Strengthen your body - Tap into your inner energy

My Yoga classes are for people who prefer a slower, more accessible and restorative yoga suitable for all ages and levels of fitness The classes are relevant to students who spend long hours sitting at a desk and need to replenish their energy, relax and unwind. Another area of specialism is in helping people of all ages who have lost flexibility and mobility through misuse or after an injury or surgery. I offer people effective tools to help them in their everyday life by combining the practice of Dru Yoga and principles of the Alexander Technique in individual sessions as well as group classes.
I run weekly meditation and Dru Yoga classes as well as back care management with Dru Yoga group classes. The classes are kept small so that students work at their own pace under good supervision. The classes provide a friendly atmosphere for adults of any age
or ability to energise and relax.

Wednesdays at Salisbury Quaker Meeting House
9.15-10.00 Meditation and Pranayama
10.00-11.15 Dru Yoga

Dru Yoga - The Healing Yoga

Dru Yoga is both a graceful form of exercise and a potent means of stress relief. Dru has its roots in Hatha Yoga, and includes classical yoga postures (asanas), pranayama (the science of breath), mudras (hand gestures), positive affirmations, visualisations, meditation and relaxation.

Dru comes from the Sanskrit “dhruva” and refers to the stillness that can be experienced in Dru Yoga. In this stillness we are able to see and act from a point of clarity and inner calm.

Each class centres around powerful sequences performed in a flowing and dynamic style. Dru Yoga can be practised by people of all fitness levels and abilities. Dru Yoga works on strengthening core stability.
  • Dru Yoga a fresh energetic, positive and complete approach to health and wellbeing
  • Dru Yoga focusses on the heart chakra and soft flowing sequences that use heart power to engage and heal.
  • Energy Block Release sequences are easy-to-practise, soft, flowing dynamic movements that help to dissolve physical emotional and mental blockages and release deep seated tension. In Dru Yoga, the ability to perfect a posture or a mudra is not all-important, but the sequence which directs the flow of energies.
  • The flowing sequences integrate controlled breathing, mudras, visualisation and affirmations.
  • Joints are kept relaxed and soft during movement (as in tai chi). This creates flexibility and a free flow of subtle energy.
  • Dru Yoga works to balance the chakras (energy centres of the body) and the koshas (or body layers)
  • A deep understanding of core stability is a major focus.
  • Dru Yoga promotes a heightened feeling of positivity and empowerment.

Dru Yoga a fresh energetic, positive and complete approach
to health and wellbeing

Yoga sessions

Research and back care management

Dru yoga was first taught in the West by Mansukh Patel in the late 1970s at Bangor University in Wales. The Bhagavad Gita is the source book that Dru Yoga uses for the philosophy of yoga and meditation. A lot of research has been done by the Dru Yoga Foundation and has shown that dru yoga is particularly effective for improving:
  • core stability
  • flexibility and strength
  • mood and emotion swings
  • back pain
  • breathing patterns

More specifically, the Back care management programme was based on the result of recent research into the benefits of Dru Yoga for back pain. The programme was designed by a multi-disciplinary Dru Yoga team composed of a master Dru Yoga trainer, a physiotherapist and and general medical practitioner in cooperation with the NHS. The Dru Back Care Programme is currently running in some NHS trusts and workplaces with proven results.

I am currently working towards introducing the Back care management with Dru Yoga programme in the Salisbury and Ringwood areas.

This back care programme is for people with frequent or chronic back pain who want to use safe and effective tools to take care of themselves in their daily life. It is a three-part graduated programme open to all levels of ability and fitness. The programme consists of gentle movements and flowing sequences to stretch and release tight muscles. The programme aims at improving flexibility, and promoting alignment, balance and stability.


The class is deliberately kept small to promote a safe environment where people can work within their own level of ability, without any strain or pain. Specific simple yoga postures known for their pain relief, strengthening or relaxing qualities are used with breathing and visualisation. The postures are adapted and modified to suit people’s bodies and needs.

Please note that, prior to the course, you are required to complete two questionnaires to ensure that the course is suitable for you. These are The Keele Star T Back Musculoskeletal Screening Tool Form and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. In some cases, people may benefit from an initial one-to-one session before joining a more structured group course.

Meditation

I have been a long-standing meditator and have experienced and practiced several forms of meditation since 1996. I started with the then popular Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Transcendental Meditation. I then went on different paths and looked at Buddhism and investigated some of the many Tibetan practices and schools as well as Theravada and Zen traditions. Along with my interest in Yoga and my trips to India, I developed an interest in the self-inquiry model of the ancient vedic civilisation. I see the teachings of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hahn and those of Ramana Maharishi as the main influence in my present teaching.

My teaching is non-sectarian and takes out the most practical and effective techniques from any of the traditions to help people in the 21st Century. A typical meditation session will start with advice on posture. Awareness of the breath is a major component to help focus and to bring back to focus. Depending on the needs of the students, here are some of the techniques we use during the meditation class:
  • Pranayama (breathing techniques)
  • Mindfulness
  • Walking meditation
  • Visualisation (colours, chakra work)
  • Loving kindness
  • Self-inquiry

Other Events

I sometimes run a 3 hour Dru Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation workshop on a Saturday morning.

Sessions can be arranged for businesses committed to their staff’s health and wellbeing.

Why not do Dru Yoga in the comfort of your own home? Personal tuition can be arranged if you are disabled or unable to come to any classes or if you need a programme targeting your specific physical needs. Learn Pranayama (breathing techniques), Meditation, Dru Yoga and how to look after your back with Dru Yoga.

Marie-Ange, DPN (Y) is a Registered Dru Yoga Teacher.
Ring Marie-Ange to discuss classes or an introductory home personal session on
01722 743 109 or 07804 041 005.
Contact Me
Marie-Ange Gonzalez, MA, MAR., CNM (Nat.), (Acup.), DPN (Y), CLYL, CLYT