Welcome
Philosophy and practice of yoga date back over 5,000 years ago. The main purpose of traditional yoga is to learn to understand oneself, our interconnectedness with the world, and how we can control the mind, and with it our thoughts, emotions and sensations in the body. In contemporary world yoga found a fertile ground in the West full of an unprecedented stress and anxiety. Yoga as complementary and alternative therapy in stress, insomnia and mental health management is now recognised by the healthcare system in the UK. I teach Hatha yoga with elements of Pranayama (breathing techniques), Meditation and Energy work. You will learn how to make your yoga practice more meaningful and gain new skills for life.
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About the teacher
I am an independent Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Teacher, Mental Health First Aider and the first facilitator of PCI-accredited yoga protocol Yoga4Health in Milton Keynes (commissioned by the NHS). I am promoting Yoga for Mental Health as a complementary or alternative therapy in which students learn self-regulation tools through weekly yoga classes and community events. My classes are based on a traditional style of Hatha Yoga with elements of Breathwork, Self-awareness, Meditation and Mindfulness alongside physical poses and bite-size psycho-education.
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I am the organiser of the first big-scale yoga event in Milton Keynes, International Yoga Day at Willen Lake North. I intend it to be an annual event bringing different modalities of yoga to the local community, with the help and support of local sponsors as well as individual donations.
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As a member of Yoga in Healthcare Alliance, I lobby with the local government representatives, MPs, voluntary sector organisations and the NHS for yoga to be included in the healthcare system and in any other accessible form which benefits a wider community.
If not on a mat, you can find me paddleboarding in Olney. Travel is my other love which I combine with yoga by organising yoga retreats in Unesco protected areas such as the Bedouin desert in Jordan.
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– Joanna Konefal, the founder of Yoga State of Mind
What the students have to say
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I’ve been going to Joanna’s yoga classes weekly for about 10 months, and they’ve made a real difference for me as a sufferer with anxiety. Joanna offers different options for each pose, making her classes accessible for any ability, even in mixed-ability classes, and she’s genuinely compassionate about any health conditions.
Her classes are unique, with a strong spiritual basis. Joanna blends different yoga styles with sound baths, crystals, nature, oracle cards, cacao ceremonies, meditation, and breathing exercises, often sharing meaningful readings and quotes that allow us to explore our inner feelings whilst our mind is calm and quiet. She focuses on mental health and wellbeing as well as physical health, and has the knowledge to explain how each pose benefits both our body and mind. Joanna encourages us to try new things and build confidence in a safe, supportive space.
I'm really grateful for all the effort Joanna puts into organising her classes and allowing us to have such a varied yoga experience.
Charlie
Contact
Please feel free to contact me via Social Media. Alternatively fill in the form below, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
