Private sessions
Private yoga at your Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage
I come to where you’re staying, bring everything, and build a gentle class around whoever’s there.
A slow hour in the middle of your stay
You’ve come to the Dales to slow down. It doesn’t always work out that way — there’s a walk planned, someone’s booked a table, and the weekend fills up much like the rest of life does.
A session at the cottage is an hour that doesn’t ask anything of you. No driving anywhere, no booking system, no walking into a room full of strangers on a weekend you meant to spend with the people you came with.
People tend to arrange one for a birthday weekend, when everyone’s arrived and nobody quite knows what to do first. For a family gathering where the ages run from nine to seventy-nine. For the morning after a long day on the fells, when legs need something kinder than another hill. For an anniversary or a couples’ break, a quiet weekend with friends, or a wellness weekend someone has planned properly.
Whether it’s your first time on a mat or your hundredth, you’re welcome exactly as you are.
What actually happens
I arrive a little before we start and we move a bit of furniture together — usually just a coffee table and a couple of chairs. It takes five minutes and I’ll do the lifting.
Mats go down with space between them. If it’s an evening, we’ll turn the big light off and use the lamps. If someone’s lit the fire, even better.
We begin with everyone lying down or sitting, and a few minutes of doing nothing in particular. That part matters more than it sounds. Then some slow movement, shaped around how the group is feeling and what you’ve been doing with your day — more stretching after a walk, more stillness if the week has been a lot. We finish lying down again, warm, with a blanket over you.
Afterwards I pack away, put your furniture back, and leave you to your morning. Most people put the kettle on and don’t say much for a while, which is usually a good sign.
What you need to have ready
A bit of floor
Enough room for everyone to lie down with their arms out. Most cottage sitting rooms manage it once a table’s been moved.
Nothing else
Mats, blocks, bolsters and blankets all arrive with me. Comfortable clothes are the only thing to pack.
An hour that suits you
Early, before a walk. Late afternoon, after one. Whatever fits around the rest of what you’ve planned.
For cottage and accommodation owners
If you let a property in the Dales, you’ll know the question: is there anything to do that isn’t a walk or a pub? This is one answer, and it costs you nothing to offer.
Your guests can get in touch directly, or you’re very welcome to ask on their behalf if that’s easier. Nothing needs to be at the property — I bring everything and take it away again, so there’s nothing to store, install, insure or clean. All the property needs is floor space in one room, and if you’re not sure yours works, send me a photo and I’ll tell you honestly.
I’ll always confirm directly with the guest before anything is fixed, so nothing lands on your desk.
If you’d like to mention it in a welcome folder or on your activities page, you’re welcome to use this: “Private yoga at the property — gentle sessions for groups of any experience, brought to you by Victoria Millward of Pause and Bloom Yoga in Skipton. Suitable for complete beginners.”
Questions people often have
We’re renting — do you need permission from the owner?+
Usually not. Nothing is fixed to anything and nothing gets left behind, so it’s much like having friends round. If your let has unusual rules it’s worth a quick check, and I’m happy to speak to the owner directly if that’s simpler.
Our cottage isn’t very big. Is that a problem?+
Often not. People are surprised how little room it takes once a coffee table has moved. Send me a photo of the room and I’ll give you an honest answer rather than a hopeful one.
Some of us want to join and some don’t.+
That’s completely normal, and fine. Nobody should feel press-ganged into it on their holiday. Those not joining usually take the chance to have the kitchen to themselves for an hour.
What time of day works best?+
Whatever fits the rest of your plans. Early works well before a walk; late afternoon suits legs that have already done one; evening sessions tend to be the stillest.
Can you come more than once during our stay?+
Yes, and it’s a lovely way to do it — something slower on the first morning, something restorative before you head home.
It’s a surprise for someone. Does that work?+
It does, and it often lands well. Tell me when you get in touch and I’ll keep everything to you rather than the group.
What does it cost?+
Cost depends on the length of the session, the size of the group and how far I’m travelling. Send me a message and I’ll confirm the full cost before anything is booked.
Tell me where you’re staying
Send me a message with your dates, roughly how many of you there are and where you’ll be, and I’ll come back to you with what’s possible. There’s no commitment in asking.
Get in touch