Deepen your Yoga Practice
Led by Tara and Ruth
Deepen your Yoga Practice
We will develop safe and supported ways to embody poses that build your strength, balance and flexibility of body and mind. We’ll work with kindness and mindfulness so you get to know your body, and so that you can surprise yourself with what you can do! It’s a supportive and encouraging environment to go deeper with your yoga practice and challenge yourself, whilst having fun at the same time.
A sample week-by-week glance
Please note that the content of each class is subject to change as we design and shape the course to suit the attendees.
Week 1 Shoulderstand
We’ll look at ways to protect the neck and to feel more comfortable in the pose, using supports such as a blanket and blocks to make it more accessible. Shoulderstand stretches the neck and shoulders, calms the nervous system, digestive system and can deepen sleep.
Week 2 Headstand
We will look at methods to build your strength and gradually come up into a headstand, away from the wall to build your balance. We will support each other in pairs to help guide your alignment correctly and safely. Both Tara and Ruth are on hand to help support you through all the steps towards a headstand.
Week 3 Wheel
We’ll focus on back bends including Wheel pose. This pose can help relieve back pain and also gives a real energy boost. We will break down the Wheel pose, looking at shoulders, hips, building flexibility and strength. We will balance the back bends with forward folds to leave us rejuvenated and refreshed.
Week 4 Bird of Paradise, Flamingo, balances
There are some really fun yoga balances, with equally fun avian-related names, but what really helps you to balance well? We will explore what makes a good balance, cultivating balance, groundedness and focus in the mind, as well as in the body.
Week 5 Arm balances
Build strength in your body and improve your coordination with these arm balances, including Wild Thing, Crow, Firefly and Eight Angle pose. We will strengthen and warm up our wrists thoroughly to prepare for these arm balances. We really have to unify the body and mind to come up into these poses. It’s a great challenge for us to embrace and can lead to even deeper relaxation in Savasana at the end of the class.
Week 6 Binds and Handstand
This week we’ll explore different ways to come up into a handstand and building strength in the shoulders and core. We will also be binding the arms to help you deepen in different postures such as in Side Angle pose and Triangle pose. Binds are a great way to deepen in various yoga shapes.
Come in person
Doors open 15 minutes before the start. When you arrive, there'll be someone on reception to help you with any queries. There'll also be short breaks during most events.
Price
We appreciate every amount people feel able to give, no matter how big or small and thank you for your generosity in helping pass on the benefits of the Buddha’s teachings.
Single sex activities
At the LBC we value single-sex activities as a support for one’s deepening spiritual practice and we have men’s and women’s mitra convenors whose role it is to orientate new people into centre activities. If you identify as trans or non-binary then you're very welcome here - do get in touch and we can work out in discussion the best way of participating in the centre for you. We want to engage with everyone on an individual basis, in the spirit of friendship, and for everyone to feel at home at the London Buddhist Centre.
Venue
Opening times
Reception hours | 10am-5pm | Mon to Sat
Evening Classes | 7pm to 9.30pm | Mon to Fri
Sunday events | Check event page for timings
Getting here
Our address is: 51 Roman Rd, Bethnal Green, E20HU. The nearest tube stations within 5-10 minutes walk are Bethnal Green (Central Line and Overground), Cambridge Heath (Overground) and Stepney Green (District and Hammersmith & City lines). There are also lots of bus routes with stops 2-5 minutes from the centre.
How to book
Most of our events are by donation, you don't need to book just simply turn up on the day.
For courses and retreats, pre-booking online is recommended. There’s no need to print your e-ticket.
Plan your visit
An accessible toilet is located in the building.
Cloakroom
You can leave your coats and bags in the cloakroom provided. We ask that you take your footwear off if you plan on entering the shrine room. Please bring any valuable items with you into the class.
Bookshop
There is a bookshop at reception which includes books on Buddhism, Meditation and Mindfulness as well as ritual items, incense and cards. We accept both cash and card.
Access
If you require wheelchair or step free assistance please let reception know upon arrival or call beforehand. Depending on which shrine rooms will be used a team member will be able to assist with the use a ramps and lifts in the building.
Eating and drinking
During some events tea and biscuits are served during breaks while on day retreats and festival days there is vegan lunch shared between all those present.
If you would like to eat before or after an event at the centre the Mandala cafe is next door to the London Buddhist Centre! The Mandala team are friends and Buddhists, and this is a non-profit venture (we are a registered charity) so do come along and experience the unique and friendly atmosphere.
Monday - Friday 8.30am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 3.30pm
Sunday CLOSED
