Creating Happiness

CREATING HAPPINESS

 

NEW PROGRAM 7 Sept-31 Oct 2020

CREATING HAPPINESS

 

New Program of Yoga and Meditation


When I think about the biggest impact my spiritual journey has had on me, the first thing that comes to mind is happiness. I love life, there’s not a day that goes by without laughter, positivity and a full heart for this precious human life I’ve been given. But it wasn’t always like that. I had a precarious childhood, surrounded by addiction and spending much of my teens and early 20’s with the mind-set that this was normal behaviour. When I realised that wasn’t the case, I spent the next 20 years trying to figure it all out, put pieces of me back together and find meaning in my suffering.

 

The biggest realisation for me is that we create our own happiness. It doesn’t matter what we’re going through, what our past was like and what we think the future holds us for, each of us is capable of creating long-lasting happiness. Happiness to me is a form of inner strength. It’s about saying Yes to life despite all the imperfections, the mistakes, regrets, grief and sorrow. It’s about using those experiences, that pain and feelings of helplessness, as fuel for creating a life that is full of joy, fun, ease and contentment.

 

I want to share with you some of the major turning points for me, how I approached the sometimes overwhelming feelings and thought patterns that held me back. My Creating Happiness Program will be an eight-week journey exploring how we can all invite in more happiness regardless of what might be happening around us and within us.

Here's what you can expect each week:


Week 1 w/c 7 Sept - Intro to Creating Happiness  

“Happiness is an inside job. Don’t assign anyone else that much power over your life.”

~ Mandy Hale

 

This week will be an introduction to the program where we will begin to set or reaffirm the mind-set that happiness is not a destination nor is it in the future or outside of ourselves. The responsibility sits firmly with ourselves. We will practice poses, breathing techniques and meditations that take back the power of how we feel each day.


                         

Week 2 w/c 14 Sept - Letting go of what stands in your way    

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety or possessions – we cannot be free”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

 

With the right focus, attention and intention happiness is available to us anywhere, anytime. This week we will explore what is holding us back from allowing happiness to permeate every area of our life and learn to let go of what stands in our way. Physically we will explore a practice that is releasing and creates freedom in the breath, body, mind and heart.


 

Week 3 w/c 21 Sept - Self-criticism becomes self-compassion

“You have been criticising yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”

~ Louise Hay

 

We all have habitual ways of thinking, recurring themes and stories that we tell ourselves. Some of them are not so helpful and even detrimental to our wellbeing. In this week’s classes we will shine a gentle light of awareness on our thought patterns, particularly our self-talk and move into a place where we understand that we are not our thoughts, we are the awareness between our thoughts. Physically we shall explore practices that open the heart and invite in self-love and compassion as an antidote to the inner critic.

 


Week 4 w/c 28 Sept - Self-doubt becomes self-confidence

“It’s impossible” said Pride, “It’s risky” said Experience. “it’s pointless” said Reason. “Give it a try” whispered the Heart.

~Unknown 

 

Our minds are often on loud hailer while our inner knowing whispers in the heart or belly. During this week we will take some time to get quiet and still so we can really listen to the wisdom within. We will explore the thinking habit of self-doubt and explore the impact it can have on us and how we can invite in self-confidence that lives deep within.

 


Week 5 w/c 5 Oct - Blame and resentment becomes acceptance

“Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it yourself. Always work with it not against it. This will miraculously change your life”

~ Eckhart Tolle

 

Acceptance is a powerful practice that lets us see clearly how things really are, beyond the constructs of the mind and awakens us to present moment awareness. This week will focus around how blame and resentment feels, how it holds us back from living this one true precious life. We’ll work towards inviting in a sense acceptance towards ourselves, our relationships and our lives.

 


Week 6 w/c 12 Oct - Expectations become appreciation           

“Happiness is found in the absence of expectation and a continuous focus an appreciation”
~Tony Robbins

 

Appreciation is the fuel for happiness. It helps us see all the beauty and wonder that is available to us in any given moment. Expectations of ourselves, people in our lives and experiences is often what prevents us from seeing that beauty. Our classes this week will focus on how we can let go of expectations and invite in appreciation.

 


Week 7 w/c 19 Oct – Saying Yes to life

“The meaning of life is to give life meaning”

~ Viktor Frankl

 

For me ‘Saying Yes to life’ is about showing up every day, on purpose, with purpose, endeavouring to share my uniqueness and gifts and give meaning to all that life has given me. I believe suffering has meaning and a message and its down to each individual to explore what that is and how they want to show up in the world. This week we’ll come home to that place within us where we can allow our uniqueness to grow, to truly know what our values are and allow them to shine through.

             


Week 8 w/c 26 Oct - Walking your path of happiness

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decide to look beyond the imperfections”

~ Unknown

 

This week we’ll bring together the past 7 weeks, be reminded that happiness is a journey not a destination and that we have choices. We’ll explore a practice that lets this really land within our bodies, mind and heart and invite in a felt sense of happiness, contentment, grace and ease amongst the challenges and stresses of modern life.

More about Louise Neicho

I have been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching for 8 and have completed around 1000hrs of teacher training. I can honestly say that yoga has saved my life on more than one occasion and I don’t think I would be the person I am today if it wasn’t for my practice.


My fascination with the human brain has also started to seep into my practice and teachings and I’m excited to be embarking on an MSc in Mindfulness and Neuroscience this September. To bring all of this together is simply a dream come true and I hope you will join me on this unique and special during this autumn.

 

Here’s what others are saying about Louise’s teachings

 

~ Orla Mackie

‘I love the way Louise can lift me and put wind under my wings, no matter how I am feeling, once I walk off the mat!

I have quite a few lower back issues all my life and I was wary of Yoga, but Louise ALWAYS suggests an alternative that is just as good and does not make me feel, I am not good enough to be in that class!

She talks through every move at the perfect tempo, and always remembers to tell us when to exhale, which I have found some teachers forget and I keep holding my breath!

The little examples she provides, to explain better what she is trying to convey are so simple yet so effective and personal. She brings Meditation down to day to day living, experiences and struggles that we all deal with.

I love the different types of classes to suit everyone and the huge variety in times offered.

Thanks a million Louise. I would be a very different person at the end of the Lockdown if it hadn't been for your Saving Yoga Classes!’

 

~ Gwladys Morin

'Lou has a gift. A gift for words and spiritual kindness. I love that Lou's yin yoga classes have a strong element of mindfulness. I LOVE her classes - they have been a blessing during this period of lockdown and will be key as lockdown is eased and one has to go through another period of change adapting to the new normal.'

 

~ Virginia Bird

‘Louise is an excellent teacher who makes you feel at ease very quickly. She has a lovely personality. She’s clear and friendly and keeps instructions simple. The yoga practices are accessible to all levels and abilities due to her giving variations on each pose. She combines good poses with helpful mindfulness teaching. I am 60 and my daughter is a full time athlete of 25, yet we can both enjoy her classes together. I would recommend her unreservedly.’

 

~ Gillian Hall

‘The on-line classes provide the perfect opportunity to practice yoga in the comfort of your home.  I find being able to move straight from the yin class or a yoga nidra to my bed means I drop off to sleep quickly and wake really refreshed and full of energy the next day.’

 

~ Julie O’Shea

‘I have really benefited from increasing my yoga classes recently. With the online classes I can do 3 live sessions and add in pre recorded ones if I miss any live ones. It has made such a difference to my strength, mobility and sense of focus. Lou is a great teacher and the classes are well structured to incorporate Mindfulness, meditation and wellbeing.’

How the Membership Works

There will be eight classes to choose from throughout the week where we will explore these concepts and themes. Whether you prefer dynamic and flowing or gentle and restorative, I'm certain there will be a class to suit you.

 

All classes will be recorded and uploaded to the Members Only Area (read more below about this) within 24 hours of taking place so if you miss any you can catch up at a time suit you. PLUS if you go on holiday, you can still access the live classes or recordings from anywhere in the world (as long as you have internet of course!)

 

All live classes will take place via Zoom, an easy to use popular video conferencing platform. If you haven't used it before, don't worry it's easy to set up and I'll be on hand to guide you through any problems you may have.

 

Timetable of Classes

  • Mon 07.30-08.15 – Sunrise
  • Mon 18.30 -19.30 – Flow & Reflect
  • Mon 19.45-20.45 – Yin Yoga
  • Wed 09.30-10.30 – Gentle & Restorative
  • Wed 18.30-19.30 – Yin Yoga
  • Wed 19.45-21.00 – Flow & Reflect
  • Fri 07.30-08.15 – Sunrise
  • Sat 09.30-10.45 – Flow & Reflect


You can read about each individual class at THIS LINK but if you’re unsure which is right for you don’t hesitate to email me louise@woodlandyoga.co.uk.

 

Please Note:- There will be no live classes the week of 7 Sept, these classes will be sent to you as pre-recorded classes to practice at any time to suit you. There will also be no classes the evening of 14 Sept and 12 Oct as I embark on MSc Studies in Mindfulness. Instead you will have recorded classes to practice.

 

Membership Options

There are 3 pricing options depending on how often you would like to attend, obviously the more classes you can do in a week, the more these concepts, principles and practices will percolate into your consciousness and become a part of your everyday life.

 

With monthly membership you will also have access to the following BONUSES:

 

  • Access to an Exclusive Members Only Area
  • 25% off Nourish & Nidra evenings
  • Access Early Bird Offers on workshops and retreats at any time
  • Heartwood Forest classes included in your membership

 

The Exclusive Members Only Area is where you can enjoy all recorded live classes, pre-recorded classes and my Mini Yoga Series which includes short practices for when time is tight and yoga nidras to help you sleep.

 

SINGLE MEMBERSHIP - Membership to Online Classes for 1 Person

Copper Beech- Enjoy 1 online class per week - £10 per week

Silver Birch - Enjoy 2 online classes per week - £12.50 per week

Golden Oak - Enjoy ALL online classes per week - £15.00 per week

 

HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSHIP - Membership to Online Classes for 1 Household

Copper Beech - Enjoy 1 online class per week - £12.50 per week

Silver Birch - Enjoy 2 online classes per week - £15.00 per week

Golden Oak - Enjoy ALL online classes per week - £17.50 per week


Join Us!

“Happiness is not ready made; it comes from your own actions”

~Dalai Lama

 

If this sounds like the perfect way to explore your inner world, to connect back into what is important to you and give yourself some time and space to explore the inner workings of your mind so you can create long lasting happiness and ease, then choose the pricing option below that suits your needs best.


If you have any questions I’d love to hear from you so don’t hesitate to get in touch - louise@woodlandyoga.co.uk

 

Your Questions Answered

 

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this program. If you find you have another query not answered here please don't hesitate to contact me - louise@woodlandyoga.co.uk


How is this different to other yoga classes?
My program is designed to take you gently and slowly into the deeper layers of the mind. Each week building on your understanding of the workings of the mind and the tools and techniques that you can use on and off your mat. The difference to regular yoga classes is that we focus on one particular emotion or area of the mind, as well as a physical focus in the body each week. You get to explore this theme for a whole week on and off the mat, building your awareness and focus.
 
Here’s a breakdown of each week:
Week 1, w/c 7 Sept - Intro to Creating Happiness
Week 2, w/c 14 Sept - Letting go of what stands in your way    
Week 3, w/c 21 Sept - Self-criticism becomes self-compassion
Week 4, w/c 28 Sept - Self-doubt becomes self-confidence
Week 5 w/c 5 Oct - Blame and resentment becomes acceptance
Week 6 w/c 12 Oct - Expectations become appreciation 
Week 7 w/c 19 Oct – Saying Yes to life
Week 8 w/c 26 Oct - Walking your path of happiness
 
Which class should I choose?
There are 4 different styles to choose from and how you choose will depend on whether you have practiced yoga before or not and what you would like to gain from your practice. If you are new to yoga or haven’t practiced in a while, I would suggest starting with the Sunrise Yoga, Monday evening Flow & Reflect, Gentle & Restorative and Yin Yoga.
 
If you are familiar with vinyasas then you’ll love the Flow & Reflect classes on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings and if you’re looking for more stillness, deep physical stretches and meditation techniques then Yin Yoga will be for you. Find the full timetable and description of each class HERE.
 
The beauty of a membership is that you can try them all and find your favourites!
 
Do I have to complete the program?
No, you don’t have to complete the course. You will obviously benefit far more by completing the 8 weeks as it will build each week on the techniques and tools we can use to cultivate that inner happiness. You can also cancel your membership at any time.
 
What happens if I miss a class?
No problem if you miss a class as they will be added to the members area where you can practice them at any time.
 
Will all the classes be online?
Yes all of the classes will be online but I plan to hold the Wednesday 09.30 and Saturday 09.30 classes in the forest when the weather allows. If you can't attend you can still practice with us as these will be live streamed to Zoom and recorded.

N.B. Your membership includes Heartwood Classes, you just need to book in advance so I know how many people to expect.
 
How does the Members Only Area work?
When you become a member you can enjoy all recorded live classes, my Mini Yoga Series and yoga nidras to help you sleep. These are all accessed via a secure Members Only Area and updated regularly with new practices (live recorded classes are uploaded within 24hrs, often much quicker).

As a member you also have access to the following BONUSES:

  • 25% off Nourish & Nidra evenings
  • Access Early Bird Offers on workshops and retreats at any time
  • Heartwood Forest classes included in your membership


Have you got some testimonials about your online classes?
You can read a range of testimonials on my Facebook page HERE (click ‘Most Recent’ so you read the latest ones) but here’s a couple that really stands out for me:

‘The online classes are one of the positives I will remember from this time! They help me find a state of calm, better sleep, reduce anxiety and give me energy. I’ve gone from one practice a week to a daily practice and it’s something I will continue.
 
The monthly subscription is great value and I recommend Lou highly- always welcoming and every class is easily adapted to suit what you can achieve and what your body needs. There’s no pressure, no judgement- just kindness, peace and support.’
~ Finola McManus
 
‘I have been attending Louise’s classes for a few years now and they are an important (essential) part of the rhythm of my week. During this lockdown period, the online classes are a nourishing pause, a place of familiarity and a reassurance that all is well and will be well. I leave the classes feeling re-connected and at peace.’
~Alex McIntyre
 
What do I need to begin?
You will need a yoga mat and comfortable clothing that you can easily move around in, PJ’s work well for this! For some of the classes you will need some props, but we have been experimenting with household pillows, cushions and blankets in place of traditional yoga props. I will let you know at the beginning of class what you need.
 
How do I sign-up?
Choose the level of membership that you would like to sign-up for. This will depend on how many classes you would like to take in a week and if there are other people in your household that would like to join. The breakdown of pricing structures is below.
 
Once you have chosen, click the appropriate link below and I will send you all the info you need.
 
Pricing Structure:

SINGLE MEMBERSHIP
Enjoy 1 class per week - £10
Enjoy 2 classes per week - £12.50
Enjoy ALL classes per week - £15.00
 
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSHIP
Enjoy 1 class per week - £12.50
Enjoy 2 classes per week - £15.00
Enjoy ALL classes - £17.50
 
Other questions?
If you have any other questions that are not answered here, then feel free to contact me on louise@woodlandyoga.co.uk.

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Upcoming Offerings



Nourish & Nidra

Fri 2 October, 19.30-21.00


Winter Solstice Celebration

Sun 13 Dec 11.00-13.00


Online Yoga Classes

Throughout the week

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HEARTWOOD FOREST

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St Albans, AL4 9DD

  

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Get in Touch

 

Whatever your enquiry or comment, I’m always happy to hear from you. Please contact me on any of the methods listed below.

E: louise@woodlandyoga.co.uk

T: 07459 112675