“I feel so supported and that I can learn so much from Laura. I’ve taken a lot from this course and am excited about teaching and being more playful both in my personal practice and in the studio.”
- Rhian
Yoga for Anxiety
Understand how and why anxiety arises and how the science of yoga can have such a powerful role to play in alleviating anxiety. Post pandemic this work is more vital than ever, as so many are living with the debilitating effects of anxiety as we try to shift to the “new normal’.
Whether you want to offer classes specifically for anxiety, or simply support yourself & others to find more ease, we will share proven methods from across the yoga & mindfulness spectrum that shift anxiety.
Using the body & breath is key for moving from an anxious state, we can’t think our way out of anxiety so yoga is ideally placed to offer this support. Key to understanding anxiety is the nervous system, so we will research & explore for ourselves how our practice affects our nervous system state.
Yoga gives opportunities to both “up regulate” or stimulate the nervous system, as well as to calm or “down-regulate” so that over time as we alternate consciously between these states, the nervous system becomes more adaptable or resilient. Alongside other neurological and psychological changes, supported by affirmation, yoga philosophy, anxiety can become much more manageable.
This course includes:
The physiology & neurology if anxiety made accessible
Breathwork practices for mental health
Vagus nerve- theory & practice
The bandhas & why they matter
Movement & anxiety- how to create & adapt asana for anxiety
Creating a resilient nervous system- & what this means
Class sequences- we provide & develop sample sequences
How to teach a 6 week course of Yoga for Anxiety or Yoga for Physical & Mental health
I would love to share this unique course with you that I have developed during the past few years in response to the pandemic, and hormone changes of menopause that can lead to anxiety.
I believe this course is essential learning for any yoga teacher, since so many of our students come for their anxiety, whether they specify this or not. Let’s create a yoga that is inherently healing and nurturing for all.
You can book this course on its own or as part of our Advanced 300-hour teacher training.
Upcoming Courses
January 2023
Contact us to get notified when booking opens →
Course Teacher: Laura Gilmore
Laura Gilmore leads the training programmes at Bristol School of Yoga. With over 15 years' teaching experience, Laura is certified to train teachers to the highest level. Laura shares an in depth knowledge of yoga traditions, meditation practices, pranayama techniques. Evolving a practice from dynamic ashtanga and comprehensive hatha to subtle chakra and tantra work, focussing on the precision of Iyengar.
+ Course Skills
- Practice and teach asana techniques and sequencing for an organic discovery of the bandhas
- Expertly teach ujjayi breath & bandhas for lightness in the physical body, for core strength and for increasing prana
- Understand Anatomy and Physiology relating to the bandhas: a study of the pelvis, liver and diaphragm regions
- Thorough understanding of the relevance of prana and bandhas to the nervous system
- Practice and teach bandha work for deepening pranayama and meditation
- Practice of flowing sequences to release physical and mental tension (from Feldenkrais and Hana somatics)
- Understand Tantra texts and Upanishads relevant to bandhas.
+ Why train with Bristol School of Yoga?
We have been offering training for more than a decade (since 2009). Our alumni have gone on to have successful yoga teaching careers including running their own studios, retreats, teaching internationally, for studios or private and corporate classes.
- Small group sizes (20 max)
- Ongoing support throughout the course
- Depth of knowledge offered by expert tutors
- Creative training incorporating up to date research from relevant fields
- Afterwards be part of an international community
+ Essential Reading
Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati (2002) 'Prana, Pranayama, Prana Vidya'. Yoga Publications Trust OR Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati (2009) 'Prana and Pranayama'. Yoga Publications Trust.
Tias Little (2016) 'The Subtle Body'. Shambala.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika (any translation)
+ Prerequisites
A 200-hour Yoga Alliance certificate One character reference
+ Fees & Payment Options
£495, or £470 early bird*
*early bird discount offered up to 6 months before the course start date
You're welcome to pay your balance in full or pay the deposit and sign up to a payment plan.
If you choose to pay the £200 deposit and your application is successful, you will be automatically signed up to the payment plan which is available on your application date, using the payment method you provided to pay your deposit.
- Long Payment Plan with Early Bird Discount
Available up to 6 months before the course start date
£200 deposit, followed by 4 monthly payments of £67.50. Includes the early bird discount, total fees £470.
- Medium Payment Plan
Available 6 - 2 months before the course start date.
£200 deposit, followed by 2 monthly payments of £147.50.
- Short Payment Plan
Available from 2 months before the course start date.
£200 deposit, followed by 1 payment of £295 one month later.
Your first payment will be taken automatically 1 month after you pay your deposit. Once agreed to, your payment schedule can only be changed with agreement from Bristol School of Yoga. View our full terms and conditions.
+ Bursary
We are offering bursaries specifically on our 8, 7 and 6 module 300 hour courses, and unfortunately we cannot offer bursary places on individual intensives/modules.
We are committed to enabling and empowering students who have been affected by racism and discrimination - acts which are not compatible with the practice of yoga. Find out more
+ Certification
You will receive a BSY certificate of attendance for 40 hours.
For those of you on the Advanced 300-hour training this Intensive counts as 40 hours.
The training can also be used for Yoga Alliance CPD.