Welcome to Northern Light Yoga where I invite you to take control of your health, naturally
Relax, de-stress and feel more positive
Boost your energy levels
Increase fitness and flexibility
Ease stiff and aching joints
Improve posture and relieve back pain
'Dru Yoga should be available in every GP surgery.'
Dr Hilary Jones; GP, TV Presenter, Medical Broadcaster, Author and Public Speaker.
'You're only as young as your spine is flexible.'
Bob Harper; personal trainer, reality television personality, and author.
Services
Yoga for Wellbeing
Suitable for beginners and more experienced, Yoga for Wellbeing is perfect for most of us! If you’re feeling the effects of stress, low confidence or self-esteem, depression or anxiety then this class is especially for you. It’s also a great way to get things moving if you’re feeling a bit stuck or maybe you just want to do some fun movement and make new friends.
Yoga for Wellbeing classes
LLANGEFNI (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)
Time
Mondays 9:30 to 10:45
Venue
Anglesey Pilates Studio, Ffordd Yr Efail, Llangefni, LL77 7LT.
Investment
Taster class, £10. Monthly subscription, £37/month, Drop-in, £12.50
BANGOR (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)
Time
Mondays 18:30 to 19:45 pm
Venue
InTec, Parc Menai, Bangor, LL57 4FG
Investment
Taster class, £9. Block of 5 classes, £45 or block of 10 for £80
Yoga for a Healthy Back
These classes are perfect for you if you're experiencing muscular back pain related to tension, stress or poor posture. Let's face it, none of us are getting any younger but healthy, mindful movement maintains flexibility and mobility helping us to age more gracefully.
Enjoy freedom of movement, learn how to prevent injury and gain confidence in your body again. Join us to stretch, strengthen and relax your way back to a healthier, happier you.
No experience of yoga needed. (Not suitable for pregnancy).
Yoga for a Healthy Back classes
LLANGEFNI (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)
Times
Tuesdays 19:15 to 20:30
Venue
The Anglesey Pilates Studio, Ffordd Yr Efail, Llangefni, LL77 7LT.
Investment
Taster class, £10. Monthly subscription, £40/month. Drop-in £12.50
Yoga Therapy
Please note: this offering is on hold until further notice.
1-1 Transformative yoga therapy and coaching is available in person and online to help you achieve your health goals.
Unlike a regular yoga class, yoga therapy addresses your specific health challenges by holistically assessing what is going on and combining yoga tools to co-create a personalised yoga therapy prescription. This may include movement, breath work, mantra, visualisation, relaxation, meditation and lifestyle advice. The cumulative effects of even 10 minutes practice a day will help restore balance so that healing can take place naturally.
Sessions usually last one hour and you will be shown easy to learn techniques to practise at home. These may be supported by practice videos and handouts.
The Back Happy Programme
Please note: this programme is on hold until further notice.
Has your doctor or physiotherapist advised you to try yoga?
Does your back feel stiff or maybe you’d like to improve your posture?
Then the Back Happy Programme is for you.
Designed by physiotherapists, osteopaths, yoga therapists and GPs this programme helps you to:
*Prevent injury and back pain
*Enjoy freedom of movement and regain confidence in your body
*Stretch, strengthen and relax your way back to health
*Develop a home practice to help keep your back happy.
Please note: This programme is NOT FOR YOU if you are experiencing an acute phase of back pain, you are pregnant or your doctor has advised you not to do yoga. If in any doubt, please check with your doctor!
To find out more, please message me today.
Check out my video for a short 10 minute practice you can do at anytime to keep your Back Happy.
A Back Happy Programme Testimonial
‘I have noticed a huge difference in my lower back. The sessions allowed me time for myself, learning to breathe again. I now have a programme that I can carry on at home. It was nice to be able to do something for myself, but which also allowed time for my back to get better.’
MGJ, Carer, Bangor
7 reasons why the Back Happy Programme is so effective.
1. Neutral Pelvis
The most common cause of back pain is poor posture. When the body is properly aligned, the pelvis is in a neutral position and the spine retains its natural curves. The neutral pelvis is a prerequisite for core activation and core stability exercises.
When we hold good posture, our core is active allowing our mobility muscles to switch off and relax. This reduces muscular tension that causes muscular back pain.
Yoga postures in the Back Happy Programme encourage good awareness and alignment.
2. Segmental stiffness
Intervertebral discs cushion and support the spine. Happy discs are plump and hydrated. They gradually compress and lose water under the effects of gravity, poor posture and from inactivity (e.g. sitting for long periods). Of course, being chronically dehydrated by not drinking enough water will have the same effect leading to segmental stiffness and back pain.
So give your discs a well deserved drink:
*Drink water. The recommended daily intake is 1.5-2.5 litres
*Move. The Back Happy programme shows you how to move the spine through all its natural planes of motion. This opens and decompress squashed intervertebral discs allowing them to rehydrate by drawing fluid that has seeped out back into the discs. This is especially true in the lower back.
*Relax. Lying down in relaxation decompresses the discs and resets the spine. Did you know that you are about 1 cm taller after a good night’s sleep?
3. Forward and backward bending
Forward and backward bends, when alternated, are the most efficient way to nourish and heal intervertebral discs.
Backward bending yoga postures (unless contraindicated) commonly correct any distortion or bulging in the intervertebral discs and can often ease related symptoms of nerve impingement, such as sciatica.
A daily practice of even 5-10 minutes goes a long way to healing the back. The Back Happy Programme shows you how to develop a fun, pick and mix home practice with handouts and videos to guide you.
4. Core stability training
Deep postural (core) muscles stabilise and support the body, keeping your natural spinal curves and a healthy alignment. If these are working inefficiently then the important mobility muscles take over. They become tense, shorten and cause misalignment and perpetuating back problems.
Core stability is naturally increased when we practice flowing yoga postures with emphasis on spinal control, mobility and core awareness.
5. Mobility of nervous tissue
Our nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and the nerves that run into all parts of the body, all the way to the tips of our toes and fingers. When we move, our spinal cord and nerves are meant to slide and glide.
If you do not move your body enough, immobility can cause restriction in the nervous tissue (neural tension) which in turn can cause pain or uncomfortable sensations. Back health is dependent upon neural mobility.
Yoga postures in this Programme help to mobilise the nerves and keep them healthy.
6. Nervous system reset
Mindful movement, breath work and relaxation all help the body to destress and release tension that may be causing back pain. By focusing the mind inward, the nervous system resets and the body receives messages that it is safe and secure. The body can then relax and achieve a greater sense of wellbeing and stillness.
This improves our ability to deal with the symptoms and causes of back pain.
7. Healing from the inside out
Western medicine is beginning to realise the impact that emotions and mental states can have on back pain. The Back Happy Programme engages all layers of our experience:
*Physical
*Mental
*Emotional
*Energetic
*Connection
Breath work, positive affirmations and visualisations create positive mental and emotional states.
By taking a more holistic approach to back pain, we activate the energy in our body, balance our emotions, positively transform our thoughts and create stillness helping to heal from the inside out.
To find out how the Back Happy Programme can help you, please message me today.
Meet Naomi
Hi, I'm Naomi, and welcome to Northern Light Yoga!
I teach small, friendly and welcoming yoga classes in Bangor, Gwynedd and Llangefni, Ynys Môn. My aim is to make yoga accessible, enjoyable and genuinely helpful in everyday life, whatever your age, experience or starting point.
My yoga journey
Having discovered yoga as a teenager, it has been part of my life for over 40 years. But it wasn't until I stopped going to regular classes that I truly began to appreciate how much yoga has to offer.
Then, in 2009, my world was turned upside down. I was made redundant from a job I loved and, just two days later, my lovely father passed away. While I was still grieving, hormonal imbalances began affecting my sleep, digestion and ability to cope with stress.
I felt exhausted, derailed, unemployed and needed a big reset. That's when I discovered the Dru Yoga Teacher Training course. It gave me the tools and confidence I needed to rebuild my life, reconnect with myself and find a new direction.
I qualified as a Dru Yoga teacher in 2012, and I haven't looked back since!
In 2021, I qualified as a Dru Yoga therapist, deepening my understanding of how yoga can be used therapeutically to support physical and emotional wellbeing. This training transformed my teaching and strengthened my passion for helping others experience the benefits of yoga in ways that are meaningful to them.
The testimonials below offer a glimpse into the difference yoga has made to my students, both physically and mentally.
Always learning, always discovering
I'm naturally curious and passionate about learning, so I continue to develop my knowledge and skills through further training, reading and reflection. I believe there's always more to discover, and I bring that enthusiasm into my classes.
I specialise in back care and wellbeing, using simple, effective yoga practices to help you feel more comfortable in your body, manage everyday stresses and support your overall health.
Whether you'd like to look after your back, ease the stresses and strains of daily life, improve your mobility or simply enjoy some precious 'me' time, I'm here to help.
My classes are about discovering what's possible, building confidence and enjoying the journey, one step at a time.
Above all, I want you to feel welcome, uplifted and encouraged to be yourself.
And if you think you're not flexible enough to do yoga, no worries! You don't have to be flexible to do yoga… but you do have to do yoga to be flexible!
After all, it's a yoga practice, not a yoga perfect!
Come and give it a go!
If we haven't met yet, I'd love to put that right. Whether you're completely new to yoga or returning to your practice, you'll find a warm welcome waiting for you.
Come as you are, start where you are, and let's discover what yoga can do for you.
Naomi x
Yoga for Wellbeing Testimonials
'After yoga I feel refreshed and calm, ready to face the challenges of my working life all week’
K.A. (HGV driver)
'Yoga has helped with my back, keeping it supple with the stretches. It also focuses my mind with concentrating on the postures.’
Kate (retired)
'Through the beautiful flowing movements, I experience a growing opening in myself to new possibilities.’
Ruth (Dance Leader)
'Yoga is calming. It stops my brain whizzing and I can concentrate more.’
DP (Radiographer)
Yoga for a Healthy Back Testimonials
‘I feel so much better in my body. My back is stronger and I'm slowly improving my flexibility. It is a friendly class where you can release tension in your body and mind too. I can't recommend it enough.’
Kate, Speech and Language Therapist, Llaneilian
‘I felt totally relaxed on leaving and the next day I felt so much better. I feel more grounded when walking. I have noticed changes to my posture and tension release in my upper back and shoulders after sitting over a computer all day. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Naomi.’
JJ, Manager, Llangefni.
‘This class has been very beneficial for me. I have had back issues for many years, and Naomi’s class has really helped. I am now much better. Though it is a class for strengthening the back, it is also a whole body workout and a lot of fun.’
GR, Artist/Musician, Bethesda’
Since participating weekly in the class, my lower back pain has improved greatly, even my posture. I have also made lovely friends. We have fun and lots of laughter. I would recommend giving it a go.’
DH, Llangefni
