Practitioners for ELF 2021
Click on the images below to find out more about each practitioner and their class.
Fizz Yasin @happyheartflow is a Specialist Healthcare Yoga & Transformational Meditation Teacher, a Registered Associate Nutritionist and host of the 'Find Your Fizz' Podcast. She has been teaching across public and healthcare settings to a variety of people for 3+ years now and will be offering a Yoga for Kids class as part of the Earth Living Festival online.
This is her story...
"What led me to yoga - is my heart beat - truly.
I was born with a rare form of congenital heart disease, specifically pulmonary atresia with VSD closure and MAPCAS. Which meant I had numerous open heart surgeries to keep me alive and help me find my prana 'life force energy'.
In my early teenage years, I was encouraged to try yoga as a coping mechanism with living with this life long condition. I was told by my cardiologist that I had to find a way to learn to breathe and support my heart. Over time day to day living became harder from relapses in my health due to stress I was putting myself under, as I was struggling with health anxiety deep down but then that's where yoga truly healed everything.
Yoga helped me rediscover my self worth and self love again and Ayurveda (sister science to yoga) became my way of life. This way of life made me rediscover the meaning of life again.
After a battle of anxiety with my body confidence and heart scars "my zippers as I call them now" I now look at myself as a wellness warrior and a happiness viber :) with all the fizz to give to the world."
This is her story...
"What led me to yoga - is my heart beat - truly.
I was born with a rare form of congenital heart disease, specifically pulmonary atresia with VSD closure and MAPCAS. Which meant I had numerous open heart surgeries to keep me alive and help me find my prana 'life force energy'.
In my early teenage years, I was encouraged to try yoga as a coping mechanism with living with this life long condition. I was told by my cardiologist that I had to find a way to learn to breathe and support my heart. Over time day to day living became harder from relapses in my health due to stress I was putting myself under, as I was struggling with health anxiety deep down but then that's where yoga truly healed everything.
Yoga helped me rediscover my self worth and self love again and Ayurveda (sister science to yoga) became my way of life. This way of life made me rediscover the meaning of life again.
After a battle of anxiety with my body confidence and heart scars "my zippers as I call them now" I now look at myself as a wellness warrior and a happiness viber :) with all the fizz to give to the world."
Adrianne trained as a professional ballet and contemporary dancer, but after sustaining a serious back injury she was forced to give up dancing and seek an alternative path.
While working as a Freelance Event Director in a demanding corporate and stress-filled environment for 27 years, Yoga became part of her therapeutics. Her love of movement was restored!
Now, as a registered ‘Real Flow’ Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin and SUP Yoga instructor and a Reiki Usui II Practitioner, Adrianne’s approach to life and teaching is fun, energetic and inclusive; finding the ‘Flow state’ through Yoga on and off the mat.
Adrianne will be offering a 'Nurture and Bloom' Yin and Nidra class to celebrate the spring Equinox on Friday evening of
the festival.
How are you preparing for Spring? Would you like to nurture your mind and body? Would you like to boost your energy?
A Yin practice to relieve tension in the entire body
and improve breath control, mental focus & posture. To boost confidence & self-esteem and to give yourself a treat for Spring. Just like a Spring Clean!
Please have props available like blocks/thick hardback book, bolsters/cushions/pillow, blanket and yoga strap/belt. If you have any clothes that are multi-coloured or pastels you may choose to wear these or have these colours in your space. As well as choosing to be outside for the practice
or having plants and flowers around you.
While working as a Freelance Event Director in a demanding corporate and stress-filled environment for 27 years, Yoga became part of her therapeutics. Her love of movement was restored!
Now, as a registered ‘Real Flow’ Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin and SUP Yoga instructor and a Reiki Usui II Practitioner, Adrianne’s approach to life and teaching is fun, energetic and inclusive; finding the ‘Flow state’ through Yoga on and off the mat.
Adrianne will be offering a 'Nurture and Bloom' Yin and Nidra class to celebrate the spring Equinox on Friday evening of
the festival.
How are you preparing for Spring? Would you like to nurture your mind and body? Would you like to boost your energy?
A Yin practice to relieve tension in the entire body
and improve breath control, mental focus & posture. To boost confidence & self-esteem and to give yourself a treat for Spring. Just like a Spring Clean!
Please have props available like blocks/thick hardback book, bolsters/cushions/pillow, blanket and yoga strap/belt. If you have any clothes that are multi-coloured or pastels you may choose to wear these or have these colours in your space. As well as choosing to be outside for the practice
or having plants and flowers around you.
Ben Lobley MSTAT is an Alexander Technique teacher in Caversham who loves yoga, barefoot running and beekeeping.
When he started suffering from neck and back pain, he did all he could to make things better. Finally, with the Alexander Technique he realised that he was getting to the root of the problem. His neck and back got better as a result of no longer being stressed by work. Chairing meetings became easier. Gym visits became easier. Everyday life became easier.
Ben was so inspired that he did the three year full time training to become an Alexander teacher, so that he could share the Alexander experience with others.
What is the Alexander Technique?
It’s mindfulness in movement.
But isn’t it about posture?
Yes, your posture can change, but it’s about more than that. It’s a method of changing your awareness so that you can recognise your physical and mental habits and learn how to alter them if necessary.
It helps you move through life with ease and poise by modifying your reaction to physical and mental stress. It can lead to performance improvements in whatever you’re doing, whether it’s giving presentations at work, yoga, running, swimming, playing sport, playing an instrument, singing, acting, going for a walk or answering the phone.
The class will be experiential and it doesn’t matter what you wear. All you need is a couple of paperback books, a rug or mat and enough space to lie down.
The idea is to have some fun by doing everyday movements differently from normal.
When he started suffering from neck and back pain, he did all he could to make things better. Finally, with the Alexander Technique he realised that he was getting to the root of the problem. His neck and back got better as a result of no longer being stressed by work. Chairing meetings became easier. Gym visits became easier. Everyday life became easier.
Ben was so inspired that he did the three year full time training to become an Alexander teacher, so that he could share the Alexander experience with others.
What is the Alexander Technique?
It’s mindfulness in movement.
But isn’t it about posture?
Yes, your posture can change, but it’s about more than that. It’s a method of changing your awareness so that you can recognise your physical and mental habits and learn how to alter them if necessary.
It helps you move through life with ease and poise by modifying your reaction to physical and mental stress. It can lead to performance improvements in whatever you’re doing, whether it’s giving presentations at work, yoga, running, swimming, playing sport, playing an instrument, singing, acting, going for a walk or answering the phone.
The class will be experiential and it doesn’t matter what you wear. All you need is a couple of paperback books, a rug or mat and enough space to lie down.
The idea is to have some fun by doing everyday movements differently from normal.
Our Opening Ceremony for the Earth Living Festival Online 2021 will be guided by Zoe Hatch @sound.and.song
Zoe is a warm, dynamic and engaging songstress and workshop facilitator. She believes passionately in the power of singing to transform us at every level of our inner and outer world; how we think, how we feel, how we act and how we relate to each other and ourselves.
Many of us were given the message at an early age that we could not sing or that our singing somehow did not ‘make the grade’. A chance gift of singing lessons one Christmas led Zoe to realise that our modern approach to singing as the preserve of a chosen few had stolen her voice and she was ready to reclaim it.
Zoe brings her deep experience of the power and potential of singing and her conviction that everyone is born with the ability to sing to her work with individuals and groups today.
We cannot wait to open the festival on 26th March with this mindful & soulful singing experience. Ticket link in bio. All funds will be donated to our partnering charities.
Zoe is a warm, dynamic and engaging songstress and workshop facilitator. She believes passionately in the power of singing to transform us at every level of our inner and outer world; how we think, how we feel, how we act and how we relate to each other and ourselves.
Many of us were given the message at an early age that we could not sing or that our singing somehow did not ‘make the grade’. A chance gift of singing lessons one Christmas led Zoe to realise that our modern approach to singing as the preserve of a chosen few had stolen her voice and she was ready to reclaim it.
Zoe brings her deep experience of the power and potential of singing and her conviction that everyone is born with the ability to sing to her work with individuals and groups today.
We cannot wait to open the festival on 26th March with this mindful & soulful singing experience. Ticket link in bio. All funds will be donated to our partnering charities.
Tamalia Reeves is a local artist and designer passionate about
and experienced in using creativity for wellbeing.
Since leaving University she had worked as an Illustrator, Designer and School Teacher. After facing an incredibly difficult time in her life she turned to her yoga to help her find balance, calm and inspiration.
WIth the realisation that she wanted to live a more creative, mindful life and share her creative skills and knowledge with others, she decided to create MADEbyTamalia.
@madebytamalia is about reconnecting with people, whilst doing something holistic that’s beneficial for your wellbeing, as well as helping you learn a new skill.
Tamalia's funded project, called ‘Mindful Mini Makes,’
specifically aimed to help children and isolated adults navigate the loneliness of the pandemic by connecting them safely through the power of art.
For the Earth Living Festival she has provided a
series of fun Mini Makes Art and Craft videos for children to enjoy and make along with her. They are pre-recorded and will be available for ticket holders of the festival for 1 month in April. Simply tune into the virtual Art Club for some crafty fun at a time that’s convenient to you. A full materials list and information will accompany each video.
and experienced in using creativity for wellbeing.
Since leaving University she had worked as an Illustrator, Designer and School Teacher. After facing an incredibly difficult time in her life she turned to her yoga to help her find balance, calm and inspiration.
WIth the realisation that she wanted to live a more creative, mindful life and share her creative skills and knowledge with others, she decided to create MADEbyTamalia.
@madebytamalia is about reconnecting with people, whilst doing something holistic that’s beneficial for your wellbeing, as well as helping you learn a new skill.
Tamalia's funded project, called ‘Mindful Mini Makes,’
specifically aimed to help children and isolated adults navigate the loneliness of the pandemic by connecting them safely through the power of art.
For the Earth Living Festival she has provided a
series of fun Mini Makes Art and Craft videos for children to enjoy and make along with her. They are pre-recorded and will be available for ticket holders of the festival for 1 month in April. Simply tune into the virtual Art Club for some crafty fun at a time that’s convenient to you. A full materials list and information will accompany each video.
Karen is an international best selling author and speaker with a fascination in the underlying patterns of life. Her abstract artwork is a type of alchemy that merges science, art and symbolism.
Using a variety of accessible methods, such as guided meditation, Karen enjoys sharing the inherent possibilities of numbers, shapes and colours to effect very perusal changes, through their use as symbols and tools in spirituality and self development practices.
For many years Karen practiced and hosted meditation groups. In these she used aides, such as her artwork, and also guided visualisation incorporating a variety of symbols for a specific purpose.
The Earth Living Festival coincides with a full moon, a Worm Moon, probably because many earthworms appear when the soil thaws and warms in the early spring.
Karen will be offering a Worm Moon Meditation to our festival resources, based on the link between the Moon and Earth and our own emergence from winter hibernation into the stirring of new life that spring brings, inviting in new, positive experiences.
More guided meditations using symbolism and sacred geometry are available on YouTube at Karen L French. @karenlfrenchsymbolism
Using a variety of accessible methods, such as guided meditation, Karen enjoys sharing the inherent possibilities of numbers, shapes and colours to effect very perusal changes, through their use as symbols and tools in spirituality and self development practices.
For many years Karen practiced and hosted meditation groups. In these she used aides, such as her artwork, and also guided visualisation incorporating a variety of symbols for a specific purpose.
The Earth Living Festival coincides with a full moon, a Worm Moon, probably because many earthworms appear when the soil thaws and warms in the early spring.
Karen will be offering a Worm Moon Meditation to our festival resources, based on the link between the Moon and Earth and our own emergence from winter hibernation into the stirring of new life that spring brings, inviting in new, positive experiences.
More guided meditations using symbolism and sacred geometry are available on YouTube at Karen L French. @karenlfrenchsymbolism
Purdy Smith @unstruck_yoga is a practicing student and teacher of Yoga. Her practice includes asana (physical Yoga), pranayama (life force expansion), Meditation and Mantra.
Purdy’s ongoing study and sadhana (daily practice) explores this phenomenon through the lens of vedantic wisdom
from the Upanishads, Yogic philosophy and Tantric practices. She is grateful to her teachers, whom she continues to study with today including @omtirthyoga from the tantric tradition of Juna Akhara in the lineage of Adi Shankaracharya.
Purdy is the co-founder of Yoginah @yoginah.space a Yoga Space in Central Reading, that opened on 1st February 2020. Yoginah is a community Yoga Space dedicated to sharing Yoga in all its forms and ancient wisdom.
The word Mantra quite literally means, ‘to bi-pass the mind’. It is a tool of mind liberation used in Yoga and Tantra with love and devotion being its foundation.
During this 45 minute session we will collectively chant to Narayani as Mother Divine. Together we will understand
the meaning behind the mantra, correct pronounciation and how this practice can be used to create a powerful vibration within, allowing the soul to grab the divine energy. Together we honour our creation, including this earth and heal, through
the poems of the soul.
For the session, you are invited to bring your favourite plant as your object of creation and a mala if you have one. You will be placed on mute so can chant to your hearts desire.
Purdy’s ongoing study and sadhana (daily practice) explores this phenomenon through the lens of vedantic wisdom
from the Upanishads, Yogic philosophy and Tantric practices. She is grateful to her teachers, whom she continues to study with today including @omtirthyoga from the tantric tradition of Juna Akhara in the lineage of Adi Shankaracharya.
Purdy is the co-founder of Yoginah @yoginah.space a Yoga Space in Central Reading, that opened on 1st February 2020. Yoginah is a community Yoga Space dedicated to sharing Yoga in all its forms and ancient wisdom.
The word Mantra quite literally means, ‘to bi-pass the mind’. It is a tool of mind liberation used in Yoga and Tantra with love and devotion being its foundation.
During this 45 minute session we will collectively chant to Narayani as Mother Divine. Together we will understand
the meaning behind the mantra, correct pronounciation and how this practice can be used to create a powerful vibration within, allowing the soul to grab the divine energy. Together we honour our creation, including this earth and heal, through
the poems of the soul.
For the session, you are invited to bring your favourite plant as your object of creation and a mala if you have one. You will be placed on mute so can chant to your hearts desire.
From Yoga to cooking. Kim is a local yoga teacher in Reading who started to run a cookery class last year when the pandemic started.
"I miss my mum, she lives in Thailand and Thai food makes me miss home a little less. So my cookery class started."
Kim's online cookery classes have become a real hit in the local community. Her style is “Street Food” no certain way- if you can’t find some ingredients you can always substitute with another ingredient, adapt the taste to how you like and gain a new signature dish.
If you like Thai food or you think Thai food is too complicated to cook, Kim will share easy, simple ideas with you. It doesn't matter if you're meat lovers or plant based. You will find easy recipes that are suitable for a range of diets.
Most of the ingredients may already be in your kitchen cupboards but we will send a list to all the ticket holders a week before the festival.
Cook Thai, Eat Thai, Taste Thai...
Find out more about Kim at @kimcooksthaistreetfood or @kimpiyakatayoga
"I miss my mum, she lives in Thailand and Thai food makes me miss home a little less. So my cookery class started."
Kim's online cookery classes have become a real hit in the local community. Her style is “Street Food” no certain way- if you can’t find some ingredients you can always substitute with another ingredient, adapt the taste to how you like and gain a new signature dish.
If you like Thai food or you think Thai food is too complicated to cook, Kim will share easy, simple ideas with you. It doesn't matter if you're meat lovers or plant based. You will find easy recipes that are suitable for a range of diets.
Most of the ingredients may already be in your kitchen cupboards but we will send a list to all the ticket holders a week before the festival.
Cook Thai, Eat Thai, Taste Thai...
Find out more about Kim at @kimcooksthaistreetfood or @kimpiyakatayoga
Award-winning Reside Dance C.I.C. @residedance is Reading’s only professional contemporary dance company. Born out of Reading 2016: Year of Culture, the company aim to bring individuals and communities together by developing
connections to places and others through dance
Drawing upon techniques and processes from dance
theatre, social choreography and somatic practice, the company drive innovation that is specific to the needs
and aspirations of Reading and focus on addressing health and social outcomes for the peri and post Covid-19 environment.
connections to places and others through dance
Drawing upon techniques and processes from dance
theatre, social choreography and somatic practice, the company drive innovation that is specific to the needs
and aspirations of Reading and focus on addressing health and social outcomes for the peri and post Covid-19 environment.
Born into and raised under the wonder of the Balkan spirit & the soothing whispers of Danube river, Viktoriya Cherneva is a PSYCHEDELIC BREATH® Guide, meditation coach and yoga space holder, specialised in Vinyasa Flow and Yin currently based in Reading, UK.
Her transformative PSYCHEDELIC BREATH® bespoke breathing ritual will help you release tension and control, experience greater presence, gain clarity, surrender to your inner wisdom & trust the evolution of your dreams / life.
PSYCHEDELIC BREATH® blends dynamic breathing techniques from ancient spiritual traditions & findings of contemporary neuroscience, fused with female soul guidance & carefully selected elevating electronic/ deep house music by Vik Cerneva to help you shift your physical, mental and emotional state.
Touching upon your subconscious mind as well as your emotional body, you clear out mental, emotional and physical blockages. It can help alleviate anxiety & stress, improve immune function, enhance your sleep, positively boost your mood and bring about a sense of calm. All of these effects can increase energy & vitality, and improve mental clarity and focus.
This hour consists of a warm-up, topic & introduction, explanation of the technique and what's happening in the body, the PSYCHEDELIC BREATH® cycles followed with a resting & receiving space. We close our time together by opening the space for sharing & connecting.
Find out more about Vik @vikcherneva
Her transformative PSYCHEDELIC BREATH® bespoke breathing ritual will help you release tension and control, experience greater presence, gain clarity, surrender to your inner wisdom & trust the evolution of your dreams / life.
PSYCHEDELIC BREATH® blends dynamic breathing techniques from ancient spiritual traditions & findings of contemporary neuroscience, fused with female soul guidance & carefully selected elevating electronic/ deep house music by Vik Cerneva to help you shift your physical, mental and emotional state.
Touching upon your subconscious mind as well as your emotional body, you clear out mental, emotional and physical blockages. It can help alleviate anxiety & stress, improve immune function, enhance your sleep, positively boost your mood and bring about a sense of calm. All of these effects can increase energy & vitality, and improve mental clarity and focus.
This hour consists of a warm-up, topic & introduction, explanation of the technique and what's happening in the body, the PSYCHEDELIC BREATH® cycles followed with a resting & receiving space. We close our time together by opening the space for sharing & connecting.
Find out more about Vik @vikcherneva
Alice @alicemayyoga founded the Earth Living Festival in 2019 inspired by a vision of bringing together holistic practitioners, artists and nature lovers to explore the relationship between personal wellbeing and collective care.
Climbing trees since she could walk, Alice has always adventurous and deeply appreciative of nature. As a @primalvinyasa & Yoga teacher, she weaves these layers of evolutionary & functional movement development into her classes. She shares the practice as a foundation
for life; as embodied contemplation so we can reconnect, find steadiness and thrive.
Primal Vinyasa brings natural movement development together with the sacred wholeness of our elemental bodies & nature. It encourages humans to break free from their habitual, sedentary movement patterns and experience the authentic, natural wisdom within their bodies. All our welcome to join this empowering movement and embodiment practice on Sunday morning.
Climbing trees since she could walk, Alice has always adventurous and deeply appreciative of nature. As a @primalvinyasa & Yoga teacher, she weaves these layers of evolutionary & functional movement development into her classes. She shares the practice as a foundation
for life; as embodied contemplation so we can reconnect, find steadiness and thrive.
Primal Vinyasa brings natural movement development together with the sacred wholeness of our elemental bodies & nature. It encourages humans to break free from their habitual, sedentary movement patterns and experience the authentic, natural wisdom within their bodies. All our welcome to join this empowering movement and embodiment practice on Sunday morning.
Natalie Ganpatsingh is a philosopher, artist and Forest School Leader on a mission to connect urban communities with the nature on their doorstep.
She believes that connecting people with the wild spaces within our towns and cities is crucial to building strong, happy, healthy communities who care about each other and the environment.
10 years ago Natalie set up @naturenurture and has brought together an array of Forest School leaders, artists, storytellers, yoga teachers, musicians and technologists to provide school programmes and community events, focussing on communities most disconnected from nature.
Her Pride of Reading Award winning social enterprise, Nature Nurture CIC collaborates with the conservation, heritage, health and education sectors to achieve positive outcomes for people and the planet.
It’s time for a dose of nature! Join Natalie for a Wild Wellbeing workshop at the festival to discover the ever-growing evidence base around the benefits of nature connection. From breathing in the phytoncides on a woodland walk to simply looking at a view of nature from your window, a daily dose of nature is vital to our wellbeing. What’s more, we don’t need to venture far away - Natalie will reveal some of Reading’s little known wild gems, right on our doorstep.
"Although we’ll be on our screens, we’ll make that connection with nature and all its wonder. Please bring along an object from nature, such as a leaf, twig, flower or feather."
She believes that connecting people with the wild spaces within our towns and cities is crucial to building strong, happy, healthy communities who care about each other and the environment.
10 years ago Natalie set up @naturenurture and has brought together an array of Forest School leaders, artists, storytellers, yoga teachers, musicians and technologists to provide school programmes and community events, focussing on communities most disconnected from nature.
Her Pride of Reading Award winning social enterprise, Nature Nurture CIC collaborates with the conservation, heritage, health and education sectors to achieve positive outcomes for people and the planet.
It’s time for a dose of nature! Join Natalie for a Wild Wellbeing workshop at the festival to discover the ever-growing evidence base around the benefits of nature connection. From breathing in the phytoncides on a woodland walk to simply looking at a view of nature from your window, a daily dose of nature is vital to our wellbeing. What’s more, we don’t need to venture far away - Natalie will reveal some of Reading’s little known wild gems, right on our doorstep.
"Although we’ll be on our screens, we’ll make that connection with nature and all its wonder. Please bring along an object from nature, such as a leaf, twig, flower or feather."
Karen James is a 200hr yoga teacher who strongly advocates for yoga for all bodies and support based practices. She has recently increased her scope of teachings to include the much slower and meditative practices of yin and yoga nidra.
For the Earth Livng Festival Karen is offering a 30 minute recording of Yoga Nidra: a guided relaxation practice. This will be available to ticket holders throughout our festival resources.
For the Earth Livng Festival Karen is offering a 30 minute recording of Yoga Nidra: a guided relaxation practice. This will be available to ticket holders throughout our festival resources.
"Feel your Qi energy, get grounded to the earth, connect to the heavens and relax."
Mark discovered T’ai Chi Chuan in 1982 and those
meditative strengthening movements have been an important part of his life ever since. He was inspired to explore the world of “Qi” and Chinese Medicine.
He is qualified in Traditional Acupuncture from Prof. Worsley’s “5 Element” college in Leamington Spa. Further studies in TCM lead to him into lecturing on The London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine’s degree course. He coordinated two of the modules on the acupuncture course, and completed a training in Medical Qi Gong.
Since 1987 Mark has have helped teach Tai Chi Chuan in London as part of a team through the Tai Chi Foundation ( www.taichifoundation.org ) and in 2014 he founded a new branch of the school, Thames Tai Chi & Qi Gong, in Cholsey near Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Join Mark on bright and early on Sunday morning for this intro to Qi Gong.
Mark discovered T’ai Chi Chuan in 1982 and those
meditative strengthening movements have been an important part of his life ever since. He was inspired to explore the world of “Qi” and Chinese Medicine.
He is qualified in Traditional Acupuncture from Prof. Worsley’s “5 Element” college in Leamington Spa. Further studies in TCM lead to him into lecturing on The London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine’s degree course. He coordinated two of the modules on the acupuncture course, and completed a training in Medical Qi Gong.
Since 1987 Mark has have helped teach Tai Chi Chuan in London as part of a team through the Tai Chi Foundation ( www.taichifoundation.org ) and in 2014 he founded a new branch of the school, Thames Tai Chi & Qi Gong, in Cholsey near Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Join Mark on bright and early on Sunday morning for this intro to Qi Gong.
Helen is passionate about movement and how it supports physical and mental wellbeing. She has been teaching martial arts since 2005 and yoga since 2016. Her training spans a range of yoga styles from power to yin, she holds a 4th degree black belt in taekwon-do, and is a qualified Animal Flow coach.
Her teaching style is supportive, fun and good-humoured. Her classes include plenty of technical prompts and opportunities for all students to explore, learn and play, whatever their level of experience or energy in that moment.
Helen will be offering a flowing vinyasa yoga class where we'll be moving through 360 degrees on the mat. The practice will be both grounding and energising, opening gently before moving into flow and then back for savasana, setting you up to enjoy the rest of your festival day.
You can out more about Helen at @firefly_yoga_movement
Her teaching style is supportive, fun and good-humoured. Her classes include plenty of technical prompts and opportunities for all students to explore, learn and play, whatever their level of experience or energy in that moment.
Helen will be offering a flowing vinyasa yoga class where we'll be moving through 360 degrees on the mat. The practice will be both grounding and energising, opening gently before moving into flow and then back for savasana, setting you up to enjoy the rest of your festival day.
You can out more about Helen at @firefly_yoga_movement
Lorena is a registered Anusara Yoga teacher, a Reiki Master, Meditation teacher and a Sacred Sound Therapist. She weaves it all in to create beautiful sensory experiences and will be offering a sacred sound bath on Saturday evening of the festival.
Dive into an ocean of sound, feel the sound waves caressing your soul and immerse yourself into pure blissful vibrations.
As everything is vibrating so are we, sometimes we can become out of tune in either mind, body or spirit and dis-ease can start to take hold. Through the healing frequencies of sound therapy our bodies can be brought back in tune and we can begin to feel healthy and balanced once more.
Feel the deep relaxation and stress relieving effects of a therapeutic Sound Bath. Using a Moon Gong, Crystal Singing Bowls, Tibetan Singing Bowls and other instrument’s rich harmonic frequencies you will be bathed in sound while you switch off, feeling the stresses and strains of the day melting away.
This class is open to all. Come join us for a beautiful and relaxing sonic experience.
Dive into an ocean of sound, feel the sound waves caressing your soul and immerse yourself into pure blissful vibrations.
As everything is vibrating so are we, sometimes we can become out of tune in either mind, body or spirit and dis-ease can start to take hold. Through the healing frequencies of sound therapy our bodies can be brought back in tune and we can begin to feel healthy and balanced once more.
Feel the deep relaxation and stress relieving effects of a therapeutic Sound Bath. Using a Moon Gong, Crystal Singing Bowls, Tibetan Singing Bowls and other instrument’s rich harmonic frequencies you will be bathed in sound while you switch off, feeling the stresses and strains of the day melting away.
This class is open to all. Come join us for a beautiful and relaxing sonic experience.
Richard is a sound artist and musician with a passion for quiet spaces and contemplative arts practice. He is Creative Director of @smallsilencecic a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating quiet spaces that support wellbeing and help people reconnect with themselves and others more deeply.
As part of this work, Richard curates Small Silence’s progressive ambient music mix that airs bi-weekly on Mixcloud.
He will be sharing a live mix as part of the festival on Friday evening. Find a comfortable and calm place to listen from, then wrap yourself up in this soothing live mix of music, soundscape recordings and found sounds.
You can listen to some of Richard's recorded mixes here www.mixcloud.com/SmallSilence
As part of this work, Richard curates Small Silence’s progressive ambient music mix that airs bi-weekly on Mixcloud.
He will be sharing a live mix as part of the festival on Friday evening. Find a comfortable and calm place to listen from, then wrap yourself up in this soothing live mix of music, soundscape recordings and found sounds.
You can listen to some of Richard's recorded mixes here www.mixcloud.com/SmallSilence
Katia co-directs @yogareadinguk and is an Ashtanga and Yin Yoga teacher with a passion for anatomy and different approaches to body mapping. She loves sharing concepts, ideas, poems and stories through her Yin classes and is fascinated by the approaches that chinese medicine can bring in terms of balance and harmony to our modern busy lifestyles.
Katia is offering a Yin yoga class on Sunday afternoon of the festival weekend. Yin yoga consists of mainly floor-based postures that are held for several minutes at a time.
It has several benefits including stimulating our connective tissue and joints, encouraging us to access a meditative/contemplative state and providing the opportunity to connect more fully with our body, mind and the World around us.
This Yin sequence will focus on supporting us to transition from Winter (water element) into Spring (wood element) by providing a relaxing sequence that stimulates the Liver and Gallbladder meridians.
Katia is offering a Yin yoga class on Sunday afternoon of the festival weekend. Yin yoga consists of mainly floor-based postures that are held for several minutes at a time.
It has several benefits including stimulating our connective tissue and joints, encouraging us to access a meditative/contemplative state and providing the opportunity to connect more fully with our body, mind and the World around us.
This Yin sequence will focus on supporting us to transition from Winter (water element) into Spring (wood element) by providing a relaxing sequence that stimulates the Liver and Gallbladder meridians.
Heather loves empowering others to feel the healing potential of their own voices and sacred sound instruments. After graduating in Music and Drama she followed a holistic approach by qualifying as a Sound Healing Practitioner for the College of Sound Healing.
Being naturally drawn to the drum as a healing tool Heather started to explore the shamanic aspects, qualifying in Soul Retrieval in 2009. As Isis Sounds she runs a monthly drum circle and sound baths with Padimi Healing Sounds.
In this closing ceremony you will be invited to create a sacred space at home with a candle & smudge/incense. Heather will open the space by calling in the 7 directions, followed by rounds of drumming for connecting to mother earth and healing together.
"We will work with the powers of the 4 directions, (East, South, West & North) & their relating elements & drum the power of these elements into our bodies for a medicine wheel cleanse & re-set."
This will be powerful a powerful way to close the festival on Sunday evening- please bring a drum/rattle if you have one. We look forward to seeing you there.
Being naturally drawn to the drum as a healing tool Heather started to explore the shamanic aspects, qualifying in Soul Retrieval in 2009. As Isis Sounds she runs a monthly drum circle and sound baths with Padimi Healing Sounds.
In this closing ceremony you will be invited to create a sacred space at home with a candle & smudge/incense. Heather will open the space by calling in the 7 directions, followed by rounds of drumming for connecting to mother earth and healing together.
"We will work with the powers of the 4 directions, (East, South, West & North) & their relating elements & drum the power of these elements into our bodies for a medicine wheel cleanse & re-set."
This will be powerful a powerful way to close the festival on Sunday evening- please bring a drum/rattle if you have one. We look forward to seeing you there.
Jill @jillmarywatson is a lover of mantra and the healing vibration of sound and has been layering this into her practices for over five years. She offers her voice with us in this 45 minute session, accompanied by the harmonium, sharing some beautiful mantras that resonate through the heart and whole body.
You can join this practice to free your voice in all its perfect imperfection, and you’re also so welcome to receive the mantras as you sit in meditation or lie down and take deep rest to the vibrations. Jill’s also teaches embodied flow practices, Scaravelli and women’s cycle awareness and runs @wasingwellbeing
You can join this practice to free your voice in all its perfect imperfection, and you’re also so welcome to receive the mantras as you sit in meditation or lie down and take deep rest to the vibrations. Jill’s also teaches embodied flow practices, Scaravelli and women’s cycle awareness and runs @wasingwellbeing
Jennifer Leach is a poet, writer, performer, storyteller. Her work is wild, forged in the fantastical reaches of deep imagination; she works with myth and archetype — in an unscholarly, instinctual way — to bring to life new stories for our strange times.
She is passionate about love and equality, justice and acceptance; she is both an activist and a dreamer.
Each day, Jennifer feels the full honour and magic of being alive, spiritually and creatively charged, in these times of painful change.
She will be contributing a storytelling offering to Earth Living Festival on Sunday evening – this will be for adults and children who are not expecting child’s tales.
"I am going to dream into it, so cannot say for certain what it will contain, but the question, ‘Who has the power?’ is raising its head for me right now; perhaps the most important question we can currently be asking. I sense I will be weaving my tales and poetry around this theme, possibly around an outdoor fire, if the weather and wifi both hold. I will invite you to do the same at home, or to bring a candle, a drum, rattles, kitchen saucepan – whatever can act as in instrument for you. I am so looking forward to seeing, with you, what transpires!"
Jennifer is also the Director of @outrideanthems, the company she established in 2011; it seeks to offer a sanctuary of (challenging) creativity in the inevitable turbulence of climate breakdown.
She is passionate about love and equality, justice and acceptance; she is both an activist and a dreamer.
Each day, Jennifer feels the full honour and magic of being alive, spiritually and creatively charged, in these times of painful change.
She will be contributing a storytelling offering to Earth Living Festival on Sunday evening – this will be for adults and children who are not expecting child’s tales.
"I am going to dream into it, so cannot say for certain what it will contain, but the question, ‘Who has the power?’ is raising its head for me right now; perhaps the most important question we can currently be asking. I sense I will be weaving my tales and poetry around this theme, possibly around an outdoor fire, if the weather and wifi both hold. I will invite you to do the same at home, or to bring a candle, a drum, rattles, kitchen saucepan – whatever can act as in instrument for you. I am so looking forward to seeing, with you, what transpires!"
Jennifer is also the Director of @outrideanthems, the company she established in 2011; it seeks to offer a sanctuary of (challenging) creativity in the inevitable turbulence of climate breakdown.
Sasi is a qualified nutritionist specialising in gut health. She is the founder of NUTRILOGICA, offering one-to-one
nutritional therapy consultations and nutritional programmes for gut health. She uses functional medicine approach in her practice focusing on identifying and addressing the root cause of symptoms.
WIth a passion for sharing the powerful information on gut microbiome and health connection, Sasi strongly believes good health begins in the gut.
"If you want to improve your health, you need to start from your gut."
The human gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi. Research has shown how these microbes could be linked to obesity, diabetes and other diseases.
In this talk you will be introduced to gut microbiome and its connection to health and disease as well as how understanding and having balanced gut microbiome could improve health and help prevent disease.
Sasi is also registered with Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and is a professional member of BANT (The British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine) and IFM (Institute for Functional Medicine, USA).
Find out more @nutrilogica_uk
nutritional therapy consultations and nutritional programmes for gut health. She uses functional medicine approach in her practice focusing on identifying and addressing the root cause of symptoms.
WIth a passion for sharing the powerful information on gut microbiome and health connection, Sasi strongly believes good health begins in the gut.
"If you want to improve your health, you need to start from your gut."
The human gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi. Research has shown how these microbes could be linked to obesity, diabetes and other diseases.
In this talk you will be introduced to gut microbiome and its connection to health and disease as well as how understanding and having balanced gut microbiome could improve health and help prevent disease.
Sasi is also registered with Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and is a professional member of BANT (The British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine) and IFM (Institute for Functional Medicine, USA).
Find out more @nutrilogica_uk
Elise has been living and teaching in Caversham since 2013 and teaching outdoor classes in Caversham Court Gardens each Summer. As well as teaching Yoga she is also a qualified Soft Tissue Therapist and Ayurvedic Massage Therapist. She combines her knowledge of Soft Tissue Therapy and Ayurveda in her Yoga teaching offering a wide variety of themed classes from Yogic Philosophy to Connective Tissue Release.
Elise will be offeringa Hatha Yoga class with Connective Tissue Release for the Neck and Shoulders.
"We will be releasing connective tissue restrictions in your neck and shoulders through self-myofascial release techniques to help you more easily access poses such as Eagle arms and Reverse Prayer Pose."
This session is open to everyone no matter what your level/ flexibility or Yoga experience. For the session you will need either a foam roller or 2/3 blankets/ large towels as well as a Yoga strap or scarf.
Elise has recently launched her new Online Library at
www.yogawithelise.co.uk comprising Yoga, Meditation and Relaxation classes, as well as Self Massage, Self Myofascial Release and Injury Rehabilitation videos which have been helping people unable to get access to hands on treatment during lockdown. She also runs @beyogaretreats with her family providing Yoga retreats and holidays in the UK and Spain.
Elise will be offeringa Hatha Yoga class with Connective Tissue Release for the Neck and Shoulders.
"We will be releasing connective tissue restrictions in your neck and shoulders through self-myofascial release techniques to help you more easily access poses such as Eagle arms and Reverse Prayer Pose."
This session is open to everyone no matter what your level/ flexibility or Yoga experience. For the session you will need either a foam roller or 2/3 blankets/ large towels as well as a Yoga strap or scarf.
Elise has recently launched her new Online Library at
www.yogawithelise.co.uk comprising Yoga, Meditation and Relaxation classes, as well as Self Massage, Self Myofascial Release and Injury Rehabilitation videos which have been helping people unable to get access to hands on treatment during lockdown. She also runs @beyogaretreats with her family providing Yoga retreats and holidays in the UK and Spain.
Erica is a designer, engineer and creative strategy maker,
inspired by nature and focused on sustainability, the circular economy and system change for flourishing people and planet.
As @technicalnature, she collaborates with individuals and organisations looking to put sustainability and purpose at the heart of their business and innovation.
She believes that engineers, designers, manufacturers and technology innovators must continue to question themselves and their role and responsibility in society, in this ever-changing and complex world. Alongside this, reconnecting and getting better at listening and learning from nature, recognising that we are part of nature.
Erica will be hosting an interactive talk as part of the festival exploring our interconnected and complex relationship between nature and technology.
How does technology both support and hinder our health and wellbeing? What are the positive and negative impacts it has on nature throughout its lifecycle?
Be ready to get curious, reflect and question the very nature of what’s behind our screens and learn ways to develop more balance and considered connection with your tech.
inspired by nature and focused on sustainability, the circular economy and system change for flourishing people and planet.
As @technicalnature, she collaborates with individuals and organisations looking to put sustainability and purpose at the heart of their business and innovation.
She believes that engineers, designers, manufacturers and technology innovators must continue to question themselves and their role and responsibility in society, in this ever-changing and complex world. Alongside this, reconnecting and getting better at listening and learning from nature, recognising that we are part of nature.
Erica will be hosting an interactive talk as part of the festival exploring our interconnected and complex relationship between nature and technology.
How does technology both support and hinder our health and wellbeing? What are the positive and negative impacts it has on nature throughout its lifecycle?
Be ready to get curious, reflect and question the very nature of what’s behind our screens and learn ways to develop more balance and considered connection with your tech.
Karishma @inscape_yoga is an experienced Chartered Physiotherapist working in the NHS. She was first drawn to Yoga through her interest in Yoga Philosophy and Indian Mythology.
Bringing together her knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, Yoga and general goofiness for a unique class experience.
Join Karishma for an evening flow and restore class where we will start with a gentle warm up, move through an energising flow and end the class with a grounding relaxation. The theme of the class designed especially for this event is ‘Shapes of the Earth’. 🌳🌎
We’ll explore this through consideration of shapes in nature, humans as shapes and shapes in an Asana (physical practice) class. Come and play on your mat!
Have a cushion/blanket handy incase you need this at any point, some candles and soft lighting wouldn’t be a bad idea either! 🕯
Open to all levels. Option will be offered during the class, however please feel free to modify as feels appropriate for your body and mind.
Bringing together her knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, Yoga and general goofiness for a unique class experience.
Join Karishma for an evening flow and restore class where we will start with a gentle warm up, move through an energising flow and end the class with a grounding relaxation. The theme of the class designed especially for this event is ‘Shapes of the Earth’. 🌳🌎
We’ll explore this through consideration of shapes in nature, humans as shapes and shapes in an Asana (physical practice) class. Come and play on your mat!
Have a cushion/blanket handy incase you need this at any point, some candles and soft lighting wouldn’t be a bad idea either! 🕯
Open to all levels. Option will be offered during the class, however please feel free to modify as feels appropriate for your body and mind.
Eimear @illustrate_and_create is a local artist who lives in Wallingford and I loves to paint. She studied a Sustainable Product Design degree a few years ago and feels passionate about combining creativity and sustainability.
"I create treasures through upcycling and painting. I love making pieces unique using imaginative, fantastical illustrations inspired by nature."
Having taught in a local primary school for a few years, Eimear decided to lead some art lessons for children during lockdown.
"I believe creativity is essential for everyone, especially children and it was a joy and a challenge to learn how to turn my passion for painting into digestible lessons via YouTube. In my art lesson, I will be teaching you how to paint a family of foxes in our treasured British woodland."
"I create treasures through upcycling and painting. I love making pieces unique using imaginative, fantastical illustrations inspired by nature."
Having taught in a local primary school for a few years, Eimear decided to lead some art lessons for children during lockdown.
"I believe creativity is essential for everyone, especially children and it was a joy and a challenge to learn how to turn my passion for painting into digestible lessons via YouTube. In my art lesson, I will be teaching you how to paint a family of foxes in our treasured British woodland."