Sometimes, what we need most at the end of a busy week isn’t another thing to achieve; it’s an hour to simply slow down, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves.
That’s exactly what I discovered when I joined Align & Flow Hatha Yoga with Lauren Hooper, a new Monday evening yoga class taking place at Seacourt Tennis Club.
Tucked away in the cosy Founders Room, Lauren’s class offers a wonderfully calming space to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend an hour focusing on yourself.
And after my first session, I left feeling relaxed, grounded and pleased that I made the decision to go….
A calming Monday evening ritual
Held every Monday evening from 6 pm to 7 pm, Align & Flow is a Hatha yoga practice designed to help you slow down, move mindfully, and create some much-needed space for yourself.
The setting immediately adds to the experience. The Founders Room feels warm and peaceful, creating an intimate environment that is a little removed from the usual pace of life.
Lauren guides the class in a calm and considered way, taking you through a combination of yoga postures, mindful movement, breathwork, and stretches.
Every session is thoughtfully curated and slightly different, meaning there is always something new to explore while still providing the familiar feeling of a grounding weekly practice.
Lauren’s approach is gentle and encouraging, allowing everyone to work at their own level. There’s no pressure to be the most flexible person in the room or to perform complicated poses. Instead, the emphasis is on listening to your body, moving with awareness and enjoying the process.
Whether you are completely new to yoga or have been practising for years, you are warmly welcomed.
What is Hatha Yoga?
If you’re new to yoga, you may be wondering exactly what Hatha yoga is.
Hatha is a traditional style of yoga that brings together physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and mindful awareness.
Rather than rushing from one movement to another, Hatha yoga generally allows you time to explore each posture, paying attention to your alignment, breathing and how your body feels.
It can be a wonderful way to develop strength, flexibility, balance and body awareness, while the slower pace and focus on breathing can also create a deeply relaxing experience.
For many people, yoga becomes much more than physical exercise. It can provide a valuable opportunity to pause, switch off from the outside world and reconnect with yourself.
That is very much the feeling Lauren creates within Align & Flow.
A practice for everybody
One of the things that makes Lauren’s class so appealing is that you don’t need to consider yourself a ‘yogi’ to take part.
You don’t need to be flexible.
You don’t need to know all the yoga poses.
And you certainly don’t need to be able to touch your toes.
Lauren’s classes are suitable for all abilities, from complete beginners through to more experienced practitioners.
Throughout the session, she carefully guides you through the movements and encourages you to work within your own ability.
This makes it possible to gently challenge yourself when you feel ready, while also giving yourself permission to rest when that’s what your body needs.
Yoga can help us build strength and mobility, but it can also give us something that is increasingly difficult to find in modern life: time to stop and slow down.
Slowing down and reconnecting
Lauren is deeply passionate about yoga and the benefits it can bring to both body and mind.
As Lauren explains:
“Align & Flow is all about creating space to slow down, reconnect, and feel good in both body and mind. I’m passionate about helping people build strength and flexibility while finding a sense of calm through mindful movement and breathwork.
I’ve loved creating a welcoming community of like-minded people who enjoy practising together. Join me at Seacourt every Monday for a gently guided Hatha yoga practice, bringing a grounding and mindful end to the start of your week.”
And that really sums up the experience.
There is something particularly lovely about finishing a busy Monday by putting your phone away, stepping onto your mat and giving yourself an hour where nothing else is required of you.
The combination of mindful movement, breathing and longer stretches gradually encourages the body to relax. By the end of the session, you can feel the difference, both physically and mentally.
For anyone who spends their days sitting at a desk, rushing between appointments, juggling work and family life or simply feeling like their mind never quite switches off, this could be a beautiful way to create a little more balance in your week.
What to bring
You don’t need lots of specialist equipment to join Align & Flow.
Simply bring:
- A yoga mat
- A yoga block, if you have one
- A blanket for the relaxation at the end of the session
And that’s it.
There is something rather wonderful about ending the class after a calming savasana, allowing yourself a few quiet moments of stillness before heading back into the world.
Your first class for just £5
Lauren has made it easy to give the class a try.
Your first session is just £5, with individual drop-in sessions thereafter costing £10 per class.
If you know you would like to make yoga part of your regular routine, there are a number of flexible class pass options which can be used over an eight-week period, including a 6-class pass for £49.
It’s a lovely way to build a little Monday evening ritual into your week without having to commit to attending every single week.
Relax. Recharge. Realign.
There is something wonderfully simple about the philosophy behind Align & Flow.
Come along.
Take a breath.
Move your body.
Let the day go.
And give yourself an hour to reconnect.
Whether you’re looking to improve your strength and flexibility, introduce yoga into your routine, find a way to manage the stresses of everyday life, or simply enjoy an hour of calm, Lauren’s Monday evening Hatha yoga class offers a welcoming space to do exactly that.
And with exciting yoga retreats and restorative sessions coming soon, this is just the beginning for Align & Flow at Seacourt.
Join Align & Flow at Seacourt
When: Every Monday, 6 pm–7 pm
Where: Founders Room, Seacourt Tennis Club
First session: £5
Drop-in: £10 per session
Six-class block: £49, valid for eight weeks
Spaces can be booked directly with Lauren by email:
You can also follow Align & Flow Yoga on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with classes, retreats, restorative sessions and other events.
So, if Monday evenings normally mean rushing into the rest of the week, why not try something different?
Relax. Recharge. Realign.
Your body and your mind might thank you for it.