Kindness Festival 2025 – Kindness to the Body

Join us for a series of gentle, movement-based sessions designed to help you rediscover ease, kindness, and comfort in your everyday life. Each session is led by a specialist and includes its own registration link—simply click the button below the respective description to reserve your spot.

Important: After registration, we will reach out to you with a health form that must be completed before the session.

Schedule

• 3:00 – 4:00 PM: Jackie Adkins

• 4:15 – 5:15 PM: Elaine Marie Ewens

• 5:30 – 7:00 PM: Saffron

Jackie Adkins

Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM

Description: In this free taster, you will discover how the slow, gentle floor-based movement lessons of the Feldenkrais Method can bring about profound changes in the way you move, breathe, feel, and think. We will explore how an everyday action—such as turning—can become easier as you become more aware of your movement. By paying attention to how you do things, you can develop a new relationship of ease, kindness, and comfort with yourself.

Register for Jackie’s session

Saffron

Time: 4:15 – 5:15 PM

Description: Always wanted to try yoga? Join Saffron for 60 minutes of gentle yoga, themed around self-kindness. This session includes gentle movements, deep stretches, joint mobility exercises, and standing strengthening postures. You’ll also experience breathwork, deep relaxation, and a gratitude practice designed to help you remain open and kindhearted. Perfect for complete beginners, this class offers a gentle, non-performative introduction to yoga and is suitable for anyone who can sit comfortably on the floor and get up unaided. All who are keen or simply curious are welcome.

Register for Saffron’s session

Elaine Marie Ewens

Time: 5:30 – 7:00 PM

Description: Yoga teacher, Elaine Marie Ewens, will guide you through a series of gentle yoga postures, along with breathing, sound, and visualisation practices, creating a space for you to unwind after a working week. This is your space—a place to return to your centre and honour your beautiful self by gifting yourself kindness, rest, and restoration.

With individual attention, Elaine ensures that you practice safely and healthily. She teaches “gentle” yoga—it is slow, powerful, kind, mindful, and subtle. Working on a deep level, its many benefits are supported by a large body of scientific research. By offering a safe space to explore the connection between your physical, respiratory, emotional, and mental bodies, Elaine invites you to nurture self-compassion—if we are kind to ourselves, we are whole and healthy, and we gain the resources and resilience to be kind to others.

With a background in biological science, Elaine blends practical rationale with yoga philosophy, poetic inspiration, and wisdom from both modern and ancient sources, staying true to yoga’s spiritual roots. She studied in the traditions of TKV Desikachar and T Krishnamacharya—more information is available at elainemarieewens.co.uk.

Register for Elaine’s session

All are welcome, regardless of gender or experience; the class is suitable for most abilities and ages.

Preparation Guidelines

• Bring a Cushion or Wear Comfy Clothes: Ensure you’re comfortable throughout the session.

• Yoga Mat & Equipment: Bring a yoga mat or similar. You may also bring any sitting equipment or blocks you prefer, although chairs will be provided.

• Dress Appropriately: Wear loose, stretchy clothing such as trousers or shorts with a comfortable top. Avoid tight clothing around the midriff to allow for natural breathing and movement.

• Layer Up: The room is heated, but consider bringing a jumper or a blanket/shawl for extra comfort during restful parts of the session.

• Stay Hydrated: A bottle of water is useful to keep you hydrated.

We look forward to welcoming you and helping you explore a new level of self-kindness and well-being through these transformative sessions.