Welcome

My name is Helen Stephenson; you might have come to this website by accident, or because you have attended a class or workshop with me. I hope that after you have read my introduction you will get an idea of what I do and decide if this is of benefit for you.

I have practised yoga and Vipassana (Insight) meditation since 1979. I sat on retreats with Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, Christina Feldman and Christopher Titmuss. Since 1981 I have studied classical yoga under the spiritual guidance of the Indian yoga teacher Sri S. Rajagopalan. Until 2008 I was the Senior Pilates teacher with the advanced Pilates’ training school and studio in Milton Keynes and I have taught retreats in the UK, Germany, Russia, Belgium and Switzerland. I am also a Relate certified counsellor and work with individuals, couples and families.

Over the last 30 years I felt that all these elements, the physical, the emotional-mental and the spiritual are equally important to live our life with joy, compassion and courage. So whatever door you want to walk through to enrich your life I am happy to join you.

Yoga & Pilates

In the classical, mindful yoga practice I work from inner stillness. We use slow, precise movements to move step by step, supported by deep breathing, into our posture and to hold it for some time. Yoga is not competitive; instead we develop body awareness and a non-judgemental attitude. We will move with the body, not against it. We will accept our limitations and calmly work towards improvement, if possible. By paying attention to the present experience we deepen our awareness of a deep silence and joyfulness which pervades everything in creation.

Pilates is a fitness system based on aerobics and yoga postures. It was developed early in the 1920’s by Joseph Pilates in Germany. The program aims to strengthen the deep torso muscles that support the spine and teaches controlled breathing and alignment of the spine.

In November 2009 I gained the level 4 REPS qualification for lower back care.

'Thank you for sharing your insight, knowledge and wisdom. You came into my life at a time when I needed calm, and moments of stillness.' B

'Just to say how greatly I enjoyed every aspect of the weekend: your joyfulness and the integrity of your work, which seamlessly connected yoga postures, pranayama and meditation.  Thank you for the generosity with which you shared your knowledge and your time.' S