Whole Again
When I lost my business, home and marriage, yoga made me whole again
“It became my mission to help others through the practice of yoga to become peaceful, calm and resilient in spite of life’s trials and tribulations”.
During the economic crisis of 2008 my life as I knew it collapsed. Business folded, income ceased, the marriage fell under immense strain. My confidence was shot. I had no feelings of self worth or trust in my judgement to make decisions. It was the darkest period of my life.
My friend opened a coffee shop and offered me a job. When I wasn’t working I was either pummelling a punch bag and splitting my knuckles or practicing yoga to release the inner turmoil that became part of my daily existence.
In 2013 I traveled to London with a friend who wanted to become a yoga instructor. She had booked two spaces on a ‘try us day’ with Yoga London.
Having no intention of becoming a yoga instructor I took myself by surprise enthusiastically signing up for the next teacher training date.
In 2014 at the age of 45 I qualified as a 200 hr Yoga Instructor and by the following year teaching yoga was my full time occupation.
Since then I have been grateful to work with individuals and large companies such as Park Place Chambers, Capital Law, Taff Housing and Coleg Y Cymoedd.
Helping yoga students lower stress levels by improving feelings of peacefulness and calm. And growing strength and flexibility to advance a resilient disposition.
In business this had a positive impact on working relationships, improving communication, reducing sickness and increasing productivity.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM REGULARLY PARTICIPATING IN A YOGA CLASS
- Improves the quality of sleep – (most yogis tell me they have the best nights sleep after a yoga class)
- Reduces stress and anxiety – (hands up anyone NOT wanting to lower their stress levels)
- Reduces tension – (aches and pains often melt away. Bliss)
- Improves strength and flexibility – (not just physically but mentally and emotionally too)
- Encourages feelings of peace and calm – (imagine you are sitting on a warm beach watching gentle waves roll over pink sand)
- Improves communication – (when you feel calm and balanced communication levels inevitably improve)
- Improves posture – (this can positively impact breathing and digestion)
- Increases awareness – (deepening your connection to the existence of all that is)
- Deepens feelings of compassion and empathy – (becoming more heart centered opens you up to more meaningful connections with yourself, others, animals and nature)
- Deepens feelings of relaxation – (allowing energy to flow more easily wherever it’s needed)
- Calms the nervous system – (lowering blood pressure and slowing the heart rate)
- Develops resilience – (by building strength and stamina)
“It became my mission to help others through the practice of yoga to become peaceful, calm and resilient in spite of life’s trials and tribulations”.
One of the easiest and fastest ways to positively alter your mood is through the breath. Why not experiment with the technique below?
- Sit in a comfortable position
- Place your palms over your lower abdomen
- Inhale deeply to the count of four feeling your abdomen expanding into your hands
- Exhale slowly to the count of four feeling your abdomen drop back to your spine
- Repeat four times or for as long as you want
- You can imagine breathing out all of your tensions and worries from the body and breathing in peace and calm
- Did you try it? How did you get on? Let me know your experience by clicking the Contact button below
REVIEWS
“I have been attending classes with Jo since 2015 in a number of venues and also attended numerous workshops, I have found Jo to be an inspirational and informative yoga teacher”. Liz
“I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for tonight’s lesson. I enjoyed the stretches and felt so relaxed after I’m sure that I’ll sleep very well tonight”. Menna
“I had a really good experience at Jo’s workshop, full explanation of poses, gentle correction, blissful relaxation at the end of a really good session. Definitely recommend”. Kate
“I can walk in feeling tense and frazzled and walk out felling blissfully relaxed”. Nicola
“Jo is a great teacher and a genuinely lovely person”. Carol
“Jo is a beautiful soul and full of positive energy”. Aaron