# Samsara Yoga

Samsara Yoga is a Hatha Yoga studio based in Gloucestershire, between Thornbury and Berkeley/Dursley, run by qualified instructor Karen Bleakley. The studio offers authentic, holistic yoga practices designed to meet students at every level, from complete beginners to more experienced practitioners.

Karen specialises in yoga for people over forty and fifty, with particular expertise in supporting those navigating menopause. Her teaching approach focuses on creating a safe, welcoming space where students can develop their practice at their own pace, rather than pursuing advanced poses or competition. Having discovered yoga later in life during her fifties, Karen personally understands the transformative impact the practice can have on physical wellbeing and mental resilience.

The studio addresses common concerns for mature students: joint deterioration, poor sleep quality, chronic pain, high blood pressure, and stress. Through regular practice, students benefit from improved flexibility and balance, better cardiovascular health, enhanced concentration, and a greater sense of calm and intentionality in daily life.

What sets Samsara Yoga apart is Karen's genuine passion born from personal transformation, combined with her accessibility approach. Rather than intimidating newcomers or focusing on advanced asana work, she emphasises the holistic benefits of yoga—cleansing the mind and refreshing the body. Her commitment to meeting people "wherever you are in your practice" makes this studio particularly welcoming for those who may feel apprehensive about yoga or have dismissed it previously.