A Dunmow yoga teacher is holding two workshops to support the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, and hopes to raise hundreds of pounds.

In 2020, Sarah Toward raised more than £700 for Save the Children's Crisis in Syria appeal through a two-hour yoga workshop, and now hopes to raise as much this year.

The first workshop is a New Year beginners yoga session, which will be held from 10am to 11am on Saturday, January 21 at Dunmow St Mary's Primary School.

The hour of yoga aims to help participants find their centre and restore their energy, and will work on improving strength and flexibility.

At 11.10am Jacqui from Guide Dogs for the Blind Association will give a short talk, with a chance to ask questions and meet her dog and trusty companion Cracken.

Dunmow Broadcast: Jacqui with her guide dog CrackenJacqui with her guide dog Cracken (Image: Sarah Toward)

The session would normally cost £15, but participants are asked to just give what they can.

A more advanced workshop to 'restore, reset and revitalise' will be held on the same day and in the same location from 11.30am to 2pm.

The workshop will teach participants how to use yoga props to enable them to hold restorative poses for longer periods of time, while focusing on various breathing techniques and encouraging self-compassion.

While this session would normally cost £35, participants are again asked to give what they can.

Sarah, who is an Iyengar Intermediate 3 teacher, has been practising yoga for 30 years and teaching it for 17.

She said: "I strongly believe yoga can benefit everyone – it just needs to be taught with a deep knowledge, understanding and empathy.

"I teach people who have various injuries and illnesses including Parkinson’s, cancer, slipped discs, scoliosis, torn ligaments, hip/knee replacements, etc as well as pre and post pregnancy, athletes, children, elderly and people just like you."

Benefits of yoga include helping people to relax, improving the immune system, aiding recovery from illness and injuries and improving sleep.

Sarah chose to support the charity as one of her yoga students has a guide dog. All proceeds from the workshops will go to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.