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I offer weekly classes, courses and events - there's something to suit every taste!
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6-week beginners' course
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Current course: Mondays, September 9th-October 14th, 6-6.50pm.
Next course: Fridays, January 10th-February 14th 2020, 11-11.50am. The Yoga Studio, 53-57 Rodney Road. £50 for the whole course including permanent access to all materials. Booking is essential - see https://cheltenhampilatesandyoga.co.uk/events/meditation-for-beginners-matt-harvey for details. 
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Modern life is increasingly busy, with countless demands on our attention and a never-ending list of things to get done. Meditation is a great way to find some stillness, focus and peace of mind in the middle of all that!
This course is designed primarily for people who are completely new to meditation or would like to give it another go. It also works well for people who would like to broaden their horizons and try a few different techniques to see what's out there. The course runs for six weeks to give you plenty of time to explore a range of approaches and, through regular practice over time, see the benefits in your daily life. As the course progresses we'll explore ways to deal with difficult situations and emotions, practices to cultivate kindness and compassion, and much more! Each session will include instruction and short practice sessions, with optional discussion and Q+A. Stools and yoga props are available so you can sit however is most comfortable for you. We'll offer a range of ways to support your practice between sessions, using guided meditations and other resources. |
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Course outline:
Week 1 : Introduction, mindfulness as an approach to difficulties, mindfulness in daily life. Week 2 : Mindfulness of body, working with difficult emotions, forgiveness. Week 3 : Open-hearted relationships, kindness and compassion, gratitude. Week 4 : Who am I? Roles, self-concepts, liberating ways of looking. Week 5 : Focus, stability and inner well-being. Week 6 : Timelessness, just being, acceptance. Bringing it all together to support your on-going practice. |
Zen class
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In this weekly class we explore the wide world of Zen. Classes typically begin with a short quiet sit or guided meditation to settle the mind, followed by a talk exploring some aspect of the Zen path, and concluding with some movement and meditation practices which put the teachings into action, with time for questions and discussion at the end.
The class is free, running on a donation basis, and explores a wide range of themes from week to week, drawn from a mixture of Zen and the early Buddhist tradition. We have a small, friendly group, and newcomers are always welcome. Each session is self-contained, and instructions are tailored to the experience levels of students in the room that week, so you can start any time. Come along and give it a try! |
Wednesdays, 7.15pm-8.30pm.
The Yoga Studio, 53-57 Rodney Road. No charge, donations welcome to support the class. No booking required, just turn up! 
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Events
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Sunday 6th October, 10am-4pm.
The Yoga Studio, 53-57 Rodney Road. No charge, donations welcome to support future events like this one. Booking is essential - see https://cheltenhampilatesandyoga.co.uk/events/free-meditation-practice-day-matt-harvey for details. 
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Exploring the true nature of self
Join us for a practice day exploring the true nature of the self through its various aspects - the body, feelings, thoughts, intentions, and consciousness itself. We’ll use sitting and walking meditation, supported by talks and Q+A periods, to dive deep into these transformative practices, exploring insights that free us from stress and worry and allow us to become who we really are. The day is suitable for all levels of experience, with full instruction throughout. Lunch will be taken in silence at the studio for those wishing to deepen their practice (please bring a packed lunch); students are welcome to go outside for lunch if you prefer. |
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Mindfulness for health and well-being
A special hour-long evening session in support of World Mental Health Day, Thursday October 10th 2019. Mindfulness has been scientifically proven to improve psychological well-being. In clinical settings it's been used to help with chronic pain, depression, anxiety and much more. It's also a great way to strengthen and maintain our everyday mental health, helping us to cope with life's inevitable ups and downs. We'll take a look at what mindfulness is, how it can help us, and a variety of ways to cultivate it, using meditation, movement and daily life practice. We'll also look at some other simple exercises that can be performed every day which really make a difference to our well-being, keeping us happier and healthier for longer. The focus of the evening will be on presenting practical techniques that you can take away with you. No experience is required, and you don't need to wear anything special or bring anything - just yourself! |
Thursday 10th October, 6pm-7pm.
The Yoga Studio, 53-57 Rodney Road. Donations encouraged - all money goes to support the Samaritans. (If donating online via my PayPal donation button, please include a message to say that your donation is for the Samaritans. You can email me at cheltenhamzen@gmail.com to confirm this.) Booking is essential - see https://cheltenhampilatesandyoga.co.uk/events/mindfulness-for-health-amp-wellbeing-matt-harvey for details. 
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Your safety is paramount
My classes follow current government best practice to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone.
- We follow OrangeYoga's Covid-Secure policy, published on their website. I'll explain the procedures at the start of each class if anyone doesn't know them already.
- Masks are optional. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask you're welcome to do so, but be aware that others in the class may not.
- For the time being, I'll keep an upper limit on class numbers to ensure that there's plenty of space in the studio. If you prefer to sit at least 2m away from the other students, this will be possible.
- You can now use the studio props if you're happy to do so. If you prefer to sit on the floor, you can either use the studio's equipment or bring your own. If you prefer to sit on a chair, we have seven in total available, so there should generally be enough for everyone.
- Movement practices will be tailored to the space and number of participants. 2-metre spacing will be maintained at all times during movement practices.