Posts In: yoganews

So you’re brand new to yoga, you may be feeling the effects of age creeping up on you as you bend down to slip your shoes on. Or perhaps after a few hours gardening you are laid up for the rest of the afternoon with a bad back. Or maybe even you have seen a few contortionists throw some handstand shapes on Instagram and think ‘I would love to do that!’  

Whatever your reason that brings you to yoga, know you’re in the right place. Generally 9/10 people that look for a yoga class, it’s because they would like a movement based practise and they’ve heard the hype surrounding yoga and would love to give it a go. But what they end up experiencing is so much more. 

Yoga has been around for many years. In fact some early traces were found over 5,000 years ago. But without writing an essay of the history (if you’d like some book recommendations, message me and I’ll be more than happy to provide some guidance), yoga has evolved. Especially for the western world. It’s said there could be over 300 million yoga practitioners in the world… isn’t that amazing?  

But what is yoga? Yoga in its essence means to unite. To unite body and mind.

But to practise yoga is not just physical movement. It’s how we conduct ourselves in our day to day lives. But again, I could waffle on about this for hours. What you’re here for is to reaffirm what you already know… that yoga will make you feel so much freer in your movements. It will increase your mobility, flexibility, balance. It will help prevent osteoporosis, it will lessen stress and anxiety. It will improve interoception which will in turn, allow you to respond to your body earlier so you will become more in tune with your body. You will change. Your body will change, your mindset will change. 

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Since May 17th 2021 when the government lifted its restrictions to allow in-person yoga classes I have taught over 170 classes and 129 yogis. I honestly can not believe it. When I completed my yoga teacher training and then subsequent specialised trainings, I had no idea who, if anyone would come along!

I scheduled a Beginners Course and that sold out within three days, so I arranged another one and the same thing happened. I think in those first six weeks I ran three Beginners Courses concurrently trying to keep up with demand. One thing I was adamant about was not having a large number of people in my classes. When I have attended classes myself and there is a high volume of people, the personal attention from the teacher is lost.

I have met some truly inspirational people, they have formed my yogi tribe and I am absolutely honoured they continue to practise with me.

We have laughed, mixed up our left and right (me more than them!) and have practised together and bonded. I have certainly grown as a teacher, they have increased their confidence, strength, flexibility and mobility. I see the differences in each and every one and this has made me so fulfilled and filled up my happy cup as my daughter likes to say. I know they feel these changes in how their body moves and also I know many of them are experiencing the benefits. A few have remarked their back pain has disappeared, or they are feeling muscle groups they didn’t realise they had and also they are sleeping better too!

What more could I ask for as a yoga teacher?

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So, the last few months have been like a whirlwind for me… hence why I haven’t had time to update my News. I have been so honoured to start teaching some spectacular new yogis. I have been astounded by their enthusiasm, it really is pretty inspiring. When I started my yoga teacher training, I was unsure whether I’d actually teach. When us yoga teachers start teaching, we lose much of our own personal practise which is a very hard decision to make.

Yoga, as you all must know already is really important to me. I absolutely love the way it makes me feel, which is why I decided to overcome my nerves and get on and actually teach.

It takes more courage than you’d think to put yourself out there. This is something I feel so passionate about, that I’d be heartbroken if people decided that actually they hated it and me! My creativity goes into designing thoughtful flows so each of you can feel like you’ve achieved something in my classes. I know yoga is not about ‘nailing a pose’, but I’m afraid all of us have an ego that needs to be nourished from time to time! I just try and keep the ego section in check, by making my classes fun and most of all, not to take it too seriously.

Over 50 new yogis have completed my Beginners 6 week Course. And I am proud of each and every one of them. I have learnt so much from them as they have from me.. a pure exchange of energies and knowledge.

Each and every one has overcome mental and physical obstacles to attend week on week and even signing up again for another round of 6 weeks. These yogis are my tribe, they trust me so implicitly that it’s just so humbling. And they have all become stronger… not only with their muscle definition, but also in their attitude towards me! Being not afraid to tell me how certain sections of the class they find challenging. But what they don’t see, or maybe they do, but I have a better vantage point, is how much their stamina has improved too. It really is so wonderful to see.

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My approach to yoga is simple… yoga is and can be accessible for everyone. I teach in a non-dogmatic way believing not every pose is suitable for every student with traditional alignment but with a few adjustments, it can be. In particular introducing those new to yoga to this concept, that the ‘prettiest looking’ option of the pose is not necessarily the right one.

Instagram, in this instance with the plethora of yogis showcasing their stunning variations of asanas are beautiful to look at, but in the great scheme of many body shapes, not a true reflection of what 99% of the population could ever achieve.

I believe it’s important to allow my yogis to feel and become aware of their body as I teach them the target areas of what we are trying to achieve so they can learn to modify their poses to their unique body shape or muscle function. I hope to set my yogis on a path of yoga for life, so learning what suits their body best will be paramount in securing their love for yoga and perhaps even a personal practise at home. 

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So what is Yoga Nidra? I have offered it as a freebie when you sign up to my Newsletter and it’s sometimes mentioned as an ‘extra’ within some Yoga classes, but what exactly is it?

Yoga Nidra is literally translated as ‘Yogic Sleep’. It is a state of guided relaxation which allows you to surf the border between awake and asleep. Not to be confused with Hypnotherapy where the aim is therapeutic intervention, for Yoga Nidra we are just allowing the different states of consciousness and feeling the body as it relaxes the mind.

Yoga Nidra is received lying down – it is not a practise for you to get better at. All you need to do is get comfortable and receive.

In my classes, I will guide you through some techniques paying particular attention to our body and breath.

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When I was still knee-deep in yoga philosophy and anatomy books earlier this year, it dawned on me that in order to have a professional looking website, I needed professional photos. Cue the inward groan and the mild (read – massive) panic that then followed.

I had heard of Sarah from Sarah Carmody Photography from her photoshoot with some of the yogis that are based in Eastbourne and arranged a date to meet. I knew from our first email that we’d get on well, that woman has an awesome sense of humour!

This photo above was one of her favourites from the day.

I was so unbelievably nervous to begin with but Sarah had an amazing way of just putting me at ease. I have to say, in the end it was the best fun I’d had in ages.

Her enthusiasm is unsurpassed, it literally radiates out of her and you can’t help but be inspired.

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