Yoga and Pilates

The great tree of Yoga is made up of many different styles and schools, each with its own specific approach, but all with the same ultimate aim. Slow Flow, as the name suggests is a slow, spacious, attentive form of Vinyasa Flow. It is a dynamic form of Hatha Yoga, characterized by strong, precise and fluid movements, practised in an unhurried manner, with full complete, unrushed and unstrained breath.

Some of the many benefits of practising Slow Flow are: increased strength, control, precision and stability, correct alignment and isometric work, increased proprioceptive and kinesthetic sense, and a long, full and enjoyable breath. Importantly, this practice also signals to the nervous system that it is not in “fight or flight” mode. Thus resulting in a meditative practice, based on inner listening and the notion of “strength, not strain” which is nourishing, grounding and centering, both mentally and physically.

Who’s the teacher?

Sarah Bliss

I’ve been Yoga mad for over 15 years, first catching the bug in London in 1999 going to classes at The Life Centre in Notting Hill Gate with my sisters who both lived locally. I had moved to Rome from my native London in 1992 and was working in the cinema industry at the time and in the free weeks between shooting films I was lucky enough to indulge in many yoga holidays in exotic locations such as Costa Rica, Thailand, India, Greece, New York and also attended workshops and classes in London held by Margherita del Pra’, Elena Brower, Emma Henry, Stewart Gilchrist, Claire Missingham and Durga Devi amongst others.
In Rome I continued to attend classes with Susan Desmarais (Anusara) and Nives Gobbo (Jivamukti). For a time I also attended Giorgio Furlan’s Yoga Academy.
Whilst pregnant with my daughter Carolina I attended pregnancy yoga classes in Rome both with Barbara Woehler and Deborah Ralls and meditation seminars held by Carlos Pomeda and Antonio Nuzzo and this was when my passion for meditation and mindfulness first began. I attended “Mummy and Baby Yoga” classes with Uttamjit Kaur for the first year after Carolina was born and slowly returned to a regular yoga practice.
I firmly believe that learning all things Yoga is an endless, magical journey and after completing the Yoga Alliance RYT training my principal yoga teacher since 2012 has been the Jivamukti advanced teacher Jutta Mele Maurer.
My teaching style is eclectic as I have studied so many different Yoga styles and I enthusiastically  continue the yoga journey  with my students on a path that is both gentle and dynamic, where the ultimate goal is finding our limitless inner strength and stillness.
RYT 400 international yoga alliance

Pilates is a form of exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, which emphasizes core strength, flexibility and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement.
Core strength is the foundation of Pilates exercise.
As you develop your core strength you develop stability throughout your entire torso.
This is one of the keys to how Pilates helps people overcome back pain.
As the trunk is properly stabilized, pressure on the back is relieved and the body is able to move freely and efficiently.
The top benefits of doing Pilates exercise that people report are that they become stronger, longer, leaner and more able to do anything with grace and ease.

Stretching increases flexibility enhancing physical fitness and improving athletic performance. Stretching reduces the risk of injury to joints, muscles and tendons and prevents muscle soreness after exercise. Stretching enhances the ability to learn and perform skilled movements, it enhances the development of body awareness, it increases mental and physical relaxation, it increases suppleness due to stimulation of the production of chemicals which lubricate connective tissue.

Postural Training stimulates the body within its complex regulation mechanism to regain the best functional equilibrium in relation to the external stimulations. It combines Meziers and Souchard postural techniques, stretching, mobilization strengthening exercise, as well as specific swiss ball and proprioceptive movements.  

Who’s the teacher?

Paula Haywood
(Pilates and Stretching instructor, Movement analyst, Massage Therapist)

The insatiable desire to understand movement in all of its forms led me to move at first to Tokyo then to New York City where I pursued my studies connected with dance and fitness at “The Laban Institute of Movement Research”. At the same time I took part in a Dance Education Laboratory at the “92Y” and was introduced to the work of Joseph Pilates and its amazing results on the body.
I obtained my certificate in Mat Pilates and equipment Pilates through the “Kelly Kane Core Integration School”, while studying Reflexology, Sports and Thai Massage at the “Open Center”, also in New York City. I then moved to Rome where I got certified in Olit, Anty Gravity Yoga, Functional Training and Postural Training.

My primary focus has always been to help people to achieve the understanding of their body to avoid and heal injury and to teach them how to apply the Pilates principles to all other sports they practice and in daily life for a total well-being, both physical and spiritual.