Not An Expert...

I thought i would share the contents of last week's email to my subscribers as lots of people commented to me how useful and interesting they found it.  (These are emails sent out every Thursday to people who attend my regular classes and like to recieve my online videos and audios.  When there isn't any new online material to share, I have a little waffle about something I have been thinking about! This was last week's offering.)

Have a good look at that diagram.  Interesting isn’t it?  You might need to ponder on it for a while but I stumbled upon it and it encapsulates something I’ve been thinking about lately.   I’ve been noticing that the more study I do – the more I realise how little I actually know!  This might apply to life in general too.....  

I am passionate about learning new stuff – loving the process of learning and get excited when I come across new ideas and theories – even when I don’t necessarily agree with them.  In fact, these days I deliberately search for the opposite of what I am hypothesising as now I am aware of confirmation bias.  This makes for a very rounded way of learning and helps with critical thinking which has not been my strong point in the past.  It’s especially important in this day and age when there is so much false information out there. 

I have also deliberately followed some people on social media who are very different to me – in order to gain new perspectives (I’m not talking about Trump supporters – that’s a bit too far) just people who see things from a different angle to myself. 

When I did a bit more research I found how this relates to the Dunning-Kruger effect which refers to the seemingly pervasive tendency of poor performers to overestimate their abilities relative to other people – and, to a lesser extent, for high performers to underestimate their abilities.  Fascinating isn’t it?

If you enjoyed reading this little snippet and you attend my classes, then message me your email address and I can add you to the list.  You can unsubscribe at any time.

For details of my yoga classes see My Website

Late Summer Newsletter 2019

I've not written a blog for so long.  I have been writing though, I've been putting my heart and soul into weekly emails for my subscribers.  It's been wonderful to engage with class members in this way and I love it when I get replies with feedback on whatever I've been writing about.  Great to hear other's opinions and experiences relating to whatever I've been waffling about!!

But it's been in the back of my mind to get back to the blog and give a little update on what has been happening with my classes and my work recently.

The main news is that I no longer teach the parent and toddler yoga - I did a long post about it on Facebook so I think most people know the reasons why I have decided to wind down that class after 7 years of teaching it.  The end of an era.....(a very joyous one)

In it's place is a new chair yoga class as my existing Wednesday chair class is a little over subscribed and it makes sense to trial another class on the schedule, as this sort of class is really helpful for some people who find regular yoga classes are not quite right for them.  All details are on my website - it starts on 9th Sept and there are a few spaces left, so if you are interested or know someone who might be, do let me know.

My other classes have been ticking over nicely and I'm looking forward to getting back on full schedule after the summer break, which was pretty much 50% of the full schedule. We start back with the full weekly quota of classes on Wed 4th Sept.

My online work is ongoing too and I am mainly working on 30 minute videos for regular class members to have exclusive access to.  I've been doing this for well over 2 years now and there is a full library of yoga videos and relaxation/meditation audios.  If you want access to these, just send me your email address and which class you attend and i can send you access to all of the material.

Workshops are happening too, a few people have asked why I don't seem to advertise them online.  The reason being I open up the places to my class members first and generally workshops get booked up quite quickly which I'm eternally grateful for.  Occasionally this doesn't happen, so that is when I create a Facebook event/post advertising it online.

Something you may not know is that I can allow teens into my classes.  I've had lots of young people doing the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, who opt for yoga as a new skill to learn.  It's worked fantastically well and I've had some very inspiring, focussed youngsters attend my classes.  It warms my heart to know we have some fabulous young people in our community.

So that's it for now - nothing earth shattering - just a little post about what's going on!!  Remember if you haven't been to class for a while (for whatever reason) but feel you'd like to come back - don't be a stranger, you will always be welcome back into the classes.  Hope to see you soon.

Namaste.  

To keep up with latest news click  Home Page of my website  

For details of my weekly schedule click  Classes Page of my website

Yogi Claire Spring Newsletter

We made it through the Winter - although if the weekend weather forecast is to be believed, we are not completely done with the Siberian weather yet!


I thought it would be timely to put out a newsletter outlining what is happening at the moment with my classes.  Well to be honest - not much in the way of change!!  Things are ticking along nicely with the usual schedule working pretty well so no need to change things around.  I think people enjoy some consistency in life.

Easter:  A couple of notes for the Easter period: No Thursday evening class on 29th March as the church is being used for Maundy Thursday Service.   No toddler class on 2nd & 9th April.  No chair yoga on 4th April.  No Avenue class on 30th March and 6th April.  No Tues morning class on 3rd April only.  Note the Tuesday evening class at United Reformed Church IS running all over the Easter period so if your usual class is not on - you are welcome to attend that one - it's a really big hall so loads of space!! If you are in any doubt - check the links on my calendar page of website or bob me a quick text to check.

Price Adjustment:  I'll get the money stuff out of the way first - the Tuesday and Thursday evening classes will have a slight price increase from 1st April from £5.50 to £6 per session.  This is because my continuing training and increases in room hire impact on my costs.  The classes are still very reasonably priced and so versatile as there is no need to book ahead of time and you don't have to commit to a block booking.  Please let me know if this creates a real problem and we can maybe come to an arrangement to help with the cost of classes, as I would hate for anyone to be unable to come to yoga due to cost. This also simplifies my prices as it means all regular classes are £6 per session (apart from chair yoga and toddler yoga which remain at £5 per session)

Chair Yoga:  The new chair yoga class on Wednesday mornings has been really wonderful, and well attended - even when the room was a bit chilly one morning.  We just got on with it and had fun with our movement - then warmed up with coffees in the cafe afterwards!  

Toddler yoga:  I'm happy to say this class is still well attended but I usually have one or two drop in places each week, so if you have little ones and fancy it - have a look on my website for all details.

April Workshop:  On April 14th I am running my Standing Tall Workshop again (the first one of this theme was 3 years ago!!) - this is an exploration of feet through our yoga postures.  This is fully booked at the moment but if you would like to be put on the waiting list let me know.

Yogi Claire Online Content: I am still producing weekly online content in the form of a 12 minute yoga video and also a weekly relaxation.  This is free content with contributions to cost welcome, if you see fit.  They are unlisted videos on You Tube/Soundcloud so you do need a secret link via email to access them.  Message me your email and which class you attend if you would like go on the subscribers list.  (class members only)

Remember if you haven't been to class for while - and would like to return, please don't hesitate.  No questions asked and certainly no judgement!  Hope to see you soon

 Click here for Yogiclaire Website

Awesome Vegan Banana Bread

Another recipe for you!

I've been doing my best to eat plant-based since Oct of last year (2017) and it's been going remarkably well.  It has been a gradual thing for me - I was pescatarian (eating fish but no meat) for about 4 years prior to that but when I educated myself on  a few things I realised it didn't sit well with me to be eating fish and dairy due to the cruelty involved and the fact that I love so many other foods that don't involve suffering, means I am lucky i can make the choice to eat this way.  (I'm going to leave it at that as this is a blog of a recipe....this is a lovely, easy loaf to make and eat whatever your eating habits are)

Firstly this is definitely more bread-like than cake-like - it is quite dense but can be lightened up by changing the flour used.  I do not like anything that is 'scream in your face' sweet....in fact I prefer bread to cake but this does have a subtle background sweetness due to the banana and date syrup used.  With the quantities used there is not an overwhelmingly banana flavour but again if you want that - you can easily tweak the recipe.

There is an ingredient called aquafaba - which is basically the whipped up water from a tin of chickpeas (i did experiment and tried with the water from some butter beans and it worked just as well)  This is in lieu of eggs and appeals to me as I hate waste and like to use everything I can!!

Ingredients:

2 small ripe bananas
Quarter cup of melted coconut oil or other mild flavoured oil
Quarter cup of date syrup
Three Quarter cups of aquafaba
2 cups of flour - I used 1 cup of spelt and 1 of regular white flour, have used all spelt, does work fine, but not as light!
1 Teaspoon mixed spice
1 Teaspoon baking powder
1-2 tablepoons of soya yoghurt or plant milk (I love Alpro coconut yoghurt for this)

Equipment:

Loaf tin oiled
Electric hand blender (can use hand whisk)
Large bowl

Method:

1. Drain liquid from a tin of chickpeas.
2. Whizz up in a bowl either with a hand blender or whisk - it shouold whip up all bubbly pretty quickly.
3. Break up the bananas into the bowl and whizz some more.
4. Melt the coconut oil to liquid and add to the bowl.
5. Add the flour, baking powder and spice and fold in - combining everything throughly.
6. Start adding the milk or yoghurt slowly until the mixture loosens a bit. I mix it to almost dropping consistency but not quite - use your intuition!
7.  Transfer mix to oiled loaf tin.
8 Bake at about 180degs (fan oven) for approx 30-35 minutes.  It should rise really well and goes a little cracked on top but the crunchy top bits are the best!
9.  Eat when a little warm either as is or with a little vegan butter or almond butter spread on top.  Would be ace with vegan custard too.
10.  ENJOY!!

Winter Newsletter

We are rapidly hurtling towards December! Yikes - how did that happen?  We say this every year don't we, but it does seem to come round quickly after the schools go back in September.

Things are ticking along at Yogi Claire Headquarters, all my regular classes all still running at various venues around Sale.  Remember to take a look at the website to see the schedule.  One change is that my Mum, Barbara has finished her later Tuesday session at Sale United Reformed Church now,  to focus on her Tuesday morning class as many class members had switched from the evening session to the daytime session (at another venue)  She had been teaching the Tuesday evening class since the 1980s, which is some achievement!!  My class at that venue is still running Tuesdays at 6.15pm and now runs through the half term holidays too, so you can keep going with your practice.


The parent and toddler yoga class on Mondays is still well attended, but there are a few spaces at the moment, let me know if you fancy it with your little ones.  It's such a lovely class and the Mum's and Nanna's often stay for coffee in the café bar afterwards.  I'd love to get some more Dads attending!

My workshop in the New Year is now fully booked - so thanks to all who booked on, I'm starting to put a few ideas together now for that.  It will be a really positive way to kick off 2018.



The online content consisting of 12 minute yoga videos and short relaxations has been doing really well, the videos are a little rough and ready but everyone who has signed up seems to be enjoying them - although I suspect Henry Moon my cocker spaniel is the main attraction.  Let me know if you'd like to sign up for this free content (you can make contributions to the cost if you wish but it is essentially free which is not bad for over 6 hours of yoga).  These are great if you want to have a daily practice or if you sometimes can't get to class.

The children's relaxations I have recorded on Soundcloud are publicly available - so you don't need a secret link for these.  Click the link for those:  https://soundcloud.com/yogiclaire99

Remember there is always lots of information on my website www.yogiclaire.com and you can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Yogi Claire - Autumn Newletter

Hello everyone!

Hope you are all well and have enjoyed the Summer - despite the changeable weather!! 

It's a great time of year as we head into September.   All the schools are returning for a brand new year and there is a 'New Year' vibe in the air, a great time to create some healthy new habits - or perhaps get back those healthy habits if they have slipped over the Summer months!


A bit of information and news for you.


Schedule:  We resume the usual class schedule as of Wed 6th Sept - this is the day many schools return after the long summer break.  If you are a Tuesday evening class member we will be back at the usual venue of Sale United Reformed Church, Montague Rd. on the 5th Sept at 6.15pm.  Please note the later session at this venue taught by my Mum (Barbara) does not start back until the 12th Sept.  But everyone is welcome at the earlier session on the 5th with me, as we have such a lovely big space, we do not struggle for room!

Price Increases:  Please note that the Tues and Thursday classes (taught by Claire) will be having a slight price increase to £5.50 per session.  Still some of the least expensive classes in the area. I have resisted increasing prices as long as I could and have only had one price increase in the past 6 years!  But my venue costs have gone up as has my insurance so to keep these classes super flexible and drop in, I need to increase by 50 pence per session.  All other classes remain the same price.  See website for details www.yogiclaire.com

Oct 14th Yoga Workshop - "Less is More"  - Please see me in class for details of this next workshop.

Online Content: I now have over 2 hours of yoga videos on You Tube - exclusively for my class members.  These are really adaptable versatile 12 minute yoga sessions which land in your inbox every Thursday along with a short guided relaxation.  This is free content but I do ask if you feel you benefit from the content and can afford to make a small one off contribution then it is much appreciated and helps me to keep going with this side of my work. There is a PayPal button on my website for this.  If you'd like to sign up simply pass me your email address and I can add you to the mailing list - or if you just want instant access to 2 hours of videos without receiving future ones then just let me know.  Ask me in class if this is not clear! 

Remember all information is on my website (address above and below) the 'Classes' tab indicates all the times, venues and prices.  The 'Calendar' tab has a link to my Yoga Trail profile where you can see a live calendar, so you can always double check at the click of a mouse if you haven't been to class for a while.  (sometimes I cannot instantly answer phone-calls, emails and texts, so checking the calendar is the quickest way!)

Happy September everyone and hope to see you in class soon!


www.yogiclaire.com