YAS -Your Amazing Self

We have closed this door for good.

I wish I could say it was the happiest 5 years of our life’s, but behind this doors I thought I lost Dylan, and funnily enough after, the stroke I think that’s actually where I found him. The most amazing person ever.

I started teaching whilst living here, our family grew & I’ve met the most amazing people with my classes, neighbours and in between.

It’s not luck, it’s absolute hard work. But I am lucky to have crossed paths with some amazing people, that their love amazes me everyday… that’s why we keep saying most of yoga is outside of the mat.

It’s how you live & the mark you leave on earth.

Because of closing this door, I will be back teaching in September, I need to settle, I need to step back and know where we are going from here.

❤️

With all the love,

Ana.

On the summer solstice and International Yoga Day, this is for you. ✨

Today, I want to celebrate every single person who chooses to practice yoga: both on and off the mat.

To every person who found their voice through movement and breath.

To every person who needed a space, and bravely went out and found one.

To everyone who understands that it’s never about how a pose looks, it’s about how it feels. It’s not about what others will think; it’s about what you know deep down is best for you.

Whether your practice happens in a studio, in a quiet corner of your bedroom, or simply in the mindful breaths you take during a chaotic day closed in a toilet and holding tears... to everyone who found a path: happy yoga day. 🤍

Not everyone knows but I do catsitting.

I’ve been taking care of the same cats for years. Some of them are a little bit older, some still young.

But my first cat was Monty. What a gentleman. We got into so many arguments. He had to come back home before it got dark, and sometimes he refused.

He also refused to use the cat flap, he wanted to go through the door as the amazing cat he was.

Yesterday I got the messaged I feared for years. Monty is no longer here. Monty was loved by so many, and he will still be loved forever.

My best memory from monty is from last year. He got into a fight and had to use a cone. As a protest whilst I was taking care of him he removed the cone and pooped on top of it, showing me again who was in charge.

I still can’t quite process that he is gone. It’s hard to believe the day has come that Monty is a particle in the air, but he will live on forever as love in our hearts. He was loved by so many, and he will be missed deeply.
Rest easy, Monty. Thank you for being my first, my favorite debater, and the king of the castle. 🐾❤️

Love… love… love…. Have you ever been in love? (Quoting Mac miller here..)

Self-love is such a weird idea to get your head around. We’re taught to look from the outside in, rather than the inside out.

But if you met yourself on the street, would you be friends?

Could you fall in love?

Don’t get me wrong, most of the days I struggle with the reflection in the mirror.

But the perk of getting older is realising you are so much deeper than the surface.

You start to see the layers, the resilience, the quiet magic that a glass reflection (probably full of dust) completely misses. That’s also where it gets heavy.

Sometimes I feel like I’ve walked so far. I am so far from the person I used to be.

If I could write a letter to my past self right now, I’d tell her about everything we are living through today.

The highs, the fu**ed up middles, and the unexpected peace with a hint of anxiety.

And the craziest part? I can honestly say I wouldn’t change much.

Drop a 🤍 if you needed this reminder today, or tell me in the comments: What’s one thing you would tell your past self?

SelfAcceptance

Completing my Yin training was a beautiful journey, but the truth is, it’s one that will never really end. If you know me, you know I don’t really enjoy crazy, fast-paced classes. That’s just not me.

Instead, I teach the opposite:

✨ Calm.
✨Paced.
✨ Slow.
✨Take your time.
✨Listen to your body.

I truly believe a teacher should always be a student.

There is no time to stop learning; there are always more people to connect with (what scared me to death), more ways to move, and more ideas to explore.

We should always be open to learning and embracing new knowledge, and I am so incredibly happy that provides that (seriously, can I just do all of the courses? I need an adjustment course and headstand!!).

It wasn’t just about the beautiful, gorgeous room, but the amazing teachers. When I grow up, I want to be just like .

Her voice, her energy, her passion is unmatched (and she also has a super cute tinny human). And guided as well by so much knowledge and true passion.

Every single day, I try to hold space with knowledge, wisdom, and experience. That is what I crave the most. (Yes, everyday I go to sleep surrounded by yin & hatha yoga books, an amazing man and a heavy cat - we might need a bigger bed!)

And none of this would have been half as fun, if it wasn’t for the amazing teachers that took part of this adventure ❤️

Holding space is an art. It’s a superpower. You can’t just “learn” it, but you can perfect it: by being wonderfully imperfect and opening your heart to the room.

I’m offering a couple of free yoga classes - just pop a comment with ✨ if you are interested and I’ll give you the link 🖤

Gorgeous photos by .marchantphotography

The more I teach the more I want to learn. Knowledge is an amazing power… but nothing is as amazing as the privilege you give me every week - to hold space.

I wish I could allow you to enjoy the silence, but I feel there’s so much room to share.

I wish I could let you see inside my head, more than anything - I hope you see yourself with the same eyes I see you. Every one of you.

I see your strength, your power. I see your chest opening and filling of air with every inhalation, I see you sinking into the floor. Allowing the air to leave your chest. I see you moving.

What a privilege.

Thank you.

With love,

Ana 🖤