A groundbreaking Harrogate wellness pioneer who founded one of the longest-standing independent holistic retreats in Yorkshire says a family trauma has inspired her latest remarkable treatment.

Award-winning yoga and Pilates teacher Anne-Marie Burford first embraced the then new philosophy of wellbeing as far back as 1987 when she founded The Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing on Duchy Road in Harrogate.

Offering Yoga, Pilates, Meditation, Tai Chi and Ayurvedic Lifestyle and Diet Consultation, it's now widely recognised as one of the region's leading wellbeing centres for holistic therapies, winning awards and international respect.

The centre's forward-thinking owner Anne-Marie Burford is always one to look forward and embrace the positive in life.

Harrogate's award-winning Anne-Marie Burford who founded The Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing in 2003 first embraced the then new philosophy of wellbeing in 1987. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Harrogate's award-winning Anne-Marie Burford who founded The Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing in 2003 first embraced the then new philosophy of wellbeing in 1987. (Picture contributed)

But her newest treatment follows a traumatic turning point.

"Due to a close family member's serious accident, I have been exploring other healing modalities," said Anne-Marie.

"The framework behind my new sessions are the Welcome Home Method - a body-first, nervous-system-based practice created by Leland Holgate Sr, the American neuroscientist and yoga instructor I’m currently training under.

"It bridges modern neuroscience with what the ancients have always known, and after decades of my own teaching, I’ve never encountered anything like it.

Harrogate's Anne-Marie Burford said the framework behind her new sessions was the Welcome Home Method - a body-first, nervous-system-based practice created by Leland Holgate Sr, who is pictured. (Picture contributed)

"Twenty-year breath workers and yoga practitioners have walked out of these sessions saying they’ve never fallen into a state that deep, that fast, in their entire practice."

How Anne-Marie Burford first met Leland Holgate Sr is the result of a chain of events, making new friendships and being open to new experiences and further learning.

Since she launched the Breathwork and Yoga Nidra sessions in Harrogate, the healing impact on people has been significant.

One of the participants described the effect as life-changing.

Ian said: "I have been attending Anne-Marie's Breathwork and Yoga Nidra sessions since they first began.

"I have been living with Parkinson's for 16 years, and I always feel markedly better after each session.

"My mobility improves, my speech becomes clearer, and my cognition is at its best.

Anne-Marie Burford’s sessions take place every Thursday at 5.30pm at Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing with a Zoom option for anyone who can’t be there in person.

More information: https://yorkshirewellbeing.co.uk/yoga/