The Neuroscience of Calm

Rewiring for Rest & Resilience

"The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it."

~Jessie Spaford


Winter invites us inward. As the world quietens, we often discover how wired, tired, and stretched thin we’ve become — living with busy minds, restless bodies, and nervous systems that rarely get to exhale.

The Neuroscience of Calm is a gentle, science‑rooted, deeply human journey into reclaiming ease. Across seven weeks, we explore how the brain and body can be rewired toward steadiness, rest, and resilience through movement, breath, mindfulness, and compassionate awareness.

This course blends yoga (gentle, flow, yin, restorative), breathwork, meditation, and trauma‑sensitive teaching with accessible neuroscience. It’s designed to meet you exactly where you are — offering spaciousness, clarity, and a grounded path back to yourself.

This is for every body – whether you’re just beginning or returning with years of practice, there is space for you here.


When does it start?

This course starts on Wednesday 4 November 2026 with the following classes:

  • Wednesdays 10.00-11.00 – Gentle & Restorative (Highfield & Online)
  • Wednesdays 18.30-19.30 - Yin Yoga (Online)
  • Saturdays 09.30-10.45 – Flow & Reflect (Heartwood/Highfield & Online)


PLUS, all classes are recorded so if you miss a class, you can still practice at a time to suit you.

I use professional sound equipment, so it sounds as if I’m in the room with you (according to my students!).


Location

IN-PERSON - Classes take place at Highfield Park Trust, AL4 0RA. A lovely light-filled space with underfloor heating.

When the weather allows, we practice at Heartwood Forest - Al4 9DQ.

How to join?

Monthly Membership — from £60/month
Access to up to three weekly classes, plus our entire back catalogue of recordings. Pause or cancel anytime.

Payment Plan - £40.00 x 3 months
Attend all three weekly classes throughout the course, plus lifetime access to course recordings.

One Payment - £112.00
Attend all three weekly classes throughout the course, plus lifetime access to course recordings.


Both monthly membership and course payment options give you complete access to the course, the community, and the recordings.

Spaces are limited due to the size of the Highfield Park Visitor Centre, so early registration is recommended.


If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – [email protected].

'A unique approach to yoga'

by Liz Hobman

“Louise has a very unique approach to teaching yoga, drawing learning from nature, neuroscience and nourishing spiritual teachings! I love the variety in her programmes, which combine mindfulness practices, movement and postures, readings and poetry, with wisdom and warmth. I am learning so much about how the mind, body and spirit can work together to cultivate compassion, strength and resilience for ourselves and those around us. I always feel calm and uplifted after a class. Informative, insightful and inspiring - thank you Lou!”

Themes for each week:

  • Week 1 - The Body as Home

    A slow, steady landing. We explore cues of safety through grounding practices, long‑exhale breathwork, and mindful orientation. Foundations of polyvagal theory help us understand how calm begins in the body.

  • Week 2 – Training the Mind to Settle

    We strengthen attentional networks through breath‑led movement, slow vinyasa, and mindful focus. Learn how attention shapes the nervous system and softens rumination.

  • Week 3 – Meeting Stress with Choice

    Reactivity is automatic; regulation is learned. Through breath patterns, gentle flow, yin, and mindfulness, we explore the pause between stimulus and response.

  • Week 4 –Creating Space Inside Experience

    We cultivate steadiness without suppression. Flow, restorative poses, breathwork, and interoceptive awareness help widen the window of tolerance.

  • Week 5 – Restoring Rhythmns

    The body thrives on oscillation. Breath‑led flow, yin + sound, coherent breathing, and rhythm‑based mindfulness support parasympathetic settling and resilience.

  • Week 6 – Cultivating Inner Stillness

    Stillness becomes spaciousness. Minimalistic movement, extended yin/restorative, breathwork, and guided meditation soften mental noise and support deep rest.

  • Week 7 - Integration & Inner Resilience

    A warm, reflective closing. We integrate the whole journey through blended practices, heart‑space mindfulness, and a gentle ritual to carry calm forward.

'Classes are a life-line'

by Cathy Washbrooke

"Louise’s classes are a life-line! I find myself being able to calm my anxiety, find a new purpose and most importantly accept where we are as a country and continue my daily life. Louise is a very warm, nurturing and knowledgeable teacher. She also integrates elements of mindfulness through various readings, poetry and insights to deepen the practice and allow deep rest to take place. I always feel lifted, yet grounded after each of Louise’s yoga sessions."

What you can expect from this course:

  • A weekly blend of gentle flow, yin, restorative yoga and breathwork

  • Mindfulness and meditation practices that soothe busy minds

  • Trauma‑sensitive, inclusive teaching that honours your pace

  • Clear, accessible neuroscience woven through each session

  • Practical tools for stress reduction and emotional steadiness

  • A supportive community space to rest, reflect, and reconnect

  • A winter‑friendly rhythm: slow, warm, grounding, spacious

'Louise is so kind and caring'

by Emma Scinaldi

"I started as a complete beginner and was worried I would not be able to follow the moves, but Louise is so kind and caring, plus really knows her stuff so is able to give very clear, supportive guidance. There is never any pressure as Louise always offers alternatives. With care and kindness she has encouraged me to really develop my practice. I always feel really energised after a session with Louise but I am also starting to notice a higher level of peace and tranquility in my day to day life. I feel strong and calm at the same time!"

Your Teacher

'Yoga gives us peace and clarity in order to see the beauty and wonder that is all around us'

Louise Neicho

Having spent the first 20 years of my professional life working in and with Nature I feel a deep connection to the natural world that has promoted numerous benefits in my life. Combining this with a love and appreciation of yoga and mindfulness that spans over two decades has enabled me to share practices that help us connect more deeply with Nature and ourselves. I have completed over 1000hrs of yoga and mindfulness teacher training and in 2023 I received a distinction for my master's degree in Mindfulness where my thesis focused on the wellbeing benefits of connecting with Nature. I can honestly say that yoga and Nature has saved my life on more than one occasion, and I don’t think I would be the person I am today if it wasn’t for my practice. To bring all of this together is simply a dream come true and I hope you will join me and our like-minded community soon.

'Louise’s passion for yoga is infectious'

by Sonia Battaini

“Lou's passion for yoga is infectious and her knowledge is incredibly vast. I have been doing yoga for a long time but I am always amazed at the fact that I am still learning something new with Louise’s very detailed explanations. The classes have helped me staying in the moment and achieving calmness within”

Your Questions Answered

  • How is this different to other yoga classes?

    This course offers a slower, deeper approach to yoga. Each week centres on one theme and one physical focus, giving you time to explore it both in class and throughout your week.

  • Which class should I choose?

    There are three styles each week so you can choose what your body and mind need. New or easing back in? Gentle & Restorative or Yin Yoga are perfect. Love vinyasa? Flow & Reflect is for you. Craving stillness and long, quiet holds? Yin Yoga will meet you there.

  • What do I need to begin?

    You’ll need a yoga mat and comfortable clothing. Some classes use props, but pillows, cushions and blankets work well.

  • How does the membership work?

    As a member you’re welcome to join any class on the timetable. All sessions are recorded and uploaded to the Members Area within 24 hours, so you can catch up whenever suits you. And if you’re away, you can still join live or watch the recordings from anywhere in the world.

  • How does the one-off course work?

    Choosing the one‑off course gives you access to every live or in‑person class for the full programme. You’ll also get all the recordings, and they’re yours to return to anytime.

  • Other questions?

    If you have any other questions that are not answered here, then feel free to contact me on [email protected].

'Insightful, interesting, varied'

by Sarah Hall

"Louise's classes are always insightful, interesting and varied as she brings her knowledge and ongoing training and research into each one, combining useful 'off-the-mat' mindfulness tips with yoga poses appropriate to the unique theme for the week as well as catering for individual requirements where needed. They are packed with lots of good advice for day-to-day living as well as for practice on the yoga mat. Now that everything is online and recorded there is the added benefit of being able to participate in Louise's classes wherever you are in the world and the enormous library of recorded classes is a treasure trove of resource"

'Louise teaches from the heart'

by Amy Dodd

“Lou's classes have been a real anchor for me amongst all the uncertainty of the past year. I do like being able to log on to the website and do the recorded classes at any time. The classes cover a specific topic each term, and I’ve found that having a subject to focus on really enhances my yoga practice, off the mat as well as on it! Lou brings some wonderful insights into each class and you can tell she really teaches from the heart.”

Course Content

Classes start on Wednesday 4 Nov 2026 and will be uploaded within 24 hours of taking place