Gary’s style of teaching is based on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. A traditional approach with a focus on asanas (postures, including the anatomical detail of Iyengar’s style and the flow of Ashtanga Vinyasa), traditional pranayamas (breathing exercises) and the mindfulness of Buddhist meditation.
He has been teaching since 2002 and practising yoga since 1995.

He teaches in different locations around Bristol & North Somerset:

• Drop-in public classes: Monday and Friday
• Yoga at work for staff – See page for details, right
• Private yoga tuition — one-to-one or small groups: see link right

Class timetable

MONDAY  – Southmead Hospital – staff
5.15pm to 6.15pm
Staff only – if you work at Southmead Hospital North Bristol Trust (NBT) this is for you
Cost: The classes are run in 10-week blocks = £55 for 10 classes (£5.50 per class) – join during a block (if space) or wait for new block – interested? Contact Gary today.
Blocks: current block runs to Oct 1. Newblock starts October 8 to December 17 – spaces available if you wish to book your place, contact Gary
Venue: Seminar room (most weeks no. 5) at Learning and Research building, Southmead Hospital (NHS North Bristol), Bristol BS10 5NB.
Interested? Contact me gary@yogabristol.co.uk

MONDAY – Stoke Bishop – general public/drop-in
7pm to 8.30pm (90 mins)
Drop-in: £10 (no booking – join the class any week)
Blocks: £8 per class, length varies according to school term, see below. Payable by BACS in advance (email me for bank details) or at first class of block (cash/cheque)
Venue: Stoke Bishop Primary School, Main Hall, Cedar Park, Bristol BS9 1BW.
Timetable: After summer break, classes from September 3 to October 22; after half term break from November 5 to December 17.
Off-street parking available: entrance to right of main building, use lower gate and park in playground – hall entrance from playground not school’s front entrance.

TUESDAY – MOD Abbey Wood – staff
4pm – 5pm (60 mins)
MOD staff only/members of Laurels Sports and Social Club
Venue: Laurels Sports and Social Club at the MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol BS34 8JH

WEDNESDAY – MOD Abbey Wood – staff
12pm – 1pm (60 mins)
MOD staff only/members of Laurels Sports and Social Club
Venue: Laurels Sports and Social Club at the MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol BS34 8JH

WEDNESDAY – DAC Beachcroft LLP – staff
5.30pm-6.30pm (60 mins)
DAC Beachcroft staff only – staff classes run in 10-week blocks – contact Gary for details
Venue: Portwall Place, Portwall Ln, Bristol BS1 6NB

THURSDAY – David Lloyd Leiure Club South Bristol – members
10.30am to 12pm (90 mins)
David Lloyd (South Bristol) Health Club Ashton Rd, Bristol BS3 2HB. Tel: 0117 953 1010

THURSDAY – MOD Abbey Wood – staff
1pm – 2pm (60 mins)
MOD staff only/members of Laurels Sports and Social Club
Venue: Laurels Sports and Social Club at the MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol BS34 8JH

THURSDAY – DAC Beachcroft LLP – staff
5.30pm-6.30pm (60 mins)
DAC Beachcroft staff only – 10-week block of classes – contact Gary for details
Venue: Portwall Place, Portwall Ln, Bristol BS1 6NB

FRIDAY – Long Ashton – general public/drop-in
10am to 11.15am (75 mins)
Drop-in: £9 (no booking – join the class any week)
Block: £7 per class, length varies according to school term, see below. Payable by BACS in advance (email me for bank details) or at first class of block (cash/cheque)
Timetable: After summer break, classes from September 7 to October 26; after half term break, from November 9 to December 21.
Venue: Long Ashton Community Centre, Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton, BS41 9DR – free car parking available; located just 4 miles from Bristol city centre

FRIDAY – Westbury-on-Trym – general public/drop-in
12.15pm to 1.15pm (60mins)
Drop-in: £9 (no booking – join the class any week)
Block: £7 per class; length varies according to school term, see below. Payable by BACS in advance (email me for bank details) or at first class of block (cash/cheque)
Timetable: After summer break, classes from September 7 to October 26; after half term from Novmber 9 to December 14.
Venue: Scout Hall, Northcote, Great Brockeridge, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3TY

Prices: offers and block booking

BLOCK BOOKING:
See above for details.
Note: Payment can be made at the class (cash or cheque) or by bank transfer contact Gary for details.
Block bookings are for consecutive classes, and is non-refundable due to non-attendance.

Feedback from some of Gary’s students:

“The yoga classes focus on fundamental moves which I feel are safely within my comfort zone whilst still pushing me enough to progress my strength and flexibility. I really enjoy having a focus on both my physical and mental health. The weekly sessions keep me injury free so that I can keep up my other sports commitments, along with the added bonus of feeling refreshed at the end of a long Monday!” – Dr Kim Hannam. Musculoskeletal Research Unit, University of Bristol, Jan 2015

“The classes are a perfect mix of yoga and breathing exercises and have become one of the highlights of my week. Gary is the best yoga teacher I’ve had and I really like the format of his classes plus his useful teachings and insights on both yoga and meditation practice.” – Mel Randhawa, April 2014

“I have dabbled with Yoga for years but never really ‘got it’. Gary is the first teacher I have met who actually teaches rather than just stand at the front of the class doing the poses. From one of the first classes when he went over and over how to actually do Down Dog properly , then how to do sun salutation correctly. Never rushed never trying to do too much. Holding the pose or the twist or the stretch long enough for the pupil to feel the benefit. I think I might finally be getting it! — Lynn Nov 2012

More feedback on Testimonials page at https://www.yogabristol.co.uk/testimonials/

General information about yoga classes

• All levels of experience welcome: Yoga classes are open to everyone, from beginner to experienced, as Gary offers options with the difficult exercises, so everyone can take part and those with more experience can also enjoy the classes.
• Each class begins with a warm up (downward dog/upward dog, and sun salutations). Each week Gary focusses on themes (eg: standing, seated hip openers and forward bends, twists, backbends, and inversions). The class ends with meditation (and pranayamas) and relaxation (you get to lie down!). Gary combines detailed instructions with a flowing class of exercises.
• Gary teaches a mindfulness-based yoga practice, with emphasis on developing our self-awareness, by establishing a connection between our body, breath and mind.
• The basis of yoga is learning to breath efficiently and healthily – Gary places a lot of emphasis on our breath and how to cultivate it.
• If you want to learn and also challenge yourself, yet feel relaxed and revitalised… come along to a class and see for yourself – you can join the general public classes any week an come as often as you like.

More information about classes:

• Equipment (mats, blocks and belts) provided.
• Most of the classes are run as drop-ins, where booking is not needed.
• Wear comfortable clothing suitable for exercise; bring something warm to wear or a blanket for relaxation at end of each class; and ideally, do not eat meals before session – allow 4 hours after large meal, and about 2 hours after light meal.
• The best way to know if his way of teaching yoga is for you, is to come along and see for yourself (and you have any questions, contact Gary).

“If we really follow one direction in yoga as far as we can go, then it will lead us along all paths of yoga.”
—TKV Desikachar