Simply Yoga
Cowes . Isle of Wight
Simply Yoga Simply You
Welcome
Scroll down to see my class timetable, or email for more details simplyyogaiow@gmail.com
"An online yoga presence really works for me. You are wonderful at description, which makes your classes especially easy to follow. They are a mental God-send." ~ Sarah
"Really loved the challenge and flow tonight, loving the thoughtful and relatable themes you've been using in lockdown, it really does add another dimension." ~ Nina
"I'm really enjoying the Zoom yoga, I have always come to morning classes but the evenings at home are just another world." ~ Amanda
About me
Emma x
About Yoga
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a discipline that is thousands of years old and encompasses so much - philosophy, anatomy, poses, breathing techniques, mindfulness, meditation and chakras, to name but a few. There are many different styles of yoga and it can easily become pretty daunting before you even get on the mat! But, the meaning of the word YOGA holds the key: yoga means union or to yoke, the harmony between body, mind and breath. The practice of yoga is one way of moving towards this goal and in so doing there is no right or wrong way to practice yoga. It is simply about finding a way that works for you and having fun along the way so that you can lead a more fulfilling life.
Yoga in our daily lives
The great thing about our yoga is that it’s not confined to the mat. Ultimately, it is about being empowered with the tools of yoga so that you can take these into your day and move more easily through some of the challenges that life throws at us. When we find ourselves stuck, it’s normal to think that perhaps we are our story, we are what has happened to us and we can’t change - but we can. Through yoga, we can create shift and change. You have the tools, although you might not yet realise, for exploration, transformation and growth. I love the idea that yoga empowers us to be a better version of the one that we already are - the idea that we have the tools within to guide us, to enable us to live authentically.
So, for me, at this moment in time, the top tools in my yoga kit bag are :
~ Breathing techniques to relax and self soothe.
~ Connecting and listening to my body and giving it what it needs.
~ The practice of non-judgement to myself and others.
~ The practice of loving kindness to myself and others.
Why not come along to class and start exploring the tools that might serve you?
“ You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf” ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn
Classes
Each class starts with a quiet centring and connecting to our breath, we then move through some flow work, focus on some key poses, and we always finish with a relaxation.
I am passionate about people practising safely with the body they bring to the mat, not the ideal body they wish they might have come with! So, I incorporate modifications where necessary and the use of props and always encourage you to stay tuned to your needs.
Each class has a theme and a mantra for the week and you are encouraged to take this mantra off the mat with you into the week ahead. Take a look at the options below and contact me if you have any questions. It’s simply about finding the right class for you and taking the time for yourself.
Hope to see you on the mat soon!
Timetable
Online ZOOM timetable
With our yoga practice we learn to move out of our own way and give ourselves some much needed space.
Our bodies know what to do, our job is simply to listen.
Events
Yoga~Meditation~Relaxation~Refreshments. A wonderful opportunity to balance the kidney and liver energies and beat the winter blues. The perfect complement to our Winter Warmer Detox Block (Jan/Feb 2020) or as a single treat. Why not give this to yourself or a loved one to welcome in the New Year? Spaces are limited so don't delay booking! Parking available in The Rotunda car park
FREE Christmas class in return for donations for the Cowes branch of the Isle of Wight Foodbank. Spreading the joy of Christmas. Free car park
FAQ
I’m not flexible, does it matter?
You don’t need to be flexible - honestly! All you need is a flexible, open mind. There’s a lovely Shunryu Suzuki quote that says “ In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s there are few”. Bring an open mind to class and you will be amazed how the body and mind begin to open up to your practice.
Am I too old to do yoga?
No! If you can breathe, you can do yoga. Every student is encouraged to work to their ability with modifications and encouragement is given along the way. Is it safe? There is nothing unsafe about yoga as long as you listen to your body and my encouragement to practice safely. I offer modifications where necessary and encourage you to practise with a mindset that helps rather than hinders you on your yoga mat.
What do I bring/wear?
If you have a yoga mat bring it along. Don’t rush out and buy one though if you haven’t - I have plenty of spare mats, blocks and knee pads. Bring a bottle of water and wear comfy clothing that you can move freely in. A warm jumper/ blanket are always nice for the final relaxation part of the class.
Is Yoga a religion?
No. Although many people give thanks to their mat every day, yoga is not a religion. It shares with many religions the idea of personal peace and wellbeing and life’s deeper meaning but it has no formal creed or set of obligations. It is more accurate to consider it a self discipline, a philosophy and a spiritual practice. For me, this is the joy of yoga - every time we come to the mat we all take something different with us from the class - for some it will be more physical, others mental, emotional or spiritual. Ultimately, it is what yoga means to you personally.
My Yoga Journey
I had always been self-critical and impatient and really wasn’t ready to spend time on self-inquiry, a deeper connection and self-acceptance. I was too busy travelling widely as a TEFL teacher, keeping fit and generally avoiding any deep and meaningful goings on! Then, at thirty years old, life took a turn and three complicated gallbladder operations left me physically and mentally on the proverbial floor. It was during this time that a friend, who was training to be a yoga teacher, suggested I went to a yoga class and I remember clearly thinking as I took my first few stretches - “This could work!” This was a pretty significant moment as I had been told by my doctors that I would most likely be attending the Chronic Pain clinic for the indefinite future.
This was the period when yoga really started to serve me on more than a physical level - the magic of the breath to release tension in the body and mind; the non-judgement; non-attachment; stillness. Suddenly, I was hooked. My pain decreased significantly and as I resumed my normal life I realised that I wanted to train to be a Yoga teacher. If it had helped me so profoundly, then I wanted to be able to share that with others. Shortly after completing my Sivanada Yoga Teachers training and starting to teach, I became pregnant with my first child. I went on to have three more children over the next six years and so my yoga teaching career took a natural break. During this time of being a stay at home Mum, yoga was a constant in my life: it supported me through four births; kept me sane in the mayhem of family life and offered me a quiet space to rebalance body, mind and spirit. When my daughter started school, returning to yoga teaching seemed the obvious thing to do but my confidence was low. My body had changed; my asana practice had changed; my outlook had changed. I really doubted what I could offer. A friend quietly advised me, “Just be yourself and people will love it”. The realisation that I didn’t have to be something amazing, that I just needed to be authentic and share the yoga that I loved has been at the heart of my teaching since then - a desire to guide students to acknowledge the body and the mind that they bring to the mat and to find what feels good - for them in that moment. This is what yoga continues to be for me - a journey of self-acceptance, an opportunity to recalibrate and reconnect so that I can hop off the mat feeling a better version of myself. For me now, the joy is in really exploring an asana rather than fitting myself into it; feeling the breath rather than ‘doing breathing’; embracing self-enquiry with an open heart. Like all good things in life, the more I open up to the practice and philosophy of yoga, the richer the rewards. It will be a privilege to guide you through your own yoga journey to find what works for you.
“Life is a journey, not a destination” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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