Our Community: Meet Gale

I can’t believe it’s nearly been a year since we opened our ‘virtual’ doors since lockdown 1.0!

I wanted to touch base with our members and share their stories of how yoga has helped and how their practice has made a difference in their lives during the most challenging year.

This week I took some time to settle down with our wonderful Gale to ask why does she keep coming back to the mat….

Why did you start practising yoga with us?

I have practiced yoga, meditation and mindfulness regularly for as long as I can remember and it has helped me through some difficult times in my life.  My first experience of yoga with Diana was at the Lanelay Hall yoga retreat in January 2018, though my friend Ella had been raving about Diana’s classes for years before that.  I connected with Diana, her warmth, knowledge and love of her art immediately and I met some lovely fellow yogis at the retreat. 

Diana and I met up for lunch after that to chat through support for women going through menopause and I went along to her menopause and yoga session at the studio.  Thankfully I managed to get to Diana’s yoga retreat in Crickhowell in November last year and would recommend booking a retreat when it is safe for Diana to organise one again of course.

What advice do you have for anyone thinking about starting yoga for the first time?

Yoga really is for everyone of any ability and you can benefit so much from it physically, mentally and emotionally.  There are poses I never thought I would ever be able to do and can now and some poses I still can’t do! 

I listen to my own body, go at my own pace and do what I am capable of doing.  My body strength has increased dramatically through my practice and I can now go from downward facing dog through a full vinyasa flow into plank and down to the floor.  I would encourage anyone who has any personal limitations to try yoga, yoga has helped my frozen shoulder and recover from breast cancer surgery.

All you need to start practicing yoga is very simple - a yoga mat, a block, a belt, cushions and a blanket.  You can spend a bit more and add to your equipment if yoga becomes a regular practice.

Do you do anything to make your yoga space feel more special at home?

When the pandemic hit, I was desperate to find a form of exercise that I could fit in around working from home fulltime and within the space I have.  Walking in nature helped but I needed more than that.  Diana came to the rescue with her a wonderful group of yoga teachers and a choice of virtual classes -  my yoga practice suddenly got very serious!  I do an average of 5 yoga classes a week and had to move my lounge around to adapt to my new home, work and yoga space. 

My lounge is a very peaceful place anyway and my small yoga apace works perfectly in front of my patio doors on to the garden.  I moved one of my salt lamps and a buddha to my area and light a couple of candles in the room before a class starts.   

What’s your favourite yoga pose?

I have two favourite poses, one is pigeon pose, folded over with my head on the floor.  I find this position so calming and relaxing.  The other is the plough and I have to admit this is partly because I am so chuffed that at 62 I can still do this challenging pose!  

Do you have a furry friend that likes to get involved in your yoga practice?

My big furry British short-haired cat, George, appears from nowhere when my yoga mat goes down and is usually sitting on my mat before I do!  He head bumps me whilst I’m sat on the mat and then stretches out on his back with paws in the air whilst I am doing my practice.  It may sound distracting, but actually, it makes me smile.

What have you learned about yourself during lockdown?

Lockdown has been such a challenge from a personal and work perspective.  It is in my nature to be resilient, to adjust and adapt and I am comfortable in my own space, but loneliness hit me hard.  I have learnt to open up a bit more and be more vulnerable, to admit it when I’m having a low day, because it’s normal and ok to feel that way. It’s important to keep any contact channels you have open as much as possible and to be empathetic and supportive with each other more than ever now.