Frequently Asked Questions

Booking & Payments

  • All classes are available to book online. Here is a link to the calendar of everything currently running listed day by day:

    https://mendextend.as.me/classcalendar

  • We require 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the mat to someone else. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice are non-refundable. Refunds are not automatic, please make a direct request by email to:

    accountsand memberships@mendandextend.co.uk

    Where refunds are requested there will be a small admin charge to cover payment processing fees.

    During the April offer of ‘Pay-what-you-can all classes are non-refundable however you can reschedule.

    Specific, different refund policies cover class packs and memberships.

  • We prefer online booking to manage capacity and admin. You will need to book and pay online for your first class. Then, once registered, if you need, or prefer, to pay by cash you can do so by request in person (at a previous class) or by email.

    Please note that email requests cannot guarantee a spot in class. Your place is only held once you receive the Acuity Booking System confirmation email which will be manually generated. Since emails are not monitored 24/7 we cannot guarantee that space will be available for email/cash requests but we will do our best.

  • Once purchased, you will receive a unique code via email. This is your code to enter when booking individual sessions.

    Please note: 5-class passes expire after 2 months, and 10-class passes after 3 months.

Beginners & Suitability

  • All sessions at Mend & Extend are designed to be adaptable and are suitable for total beginners. Your choice depends on what you would like to get out of the practice:

    • Morning Movement Club (45 mins): Ideal for building a consistent daily habit. These sessions focus on mobility and are a great choice if you are looking to tone and strengthen your body. As these classes are often smaller, they are excellent for beginners who would like a bit more individual guidance.

    • Alignment Yoga: Best if you want to understand the "how" and "why" of the poses. This class focuses on technique and is another strong option for those looking to build physical strength and tone.

    • Yoga for Busy Minds: A specialist, psychologist-led session. These are slow-paced and specifically designed for nervous system regulation, helping to quiet internal noise and manage anxiety.

    • Warm Unwind: A restorative practice held in gentle 24°C therapeutic infrared heat. This is perfect if your goal is deep relaxation, flexibility, and "mending" after a long day.

    Still not sure? If you are looking for a very gentle introduction, Warm Unwind or Yoga for Busy Minds are excellent starting points. If you want to focus on movement and physical engagement, try Alignment or the Morning Movement Club.

  • All classes at Mend & Extend are designed to be adaptable to different experience levels, making them all suitable for beginners.

  • If your primary goal is to build strength and tone your body, we recommend either our Alignment Yoga or the Morning Movement Club.

  • While I provide support in all sessions, the Morning Movement Club classes are often slightly smaller, which may allow for more personalized guidance as you begin your practice.

    1-1 sessions are available on request. Please contact us to discuss.

  • Not at all. This is one of the most common myths about yoga. We practice yoga to improve our mobility and find ease in our bodies, not because we are already flexible. All our classes are designed to meet you where you are today.

  • If you are looking for a gentle introduction, Warm Unwind or Yoga for Busy Minds are excellent starting points. If you want to focus on technique and movement, Alignment Yoga is ideal. And Morning Movement Club is a shorter daily mix of all the approaches. All of our sessions are beginner-friendly, so choose the one that best fits your goals for the day.

  • Our main classes are designed for adults (18+), or 16+ with parent/carer consent. There is certainly no upper age limit.

    The kids yoga is for primary age children (4-11)

    Baby yoga is suitable from 7-10 weeks to confident crawling.

About Us & Finding Us

  • We are located at Unit 4, Tithe House, Station Road, Cockermouth, CA13 9PZ. The building is directly across the road from Sainsbury’s. Look for the entrance shared with Tilia Restaurant; once inside the front door, turn immediately right. Follow the signs for Mend & Extend up the split staircase. Our studio is at the very end of the long corridor on the left.

    • Free (1 hour): On Station Street or South Street (Parking Disc required).

    • Sainsbury’s (Fairfield Car Park): Directly across the road (£1.40/hr, refundable with a £10 in-store spend).

    • Lorton Street (Private): Closest paid option via the ParkPayStay website (Location code: 0005).

    • Council Car Parks: Sullart Street or Riverside (MiPermit app, card, or coin). Riverside offers a lovely walk across the footbridge to the studio.

  • To protect our floors and barefoot users, and to maintain a clean, tranquil space, we have a "shoes off" policy. Please remove your outdoor footwear in the waiting room before entering the studio. We have provided white IKEA cupboards for tidy shoe storage.

    You are welcome to wear socks during practice if you prefer. Please make sure they’re safe for the type of movements in your class (eg grippy if required)

  •  No. We offer a "zero-friction" experience. We provide high-spec mats, bolsters, and all necessary props. Everything is maintained to high hygiene standards, so you can simply turn up as you are.

    If you would like to use your own mat you are welcome to do so.

  • We allow a minimum of 10 minutes between classes, there is often more time than this. The studio doors open 10 minutes before your session. We ask that you vacate the studio promptly after class to allow for our hygiene protocol and to give the next group a quiet entry.

  • The studio is a dedicated "Island of Calm" featuring therapeutic infrared heat and high-spec equipment. We have a private waiting room and space where you can store your belongings and shoes. There is a small kitchen to provide water bottle refills. Finally we have a toilet/changing room space with hand washing facilities and a bespoke mural.

Accessibility & Ease of Access

  • Yes, however, please be aware that the studio is located on the first floor and requires using stairs. There are a few steps down to the main building entrance, followed by two short flights of stairs inside with a change of direction.

  • Unfortunately the access to the studio and the space inside is unsuitable for any kind of pushchair or pram. There are a couple of flights of stairs to navigate and no capacity to store them once you’re here. We recommend leaving them at home or in the car and using a carrier instead. Watch the video of access here

  • Absolutely. If you are concerned about the stairs or finding your way, you can view a short video guide showing the exact route from the front door to the studio entrance here: Video Guide

Health & Wellbeing

  •  Yes. Upon your first booking via Acuity, you will be asked to complete a brief digital health screen. As a psychologist-led studio, this ensures I can adapt the practice to your physical and emotional needs. All information is held securely and remains confidential.

    If you have not received the link or need to edit your form - go here https://forms.gle/65fjpBxykpEzGtB16

  • Absolutely. We specialize in "real bodies." We have a wealth of props (blocks, bolsters, and chairs) to ensure you are supported. If kneeling or sitting is an issue, we can modify any pose to be done seated, standing, or lying down perhaps. Please note any injuries on your medical form and make the most important points known to your teacher in person.

    1-1 yoga sessions are available to build your confidence and knowledge of how to use the props if required

  • If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy and are in good health, you are very welcome. We always recommend consulting your GP or midwife before starting a new movement practice. Our Warm Unwind is heated to a gentle 24°C, which is generally comfortable for most, while our other classes are regular room temperature. Please let me know at the start of class so I can offer modifications.

  • Hygiene and maintaining a beautiful space is a priority for us. All provided mats are sanitized between uses using effective, non-toxic cleaners. Other props are cleaned on a regular basis. And we have Marvin our house robot cleaning the floors every day.

  • In many cases, yes, but it is essential that you mention any injuries on your digital medical form when booking. My 18 years of yoga expertise and clinical background allow me to offer modifications tailored to your needs. If an injury is acute or severe, please contact me before booking so we can ensure the class is safe for you.

The Experience & Etiquette

  • It is specialist movement. While my clinical background as a psychotherapist informs every class—focusing on nervous system regulation—a group yoga class is not a substitute for 1-to-1 psychotherapy. If you are a current therapy client, we can discuss how these classes might complement our work.

  • Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. In warmer classes layers are recommended so you can adjust your temperature as the therapeutic infrared heat builds. We practice in (safe) socks or bare feet.

  • To protect the quiet environment, we cannot admit latecomers more than 5 minutes after a session has begun. If you do arrive late please have consideration for others who have already begun settling into their class focus.

    The exception to this late rule is for the Morning Movement Club where if you have school drop-off (or similar) you can pre-arrange a later arrival, just let us know.

  • We ask that all phones are turned to silent (not vibrate) and left with your personal belongings to ensure a space protected from digital distraction.

  • It is generally most comfortable to avoid a heavy meal for 1–2 hours before practicing. A light snack is fine, but as we move and twist the body, having a full stomach can feel quite uncomfortable.

  • We ask that you arrive intending to stay for the duration of the class, including the final relaxation. Savasana is a vital part of the practice where your nervous system settles and the work of the session is integrated. Leaving early can also be quite disruptive to the "Island of Calm" environment for other students.

  • As a psychologist-led studio, I am very mindful of personal space and autonomy. I primarily use verbal cues and demonstrations to guide you. If I ever offer physical adjustments to help with alignment, I will always ask for your explicit consent first. You are always welcome to decline.