REAL-LIFE COURSES SOMA BREATH WORK AND MEDITATION
TODO EL MUNDO
www.todoelmundo.co.uk What is it? Spanish for adults. Who teaches it? Native Spanish speakers, and who are trained in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. Where? The daytime courses are at New Oriel Hall, roo lea e u l n ar hall ath en n courses are at Bath Academy, 27 Queen Square, Bath What’s it like? “These are sociable, safe and engaging classes with structured courses and native speaking teachers,” says boss Katherine all a e o er a m o spea n l sten n rea n an r t n e cover pronunciation, grammar and linguistics as well as delve into the history, culture and geography of the 21 Spanish speaking countries around the world. Our intermediate and advanced level syllabus covers speaking, listening, reading and writing activities on a variety of themes, using many past, present and future tenses. New students of any age – we’ve had them from 16 to 80 – can try as many roups as they nee to n the one that su ts the r le el an sche ule n l sh oesn t e en ha e to e your rst lan ua e to ta e part Cost and commitment? Classes are from £18 for daytime classes and £21 for evenings, with 4-8 students per group. The current term runs 9 September – 14 December, and courses continue throughout the academic year. And the ultimate goal? “Your stereotypes are challen e your apprec at on o others ro s an art culture an sport all loo a l ttle erent an a lot more nterest n says one happy student.
PHOTO BY BET T Y BHANDARI PHOTOGR APHY
www.thesoulspa.co.uk What is it? Relaxation through breathing. Who teaches it? Madeline Blackburn, SOMA Breath instructor, DHyp in hypnotherapy, and founder of The Soul Spa. Where? The Soul Spa, 2 Hetling Court, Bath What’s it like? “SOMA Breath is a fabulous mixture of rhythmic breathing, breath holds, visualisations and great music,” says Madeline. “The aim of my classes is to help people learn how to switch from their ‘stress’ mode to their ‘relax’ mode. After all, practising breath holds has een sc ent cally pro en to lo er heart rate an loo pressure raise core body temperature, heart rate, and produce a controlled stress response to ar o llness an n ammatory seases e more stamina, better circulation, and trigger the circulation and activation o stem cells or ant a e n lon e ty an pea per ormance clear toxins from the gut, clear nasal and sinus congestion, and purify the loo stream pur y the est e system suppress hun er ur n a ast eliminate bad bacteria and promote the growth of good bacteria in the ut an alance an restore the ner ous system create harmony between the left and right hemispheres of your brain, and improve heart health and HRV.” Cost and commitment? Classes run at 12pm Monday to Friday, and cost £10. And the ultimate goal? “By regularly following a SOMA breath class, people ll un erstan ho they can n uence their mind and body simply by using their breath. Guided visualisations while breathing, and in the deep meditative states reached, build on participants’ mental wellbeing and self-belief.”
ABOVE: Unleash your creativity with Zosia Brett;
INSET: Enhance your travelling with better Spanish
studio and delivers the CRAFTworks project at Bath City Farm. Where? Zosia’s Studio, Flat 4, 41a Great Pulteney Street, Bath What’s it like? “You’ll learn to create beautiful items using a whole range of crafting techniques, always with a focus on natural resources and upcycled mater als says os a e o er e eryth n rom em ro ery and visible mending to birch weaving, pyrography, rug making, felting, cordage and natural dyeing. “Our Wild Creativity workshops celebrate the seasons (fortnightly on hurs ays am or pm our un un y pcycl n or shops o er m n ul cra t n to ma e eaut ul creat ons rom nno at e upcycle mater als ay or hal ay our reat e en n ess ons help you st tch a apt or arn monthly r ays am or pm and we have bespoke workshops for six people (perfect for everything from birthdays to crafty hen parties) too. Our workshops are for anyone who values crafting for wellbeing and creativity, and who like playing with new techniques and learning skills in a small, friendly group.” Zosia’s inspiration? My mum came to this country when she was six with just one bag and then spent a lifetime gathering beautiful things around her, including lots of crafting treasures. She never threw anything away, so when she passe a ay a couple o years a o ec e to set up a stu o to n sh all the crafting projects she’d started and to share all her wonderful fabrics, wools, silks and 100 darning mushrooms with others, When are the classes? Workshops take place mornings, evenings and weekends, lasting two hours, a half day or a full day. And the ultimate goal? “Hopefully you will leave our delightful artistic space on Great Pulteney Street with both your own wonderful creations and a renewed creative energy.” n
“Our workshops are for anyone who values crafting”
WILD CREATIVITY IN ZOSIA’S STUDIO
www.zosiabrett.com What is it? Nature crafting and upcycling. Who teaches it? Zosia Brett, who runs workshops from her own
86 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk