Eases tension and stress
Slower movement and conscious breathing settle the nervous system, which is why many people tell us this hour is the one they guard most carefully in the week.
Mindful movement and yoga
Yoga and Qigong in Bishop’s Stortford.
Small, unhurried classes in yoga, Qigong and restorative breathing, taught by experienced teachers who take the time to understand your body. Vida Pilates Studio is opening soon in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford, with Founding Member pricing for those who join us early.
Book a class
Founding Member pricing for early supporters
The practice
What is mindful movement?
Mindful movement covers the quieter classes at Vida: yoga, Qigong, Yoga Nidra and guided breathwork. Each one asks you to slow down and pay attention to how you move and breathe, rather than how much you can get through. The strength, mobility and balance that follow tend to feel easy to carry into the rest of your day.
These practices suit a great many people. If Pilates is new to you, they build the body awareness that makes Mat and Reformer work click. If you have trained hard for years, they add the length and rest that demanding sessions often leave out. And if a busy week has left you tense and tired, an hour of slow, deliberate movement can be the difference between carrying that tension into tomorrow and leaving it here.
No previous experience is needed for any of these classes, and movements are always adapted to suit the person in front of you. You can arrive exactly as you are.
What a session looks like
Quiet classes, taught with care.
Every mindful movement class at Vida follows the same gentle shape, so you always know what to expect, whether it is your first yoga session or your hundredth Qigong practice.
01
A proper welcome
Your first class begins with a conversation. We ask about your history, any aches or injuries and what you'd like from the session, so your teacher can guide you well from the very start.
02
Gentle instruction, no pressure
Movements are demonstrated and explained clearly, with simpler and deeper options offered as you go. You are never asked to push into something that doesn't feel right for your body.
03
A calm, unhurried shape
Sessions move through a gentle warm-up, mindful movement and time to settle. Yoga Nidra and meditation classes are mostly stillness, guided from beginning to end.
04
Something to take with you
Most people leave feeling taller, calmer and clearer. Your teacher will happily suggest how to keep the benefit between classes, even if it is only a few minutes of breathing.
Why people love it
The benefits of mindful movement.
Improves mobility and balance
Moving through a full, comfortable range with attention helps stiff areas loosen, and supports the steadiness that becomes more valuable as the years pass.
Supports your Pilates practice
The breath control and body awareness you learn here transfer directly to the Mat and the Reformer, so the two kinds of class make each other work better.
Open to every body
No class assumes fitness, flexibility or experience. Movements are adapted to suit different abilities, and complete beginners are genuinely welcome.
Quietens a busy mind
Practices such as Yoga Nidra give you permission to do nothing at all for a while, which for many people is the rarest and most restorative part of the week.
Easy to keep up
These practices need little space and no equipment, so a short session at home is always possible between classes.
Our timetable
Find your mindful movement class.
From a flowing yoga practice to the deep rest of Yoga Nidra, every class here is taught with the same quiet attention. Class levels make it easy to see where to start.
Qigong Flow
All levelsSlow down. Breathe. Move with intention.
A gentle standing practice combining flowing movements, breathing and mindful awareness. The session supports balance, coordination, mobility and mindfulness, giving your mind and body space to slow down. No previous experience is needed.
Yoga Flow
All levelsBreathe, move and find your flow.
A flowing yoga practice linking movement with breath to develop strength, flexibility, balance and body awareness. Expect a varied, energising practice with time to reconnect with yourself and leave feeling refreshed.
Yoga Vinyasa
All levelsBreathe, move and find your flow.
A dynamic yoga class that links movement with breath in a flowing sequence. You will build strength, flexibility, balance and body awareness while moving smoothly between postures, with options to suit different abilities.
Yoga Hatha
All levelsPause, breathe and move with purpose.
A balanced yoga class combining traditional postures, mindful breathing and moments of relaxation. Movements are explored at a steady pace, giving you time to focus on alignment and build strength, flexibility, balance and body awareness at your own level.
Yoga Flow Gentle
All levels / recoveryA softer way to move and unwind.
A slower, gentler yoga flow focusing on comfortable movement, mobility, flexibility and breath. It is ideal if you prefer a more nurturing pace, are returning to exercise or simply want to give your body and mind some restorative movement.
Yoga Flow and Meditation
All levels / recoveryMovement for the body. Stillness for the mind.
A thoughtful combination of mindful yoga, conscious breathing and guided meditation. Move and stretch the body before slowing down and settling into stillness, leaving you feeling balanced, grounded and restored.
Yoga Nidra
All levels / recoveryLet go of the day. Rest deeply. Reset.
Ease into your evening with gentle stretches to release the body before settling down for the deeply restorative practice of Yoga Nidra. Often described as yogic sleep, you’ll be guided into a state of profound relaxation where the body can rest and the mind can become quiet. The perfect weekly reset. Simply lie down, get comfortable and let yourself be guided.
A warm welcome
Be first to the quieter classes.
Classes are open for booking, and Founding Member pricing is reserved for those who join us early. We’ll be in touch as soon as we have news to share, and we can’t wait to meet you.