Diana Mason

Diana Mason

Hi! My name is Diana. I am a certified yoga and qigong teacher – holding a 500-hour Yoga Alliance certification after studying with Ruth White, who was personally taught by BKS Iyengar.  Since 2008, I have studied yoga, pranayama and meditation with highly respected Iyengar, Krishnamacharya and Somatic Yoga Teachers in London and California. I’ve also completed courses with visiting international teachers and continue to study under the mentorship of respected Yoga teachers in London. I am also certified to teach Yoga Nidra for insomnia, stress and anxiety. So, you’re in good hands. I have also completed a teacher’s training course in Stott Pilates and am a certified Barre instructor– a full body workout which combines yoga, pilates and the Lotte Berk Method to sculpt, strengthen and tone. 

Whether it’s Yoga, Meditation, Qigong, Pranayama or Yoga Nidra you’re interested in, I would love to help you. I teach mixed ability classes and private one-to-ones, in person or via Zoom, in the Hatha Yoga tradition in a warm bright studio in Richmond … but with a few extras. My yoga teaching is infused with gentle somatic and Quigong movements, restorative yoga postures and Yoga Nidra.

Somatic yoga movements are simple, slow and relaxing movements which help to release chronic muscle tension such that the muscles, once released, stay released. Unlike traditional yoga which involves stretching the muscles, with somatics we use pandiculation (contraction of the muscle, followed by slow release and a relaxation pause). In this way, there is no Stretch Reflex which would cause an overstretched muscle to recoil to a state even tighter than before.

Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) is a form of guided meditation practiced lying down. I have found it excellent to help alleviate insomnia, stress and anxiety. I’ve practiced it for many years to recover from broken nights when my children were very young. I still find it very helpful throughout the perimenopausal years. I am currently working on creating Yoga Nidra recordings -varying in length from ten minutes (for a quick pick-me-up) to longer one- hour sessions to help you drift off to sleep.

Quigong, is an exercise and healing practice which, like yoga, works to quieten the mind, correct posture to allow free movement of energy, regulates the breath and creates awareness. These mindful movements are fluid and continuous.

If you have health conditions which you think may prevent you from practicing yoga ( bad knees, a bad heart, a bad back, osteoporosis, arthritis, recovering from cancer are a few that come to mind) – please contact me. Many of my students thought so too. I can show you that there is a way for you to enjoy the benefits of yoga   

www.slowandsomaticyoga.com

info@slowandsomaticyoga.com

+44(0)7748697693
Ducks Walk, Richmond, Greater London, TW1 2QG, England.