Yoga classes in Exeter, book here
My yoga classes run in themes for five weeks. This allows for people to put in place adaptions to suit their body and learn the different options of each yoga flow that are right for them. After the five weeks you will find each yoga flow published on my blog, with a free interactive copy. You will find the yoga class for this theme below.
Working Towards Wheel: The Yoga Journey
In yoga, it’s often said that the practice is about the journey rather than the destination. Whether you’re just beginning or have been practicing yoga for years, yoga continually teaches us that it’s ‘how’ we approach a yoga posture that matters, not ‘when’ or even ‘if’ we fully achieve it. This mindset holds true for one of yoga’s most iconic backbends: Wheel Pose, or Urdhva Dhanurasana.
This yoga flow isn't just for those who are already flexible or strong enough to move into Wheel Pose. Instead, it’s designed to be an inclusive yoga journey, exploring the steps, strength, flexibility, and openness required to progress towards Wheel Pose—whether or not you ever reach the full expression of the yoga pose.
So, if Wheel Pose seems intimidating, or like something that just isn’t for you, don’t worry! This yoga flow will offer plenty of opportunities to explore yoga postures, stretches, and alignment tips that will benefit everyone, regardless of whether Wheel is your goal.
Why Wheel Pose?
Wheel Pose is a deep yoga backbend that can feel incredibly energising and empowering when done correctly. However, it’s a yoga posture that requires openness in multiple areas of the body, including the hips, chest, shoulders, and back, as well as a solid foundation of strength in the legs, core, and arms.
But more than just the physical requirements, Wheel also asks us to confront fear. It’s a yoga posture that quite literally opens up the heart space, leaving us feeling vulnerable. That’s why, in this journey, we’ll take a mindful, step-by-step approach to help you feel strong, supported, and confident as you move towards this challenging yoga pose.
Building a Strong Foundation: Bridge Pose
The foundation of our yoga journey toward Wheel will be the classic Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana). While Bridge is often considered a yoga beginner's backbend, it plays a crucial role in preparing the body for deeper postures like Wheel.
We'll focus on refining the alignment in Bridge Pose, as small misalignments can limit progress and even lead to discomfort or injury. During this yoga flow, we’ll explore:
- Hip Alignment: Ensuring that your hips stay square and evenly lifted.
- Shoulder Placement: Learning to open the chest while maintaining a strong base through the shoulders.
- Core Engagement: Strengthening the core to support the lower back and pelvis.
- Leg Activation: Using the strength of the legs to lift and stabilise the body.
Many yoga students find that even though Bridge Pose seems simple, they aren’t fully activating the muscles needed to protect their joints. This focused exploration of Bridge will provide you with the tools to not only deepen your practice but also safely work towards more advanced poses like Wheel.
Exploring What Holds You Back
There are often physical and mental barriers that hold us back from progressing into deeper yoga backbends like Wheel. As we work through this flow, we’ll take time to explore what might be stopping you from moving into the full yoga pose. These can include:
- Tight Hips: Limited hip flexibility can affect the way your pelvis tilts, which is essential for a healthy backbend.
- Shoulder and Chest Tightness: A lack of openness in the shoulders and chest can make lifting into Wheel feel impossible. We’ll use stretches and preparatory postures to gently open these areas.
- Back Flexibility: If the back is stiff, it can prevent a deep arch in backbends. We'll focus on postures that safely increase flexibility.
- Fear and Vulnerability: For many yogis, fear plays a significant role in back bending. The sensation of opening the front of the body can feel daunting. We’ll address how to approach these emotions with compassion and patience.
The Journey is More Important Than the Destination
One of the most important aspects of this yoga flow is understanding that you don’t need to “get there”. While the physical goal may be Wheel Pose, the real beauty of this practice lies in the journey. There are plenty of yoga postures and stretches that can be just as fulfilling and beneficial along the way.
Maybe your path leads you to explore more variations of Bridge, or perhaps you find comfort in restorative yoga heart openers that are less intense but equally powerful. Remember, every body is different, and Wheel Pose might not be the right fit for everyone—and that’s okay! The goal is not perfection, but progress and exploration.
What to Expect in from the yoga flow
We’ll begin by warming up with poses that open the hips, shoulders, and spine, gradually progressing towards more strength-based and flexibility-focused exercises. In addition to working on Bridge and Wheel, we’ll incorporate playful postures and fun transitions that challenge your body and mind.
Should You Work Towards Wheel?
Before you embark on this journey, it’s worth asking yourself if Wheel Pose is something you really want to pursue. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to achieve certain yoga postures to be a ‘good’ yogi, but the truth is, yoga is about much more than the shapes we make with our bodies. Wheel can be a wonderful goal for those who enjoy deep yoga backbends and are ready to explore that kind of movement, but it’s not a requirement for a fulfilling yoga practice.
Our focus during this yoga flow will be on enjoying the process, not just reaching a destination. Whether or not you ever move into Wheel Pose, there will be plenty of opportunities to grow, strengthen, and deepen your yoga practice.
Let’s work together to build strength, flexibility, and confidence—whether or not you ever find yourself in Wheel Pose. Remember, it’s all about the journey, both on and off the mat.
Want to try one of my yoga classes?
I run yoga classes in Exeter- Exminster & Topsham, Devon
My Exeter based yoga classes are suitable for most levels of yogis. There are flowing sequences, often using sun salutations and vinyasa to warm the body and move through the yoga postures.
The yoga classes include an element of all styles of yoga, to bring a fresh angle to yoga and will encourage the use of yoga props in a fun and informal environment to help you explore your practice. My styles include Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Flow Yoga, Yin Yoga & Restorative Yoga.
Variations to yoga postures will be given throughout the class allowing each person to adapt the class to their personal level of yoga practice. All equipment is provided.
Classes are available at Kiva & Zen Studios in Topsham, Exeter, Victory Hall in Exminster, Exeter.
Book a yoga class today and immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of my Exeter yoga venues, while rejuvenating your mind and body through the practice of yoga.
Each session is designed to help you connect with your inner self, cultivate mindfulness, and improve flexibility, strength, and balance. Whether you're a beginner to yoga or an experienced practitioner, there's a class for you in my Exeter venues.
As a Yoga Teacher, I underwent my initial yoga training in India and am both qualified and registered with the Yoga Alliance. Since completing my initial yoga qualification, I have undertaken further yoga studies both here in Exeter and in locations around Europe.
Book your yoga classes in Exeter
You can view my online brochure, of the wellbeing services I offer in Exeter, here.
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