Both!!
I only began seriously practicing Pilates during lockdown as I thought it would be sensible to take the time to add another modality to my repertoire and help me get back up and running with teaching once Covid ended eventually. If I had known how much I would have loved it I would have started much sooner. It's brilliant. It's the same as Yoga in many ways and totally different in other ways. Often the shapes / exercises are very similar and the breathing is totally different, which can blow the mind somewhat!
In Yoga I focus on calming the nervous system and gentle movement. I find Yoga to be multi dimensional in terms of movement, breathing, history, philosophy, meditation, mantra and several other aspects. Not everyone likes all of these aspects, some teachers and students are drawn naturally towards some. For years I tried to please everyone and failed miserably. This is why I have now moved all my Yoga focus to nervous system calming practices as it works so well for me.
In Pilates I have the opportunity to focus on fewer dimensions and go deeper into them. The movements are smaller, there is still a huge focus on breathing. I can help people to move better and feel more in their bodies and of course I bring a Yoga influence into this. It would be hard not to. Pilates and especially reformer Pilates is very trendy just now and like Yoga has been doing for sometime is losing it's way a little. My teaching will stick with authentic and classic practices. Mindfful movement and mindful breathing is vital to do both Pilates and Yoga well and to get the maximum benefits on all levels of the nervous system.
Mondays - Haddington - Upper Hall, The Bridge Centre, Haddington.
7pm-8pm - PILATES / FULL - (priority to returnees, waiting list, please contact me for info)
8:15pm-9:15pm - YOGA / SPACES
No class over July and August and the new term begins Sept 22nd
Tuesdays - Pilates - West Barns Village Hall
09:15-10:15 - INTERMEDIATE PILATES / spaces
10:30-11:30 - BEGINNER PILATES / spaces
holidays July and August - but the Thursday class will be on, why not try that one!
resume Sept 16th
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Chair Yoga - Craigleith View, North Berwick.
12:15-1pm - a Chair Yoga class for the home owners at Craigleith View. Non home owners are also welcome. Please contact me to arrange access to the venue. £5 per class. Ongoing.
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Tuesdays - Yoga - Haddington
All in the Upper Hall, The Bridge Centre, Haddington
5:15pm class (only available to current attendees) / WAITING LIST
6:30pm class / SPACES
7:45pm class / SPACES
holidays July and August
resume Sept 16th
Wednesdays
Yoga - Athelstaneford / classes continue in July / contact me for info
09:30 to 10:30 / £10 drop-in
ongoing - please contact me for info.
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Chair Yoga Class - Gullane Recreation Hall / No class July 2nd
11:15 to 12pm followed by (optional) tea, coffee and chat from 12 to 12:30
Class on July 9th in the Recreation Hall
July 16, 23, 30 class from 11:30 to 12:15 in the Village Hall
Suitable for all, £5 per person drop-in, ongoing
Thursdays
Thursdays - Pilates - West Barns Village Hall
09:15-10:15 - INTERMEDIATE PILATES / SPACES
10:30-11:30 - BEGINNER PILATES / SPACES
July = 10, 17, 24, 31 / £36 for block or £11 drop-in
no classes in August
classes resume Sept 18th
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Thursdays - Yoga - Gullane Village Hall - 12:30 to 1:45pm
Class time is 12:30 to 1:45
July = 10, 17, 24, 31 / £40 for block or £12 drop-in
no classes in August
classes resume Sept 18th
Fridays
Yoga - Athelstaneford
08:30am to 09:30am, please enquire for directions to venue / £10 drop-in per class.
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Yoga - West Barns Village Hall
10:15-11:15 -HATHA YOGA - Chair Yoga Plus++ - West Barns Village Hall. Cost = £45 for 6 week pass, £10 drop-in. Classes ongoing . No class July 4th
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Chair Yoga - Tantallon Court, Tantallon Road, North Berwick.
12:15-1pm - a Chair Yoga class for the home owners at Tantallon Court. Non home owners are also welcome. Please contact me to arrange access to the venue. £5 per class.
Where I teach
Gullane Village Hall, Village Hall Crescent, Gullane, EH31 2HA Gullane Village Hall
Gullane Recreation Hall, (the old Scout Hall, behind the Village Hall), Village Hall Crescent, Gullane, EH31 2HA.
West Barns Village Hall - Edinburgh Road, West Barns, EH42 1UP Our Story — West Barns Village Hall
Upper Hall, The Bridge Centre, Haddington Homepage (bridgecentrehaddington.co.uk)
What and how do I teach Yoga & Pilates
Most of my Yoga classes are Hatha Yoga classes. Very breath led, functional movement, classic yoga poses but not always done in the most traditional ways. Lots of options.
Gentle Hatha Yoga - I will avoid weight bearing on knees and wrists in this class usually.
Chair Yoga + - in this class every attendee will have a chair as well as their own yoga mat and I teach yoga exercises showing both chair and other versions. Lots of choices and you don't have to lie on the floor if you don't want to.
Pilates classes are very fun and functional. There will be a variety of exercises that honour the Pillars of Pilates and the focus is on mindful movement with lots of interesting and fun progressions. The aim is to stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak ones.
All classes.
I don't have an online booking system. If a class has space, you can just turn up or message me on nicola_bourke@hotmail.com or 07766174462. If a class is marked as having a waiting list then please message me to go on this list.
If you miss a class in a block you are welcome to come to another class before the block ends, if there are spaces.
Covid - Do not come to class if you are feeling unwell or think you may be experiencing covid symptoms. Please byo Yoga or Pilates mat, blanket and any props you normally use.
Money - Cash, cheque (payable to Nicola Bourke), online and PayPal payments are all fine with me. Please enquire for details. Refunds are not possible, with regret.
Can I Mix and match classes? Yes you can, as long as there is space and usually it's only the Haddington classes that are full.
Karma spaces. There will be a maximum of one space in each class available, subject to space, free of charge, to someone whose budget does not allow, for any reason, for a weekly Yoga or Pilates class. Spaces are available, please contact me for further details.
I teach Hatha yoga classes where we move mindfully between a variety of yoga poses including kneeling, standing, lying, etc. My classes are very beginner friendly but with plenty of options given to those who may have been doing yoga for a while. All are welcome! You don't need to be female or be bendy to do yoga. To me, the important part of Yoga class is feeling safe, grounded and relaxed. Being or getting bendy is not the aim or the goal. Finding calm and letting the world stand still you around for an hour is. Yoga is genuinely for everyone, it's just a matter of finding the class and teacher that works for you.
Pilates classes are classic mat classes and are very mindful and breath led with a focus on functional movement and ease of movement.
The focus will always be on what you can do, never on what you can't do. It's not a competition with yourself or anyone else!
Terms are (usually) in 6 week blocks and drop-in is available in some classes. See each class / location for dates.
Private classes available in the comfort of your own home or workplace or in The Yoga Den in East Linton. From £60 for 60 minutes, please enquire about availability. Many options are available, including Yoga, Yoga Therapy and Pilates for wellbeing, strength and relaxation. Or even get a few friends together and share the cost of private tuition, many possibilities available so do ask!
Ones to ones work really well to give you some confidence before joining a group class or if you simply prefer not to join a group class.