Yoga at the Barn, Bourn

02/08/2024

This page will be closing down by the end of August.

Go find your favourite YATB teachers!!!
Ashley: www.ashleyyoga.co.uk
Emma: https://www.girlonarock.com/
Mel: https://mels-moves.co.uk/

Yoga with Ashley Girl On A Rock Mel’s Pilates and Yoga

31/07/2024

Hop on over to Ashley's NEW page - classes, workshops, courses and details of new video classes can ALL BE FOUND THERE.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563153863321

Friendly, community-spirited, approachable and accessible yoga and movement classes online and in person around South Cambridgeshire.

27/06/2024

As I close the door of the studio for the last time, I want to take a moment to try and let you know how grateful I am for your continued practice at the YATB.

It is impossible to put into words how much the last 9 years of shared practice, community and simply coming together in this space has meant to me. It has been one of the great joys of my life to teach at YATB; to create a space that holds so many different possibilities of being and moving.

It means a lot to me that folks from all different walks of life, bodies, experiences etc. have felt welcomed in coming to practice at the YATB studio. I have loved the simplicity of our space together, the ease of coming together and the ways in which everyone has added to our community. One of the most common bits of feedback we receive is just how welcoming the space has been.

More than anything I hope you continue to stay curious about movement and what is happening in your body-landscape. Give yourself grace and patience to arrive in practice just as you are. And never forget to give yourself the space to take a pause (be it a moment to check-in, to notice your breath, to look around you or even just feel the ground beneath your feet).

I will miss our time at YATB but look forward to how this practice together will evolve.

For now, I will leave you with a little Mary Oliver.

09/05/2024

SLEEP DEBT:: Do you find yourself tired, often? Is there a point in your day when you start to flag?

Well we're here to let you know this is a very common issue in our culture, but that doesn't mean it's ok. Sleep debt can lead to all sorts of 'stuff' from foggy brain to hypertension. As a culture we prioritise busy-ness over restfulness, grinding through, rather than settling in, rushing and pushing, rather than taking our time and relaxing.

Adding a bit of rest into your life might support immunity and recovery from injury, your mental health, lower risk of heart disease/hypertension AND for those who strive on doing more - rest may increase productivity and athletic performances.

Can you imagine going through your days, not feeling the fog of tiredness? Yet so many of us find it hard to allow ourselves to rest, relax or even to simply sit still.

Scheduling into your regular activities practices that feel 'restful,' can be hugely supportive. If you are scheduling a run, are you also scheduling purposeful time in rest? If you are adding a HITT workout to your diary, are you also adding restorative sessions? WE NEED BOTH.

Yoga at the Barn is here to help you become a regular practitioner of 'active resting,' taking time to notice your body doing less. WE KNOW for many of you that sounds like 'wasted time' trust us IT IS NOT. Yoga helps us to slow down, allow our bodies to rest and get comfortable with being in stillness.

Check out our weekly schedule and upcoming workshops Breath and Rest Yoga Summer Solstice and give yourself permission to REST!

Photo by Marcus Aurelius

Image Description: A person has fallen asleep at their desk. They lay their head resting on their arm, next to their laptop, notebook and coffee mug.

07/05/2024

COMING UP THIS WEEK AT YATB:: Catch a class (or two!) with us this week either in person or online.

Here's our schedule:

✨TUESDAY
7.30pm Beginners Yoga, in person and online drop in available, with Ashley
✨WEDNESDAY
7.15pm Open Yoga, online and in person, with Ashley
✨THURSDAY
9.30am Pilates, in person only, with Mel
6pm Rest Yoga, in person only, with Emma
✨FRIDAY
10.15am Yoga Gently, online and in person, with Ashley

Use the link in our bio to book. We hope to see you at the barn soon!

25/04/2024

Pilates with Mel is back in May!

After a little break at the start of the year we are thrilled to welcome Mel back into the YATB studio with her brilliant Pilates class.

Pilates is a strengthening practice with an emphasis on building core strength along with a deeper mind-body connection. Developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920's, he believed that physical and mental health were closely connected. The practice can help increase muscle tone, strength, flexibility and can improve posture and balance, and is great for anyone who wants to work the whole body.

Suitable for everyone from complete beginners to intermediate and modifications and progressions are offered in each class depending on your level.

Join Mel () in person every Thursday at 9.30am. Book using the link in our bio.

24/04/2024

Hi YATB’ers, Ashley here and it is with ALL of the feelings that we are announcing the closure of Yoga at the Barn in Bourn at the end of June.

This closing is an evolution, not an ending . . . after 9 years at YATB my own life is now at a phase where I’m looking to spend more time with my family (both very close – across the street and very far away – over an ocean). The studio is in great shape, so we are truly ending on a high note. Classes are currently very well attended, with new students joining all the time. This makes it hard to shift away. But as I always say transitions are the hardest bit (in movement and in life).

Since the very first class of 6 students in April 2015 until now, I have loved every minute teaching in this space and meeting such lovely people. We have built a community that is warm and welcoming – I feel it is a community where people can be themselves and move in ways that suit their bodies and that is definitely something I am hugely proud of.

Thank you for making Yoga at the Barn such a wonderful and unique place to move and to teach, for being open and accepting, and for laughing at and with me! I always, always say it has nothing to do with me – this space of ours – it has everything to do with the students who come, connect and are so willing to share and learn. So THANK YOU!

There have been such lovely teachers joining us at the YATB studio over the years. They have brought new styles, new energy and have had such a collaborative spirit. A huge thanks to those teachers from the past and especially those at present who have made YATB what it is today.

The studio is open until the end of June and classes continue to run as they are. Emma, Mel and I would love to see you – so DEFINITELY keep up your practice! Also during these next few months you will be hearing from your teachers about their next steps, how to connect with them and continue practicing yoga & movement together.

22/04/2024

In need of a little something more than your usual yoga class? Well look no further!

We have some lovely workshops coming up at YATB that we'd love to see you at! Keep reading to learn more and don't forget places are limited so book your spot asap using the link in our bio.

🕯 Restore By Candlelight, 7pm 26th April with Ashley (THIS FRIDAY!)
Need to take some time out and just stop? We have just the thing! This month's 90 minute Restore by Candlelight with Ashley will be Restorative Yoga based. Think restful, supported, floor based poses to help you unwind, find calm and rest. This is your time.

🧘‍♀️ Breath- An exploration of Breath and Prana in our yoga practice, with Emma
Emma invites you to join her for a 3 hour exploration of the breath (prana) and breathing in our Yoga practices. In terms of our asana / movement practice, restorative yoga and our yoga nidra practice. A morning to dive a little deeper into some of the elements Emma brings into her regular practices.

☀️ Reset Yoga Summer Solstice Event With Gong Bath
Join Emma and Adele to celebrate the longest day of the year. This is a beautifully curated 2 hour practice of movement, yoga nidra and gong bath. The perfect way to celebrate the solstice!

20/03/2024

SPRING EQUINOX:: Today marks the Spring equinox, when day and night are roughly the same length of time. Tomorrow, here in the Northern Hemisphere, we begin to tilt towards the sun as our daytime gets a little longer each day.

Meteorically, today marks the start of Spring and a new season. Spiritually, today marks rebirth and a new start.

Us humans have for a long time used the 31st December as time to set goals, ambitions and 'kick start' the new year. But we are still very much in winter. It's dark and cold, and instinctually we want to hibernate, turn inward, rest and reserve our energy.

When we look at nature, it's Spring when new beginnings start. As the weather warms and the days become lighter, nature re-emerges to start again. And we too tend to feel more energised, more willing to be active and often are in a better place to thrive.

So if you've found the start of the year sluggish, perhaps you haven't been able to flourish as you had hoped, this is another opportunity to start again if you wish. To harness the Spring energy to bloom and grow.

Something you may want to ask yourself today: What seeds do I want to plant and nurture over the rest of the year? What am I feeling inspired by or drawn towards that I want to use this new Spring energy to work towards?

This of course comes with a caveat though....if you're not feeling it, perhaps the start of the year has been difficult, tiring or overwhelming, you can simply allow yourself to rest. There are no expectations, pressures or 'need to do' except to meet yourself where you are and honour what's going on for you right now.

Happy Spring Equinox 🌱🌸 🌷

Photo by Andy Feliciotti on Unsplash

Image Description: We are standing underneath a huge magnolia tree looking up into the branches which are full of pink magnolia blossoms.

19/03/2024

Who's doing yoga this week? 🙋

Here is what's coming up at this week:

✨WEDNESDAY
7.15pm Open Yoga, online and in person, with Ashley
✨THURSDAY
6pm Rest Yoga, in person, with Emma
✨FRIDAY
10.15am Yoga Gently, online and in person, with Ashley

Use the link in our bio to book your class!

15/03/2024

CHOICE:: How do you want to end the week?

We always have a choice. We can choose to listen and honour whatever it is going on for us right now. To follow our intuition.

So maybe you are ending the week feeling tired, overwhelmed and burnt out. Or perhaps you're feeling energised, motivated and productive.

However you are feeling, how will you show up for yourself right now?

Do you feel the need to end the week gently? Perhaps accepting that somethings won't get done and start winding down for the weekend a little earlier? What is the best way to spend the weekend for you? Maybe some early nights and restful days, or gentle movement and fresh air?

Do you want to go into the weekend knowing you have got as much done as possible? Maybe you want to utilise this energy, put your head down and get ahead for the coming week. Perhaps there are some tasks you want to get done now so that by this evening you know you have it all in hand. And this weekend, how might you enjoy this energy you are experiencing?

The point here is that the more we can honour where we are, giving ourselves rest when we need or harnessing energy when we have it, the more we can support our true needs. Know there is no right way to be, just where you are now ❤️

Photo by Liza Summer on Pexels

14/03/2024

Our 6 week Beginners Yoga course is back in April with Ashley! ()

If you are new to yoga this is the perfect place to start. Our beginners course will give you a solid foundation of the poses, how we move through our practice and importantly how you can practice safely for your body. The course is a great platform from which you will be able to confidently and safely continue developing your practice.

Our last beginners course sold out in record time so if you want to join don't hang around! Available both in person and online, we start on the 16th April.

Book your place now using the link in our bio ✨

Image by

Image Description: A class is taking place in our lovely studio. The students are facing away from the camera towards the instructor and are in high lunge, some with their back knee on the mat, with arms raised.

12/03/2024

What do you need to do yoga?

🔘 An expensive yoga mat?
Not really, in fact yoga mats weren't really invented until the 80's. At our studio all mats and props are available if you don't have your own.

🔘 Fancy yoga clothes?
Definitely not, as long as you wear loose clothes that allow you to stretch, you can wear anything!

🔘 Flexibility?
Not at all, flexibility is not a requirement to do yoga. But if you practice regularly, you may find you become more flexible and supple.

🔘 Be slim and strong?
Yoga is for all, all body types, all abilities. Social media is full of slim, young (mostly white) people doing complex poses, but this isn't yoga.

🔘 Need to be injury free?
The great thing about yoga is the practice is so adaptable and there are many different types of yoga to suit you. Of course if the injury is fresh we suggest you wait, but if you have a dodgy knee, hip, shoulder, whatever yoga might actually help. Just talk to your teacher before taking a class.

🔘 Have time to do long practices each day?
Whilst a daily practice is amazing, it's absolutely not a requirement of doing yoga. If you make one class a week that's fine. Or if you do want to practice everyday, even just 5 minutes of breathing or gentle movement counts.

These are common myths that often put people off from practicing yoga, but we will shout it from the rooftops YOGA IS FOR EVERYBODY.

So if you have been put off by any of the above, or anything else we haven't covered, don't be. We are ready and waiting to welcome everyone to the studio so if you've ever wanted to give yoga a chance DO IT! And if you have any concerns reach out to us on info@yatb.co.uk.


Image by
Image Description: Ashley is leading a class in our studio with some of our lovely students

08/03/2024

Happy International Women's Day! 💜

We thought this year's theme is an important one, so wanted to give space to their message in our post today.

Across the world today, marks an important opportunity to step forward in solidarity and help forge an inclusive world for everywhere 🌎 Collectively let's call out , challenge , and end . Together let's uplift and celebrate the achievements of women. For 2024 and beyond let's 👉 https://bit.ly/IWD2024

✨ Image by Melanie in

06/03/2024

What does moving into Spring mean to you?

Perhaps it's longer days, warmer sun, spring flowers, the sound of bird song or getting outdoors more.

Or maybe you notice a subtle shift in your energy, it's easier to get out of bed, you feel like being more active or perhaps you are drawn towards have a good sort out.

In just a couple of weeks we will reach the Spring Equinox, the point where the northern hemisphere starts to tilt towards the sun, so how do you want to harness this time? How do you want to move into Spring and what do you want to enjoy in this new season?

As a new season begins, take some time to decide how you wish to intentionally move through it.

29/02/2024

Happy Leap Day! ✨

Today we get an extra day as our calendar adjusts to align with the solar calendar. So what you going to do with this extra day?

Can we make a suggestion? Dedicate this day to your wellbeing.

Do something that will fill your cup, like spending some quality time with loved ones, taking some time for yourself or (our favourite option!) join Emma () for blissful Reset Yoga tonight at 6pm! Book your spot using the link in our bio 🧘‍♀️

Photo by Louisa French Photography

Image description: In our studio people rest in childs pose.

27/02/2024

Who fancies rolling out their mat this week? 🙋

Here is what's coming up at this week:

✨WEDNESDAY
7.15pm Open Yoga, online and in person, with Ashley
✨THURSDAY
6pm Rest Yoga, in person, with Emma
✨ FRIDAY
10.15am Yoga Gently, online and in person, with Ashley

Use the link in our bio to book your class!

21/02/2024

There is just one space left for Emma and Adele's beautiful Reset Yoga for Spring Equinox with Gong Bath!

As we welcome new beginnings, growth, and the balance of light and dark.
Many cultures around the world celebrate this date of rebirth and renewal as their ‘New Year’

The curated 2 hour in person practice will combine movement, yoga nidra and gong bath to welcome in the new season together. Join them on the 21st March 6pm-8pm.

There is just one space left, so if you are in need of a little help embracing the new season and energy that comes with Spring, be sure to take this final spot. Use the booking link in our bio 🌷


Image description: Adele is sitting in front of her big gong, with a smaller gong to her left, in the studio during the gong bath part of a recent workshop.