Yoga is a +3000 year old philosophy rooted in Hinduism and originating from the Indus Valley civilizations. Practicing yoga offers a journey through the Self, to the Self, with the eventual goal of reaching Samadhi (liberation). The Yoga most of us are familiar with, Asana (postures), is one of eight limbs (parts) of Yoga.

Absolutely not! At the Sanctuary, we believe that Yoga is there for anyone curious to practice, and our teachers make sure that options are offered to suit your body, rather than expecting you to change your body to suit the class. Yoga is so much more than Asana (postures), and we offer a wide range of class types. Mindful Movement & Meditation, for example, involves very minimal movement, whilst other limbs (parts) of Yoga, such as Pranayama (breathwork) are centered. 

No experience is required for many of our classes, such as Ashtanga 1, Hatha, and Yin & Yang. Being curious is more than enough- we’re all together in the Sanctuary because we want to learn.

Although Yoga is fundamentally connected with Hinduism, you do not have to be a Hindu to practice Yoga. Our Sanctuary and classes (except Pilates) are unapologetically non-secular- we maintain shrines for Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha, we chant mantras, and we incorporate yoga philosophy as standard practice. However, no one is obligated to participate in any religious aspect if they do not wish to do so! Whilst we are a spiritual space, anyone is welcome and we embrace religious diversity within our community.  

You are wanted and valued in our community- there is no expectation of who you should be or how you should perform. Our teachers are here to guide and reassure you, not to judge you. Our community members are there to uplift each other and build collective knowledge together. You will not be pressured to do anything that doesn’t feel right for you. We are excited to have you in class, whether you’re a teacher yourself, or totally new to Yoga! 

Wear clothes that you can move freely in and that you feel comfortable in. We ask that everyone remove their shoes before entering the Shala for class, and that everyone wears a top of some variety as well as bottoms.  

We provide everyone with a gorgeous rubber yoga mat to use during class, but you are always welcome to bring your own if you prefer. There are plenty of yoga blocks, straps, bolsters, meditation cushions, and eye masks for you to use during your practice. You’re welcome to bring a water bottle into class. Otherwise, all you’ll need is a curious mind!

The Asana (posture) aspect of Yoga varies in physical intensity, and our Rocket and Power Vinyasa classes are particularly high-energy! It is likely that you will improve your strength and mobility through regularly attending our classes. However, Yoga is fundamentally not a workout, because our ultimate focus is on uniting the body, mind and soul through our breath, and turning inwards to understand and liberate the Self.

If there’s an Asana that doesn’t work for you, this is not a problem at all. Our teachers consistently offer different options and opportunities to adjust the Asana to you via use of the props we provide. If any Asana feels wrong or painful for your body, there is no expectation to perform it, and no explanation needed. We trust your judgement and encourage you to listen to your body! 

Some teachers may offer gentle hands-on adjustments to benefit your practice during class, or practical assistance during workshops. Teachers will always explicitly ask for consent at the beginning of classes and you will not be physically adjusted without your consent. If you have initially consented, but change your mind, just let the teacher know and they will respect your space.  

We ask that quiet is maintained during class to provide everyone with an optimal environment to tune in with their breath and turn their focus inwards. Of course, if anything urgent arises during class, please do let the teacher know without hesitation.  

You are totally welcome to bring your water bottle into the Shala for use during class. We ask that only sealable vessels that will not spill if knocked over are brought into the Shala, and that you refrain from eating in the Shala at all times. If you have a medical condition that requires you to eat during class, you are encouraged to do whatever you need to do at any point without shame.

Phones and smart watches should be kept on silent at all times when in the Shala, and phone calls must be taken outside. Phones should be kept out of sight during class. If your phone or smart watch functions as a medical device, you are encouraged to use it as needed at any point without shame.

Feel free to take photos or videos before and after class, as long as you exclude other participants to protect their privacy. Filming during class is not permitted unless express permission is acquired by emailing charli@greenlightsanctuary.com.

We do have a shower! Body wash, moisturizer, shampoo, and conditioner are provided. We also have tampons and pads available in our WC. Towels are available to rent for a £3 fee. As a small site, we only have one shower, so please account for this in your planning and time management.

Credits and passes may be purchased on our website or in our boutique during opening hours (10:30am-5pm). Bookings should be made online via our website.

If you’re interested in a private, group, or corporate booking, please email charli@greenlightsanctuary.com.

We recommend arriving 15 minutes early for class; at minimum, 5 minutes early. If you’re late for class, you will not be able to attend, as this would disturb the community who have already begun their practice.

Our cancellation policy requires at least 48 hours notice for workshops, and 24 hours notice for classes, communicated in writing to charli@greenlightsanctuary.com. Please see our terms & conditions for the detailed explanation of our cancellation policy.

Students, NHS staff, educators, working yoga teachers, and bartenders all qualify for discounts- please email namaste@greenlightsanctuary.com to provide evidence and access your discount code!

Our classes and workshops are for adults (18+) only, unless explicitly specified otherwise.

Our Sanctuary is situated above Tamper Coffee, and is reached via a staircase. The Sanctuary front door is reached via three steps, and the entrances for the Shala and Boutique are on the 1st floor. Regrettably, we do not have a lift, making the Sanctuary inaccessible to non-ambulatory wheelchair users and those unable to reach the 1st floor via stairs. This is something we would have avoided had it been possible and that we can only apologize for- as a space owned by a disabled person, it’s a genuine point of sadness. For further information about accessibility beyond wheelchair access, please email charli@greenlightsanctuary.com. We are happy to answer any questions, provide pictures to help you assess whether the Sanctuary is accessible for you, or arrange for you to see the space outside of class hours to make that judgment. 

If you’re working with an injury, we recommend that you consult with a medical professional and use your best judgement to assess whether you are able to participate in any class. Our teachers are able to offer options to accommodate certain injuries, but they are not substitutes for medical advice, and we are not liable for personal injury.

This question is highly dependent on your individual circumstances and we recommend that you make this decision according to medical advice and personal judgment- disabled people know best what is accessible for them! That said, the Sanctuary is owned by a disabled person, and we’re committed to making the space as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. So please do reach out to charli@greenlightsanctuary.com. We are happy to answer any questions, provide pictures to help you assess whether the Sanctuary is accessible for you, or arrange for you to see the space outside of class hours to make that judgment.

The Sanctuary celebrates neurodiversity. We are owned by an autistic person and feel strongly our space being a safe haven for neurodiverse people to express themselves authentically. If you have any questions about the sensory nature of the Sanctuary, how we can accommodate your specific needs, or would like to see the space outside of class time, please email charli@greenlightsanctuary.com.

We are just a 5 minute walk from Sheffield Train Station and the Bus Station, or 15 minutes from the West Street tram stop.

There is on street parking around the Sanctuary, however this is often busy, but there is several public car parks near by, the closest being the NCP on Sidney Street.