About Us

Meet Sara & Jan

So what is wellness?

The act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you're thriving.

It’s not just a single act, but potentially a variety of different elements all designed to bring you back to a better sense of physical emotional and mental balance.

We can help you to evaluate where you are now, what your wellness goals may be, and help you commit to a wellness journey that will work best for your needs now and in the future.

Our straightforward, realistic and pragmatic approach will take you on a personal wellness journey that is sustainable, realistic and achievable.

We are your accountability partner… here when you need additional motivation or support to keep you on track, or adjust your approach as your needs change.

Maybe it’s a kickstart, maybe it’s a reset, or perhaps its an ongoing maintenance or accountability package you’re looking for, whatever your needs we are here now and in the future.

If you're interested in finding out more, book a free 15 minute call below.

Sara & Jan

Sara Phillips

RYT 500 / MHFA Registered Trainer / Yoga Therapist ( in training) / Mind Body Focus Partner / Breath- work / Wellness Advocate / Proud Mum.


I believe that yoga isn’t just about the postures but about our mental wellbeing and overall health. Yoga is an amazing tool which continues to enrich my experience in teaching across all levels and learning styles. 

I am a qualified SEN teacher and also deliver Mental Health First Aid in a range of corporate and service industry settings. 500hr Yoga Alliance Certified teacher and Yoga Therapist in training.

Living in Cheltenham, loving Mum, dog walker and nature seeker, a definite people person.

I began my yoga journey in my late twenties but became more serious about it as a working parent, when I realised the benefits for me physically and mentally.

My approach is honest, bold and fun. I am adaptable, insightful and offer options to suit all abilities, energy levels and with the focus on bringing attention to mind, body and breath.

I always aim to create a safe, inclusive and non-judgmental space for people to experience Yoga and discover a deeper understanding of who they are.

Fave Fives...

- Being outside in the sunshine

- Chilling with my family

- Shared meals

- Gin & Tonic (cold and nice!)

- Naughty Schnauzer

Five Wellness Practices...

- Walking my dog any time

- Yoga

- Singing / kitchen discos

- Beach walks

- Salt baths

Making the decision to partner with Jan on MindBodyFocus was easy. We have shared personal and professional values and a natural spark.

Sara & Jan

Janet Benn

RYT500 Advanced Yoga Teacher | Yoga Therapist (in training) | Mindfulness Meditation Teacher | MHFA | Wellness Advocate | Dynamic Vinyasa | Hatha | Pranayama | Yin | Philosophy | Over 40 Years of Practice.

Border Terrier Lover, Traveller, Constant Student - (Yoga Therapist in Training) - moving through life with a waggy tail and a broad smile!

Passionate about sustainable wellness, and finding out what works for you and your lifestyle. Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation are key foundations for my personal wellness, as is getting out in nature, live music, salsa dancing, dog walks, and time with friends and family. Our lives and our needs are evolving continuously, therefore it makes sense to me that our wellness approach needs to be adaptable; sustainable; and appropriate to the person we are today…

My yoga journey started many moons ago and has helped me navigate the ups and downs life throws at you. I graduated Teacher training in 2016 and over the last 8 years I’ve been lucky to partner with wonderful local yoga studios, sharing practice with all levels of students.

I have also developed & delivered successful workshops, wellness events and European retreats.

My classes are about building a mindful; sustainable and enjoyable practice, working with yogi’s at ALL levels helping them to connect, grow, and learn to LOVE their yoga practice. My teaching is influenced by my historical love of Iyengar and Dynamic Vinyasa, and more recently Yin, Gentle and Restorative Yoga.

Fave Fives...

- Log Fires

- Live Music

- Sauvignon Blanc (NZL)

- Salsa Dancing

- Border Terrier Madness

Five Wellness Practices....

- Walking my dog especially in autumn

- Savasana with a guided relaxation

- Yoga / Meditation

- Chatting with friends ... no phones

- Alone time...

I believe that yoga isn’t just about the postures but about our mental well being and overall health. Yoga is an amazing tool which continues to enrich my experience in teaching students across all levels and learning styles.

Restore | Revive | Renew

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that you may have some preconceptions about yoga or holistic practices such as meditation and when thinking about starting something new, or going to a new place, you are bound to have some questions so we have done our best to answer some of the most frequently asked ones. If something isn’t listed below or you’d like some more assistance don’t hesitate to contact us here.

I’m new to yoga.  Where do I start?

Start from where you are and as you are, an individual with different needs from everyone else in the class. Don’t worry you are in safe hands.  Yoga has been around for over 2000 years as a safe an effective way to build strength and flexibility in the body and to still and calm the mind through focusing on our breathe and movement.All of our teachers are fully trained and insured and are dedicated and passionate about ongoing and continued learning.All of our classes are mixed ability and our teachers are skilled at providing assistance and alternatives If you have never done any yoga before or are returning after a long time then we would recommend our fundamentals class or a slow flow class. 

What do I wear & bring?

Whatever you feel comfortable in.  You need to be able to easily move and stretch, so for some people that is baggy or loose-fitting clothes and for others it is stretchy leggings and a sports top. It is also a good idea to bring a jumper or additional layer that you can remove as you get warm and can put on at the end of the class during relaxation as your body cools down.Classes are barefoot, but a pair of socks is nice for relaxation.  We provide all the equipment you will need for a class but if you have your own mat feel free to bring it with you.

I can’t even touch my knees let alone my toes can I really do yoga?

Absolutely.  Sure, there are lots of photos out there of super bendy like a pretzel type extreme yoga poses but that is not what yoga is all about.We adopt a philosophy of ‘start from where you are’. We work on strength, balance, mobility and calm.  Being super flexible is not necessary an advantage.Most importantly yoga is non-competitive, which makes a change in this modern world.  Everyone is working within their own range and challenging themselves from there so you cannot be doing better or worse than anyone else as we are all different and our bodies are all uniquely different. 

But you do weird stuff like chanting.

Some teachers might but they’ll let you know if they are going to do this and it is entirely optional.  If it’s not for you, then zone out – we’ll not be offended.Take what you want from your yoga class – it’s your practice and if there is anything you don’t like then don’t do it!

What will yoga ‘DO’ for me?

Whilst in the West yoga is a physical practice it was actually designed to quiet the chitter chatter in our minds.  On a purely physical level, a regular yoga practice will bring about increased stamina, strength and flexibility.  Yoga has also been shown to help with athletic performance. By doing the physical practice and focusing on our breath we also get the stillness of mind that yoga was ultimately designed to do.Research has shown that yoga has remarkable benefits in reducing stress and anxiety, helping us to live more in the present moment and to make more mindful choices.Ultimately yoga will make you happier, healthier and fitter!

Is there a minimum age?

Yes, the minimum age is 18. 

I don’t want to be touched.

Then you won’t be. Hands on modifications are used to help you into a pose and keep you out of any harm. Personally, we prefer to help you get there yourself just using verbal and visual clues before using any hands-on helpWe have assist tokens and you can choose where you are at any point during the class by simply placing your token on YES PLEASE or NO THANKS.  You can also change this throughout the class.

Should I get my doctor’s advice before I start?

Definitely. We are not health care professionals so if you are in any doubt about your fitness to practice yoga then consult your doctor or practice nurse. Yoga is a form of exercise and as with any other exercise if you have any medical history that raises concerns over cardio exercise please consult your physician.