Hi, I'm Philippa
Come and join one of my friendly yoga classes in the Ryburn Valley, West Yorkshire.
Beginners Yoga
Wednesdays, 9.30 – 1030am at Stones Methodist Church, Ripponden, HX6 4LA
Mixed Ability Yoga (beginners welcome)
Wednesdays, 6.30 – 7.30pm at St Peters Community Centre, Sowerby, HX6 1HB
Chair Based Yoga
Wednesdays, 10.45 – 12pm at Stones Methodist Church, Ripponden, HX6 4LA
Thursdays, 1.30 – 2.45pm at St Peters Community Centre, Sowerby, HX6 1HB
Classes are £8 drop in, or £40 for 6 consecutive classes.
About the classes
The style I teach is Hatha Yoga, a fairly gentle type of yoga which incorporates movement, breathwork and relaxation.
♥ Beginners and mixed ability yoga
We’ll explore a range of yoga poses, mindful movement, breathwork and relaxation. Expect a mix of sitting, lying on the ground, and standing.
♥ Chair based yoga
These classes are perfect if you have limited mobility, or simply prefer a seated practice. This class follows the Gentle Years Yoga approach. It is mainly seated, with the option to stand using a chair for support. Like the other classes, we look at different yoga poses, mindful movement, breathwork and relaxation.
All classes are welcoming for beginners. I offer different options for most poses to make the class more accessible.
Pop along and give it a go. Wear something comfortable. And, if you have them, bring a yoga mat and blanket (for keeping you cosy in relaxation). No worries if you don’t have them, I always have spares.
Get in touch to book a spot, or with any questions:
What people say about the classes
“I love my yoga sessions with Philippa. They have definitely helped with my flexibility and balance. Philippa is so warm and welcoming and her sessions are planned with options depending on how the body is feeling at that moment. Age hasn’t been a barrier to accessing all aspects of the sessions, they are the hour in the week that I look forward to the most. Xx” Ann
“I can wholeheartedly recommend Philippa’s Thursday afternoon Chair Yoga at St. Peter’s. A warm and welcoming atmosphere, exercises can be individually tailored and we learn something new every week – even to remember to breathe! Always leave calm and refreshed….” Elaine
“Yoga with Philippa is one of my favourite parts of the week. The class is relaxed, supportive and down to earth. I go in tense and come out floating. It is true yoga, re-setting you mind, body and spirit, like a little midweek holiday from life’s stresses. I love that we do movement, breathwork and guided meditations. It makes a real difference to my wellbeing.” Julie
“Philippa is very supportive and encouraging throughout the class and there’s always an alternative way of doing a pose to make it the most comfortable for yourself” Kath
About me
Yoga has been part of my life since childhood. My Grandma used to take me along to her local class in Sowerby Bridge—no teacher, just a group of people taking turns to guide or following a crackly record player audio session. I loved the sense of calm and togetherness in the room, and that feeling stayed with me.
Over the years my practice came and went, appearing in books, videos and the occasional class. Then, in my 30s, I realised I wanted movement in my life that felt supportive, enjoyable and sustainable. I found myself drawn more and more to yoga. A retreat just before I turned 40 changed everything: a week of daily practice left me feeling grounded, strong and energised, and I knew I wanted yoga to be part of my everyday routine.
Back home, I joined beginners’ Ashtanga classes and fell in love with the focus and rhythm of a regular practice. That enthusiasm eventually led me to train with the British Wheel of Yoga, completing their in-depth Teacher Training Diploma. Those three years deepened my understanding of yoga philosophy, movement, breathwork, meditation and, most importantly, how to teach safely and inclusively. It was transformative.
Today, my practice is a blend of movement, breath and quiet space—sometimes structured, sometimes simply what my body needs that day. And that’s exactly the experience I aim to offer in my classes: a friendly, down to earth space to move, breathe and reconnect with yourself, whether you’re brand new to yoga or returning after time away.
If you’d like to explore yoga in a warm, supportive community, I’d love to welcome you to one my classes.
My yoga qualifications
2024 – 2025 – Level 4 British Wheel of Yoga 126 hour Gentle Years Yoga teacher training with Rosemary Bennett
2024 – Intelligent Yoga 60 hour training for teachers with Peter Blackaby
2020 – 2023 – Level 4 British Wheel of Yoga 500 hour teaching diploma with Catherine Eastwood
2018 – 2019 – British Wheel of Yoga 50 hour foundation course with Jacqui Jones