New class block booking system
If you’ve been in class recently you’ve heard me talking about planned changes to the bookings system. I really don’t want anyone to be put off coming to class because of these changes, so I will do the best I can to ensure a smooth transition. Please read on for details, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
I always do the best I can to offer the best possible yoga class that I can, continuously updating my training and knowledge. We have recently been focusing on the breath in class, with a view to progressing from week to week. However, I often feel that this is difficult because the nature of my booking system means that people sometimes miss a class and therefore are playing catch up the next time they attend class.
I feel that this means that sometimes people don’t get the full benefit of our yoga practices, and I’m really keen for everyone in class to benefit as much as possible.
Therefore, I am going to change the way that I take class bookings.
I’m going to swap to six week block bookings, rather than offering a drop in option, or an option to book five classes (not necessarily consecutive weeks) as I do at the moment.
I have been mulling this idea over for years, but kept deciding against it because I’ve been keen to make classes as accessible as possible. However, I have discussed this with other teachers, who all take block bookings and say how well it works for them as teachers, but also it works really well for the people in class. It ensures a degree of commitment to yoga which the current system doesn’t have.
This change will take effect from the beginning of May, with blocks going on sale on the 9th April, so I will be home from retreat and can help out if anyone gets stuck (you can already see them on Bookwhen).
The only class which will not require a block booking is Restorative Yoga on the third Thursday of the month. However, the price of this class will increase in May. I have checked the prices of similar classes, which range from £15 (for an hour class) to £26. It’s not right for me to undercut the prices other teachers charge, so the class will increase to £16 from the beginning of May, but the low income ticket will still be available (if you are already booked in, the price you’ve paid will stand).
If you cannot attend any of the classes in a block that you’ve booked, you can either join on zoom, and you will receive the class video (or its equivalent).
If a block of classes isn’t fully booked, there will be an option to book the class as a drop-in. As soon as a block has started, I will release the remaining spaces as drop-in places on the booking system.
I really hope that these changes will work for all of us. I appreciate it will take a little while to get used to it, but I am confident that it will be a good idea in the long term !
If ever I need to cancel a class, I will adjust everyone’s bookings accordingly.
I am hoping that this will free up a lot of my time. I spend as much time (if not more) doing class admin every week as I do teaching - time which I would prefer to spend on lesson planning and research. I also find too much screen time is exhausting and not good for my vestibular system, so to preserve my own wellbeing, I’m hoping that this new system will reduce the admin load (hence the burnout quote above !).
Please do get in touch if this change causes you any problems. The last thing I want is for people to feel unable to come to class, so please let me know if this is the case.
If you’ve been in class and heard me talking about this, you’ll be aware that this hasn’t been an decision for me, so I really hope it works !
Themes
Our theme for the first block will be Yoga for Healthy Aging -
Week 1 - Joint health
Week 2 - Muscle and bone health
Week 3 - Cardio vascular health and blood pressure
Week 4 - Brain health
Week 5 - Respiratory health
Week 6 - Bringing it all together - a great opportunity to look at the vagus nerve !
There will be some degree of overlap from week to week, and if you miss a class, remember that I will send out the videos. Each class will also include some pranayama and a relaxation.
Class prices
I haven’t increased prices for over three years, but the prices of everything else have increased - zoom, bookwhen, website, rent, insurances, vimeo etc, so I’ve removed the £5 discount option that we previously had. Many people already pay £9 per class anyway, so you won’t see any change at all. There are still reduced price tickets available for people on a low income, so please use these if you fall into this category.
The price of restorative yoga has increased too - see above, but again, there are still low income tickets available.
Class feedback
I have had a lot of wonderful feedback recently, which has really made me aware of how much people benefit from our classes, and this has given me the confidence to make these changes ! Thankyou to everyone who takes the time to send messages along these lines (you know who you are) - I really appreciate it, and it helps keep my imposter syndrome at bay !
New Tuesday morning class
I am delighted to be offering a new class at “Balance-mind, body clinic”, on Tuesday mornings, 930-1030am. Pilates by Physio will be taking the bookings. The class begins on the 15th April. Watch this space !
Fascinating book about pain and neuroplasticity
Essential reading for anyone coping with chronic pain, and very readable.
No classes next week
I’m having a week in north Wales, so classes will resume on the 17th February. Then we have four weeks of classes before I set off on my Costa Rica adventure !
This weeks poem
I love this one from Donna Ashworth, and have read it multiple times, but it still brings a lump to my throat (yes - that’s my vagus nerve in action!). Donna is coming to the Wirral to share a book event with Linghams, for her re-published book, To the Women, on the 9th March. I’ve got my ticket ! Hope to see you there.
THERE’S A WOMAN IN MY MIRROR
There’s a woman in my mirror
And she looks a lot like me,
Though there’s lines around her eyes,
And her hair is wild and free.
She is plumper than myself,
And she is definitely grey.
Did I miss the day this happened
Has she always been this way?
And this woman in the mirror
Has an air of something calm,
Like a tide that’s going out,
And a beach that’s soft and warm.
She has seen the world in colour,
She has learned to know the truth.
There’s a wisdom in her wrinkles,
There’s a knowledge brought from youth.
And she seems to move more freely,
As though released from earthly binds.
Is she made of something lighter?
Perhaps the weight she left behind.
Like the press of expectation,
And the need to yield and bend.
I like this woman in the mirror,
She’s fast becoming my best friend.
Donna Ashworth
Until next time
With love
Kate xxx