Nicky Bevan
“If you're thinking about trying yoga but feel unsure where to start, I can't recommend this class enough — a really welcoming atmosphere.”
Google review
Romford & Hornchurch · Try your first class for £10
De-stress, stretch and relax — gentle yoga for everyone.
Small, friendly classes in Romford and Hornchurch, blending classic Hatha with flowing Dru — for complete beginners, every age, and every ability.
New students and complete beginners always welcome
Small groups of 8–12 · chairs and blocks available
Local venues in Romford & Hornchurch
Rated 4.8 stars across 16 Google reviews
5.0 rating from Google reviews
ann o grady
“Mary is an incredible lady whose teaching style encourages and adapts to your ability.”
Google review
Rachel Triggs
“Mary is a wonderful and caring teacher who really fosters a sense of community in her classes.”
Google review
Venessa Hollette
“The class strikes the perfect balance between calm and challenge.”
Google review
Jeanne Eden
“Yoga with Mary was a life saver during lockdown. It is still a lovely experience as I have made new friendships within the group.”
Google review
Shamah Khan
“She's a very kind soul and I love the way she teaches.”
Google review
Nicky Bevan
“If you're thinking about trying yoga but feel unsure where to start, I can't recommend this class enough — a really welcoming atmosphere.”
Google review
ann o grady
“Mary is an incredible lady whose teaching style encourages and adapts to your ability.”
Google review
Rachel Triggs
“Mary is a wonderful and caring teacher who really fosters a sense of community in her classes.”
Google review
Venessa Hollette
“The class strikes the perfect balance between calm and challenge.”
Google review
Jeanne Eden
“Yoga with Mary was a life saver during lockdown. It is still a lovely experience as I have made new friendships within the group.”
Google review
Shamah Khan
“She's a very kind soul and I love the way she teaches.”
Google review
Our approach
Yoga that meets you
where you are.
A gentle blend of classic Hatha yoga and flowing Dru — think Tai Chi meets yoga — with Yin-inspired stretches, breathwork and mindfulness.
Built for beginners and nervous first-timers
Never done yoga, or tried it years ago and didn't click? That's exactly who these classes are for. No experience needed, no one watching, no pressure to keep up.
Small, friendly groups
Classes stay small — usually 8 to 12 people — with chairs and blocks on hand to adapt any pose to your body.
Modifications come as standard
Recovering from injury or surgery, or living with a bad back or stiff joints? Mary adapts and tailors every class, with chair alternatives offered whenever they help.
Rooted in the local community
Friendly classes across welcoming local venues in Romford and Hornchurch, plus free Woodland Wellness Walks in the parks.
Our classes
Find a class
that suits you
In-person classes across Romford and Hornchurch — from the Sunday Stretch and Flow to free Woodland Wellness Walks.
RAFA Stretch and Flow
The signature Sunday class.
Mat-based gentle Hatha and flowing Dru in the RAFA Club's characterful barn hall, with its own garden opposite a park. The ideal first class. Sun 10.30–11.45am, Romford.
Movement and Mindfulness
Chair and standing — gentle on the body.
Seated and standing movement with mindfulness at the Queens Theatre. Great if getting up and down from the floor is hard. Mon 12.15–1.30pm, Hornchurch.
Community Classes
Low-cost, drop-in, all welcome.
Friendly community classes at HASWA, Hornchurch (Wed 10.00–11.30am) and Cool Rowings, Mercury Mall, Romford (alternate Tue 1.00–2.00pm).
Woodland Wellness Walks
A gentle walk in nature, free and open to all.
A free, gentle walk in nature at Lodge Farm Park (Sun 12.30–1.30pm) and Hornchurch Country Park (Wed 12.30–1.30pm).
Can't always make it in? A range of live online classes also runs each week — just ask Mary.
A member's story
Yoga that adapts to you
“I was introduced to Mary following a nasty fall I had, when I sustained a broken ankle and two badly sprained wrists. I was fitted with a boot and banned from doing exercise of any kind for at least 6–8 weeks, while I healed from my injuries.”
Mary adapted every class around what Lyn could safely do — chairs, blocks and modifications as standard — so she could keep moving gently while she healed.
“Great, friendly classes for all abilities with a really lovely instructor. Highly recommend the backcare yoga, which I started after back surgery.”
— Angela Bailey, started backcare yoga after back surgery
Meet the founder
The people behind
Body and Soul Yoga
Founder & Yoga Teacher
Mary
Discovered yoga as a teenager in the 1970s; qualified as a yoga teacher in 2014.
I may not be exactly what you'd expect from a yoga teacher. I'm not super bendy, I've never been a dancer or a gymnast, and I'm not recovering from corporate burn-out. My path to becoming a yoga teacher has been slow and steady — I first found yoga as a teenager in the 1970s and qualified some forty years later, in 2014.
I teach a gentle blend of classic Hatha, flowing Dru ('think Tai Chi meets yoga') and Yin-inspired stretches, in small groups of 8 to 12 with chairs and blocks always on hand. It's welcoming and accessible to everyone — especially beginners and anyone looking for a small, friendly class with an understanding, mature teacher.
“When I'm not practising yoga I enjoy cuddles with Bob, the 'Cockney Cat', spending time with my family, and watching 'Mind your Language' on YouTube.”
Qualifications
- CYQ L3 500-hour Diploma in Teaching Yoga (YMCAfit, 2014)
- 300-hour Dru Yoga Teacher Diploma (2018)
- Dru Breathwork Coach (2022)
- Dru Social Prescribing – Backcare & Wellness (2022)
- Emergency First Aid at Work L3 (2023)
1:1 & private
Prefer to start one to one?
Want something tailored just to you? Mary offers one-to-one sessions built around your body, your goals and any injuries or limits. They're ideal if you're recovering, managing a specific issue, or simply prefer to start privately before joining a group.
- One-to-one sessions tailored to you (in person, or online if you prefer)
- A personalised programme built around your needs
- A free, no-pressure chat to get to know each other first
- Modifications for injuries, back issues and limited mobility
- Private group and family sessions on request
Curious? Just mention it when you get in touch — Mary will talk it through with you.
Where we meet
A class near you, most days of the week.
There's no fixed studio — each class has its own home across a handful of friendly local venues in Romford and Hornchurch. Here's what runs where.
Mondays · 12.15–1.30pm
Movement and Mindfulness
Queens Theatre, Billet Lane
Hornchurch RM11 1QT
Get directionsHornchurch RM11 1QT
Alternate Tuesdays · 1.00–2.00pm
Community Class
Cool Rowings, Mercury Mall
Romford RM1 3EE
Get directionsRomford RM1 3EE
Sundays & Wednesdays · 12.30–1.30pm
Woodland Wellness Walks · free
Lodge Farm Park, Romford
and Hornchurch Country Park
Get directionsand Hornchurch Country Park
Chairs and blocks are on hand at every venue — and beginners are welcome at all of them.
Pricing
Simple, friendly
pay-as-you-go pricing
Start with a £10 class. No membership, no lock-in — just come when it suits you.
Try a Class
£10first class
Your first class. Come along, see how it feels, no commitment.
- One in-person trial class
- All abilities & beginners welcome
- Chairs and blocks available
- No experience needed
Best value
5 Class Pass
£505 classes
Five classes, valid for eight weeks — the easiest way to build a routine and feel the benefit.
- 5 in-person classes (valid 8 weeks)
- Use across Mary's local venues
- All levels welcome
- Best value per class
Drop-in Class
£11–£12per class
Just come when it suits you. Pay as you go, no commitment.
- Pay per class
- No membership
- Subject to availability
- Community drop-ins from just £5
Community drop-ins from £5. Prices vary a little by venue — we'll confirm everything when you book. Pay by bank transfer, cash or cheque.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers — ask us anything else when you visit.
What your first class is like
Book your first class.
No experience needed.
Arrive a few minutes early, roll out a mat (or grab a chair), and Mary will gently talk you through every movement. No standard to keep up with, no one watching.
- New students and complete beginners always welcome
- Small groups of 8–12, chairs and blocks on hand
- Your first class is just £10 — come and see how it feels
Book your first class
Choose a class type, then pick a session that works for you.
Select a class
Upcoming Stretch and Flow (RAFA, Romford) sessions
Prefer to email? Ask Mary about the 5 Class Pass at mary@bodyandsoulyoga.org