Welcome to Yoga at the Mill, Chelmsford

A little about us:

Nestling at the top of historic Moulsham Mill in central Chelmsford, our highly regarded studio is a quiet, calming space for yoga, meditation and relaxation. Our groups are small and personal, and the relaxed environment, a long way from the impersonal vibe of a hall or gym.

We have an amazing range of talented teachers who take a mindful, inclusive approach to mind/body wellbeing. Unfortunately, many people are put off starting yoga as they feel they are too inflexible, or not young enough. We are passionate that yoga and meditation are for everyone and offer accessible, sensitive teaching where we hope you'll feel encouraged and inspired.

In addition to running dozens of weekly yoga classes, we have an outstanding reputation for our extensive mindfulness meditation provision, and for our therapeutic Yoga for Anxiety and Yoga for Sleep courses (scroll down to 'intensive courses'). New for September 2017, we are delighted to be introducing Yoga and Mindfulness for Teens on Monday afternoons. To browse our schedule of yoga classes, and to book online, click here. To see our full schedule of meditation classes, and to book online, click here.

We have a decade's experience running meditation and yoga retreats in the UK and abroad. So this summer, we are delighted to be introducing mindfulness meditation and yoga day retreats, held at the studio on Saturdays. Beginners welcome!

Upcoming

Day retreats (next date July 29):

We are excited to be offering a) yoga and b) silent mindfulness day retreats, running on alternative last Saturdays of the month. The next yoga day is on July 29.

These secular day retreats offer a space, quiet space to take time out and nurturing your health and wellbeing.

They are offered for anyone open to the idea of a day resting and 'being' in silence. No previous meditation experience needed - just an open mind!

Existing YATM students, and graduates of our mindfulness courses, receive a discount. To find out more, please see our Mindfulness Day Retreats page and our Yoga Day Retreats page.

Mindfulness Foundation Courses:

Anyone interested in mindfulness meditation will find our Mindfulness Foundation Course to be an informative grounding in the fundamental concepts and approaches to secular mindfulness practices.

Our long standing six-week course is designed as a highly accessible introduction to Mindfulness meditation and is suitable for anyone, regardless of experience or physical ability.

Our next intakes are in July and September 2017. Please visit our Mindfulness Foundation page to find out more.

Yin Yoga Workshops:

Yin yoga is a gentle form of yoga which is always practised in a seated position, using restful postures, which encourage concentration on the here and now, through bodily sensations and the awareness of our breathing. This is why Yin Yoga is often described as being a bridge between yoga and meditation.

This gentle practise relaxes the central nervous system, enabling a state of deep rest and stillness to be reached, while the body's connective tissues are gently stretched.

Our yin workshops take place on the first Saturday afternoon of each month. To find out more, please visit our Yin Yoga Workshop page.

Mindfulness @ The Mill

Yoga classes at Yoga at the Mill in chelmsford, essex

We are super-proud to be one of the main centres for mindfulness provision in the South-East, with highly trained teachers and a broad mix of classes. We run both internationally recognised eight-week courses, MBSR (Mindfulness Baesd Stress Reduction) and MBCT (Mindulness Based Cognitive Therapy on Tuesday evenings. Also on the menu is our popular Mindfulness Foundation (introduction) course, the next intake on Thursday eveinings from September 2017.

Intensive four-week courses

We are delighted to be rolling out more Complete Beginners' Yoga courses in 2017: friendly four-session classes designed for those completely new to yoga. Our groundbreaking Yoga for Anxiety course re-starts in February and will run again from October 2017. In line with our philosophy, all these courses will be delivered in an accessible, non-dogmatic, personal way.

Friday night workshops

Our legendary Friday night sessions are the new healthy way to mark the end of your week! Think resting, breathing and 'me time, to calm the nervous system and restore wellbeing to body and mind. Advanced booking vital, and booking is for each single workshop (not a course or block). Our restorative Rest and Relax sessions run on the first Friday of the month, from 8-9.30pm. Our deeply calming yoga nidra sessions run on the third Friday of the month, from 8-9pm.

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient form of meditation, first practiced in India many thousands of years ago. Initially, the physical postures performed by holy men were developed for the body to be strong and flexible enough to sit comfortably on the floor for meditation. Rolling forward a long way: the practice of yoga came to the west in the 1960s and soon exploded in popularity. Since then, yoga has shaken off its hippy image and become totally mainstream, taught in schools and offices around the country as well as in gyms and studios. People who practice yoga regularly say they feel calmer, stronger, happier and healthier, and we testify to this, from our own experience and the feedback we receive from our students. We are not alone: there is a raft of scientific evidence showing the physical and psychological benefits of a regular yoga practice. And so it is a joy and privilege to provide a safe space for you to experience the life-changing benefits, too. Namaste.

Mindfulness meditation

Although now taught in the west (and at our studio) in a totally secular way, mindfulness meditation originated at the time of the Buddha, 2,500 years ago. There is evidence that the ancient yogis (see left column) also practised a form of mindfulness, though the Buddhists were the first to formalise the practice in ancient texts. When we are mindful, we are aware of our present moment experience in a kind, accepting away. Mindfulness training brings us out of our heads and re-connects us to our bodies and senses. It invites us to become familiar with our thoughts and emotions - not to change or fix them in any way, but to have a whole new insight into the habits that do not serve us well. In this way, mindfulness creates space for us to respond to any situation with clarity and wisdom. Hundreds of research reports show that a daily mindfulness practice of only 15-20 minutes a day leads to greater mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. The only way to know is to practice.

Luxury Retreats: Morocco, Croatia and the UK.

Through Yoga at the Mill's sister company, Satvada Retreats, we run friendly yoga and mindfulness escapes to Norfolk, Croatia and Morocco. Many of our guests are new, or relatively new, to yoga or meditation (or both) and Yoga at the Mill's philosophy of inclusivity and authenticity also distinguishes our approach to retreats. Everyone taking one class a week or more with us at the Mill enjoys a 10% discount on any retreat or holiday (of longer than one day). Come alone, with a friend, relative or partner - we'd love for you to join us for some time away to slow down, breathe more deeply, eat and live well. A couple of our upcoming retreat are detailed below. For further details and our full schedule of retreats, see Satvada Retreats website.

Mindfulness for Wellbeing Weekend, Norfolk

Norfolk Mindfulness for wellbeing retreat

This three-night winter retreat is set in gorgeous, meticulously converted barns, in the heart of rural Norfolk. Enjoy winter walks, chats by the wood burner, delicious vegetarian cooking, beautifully taught restorative yoga to complement the mindfulness practices. A chance to rest deeply, pause, and 'be'. Our next retreat is December 2017 and taught be Yoga at the Mill teachers: Lucia Cockcroft and Vikki Stevenson. See Satvada Retreats Mindfulness for Wellbeing Weekend page to find out more and to book.

Yoga and Walking in the atlas mountains

Our sought-after Atlas Walking & Yoga holidays are highly recommended by Marie Claire Magazine. You'll stay in an eco-friendly Berber castle in the Atlas mountains, and enjoy daily guided hikes from the door; full (generous) board; and two daily mindful yoga classes.Our next retreat is November 2017. See Satvada Retreats Yoga and Walking in the Atlas Mountains page to find out more and to book.