About
NORWICH YOGA
“Yoga didn’t just change my life; it gave it back to me.”
If you’d met me years ago, you might not have recognized the person standing before you today. My journey to the mat wasn’t paved with organic juices and perfect flexibility—it was paved with grit, recovery, and a fair amount of stubbornness.
For a long time, I lived in the heavy shadows of anxiety and depression. To make matters more “interesting,” life decided to throw a series of motorcycle accidents my way that left my body, quite frankly, smashed to pieces. I was broken in more ways than one, disconnected from my mind and physically limited by my injuries.
The Turning Point
Yoga became my lifeline. It wasn’t an overnight miracle, but through the practice, the “clunks” in my body began to heal, and the noise in my head began to quiet. I realized that yoga isn’t about being “bendy” or looking a certain way; it’s about the profound work of wringing out your emotions and finding the gold in the grit.
In 2019, I reached a crossroads, I stood at a point where I had nothing left to lose and everything to give. I decided to take every resource I had and bet on the one thing that had saved me: Yoga. Why Norwich Yoga Central? I founded Norwich Yoga Central because I wanted to create a “no-frills,” loving space in the city I’ve called home since I was eleven. I wanted a sanctuary where people could come exactly as they are—broken, tired, joyful, or curious—and find their own path to healing.
Whether we are chanting in a Sadhana Tria session, working through a strong Vinyasa or explaining the way to total beginners, my goal is to help you drop the “baggage” and find that connection to yourself. We aren’t just practicing poses here; we are building a community of people who are brave enough to show up for themselves
I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s get to work.
Lots of love, Tess x
TESS BICKERSTAFF
Tess, the energy behind Norwich Yoga Central, an international retreat leader, and a Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher (500+ hours), with over ten years of experience living, practising, and teaching yoga.
She’s trained with renowned teachers and Gurus—including Dylan Werner and Eion Finn—blending their wisdom with her own spark to create classes that are deep, playful, and profoundly heartfelt. Her rich studies have shaped a dynamic, soulful Vinyasa style. Expect the unexpected—she teaches intuitively, guided by the energy of the moment. Tess’s superpowers? Soothing presence and Dharma talks that land.
BARLEY GREEN
Barley is our 80s ray of Fame sunshine, she is a trained dancer but, she is a GREAT Yoga teacher!!!! This energetic soul will soothe you with her softness, inspire you with her strength and wrap you up in her incredibly beautiful energy, which once you are in, you can’t leave. She teaches our traditional Hatha class on a Thursday at 6pm as well as covering other classes, she is a wealth of knowledge, ask her anything about Yoga, from philosophy to asana, she knows it all, a truly wondrous being, and we are very lucky to have her.
BERFU Gourlerler
Sit with Berfu a while and you will easily warm to her, a natural teacher who believes that teaching yoga is about offering a safe space where you can check in to your body and check out of the daily grind, all in the serene and supportive place of the studio.
She is profoundly motivated by creating moments of clarity and connection for you to experience in your weekly class, and loves a ‘Flow’ practise where the breath follows the body.
For Berfu, Yoga is a therapy that is non negotiable in her life, and its that passion that we love her for.
Catch her Walking and Reading, and hanging out in Norwich coffee spots.
FAQ’s
Do you have parking?
We don’t have a car park. But there is on street parking nearby, or various car parks nearby. Just check the signs and payments before you leave your car.
Do I need to bring my own mat?
If you have your own mat please do bring it, it’s always nicer to practise on your own mat, however we have a few if you have forgotten.
Are your classes suitable for beginners?
We have a huge range of classes on our schedule, some are suited to beginners more than others, so it’s worth giving the class descriptions a read.
We have quarterly Beginners Yoga Workshops too, so head to our Workshops page to see when our next one is running.
However do drop us an email and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.
Studio Etiquette – What do I need to know before arriving?
Please arrive early, there are NO late entries, the doors open 15 minutes before a class and will close promptly on class start time. Please have hushed voices once in the Studio (Shala)
What shall I wear?
Comfy clothes you can move around in/ aren’t too restrictive. Perhaps layers in the winter months so you have the option to layer up again for the end of class.
What do I need to bring?
A water bottle, is likely the only thing you’ll need. If you have a mat, feel free to bring it with you. But we do have some you can borrow.
Is there somewhere I can leave my belongings?
We ask that you take your shoes off in the entry hall (no shoes in the studio please).
Then we have a cloak room for your bags and coats opposite the studio.
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