Helen Wadge Yoga

Hello, I'm Helen, a Bristol based yoga teacher who offers accessible yoga classes to the local community. 

I’m also a Mum and a lifelong lover of creativity in all its forms… an ex- dancer who loves words, music, art and reading. (Give me bright colours and neo soul and I’m happy.)

My classes aim to:

  • Be Accessible: I make classes as affordable as possible and teach in spaces rooted in the local community. I want students to understand the purpose behind their practice, so I make explanations as straightforward as possible

  • Be Inclusive: I am committed to serving diverse people, reflecting the diversity of the local community. People of all abilities, genders, sexualities, ethnicities, religions, ages and body types are welcome in my classes. 

  • I want everyone to feel welcome and supported and offer adaptations and options throughout sessions. 

  • Honour Yoga’s roots: Yoga is an ancient wisdom tradition from India and South Asia, which is now taught across the world and often oversimplified. As a white British yoga teacher, I am on a lifelong journey to study yoga, honour its roots and teachings, and express gratitude and repayment to the places and people for whom yoga is part of their heritage.

  • Be less hierarchical: While I will guide you through practice and share my experience and learnings with you, the practice is yours. I welcome you to connect to your body and make decisions (often intuitive ones), or ask questions, so that you can get what you need from the practice.

  • Encourage curiosity and observation: Let's get curious and humble. Let's learn through observing ourselves, our experiences, and our patterns. Let’s bring playfulness and come to the practice with an openness and a sense of exploration.

My teaching style is warm and soulful, drawing from over 10 years of experience working in inclusive community roles, charities, and the arts. 

I hope you will leave feeling centred, calm, and more connected with your breath, body and spirit. I believe in the transformative power of yoga.

I am also the co-founder of The RISE Collective:https://therisecollective.org.uk

Training:

  • Mother and Baby Soft Yoga: Peter Walker (Fedant accredited): March 2024

  • Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training: The Himalayan Institute (Ganga Devi): April - September 2022

  • Decolonising Yoga, Kalli Schut: Jan 2021

  • Tantra (Chakras, Kundalini and Meditation): Shiva Shakti Yoga: October 2020

  • Introduction to teaching trauma sensitive yoga to diverse communities, Our Mala, Oct 2020

  • Yoga Foundations/ Decolonising Yoga, Souldier Yoga (Firdose Moonda): September 2020

  • Chakra Mandala Vinyasa, TheYoga People (50 hrs): May 2019

  • Embodied Anatomy Lab, Mollie Morris (30 hrs): April 2019

  • 200 hr YTT, Stretch London, Yoga Alliance Approved: June 2017

  • Total Barre Instructor Foundation Course, STOTT PILATES- YMCA, March 2017

  • Dance Graduate Teacher Programme: Outstanding, Oxon- Bucks Partnership: 20th June 2013.

  • B.A: First class honours in Dance studies, Roehampton University: 2nd July 2008.

About

Beginners Yoga Bristol

“The word yoga means ‘unity’ or ‘oneness’. In spiritual terms as the union of the individual with the universal consciousness. On a more practical level, yoga is a means of balancing and harmonizing the body, mind and emotions. “

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

“Helen's classes offer a sanctuary of calm that have become a highlight of my week. The sessions are relaxed, friendly, and accessible. Fantastic for anyone looking for a nourishing slice of self- care! You will feel amazing after a slow flow session with Helen!” 

Lily.

  • " I truly look forward to class with Helen each week. I have practiced yoga with her during pregnancy & now I bring my little babe along to baby/carer lessons! She is kind, knowledgeable and I come away from classes feeling lighter and full of warmth. The pregnancy yoga class became my favourite hour of the week. It helped me to tune into my body and made me feel super relaxed - so much so that I used the playlist during my labour to help me find my calm! Now bringing my little one along to class, we all have such fun and I have met some wonderful people who have become great friends. I can't recommend yoga with Helen enough. "

    Amy, Bristol, Pregnancy Yoga and Parent, Carer and baby Yoga participant

  • " I was new to yoga and pretty unfamiliar with it all but Helen was just great at putting everyone at ease and ensure everyone got whatever they particularly needed out of the session."

    Richard, London, Workplace Yoga Participant

  • " Helen’s Parent/ Carer & baby yoga classes have been a lifeline for me with my 8 month old daughter. There are really useful pointers on how to use the yoga and stretches in everyday life. There is no pressure to join in, and I feel very comfortable to feed/change my baby whenever I need to. Helen is a sensitive, thoughtful and responsive teacher. I couldn't recommend her classes highly enough. "

    Krista, Bristol, Parent/ Carer and Baby Yoga participant