Inhale future, exhale past: Isle of

Inhale future, exhale past

It was the year of yoga. A peculiar statement perhaps when referring to a practice whose ancient Indian origins can be traced back more than five thousand years. But behind the booming Athleisure apparel sales, Yoga with Adriene addictions (who has almost four times the subscribers of Joe Wicks) and novelty spin-offs (Goat yoga, anyone?) our renewed interest in this quiet combination of mind and movement spoke to a much deeper desire, as these Isle of Wight teachers explain.

Isle of Wight yoga teachers on how their practice and philosophies have helped them process the tumult of the past twelve months, and how we can all harness yoga’s restorative benefits.

Words Emma Elobeid Pictures Gary Wallis

Jenny Stewart is Co-Founder of virtual wellness platform Balance + Glo, teaching Live and On Demand classes in yoga and more.

“In 2020, yoga was the only constant in my life: a grounding and calming practice. It’s a personal process that goes so much deeper than movement or headstands – when we practise yoga, we reunite with ourselves. Even noticing the subtle nature of our breath hints to our existence as energy and allows us to step back and discover our purpose.” Mark Holden teaches relaxed and friendly yoga classes, including in the beautiful surroundings of Ventnor Botanic Garden:

“Yoga is ultimately a process of transformation; the physical exercise of our bodies prompting a shift of mind, energy and spirit. Practising yoga – especially outdoors – is more valuable now than ever.” Emma Spencer Goodier is founder of the Island School of Yoga and has taught yoga on the Island for over twenty years:

“In a year of uncertainty, practising yoga provided me with community and consistency: even when apart, we came together virtually through breath and somatic movement in practices of personal and mutual support. We are all in various evolutional stages of becoming, and yoga invites us to hone our skills of becoming aware.”

Erling McCracken teaches a gentle but deep form of Scaravelli-inspired yoga from his Shanklin Studio and online:

“When we practise yoga, we soothe our nervous system. I like to meet myself on the floor, moving around a functional range of movement patterns that my body and brain recognises: not as a performance, but to feel how I am in the moment.” Yonat Bitner teaches gentle and Vinyasa Flow classes to Island children and adults, her dance background influencing a seamless style of movement through the postures:

“As a parent and educator, I know that yoga is profoundly helpful in reducing stress and helping us stay more centred. By becoming aware of the interconnectivity of our different selves (body, breath, mind, heart) we can become more aware of our true purpose in life (dharma) and better support each other – which is very much needed in the world right now.” Julius Opoku Apau first discovered yoga to deal with lower back pain and kept practising because it made him feel great. Now, he teaches Satyananda, a form of traditional Indian yoga:

“My yoga mat is where I come to find answers to the questions in my life – yoga is about the journey, not the destination. Using meditation and breathing we sow the seeds for rediscovering ourselves, becoming the person we want to be.”