Holly HY / 03 June 2025 / Categories: People, Ordinary People, Education, Evening Classes

Mary Doughty Hatha Yoga Her Way in Leicester

An unexpected guru and yogi who’s always smiling

For anyone who believes Yoga is hokey, weird, cliquey, spiritual, boho, hippy practise, contortion or some other mis conception Mary is the best teacher to set you straight.

Her calm friendly fun teaching style is suitable to anyone from a scared beginner looking for a gentle start introduction to Yoga, to an expert needing a challenge.

Mary has the experience and technical ability to suss out her student and tailor her classes to the ability levels in the room, even if one student has limited mobility and is working from a chair at the lowest ability level to someone who can slip straight into a Dolphin pose or a headstand without any need for support.

Unlike many other teachers I have met and taken classes with Mary’s narrated warm ups and cool downs really get you into the right head space to tackle some of the more challenging poses she slips in almost without you knowing in the middle.

Her classes are designed to ensure you achieve but will not be put off by a complicated Sun salute sequence a beginner would find difficult to watch and follow at the same time participating and could be put off.

I’ve been to a lot of classes where the atmosphere is “us and them” and new comers feel excluded especially if you are a bit rusty or don’t really know what you are doing.

Not Mary, she makes sure everyone feels welcome regardless of your level and you can be sure of some personal attention and correction, she’s not pushy but not passive either. She wants to see you improve and get value from your practise.

Yoga is the perfect way to quiet the mind and stretch the body, oxygenating the muscles through movement coordinated with the breath. It much more graceful and balletic than say Pilates or other more dynamic workouts.

That said don’t think it’s easy. You might watch and think that looks like a piece of cake, until you have a go yourself and half an hour in you are thinking boy I feel that even though you are lying down and think you are not really doing anything.

The thing I love the most about Mary Doughty’s classes is how she teaches in series of postures, she builds you up, so there will be an easy version of say a bridge or cobra, a variation that is then more challenging and a third or fourth variation, you choose where you are comfortable and what you feel you can achieve. No pressure no shaming, everyone encouraged to work with their own body at their own pace.

The classes cost £11 each which compared to other studios and teachers is a great deal and you book in blocks of 4 at £44.

She teaches in two locations. Christchurch Hall in Clarendon Park in Leicester; just off Queens Road: on a Friday morning at 10am and on Tuesday morning at 10am just off the Foxhunter roundabout in Enderby, Leicestershire.

It’s very informal and relaxed. Just email Mary Doughty directly me.doughty@hotmail.com if you want to have a go.

The classes are mixed, guys and girls and no restrictions on age or ability, everyone is welcome. The key is even if you are an expert Mary is too so teachers would still get to learn from Mary.

I’ve practised yoga on and off for quite a few years. Have done intense Bikram or hot yoga and have experienced studios in different countries around the world and with practitioners of different styles and I love Mary’s authenticity and skill as a teacher. She doesn’t focus on the win; more the journey, cultivating the desire to win.

You don’t need to bring anything to participate except yourself, yoga mats, yoga blocks and yoga straps are all provided.

What to wear: loose relaxed sweat pants, T shirts. Sweat shirts and or leggings. Floor work you can wear socks. Socks are usually removed when upright to prevent slipping.

Yoga practise is simply a gift that makes you feel vital and young. Strong and supple in equal measure. It’s a palpable feeling that gets people and Mary is just a really good teacher.