Michael Bailey

Michael's personal journey to becoming a Bodyworker began over 20 years ago. His involvement in the fitness industry started a little later, some 13 years ago at Harpenden Country Fitness Club. By then he had taught himself everything from cycling to running to circuit training, weight lifting, aerobics and even hip-hop dance instruction.  Although he had followed the "normal" path of training and education in the fitness world, he knew there was still something missing.

His first agenda was to look into the many styles and practices of yoga; he attended lessons in Astanga, Hatha and Iyenger, eventually qualifying under the tuition of Paul Dallaghan and Neil Barker in Koh Samui, Thailand. 

He found the experience in Thailand ‘life changing' and continued to enhance his practice under the guidance of Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore. After completing 3 months further study, Michael would spend hours watching fellow pupils and teachers ‘move'. His goal was to produce the most dynamic, yet flowing and easy-to-remedy style of postural alignment.  He developed a sequence of movements in which individuals in the class could move from one asana to the next with the easiest ‘flow' of movement (with a strong emphasis on the individual's breath control and alignment).

After the study and practice of calisthenics as a child, many years later, Michael came across a Pilates lesson in his local gym.  Realising how similar Pilates was to calisthenics, it occurred to him that he could combine practices and make a ‘super-power' lesson to really ‘Work-Out' the body and give the individual the most comprehensive form of tuition. 

Seven years ago he qualified in this discipline too and became a Pilates teacher at the Pilates Institute, London under the world-renowned tutelage of Michael King. Since then he has attended Joseph Pilates' original studio in New York and also The New York Pilates Studio.

Michael believes in expressing yourself and enjoying life. During his classes, he likes to share both the serious side (mind, body, spirit experience) and the fun and joyful part of life. Everyone can, through laughter, feel a ‘CONNECTION' both to one another and to the beautiful life force that runs through a room as people exercise together. Being ‘self-aware' is one of the greatest gifts he believes he can bestow on a class.  This is his way of teaching.  This is his joy and purpose in life.  

Michael's Yoga Master classes include:

• Ashtanga Yoga - The Ashtanga system is a set order of steps that a practitioner can work. The class starts with quiet time to welcome the day - standing postures leading into seated postures finishing with inversions followed by relaxation. This system realigns the spine, detoxifies the body, and builds strength, flexibility and stamina.

• Vinyasa Flow - Vinyasa flow yoga has a sound basis and structure. It begins and ends in a logical way with various sun salutations followed by lots of creative individual input in the middle area of the class. An organic mix that moves with the mood and energy of the class allowing freedom of expression steady rhythm and lots of focus on the smooth transition from posture to posture is the key to this class.

• Hip Opening and Back Bending - These are essential areas in any practice to restore balance and unity to your body. Today's world has left us with tight backs and hips leading to untold problems including slow digestion, low energy levels and eventually pain which is avoidable. You will be guided through with a safe sound structure to the class. Open your heart and smile softly!

• Pilates - Having many years experience with different styles of Pilates come and experience the power and rejuvenating qualities of FreeMotion Pilates. This class caters for all abilities and ailments from experienced athletes to beginners Pilates will unify your movements and increase your performance and range of motion.

Availability

June 1st to 9th, 2011