Ross-on-Wye: Caroline Symonds Gardens
Where?
Join our FREE Park Yoga sessions at Caroline Symonds Gardens, Ross-on-Wye.
Please look out for the large Park Yoga flag.
When?
9.30am – 10.30am every Sunday morning from 3rd May to 13th September.
Getting here:
what3words: ///divorcing.winning.fictional
Walking: The Bandstand is within a 5 minute walk of the Town Centre, follow the black pedestrian signposts, walk along the Rope Walk or down Wye Street.
Car: The Town Centre has a one-way system, Caroline Symonds Gardens/Wye Street is accessible from the Wilton Road exit on the A40 Wilton Roundabout.
Bus: Daffodil Line timetable is here (drops people at 9:26am to the bus station ( ///zone.football.undercuts) near the Library/Town Hall, a 5-minute walk away), town bus map is also here.
Train: The nearest train stations are Ledbury (14 miles), Hereford (15 miles), Gloucester (18 miles) and Cheltenham (23 miles).
Parking:
- Nearest carpark is on Wilton Road, HR9 5JA (///titles.emperor.crowds) or Homs Road, HR9 7DE (///proven.applied.brink). Both are free on Sundays. (If parking on residential streets please ensure this is done considerately. Remember, emergency vehicles may require access).
Facilities:
- Free public toilets are on site behind the Bandstand (Wye Street, ///laugh.colder.bunch)
Meet your instructor: Aleksandra Woodland
I have been practising yoga for 15 years.
I was so passionate about it I wanted to share it with others.
I have been teaching for 2 years now and absolutely love it.
Facebook Feed:
Park Yoga Ross-on-Wye
Park Yoga offers FREE outdoor yoga sessions, every Sunday morning from May - September.
Very often in yoga classes you hear teacher says: ground yourself.
What does it mean?
In yoga, grounding yourself means shifting your focus from the "chatter" of your mind down into the physical points where your body meets the mat. It’s the process of using downward energy (called Apana Vayu) to create a sense of safety and stillness.
Here is how you can practically ground yourself during a session:
1. Root Through the "Four Corners"
In any standing pose like Mountain Pose (Tadasana), don't just stand; active your foundation. Press down firmly through the big toe mound, the pinky toe mound, and both sides of your heel. Imagine roots growing from your soles into the floor.
2. Focus on the Root Chakra (Muladhara)
Grounding is tied to the base of the spine. When you feel "spacey" or anxious, focus your breath on your tailbone. Poses that bring your hips close to the floor—like Yogi Squat (Malasana) or Child’s Pose—help stimulate this center of stability.
3. Use Your Senses (The "Drishti")
If your mind is racing, use a Drishti (focused gaze). Fix your eyes on one unmoving point on the floor. This physical "anchor" for your eyes immediately helps steady your balance and quiet your thoughts.
4. Lengthen the Exhale
The breath is your most immediate grounding tool. Try Box Breathing or simply making your exhales twice as long as your inhales. Long exhales trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, signaling to your brain that you are safe and supported.
See you next Sunday 9:30-10:30 for our Park Yoga class in the fresh air with lovely birds songs in the background.
What could be better than that?
🧘♀️♥️
💚 Do you thrive on engaging with individuals, are passionate about your local community and love being outside in nature?
💚 Do you have availability this summer to volunteer for Park Yoga, Sunday mornings from 9am until 11am? (No previous yoga experience required).
💚 If you answered YES, this could be a fantastic opportunity for you to meet new people whilst bringing joy and happiness to your local community.
➡️ For further information and to register to become a Park Yoga Volunteer please head to our website: parkyoga.co/volunteers/
5 YOGA MYTHS BUSTED
1. Myth: You Need to Be Flexible
* Fact: This is the #1 misconception. Yoga is not a requirement to be flexible; it is the solution for becoming more flexible.
2. Myth: Yoga Isn't a "Real" Workout
* Fact: Many styles of yoga (such as Vinyasa or Ashtanga) are physically demanding and build core strength, muscular endurance, and joint stability. It is more than just stretching.
3. Myth: Yoga is Only for Women/Skinny People
* Fact: Historically, yoga was practiced exclusively by men. Today, it is a universal practice suitable for all body types, genders, and fitness levels.
4. Myth: You Need Expensive Gear & Clothes
* Fact: You only need a comfortable space to move. You don't need expensive clothes or elite equipment to practice effectively.
5. Myth: Using Props Means You're Not Good at Yoga
* Fact: Props (like blocks and straps) are tools for proper alignment and accessibility, not a sign of weakness. Using them shows, rather than hides, a developed understanding of your own body.
Bonus Myth: "I don't have time."
You can feel the benefits of yoga in as little as 10–20 minutes a day, and it helps manage stress-related weight gain.
See you next Sunday! 🧘♀️
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