Mathew Skinner

Modalities and services

• What is yoga beyond physical movement and exercise?

  Yes, yoga is great for building strength, flexibility, bone density and improving range and ease of movement, keeping joints healthy and can aid in managing weight, toning the body and building lean muscle. These are all wonderful things. A healthy body matters! It’s our vehicle through life and who doesn’t want to feel great?!

  Read more about What is yoga beyond physical movement and exercise?

  Beyond that though is a dimension to the practice that many who just want to stretch their hamstrings or increase overall flexibility or mobility come to understand through participating in the practice.

  Yoga is a mindfulness practice! Through focussing on the breath, sensations in the body and where the body is in space, it centres and grounds one into the present moment.

  Mentally, yoga may help reduce anxiety by calming the mind and inducing a state of calm. It may help lift depression through the release of endorphins, as all exercise does, and by making us more aware of our thoughts while being less attached and identified with them. It is in this quiet, meditative state that insights and solutions often appear, when we stop clinging to the story and creating more angst around it. We allow ourselves space, a pause, a step back from the thinking mind. We also get more in tune with our emotions through being aware of the body. Through stretching and movement we also release tension, tightness, stress and lingering trauma responses from our bodies. In this way yoga may also support mental health and healing, may enhance self-regulation and may calm the nervous system.

  It may enhance the quality of our lives (work, relationships, healthy choices etc) by making us more present, not only on the mat but in our daily lives. This may bring more self-awareness, creativity, presence with others, greater clarity and the wisdom to make choices that align with our values rather than our egos. It may make us more conscious of ourselves, our thoughts and emotions, and bring us into the deeper dimension of who we truly are, beyond thought, the ever eternal witness.

  So yoga is a portal into presence. It is a tool in the evolution of consciousness. It may be healing physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

  All you need is a mat and an open mind! (We provide mats if you don’t have one.)

  Embody the power of peace!

• About Mathew

  Mathew has been teaching yoga since 2007. He teaches Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra. He also teaches kids yoga. He has taught at various yoga studios and gyms as well as schools, addiction rehabilitation centres and retirement homes.

  Read more about About Mathew

  On 1 May 2025 he started giving classes at the 4 Francis Road Holistic Centre. His Vinyasa classes are strong and he loves to see the progress his students make through regular and consistent practice, not just physically but also in the changes they go through mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

  His Yin classes are deeply relaxing and meditative. “Everyone who comes to yoga wants to improve themselves and their lives in some way and I am honoured to be part of their journey.”