A rare and deeply restorative afternoon combining the meditative stillness of Yin yoga with the immersive healing resonance of live Gong. Norman Blair and Charlie Merton bring their complementary expertise together for this special two-and-a-half hour workshop at the West London Buddhist Centre.
In Yin yoga, all postures are floor-based and held for sustained periods — often several minutes at a time. Within these long holds there is an encouragement of softness and stillness, allowing the body to release deeply held tension in the connective tissues. The practice gives us space to slow down and stay with our experiences, rather than always rushing and striving to achieve.
The Gong brings a powerful sonic dimension to the practice, its rich overtones washing over the body to deepen relaxation, still the mind, and allow an experience of genuine quiet rarely accessible in everyday life.
Together, Yin yoga and Gong create a profoundly nourishing combination — accessible to all levels and ideal for anyone needing to decompress, restore and reconnect.
What to bring: Wear comfortable clothing. Mats and props are provided. You may wish to bring a blanket or extra layer for the Gong portion of the session.
About Norman Blair
One of the UK’s most experienced and respected Yin yoga teachers, Norman has been teaching Yin workshops since 2003 — possibly the earliest regular timetabled Yin yoga class in the country. He began practising yoga in 1993 and teaching in 2001, and has studied with leading international teachers including Paul Grilley, Judith Hanson Lasater, Richard Freeman and Sarah Powers. He is the author of Brightening Our Inner Skies: Yin and Yoga (2016) and a book of yin wisdom published in July 2025, with a further title forthcoming in 2026.
About Charlie Merton
Charlie Merton is a gong practitioner and sound healer based in London. He regularly collaborates with Norman at the West London Buddhist Centre, combining live gong with Yin yoga to create deeply immersive and restorative sessions.
Concession price (£20) available — please contact the venue directly to arrange.