Yoga Nidra & Somatic Sound Event with myself and Nicola, takes place on Sunday 14th December 6-8pm. This event will fill as bookings have already been taken. Last December it also was at full capacity, so I recommend booking asap.

We begin the session with very soft and earful movement to help the body settle and become comfortable and ready for stillness for an extended period of time. The practice are all lying down! No experience is necessary. Just plenty of blankets and props to help make yourself as cosy as possible…then leave the rest up to us!

Head to my website to book - we look forward to welcoming you :)

Yoga Retreat in Turkey with me!

June 2026

I’m absolutely thrilled to be teaching on a retreat in Turkey next June! There’s already quite a lot of bookings that have been taken! If you’re one of my regulars, then when you book your place, please let them know and you receive the discounted price on the flyer below. I am not in charge of any flights/admin/booking or anything except directing you to the website/phone number on the flyer below. But I shall be teaching all of your yoga practices - I’m super excited! For all enquiries and information, all details are below. I hope you can join me!

Phew!

I think that’s all for now. Keep your eyes peeled on social media for updates and I’ll keep you posted with a little Summer newsletter too!

Thanks for your attention if you made it this far!

See you on the mat.

Much Love,

Lucy xxx

Here’s some Summer vibes by the great DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (because I couldn’t work out how to add the link! :))

Summer, summer, summertime

(Summertime)

Time to sit back and unwind

Summertime

Here it is the groove slightly transformed

Just a bit of a break from the norm

Just a little somethin’ to break the monotony

Of all that hardcore dance that has gotten to be

A little bit out of control it’s cool to dance

But what about the groove that soothes that moves romance

Give me a soft subtle mix

And if it ain’t broke then don’t try to fix it (don’t try to fix it)

And think of the summers of the past

Adjust the bass and let the alpine blast

Pop in my cd and let me run a rhyme

And put your car on cruise

And lay back ‘cause this is the summertime

Summer, summer summertime….

(Summertime 1991)