Yoga
 
If you can bring together a group of people during lunchtime or after work and you have a suitable venue in the workplace (a room that can be clear of furniture) then James can run short length yoga courses ranging from 40 minutes - 1 hour per session.
  
Meditation
 
Meditation classes tend to be no more than 30 minutes in length. James can either run a regular class or an introductory course to help you set up your own meditation group. The meditation is simple, practical and highly beneficial for those who have a busy and stressful life; to bring about a greater sense of balance and perspective, not to mention improved productivity!
 

Please telephone / email James to discuss your requirements (see contact section).

To book a place on a forthcoming course please contact James (see Contact) who will then confirm your place by return email. It is sometimes possible to book a place part way through a course - but please make contact beforehand to discuss this option. Please note that the Monday and Thursday courses in Stourbridge run parallel with school terms.

Classes at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre are all self-practice drop-in classes. Regular students do not need to pre-book. New students need to contact James first before joining a class.
 
Most common queries that new students have are covered in the FAQ section. If you have any further queries about the classes, please contact James.

Summer 2021

Monday

New class starting 13th September 2021
8.00pm - 9.00pm
Basic Hatha Yoga course suitable for 

Beginners & Intermediate 
Stourbridge, 
Elmfield School, Eurythmy Room  
£ 60.00 (10 weeks)
13 September - 22 November 2021
 (No class 25 October 2021)
                         
Elmfield School, Love Lane, Stourbridge DY8 2EA


Tuesday

No class

Wednesday

7.30pm - 9.00pm
Ashtanga Yoga - a self-practice drop-in class
Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Jasmine Studio 

£10.00 per class (pay-as-you go)

Runs throughout the year (No class 18 August 2021)

New students - please ring to reserve a place & note the following: For anyone new to Ashtanga Yoga or without a working knowledge of the system, you will be required to pay for your first 5 classes in advance. 
Please read the description of a self-practice class in the FAQ section
                    
Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 11 Park Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AB

Thursday

8.00pm - 9.30pm (Next course starting 16th September 2021)
Ashtanga Yoga Course - 

Led Beginners / Intermediate
Stourbridge, 
Elmfield School, Eurythmy Room                              
£79.00 (10 weeks)


16 September - 25 November 2021
 (No class 28 October 2021)
 
Elmfield School, Love Lane, Stourbridge DY8 2EA


Friday

6.30pm - 8.00pm
Ashtanga Yoga
 - a self-practice drop-in class
Birmingham 
Buddhist Centre 
Yoga Studio
£10.00 per class (pay-as-you go)
Runs throughout the year (No class 20 August 2021)

New students - please ring to reserve a place & note the following: For anyone new to Ashtanga Yoga or without a working knowledge of the system, you will be required to pay for your first 5 classes in advance. Please read the description of a self-practice class in the FAQ section.                              
Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 11 Park Road, Moseley, Birmingham 
B13 8AB

Sunday

10.30am - 12.00 noon
          
Ashtanga Yoga
 - a self-practice drop-in class
Birmingham 
Buddhist Centre 
Yoga Studio
£10.00 per class (pay-as-you go)
Runs throughout the year (No class 15 August 2021)
  
New students - please ring to reserve a place & note the following: For anyone new to Ashtanga Yoga or without a working knowledge of the system, you will be required to pay for your first 5 classes in advance. Please read the description of a self-practice class in the FAQ section.                                    
Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 11 Park Road, Moseley, Birmingham 
B13 8AB

If class times are not suitable for you or you may have an injury or medical condition, then Individual Tuition is ideal. Also it is an excellent way to firmly establish your own yoga practice. James can tailor the yoga to suit your needs and ability. It doesn't need to be Ashtanga Yoga, it could be a less energetic form or one that involves a greater degree of relaxation, breathing techniques and recuperative postures. Time and venue to suit. James can also offer small group tuition if you have friends who would like to join you.
 
Please telephone James to discuss your requirements (see contact section)

Please contact James to discuss your requirements.

Landline: 01384 394702
Mobile: 07967211748

Email: jamesyoga7@hotmail.com

James Critchlow is a full-time yoga teacher who has been teaching for 36 years and practising for 51 years. He has trained in a variety of yoga styles including British Wheel, Pranayama, Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga. Also Siddha and Vipassana meditation, Tai-Chi and Pilates. He began teaching the Ashtanga system in 1990.

 Drawing from his background in these varied disciplines, James brings an inclusive approach to his teaching that makes his classes accessible and enjoyable to people of varying levels of ability and experience; with a clear, down-to-earth and fun approach.
 
"Whatever benefits and insights I have been able to impart to others during my years of teaching, it is simply because I stand on the heads and shoulders of the teachers that I have been fortunate to have had over the years. Many thanks to all of you."


James Critchlow

Ashtanga Yoga is an energetic and dynamic form of yoga. Movement is synchronised with deep rhythmic breathing as you travel through a set series of therapeutic yoga postures, building a deep heat throughout the body.
 
Through steady, regular practice, working with a balanced approach, always aiming to take the middle path; Ashtanga Yoga can be seen as a meditation in movement, a philosophy of life, or simply a way of bringing about a sense of well-being, not to mention a great all round cardiovascular exercise; building strength, stamina, flexibility and tone.
 


Beginners to Ashtanga Yoga

Please note that in a beginners’ level class, I lead the class as a group; as opposed to in a self-practice class, where I work with people individually within a class structure.

 See details of a self-practice class in the FAQ section.

Hatha Yoga is a general term that describes yoga classes that primarily consist of yoga postures. In this sense, Ashtanga Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga. You could go to ten Hatha Yoga classes and they could all be noticeably different, depending on the teacher's interpretation.
 
The main differences between my own Ashtanga and Hatha classes are that the Hatha classes are physically less energetic with more of a variety of yoga postures and breathing & relaxation techniques.
 
With the Ashtanga system you practise in a pre-set order of yoga postures. In the Hatha classes, although there will be a general pattern to the class, it will vary slightly from week to week.
 
The Hatha Classes will be more accessible to a wider range of people.

What do I have to wear?
Comfortable, non-restrictive exercise clothes e.g. jogging pants, T-shirt, vest, shorts, leotard etc. We work barefooted.
 

Do I need a yoga mat?
Yes, it's essential, particularly when practising at home. However there are always mats and other yoga equipment available to borrow in class.
 

Can I do yoga when I'm pregnant?
Yes, it's excellent but the yoga needs to be modified. You will therefore have to attend a specialised prenatal yoga class. Please note that yoga is not recommended in the first 3 months of pregnancy.
 

Can anyone do yoga?
Yes - apart from the lazy! Although the style and intensity might need to be amended.


What is a self-practice class?
The most beneficial way of practising yoga!
 In a self-practice class you will be taught the postures individually by the teacher, in their sequential order. This is done within a group setting. 
In the beginning you will do little more than 45 minutes per class. Over time with regular steady practice, you will refine and polish what you are doing, adding postures as appropriate. Steadily building your practice to its complete form.
The time it takes varies from person to person, it's not a race to collect postures! All that is required is patience, perseverence and a commitment to regular practice. The length of your practice is not as important as gaining the regularity of practice.
 I wish you success on your self-practice journey - it is well worth pursuing!
 
~ James