Welcome to Yoga at the Mill, Chelmsford

Based at historic Moulsham Mill in central Chelmsford, our thriving centre is a friendly, dedicated space for yoga, meditation and relaxation. Highly regarded locally, we are proud that Yoga at the Mill has, for the last two years, been the only local studio to be independently voted by Three Best Rated as one of the best places in which to practice yoga.

Our groups are unusually small (average just seven students - many of whom have chosen to be members), making for a friendly, nurturing community that has built largely by word-of mouth over six years, and of which we are tremendously proud. Now offering 25 (and growing!) weekly yoga classes and regular mindfulness, yoga and relaxation workshops, retreats and courses, our sessions are led by a talented dedicated team of a dozen yoga and meditation teachers. Our highly trained teachers deliver rounded classes, delivered with depth and sensitivity.

We aim to gently challenge the common misconception that yoga is only suitable for people who are young or flexible by offering highly accessible teaching, that, with the tiny group sizes, we hope will leave you feeling nurtured, encouraged and inspired. Please click here for our yoga schedule and here for meditation.

What's new from Jan 2020? Vinyasa flow with Martyna on Thursday nights, 8-9pm; Mindful Yoga Flow with Lucia on Wednesdays 11.30am-12.30pm. Also, our new Yoga for Wellbeing classes will run with Lucia on Thursdays 12-1pm, with Steph on Thursdays 6-7pm and with Sarah on Wednesdays, 8-9am. Click here for full schedule.

A taste of what's on....

Deep Rest mini-retreats:

Our Saturday afternoon Deep Rest mini retreats are a welcome chance to clear a few hours for yourself, without modern life's usual demands and distractions.

Mindfulness-based, these nurturing 2-4.30pm sessions are also a chance to experience some of the meditative elements of the yoga tradition such as yoga nidra (powerful lying down guided relaxation) and soothing breathwork.

A very gentle, highly restorative afternoon! Click here for dates and details.

Mindfulness:

Mindfulness meditation has surged in popularity over the last five years, and can be viewed as a complete antidote to the pressures and speed of our contemporary lifestyles.

We are proud to be one of the main providers of mindfulness courses and classes in the South East. Our mindfulness courses are taught in an accessible, friendly and secular way, led by highly trained, experienced teachers.

Next course: Mindfulness for Stress and Worry, January 2020.

Yin Yoga Workshops:

Yin Yoga is often described as being a bridge between yoga and meditation.

This gentle, floor-based practise worked on the body's connective tissue and meridians (energy centres) to balance the central nervous system, enabling a state of deep rest and stillness to be reached.

Our yin workshops (with yoga nidra - deep relaxation) take place across some Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. To find out more, please visit our Yin Yoga Workshop page.

Mindfulness events

Yoga classes at Yoga at the Mill in chelmsford, essex

We love teaching mindfulness, and always aim to deliver these practices in a secular, highly accessible way. On the agenda are regular taster sessions, mindfulness and poetry workshops, highly regarded introduction/foundation courses and the internationally taught eight-week course, MBSR (Mindfulness Baesd Stress Reduction).

Specialist four-week courses

Our super-popular small group Complete Beginners' Yoga courses are friendly four-session classes running over 90 or 120 minutes, designed for those completely new to yoga. In line with our philosophy, all specialist courses are delivered in a non-dogmatic, personal, interactive way.

Friday night workshops

Our legendary Friday night sessions are the new healthy way to mark the end of your week! Advanced booking vital, and booking is for each single workshop (not a course or block). Our deeply calming yoga nidra sessions generally run on the third and fourth Friday of the month, from 8-9pm.

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient form of meditation, first practiced in India 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 ground for meditation. Rolling forward: 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 scientific research backs this up. 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 it can be said that mindfulness meditation originated at the time of the Buddha, there is evidence that the ancient yogis also practised a form of present-centred awareness, or mindfulness. 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 the present moment through our bodies and senses. It invites us to become familiar with our thoughts and emotions - not to change or fix them, but to bring a new insight into habits that do not serve us well. 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: England and Morocco

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

These three-night winter retreats are 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 in February 2020, co-taught by Yoga at the Mill co-founder, Lucia Cockcroft. See Satvada Retreats Mindfulness for Wellbeing Weekend page to find out more.

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 here is New Year 2019/20. See Satvada Retreats Yoga and Walking in the Atlas Mountains page to find out more and to book.