Everyone is welcome. In this calm group class, we combine mindfulness, breathing, relaxation and simple movement.
You will spend much of the session lying down or seated. There are no complicated postures and you do not need to follow any yoga sequences. The focus is not on what your body can do, but on being present with what you experience.
No intake or previous yoga experience required ·
More mindfulness than postures
Yoga & Mindfulness is not simply a slower version of a posture-based yoga class. Most of the session consists of guided awareness, breathing observation, meditation and relaxation.
What can you expect?
We usually begin lying down or seated, noticing the breath, body and attention. We then continue with mindfulness, simple movement, breathing or meditation.
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A body scan or another awareness practice
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Mindfulness meditation
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Quiet breathing observation
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Guided relaxation
Rest is part of the practice.
Managing your energy with care
A conventional yoga class may assume that practicing regularly will automatically lead to greater strength, fitness or capacity. This does not apply to everyone.
With Long COVID and post-exertional symptoms, physical, cognitive or emotional exertion can sometimes lead to a delayed increase in symptoms. We therefore do not use a compulsory progression or assume that doing more is always better.
We pay attention to:
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recognising early signs of strain;
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avoiding unnecessary exertion;
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limiting changes of position when needed;
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resting before becoming fully exhausted;
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moving within your current capacity;
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accepting that your capacity may vary from day to day.
For people with Long COVID, we describe this as a pacing-informed approach. For other participants, it simply means that there is no pressure to finish an exercise or continually do more.
Who is this class for?
This class is open to anyone who feels drawn to a quieter, more meditative and breath-centred way of practising.
It may be suitable if you:
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find it difficult to slow down;
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often feel stressed, tired or overstimulated;
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have limited or fluctuating capacity;
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live with Long COVID or another post-acute infection syndrome;
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experience fibromyalgia, migraine or persistent pain;
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are dealing with stress or burnout symptoms;
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are recovering from illness or a demanding period;
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find a conventional yoga class too active or physically demanding;
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would simply like an hour of rest and conscious attention.
You do not need to have a medical condition or diagnosis to participate.
The class does not treat these conditions. It may offer complementary support alongside appropriate medical or psychological care.
Participation with limited capacity
Some participants in the original Long COVID programme had very limited capacity. The structure of the class makes it possible to participate in the entire session while lying down.
When may individual yoga therapy be more appropriate?
Individual yoga therapy may be more suitable when:
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your capacity is very limited or unpredictable;
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you experience a significant increase in symptoms after exertion;
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participating in a group requires too much energy;
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you need specific adaptations;
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you would like to discuss an individual question or personalised home practice;
Developed from the Long COVID program
This group class grew out of an eight-week yoga and mindfulness programme for people with Long COVID. In 2023, 105 people participated; data from 75 participants were included in a practice-based evaluation.
The results were presented at the Symposium on Yoga Research 2023 and the ISLC-PAIS Conference 2026. At ISLC-PAIS 2026, Marlies Tobias received the Michael Chapman Early Career Award.
The evaluation describes participant experiences and self-reported outcomes. Because there was no control group, it cannot establish that the program caused the reported changes or that it treats Long COVID.
Yoga & Mindfulness is complementary guidance, not medical treatment. The class does not replace diagnosis, treatment or advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Where?
Yoga Academy You are the Buddha
Inside Breda Central Station, next to Starbucks
The studio is easy to reach by public transport. Parking is available nearby.
Getting started in two steps
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No intake or previous experience is required.
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Begin with a trial class and then choose the option that suits you: a single class, class pass or membership.
When?
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Monday evening: 18:30–19:30
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Wednesday morning: 11:15–12:15
Please check the current schedule before booking.
Prices
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Membership from €69 per month with an annual agreement
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Five-class pass: €119
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Trial class: €10
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BredaPas and Volwassenenfonds funding may be available.
View all prices and memberships
“After trying so many different therapies and treatments, this is what has helped me most. I can recommend it to anyone, especially if you feel you have lost your way because of Long COVID or burnout symptoms.”
Iris, yogatherapie bij Long COVID
“The classes help me reach a deeper state of relaxation, which I normally find very difficult because of my Long COVID. The class is adapted to what is manageable for you.”
Lydia, yogatherapie bij Long COVID
“The exercises and meditations were carefully selected and definitely had an effect on me.”
Marieke, Long COVID traject
Would you like to find out whether this class suits you?
Begin with a trial class. You do not need to prepare anything and there is no obligation to continue.
Not sure? Email Marlies
Information for healthcare professionals about collaboration and referrals is available on a separate page.
Also included in the Long COVID Toolkit
Marlies contributed to the Long COVID Toolkit developed by Long COVID Nederland, a practical resource for people with Long COVID and their healthcare providers.
For this national toolkit, she recorded short videos with gentle yoga practices focusing on breathing, relaxation and carefully managing exertion. The exercises are available free of charge on the Long COVID Toolkit website.
What can mindfulness offer people with Long COVID?
During the 2023 Symposium on Yoga Research at Kripalu, Marlies asked Jon Kabat-Zinn about the potential role of mindfulness for people living with Long COVID. Jon Kabat-Zinn developed the eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programme (MBSR) and played a major role in introducing mindfulness into healthcare.
Watch his response in the video.
This excerpt was recorded during the 2023 Symposium on Yoga Research at Kripalu in the United States.
Pacing informed
This class was developed for people for whom exertion does not automatically lead to increased capacity. We therefore do not assume that doing more is always better.
About Marlies
Marlies Tobias is an E-RYT 500 yoga teacher, mindfulness trainer, teacher trainer and MSc Yoga Therapy student at Vivekananda Yoga University.
Since 2021, she has developed and taught yoga and mindfulness programs for people with Long COVID and others living with limited or fluctuating capacity.
Not sure whether this group class is right for you? Below you will find the questions we are most often asked by new participants.
Frequently asked questions
Is this group class right for me?
This group class is intended for people who need more guidance than they would usually receive in a conventional yoga class. This may include people experiencing stress, fatigue, sensory overload, persistent symptoms following illness, Long COVID or other chronic health concerns.
You do not need any previous yoga experience. If you are unsure whether joining a group is currently appropriate for you, you are welcome to contact us first.
How is this different from a conventional yoga class?
The class is not centred on pace, performance or doing as much as possible. We practise calmly, with close attention to breathing, awareness, careful pacing and what is manageable for you.
You will be offered clear options and have space to adapt or leave out practices.
Is the studio inside Breda Central Station too busy?
The studio is located inside Breda Central Station, so you may hear announcements or other sounds from the station. The studio itself is an enclosed and calmly designed space, separate from the main station environment.
People experiencing stress, sensory overload, fatigue, Long COVID and other persistent symptoms have attended classes here for several years.
For some participants, the surroundings take a little time to get used to. Others find that the studio offers a calm place to practise being present while ordinary sounds continue in the background.
If the environment currently requires too much energy or causes too much sensory strain, individual guidance may be more appropriate. This can take place online or, by arrangement, at the studio.
Do I need previous yoga experience?
No. The class is suitable for beginners and for people who want to begin or return to yoga carefully. You do not need to be fit or flexible.
Is an intake required?
No. An intake is not required for this group class. You can begin with a €10 trial class.
If you have significant doubts or your symptoms and capacity fluctuate considerably, you are welcome to contact us first.
What if I need to pause during the class?
That is completely fine. You do not have to participate in every part of the class. You may pause, leave out an exercise or choose a quieter option.
The aim is not to push through at your own expense, but to become more aware of what is appropriate for you at that moment.
When is individual yoga therapy more suitable than a group class?
Individual guidance may be more appropriate if your symptoms fluctuate significantly, you become overstimulated easily, your capacity is very limited or you need more personal support and adaptation before joining a group.
A group class may be suitable if you can participate in a calm setting, even when you need to adapt, pause or rest regularly.
Can I participate if I have stress, burnout, Long COVID or persistent pain?
Often, yes. This group class is intended for people who want to manage their energy and capacity with care.
Because symptoms and capacity vary from person to person, a group class is not always the best first step. If you are unsure, we can help you consider whether a group class or individual guidance would be more appropriate.
What does a class look like?
The class has a calm and clearly structured format. It includes gentle movement, breathing, mindful attention and periods of rest.
There is space to adapt the practices to what is manageable for you without forcing or pushing.
Do I need to be fit or flexible?
No. You do not need to be fit, flexible or athletic. The class may be suitable if you have limited fitness, feel uncertain about what your body can manage or want to begin moving again carefully.
Can I simply book a trial class?
Yes. A trial class costs €10. It allows you to experience the class, atmosphere and pace before deciding whether you would like to continue.