Yoga For Normal People

It's coming up to the end of September and the children have been back to school for a few weeks now so inevitably I have caught a head cold from one of them.  Every down dog feels like my head is going to explode so I decided to take a day off from yoga - not a full one though that would never happen......  One of my gorgeous teachers kindly covered my morning classes and I arranged to go for a walk to clear my head.

I met up with some of my girlfriends for coffee and a natter, then two of us ventured out for a stomp along the river.  Melissa is a good friend of mine and also runs her own business, providing business owners with PR and Marketing skills, she definitely knows her stuff..... www.campfirecommunications.co.uk

Anyway, we started chatting about where our businesses were at this moment and ways in which we could take them further and develop ideas.  I struggle with being disciplined enough to write a blog on a weekly basis and this is an area that I really would like to work on.

So that is my intention for this week and going forward, I'm going to get my act together and start blogging... I might start bleating on about random things and go off on a tangent every now and again but my business tag line is 'YOGA FOR NORMAL PEOPLE' and that is what i am going to write about.  

How many ladies feel like they are going to suffocate themselves with their boobs in plough?

A lot of yoga teachers who you see online and in magazines (and in some studios) are bikini body perfect types who can bend into all sorts of unimaginable shapes, but in reality how many of us actually look like that and who can bend like that?  I don't and can't!

How many binds are elusive to people because they have a wine/beer belly?

Keep checking in with my blog and each week I am going to look at different postures, giving options for 'normal people'.  After all, yoga at Yogabomb is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, size or ability.  we all have our strengths and weaknesses, I have great upper body strength (for a girl) and a bendy back but my shoulders are tight and my arms are short (my excuse for not binding).  You don't have to be skinny and bendy to do yoga, just willing to give it a go and if that means adapting a posture for your body shape then that's fine too.  

It's all yoga baby!

Yogabomb.... the home of Hot Yoga in York FOR NORMAL PEOPLE

Live your life!

It finally feels like summer may have arrived in the UK, with the tentative promise of a few days of sunshine and warmth!

I have been very fortunate to spend a couple of weeks recently in Turkey.  The first week with a close friend of mine at Juicy Mountain, a juice and yoga retreat near Fethiye.  We survived on juices and no solid food OR ALCOHOL for 7 days.  It was a truly liberating experience and we felt amazing afterwards.  9lbs weight loss was obviously an advantage as well as clear skin, bright eyes and bushy tails!  Early morning rebounding sessions to classical music, 3 yoga sessions and meditations every day.  Mountain walks and juice demos, capoeira classes.... AMAZING!

Whilst we were at Juicy Mountain there was a terrorist attack at Istanbul airport, fortunately we were far enough away for it not to affect us, it was good to get home safely to our family and friends.

This last week I went back to Turkey with my family and some friends for a family all inclusive holiday - detox to retox springs to mind!!

Again we had a fabulous time and enjoyed amazing weather, racing down waterslides and eating ice creams! Not quite the same weight loss this time but still relaxing and great to spend time with the children to start their much needed school holidays.

As we were at Dalaman airport waiting to fly home there was a military coup in Northern Turkey and all hell broke loose.  Again we were very fortunate to be able to fly home on time as all other flights out of Turkey were grounded that evening.

So 2 weeks of holidays have definitely shown to me how precious life is and that you need to live life to the full, as you never know what is around the corner....

It's nearly February!

Where did the first 3 months go??

Crazy how fast the time has flown by since Yogabomb's doors first  opened.  

A few stats to share with you....

• Over 300 yogis have visited Yogabomb
• 1121 mat spaces have been taken
• 237 yoga sessions

That's not bad going for the first 3 months!

Our first themed freestyle was a HUGE success - 80's music and Yoga definitely do mix!  February 12th is the next planned freestyle session with the theme being Old Skool Hip Hop.  Book your mat space and choose your track for the playlist!

Candlelit flow for New Year's Day was awesome, luckily no-one caught fire and everyone enjoyed a relaxing but powerful flow, such a chilled out and lovely atmosphere in the studio... watch this space for the next one

So much has happened yet I'm struggling for words to explain it all.

Yogabomb's first 3 months have exceeded my expectations, I have loved it and hated it, had highs and lows, but would do it all again no problem.  I just hope that the next 3 months can be equally amazing and the Yogabomb word keeps spreading..

Find your flow!

#findyourflow #yogabomb #hotyogayork #vinyasaflow #yogaeverydamnday

Week One..... Done!

Well what a week!

The two open mornings went really well with over 60 people coming through the front door and checking out Yogabomb!

Classes started on Monday with a full to bursting timetable.

This week has exceeded all of my expectations.  We had new and old yogis signed up for every class, some amazing power flows, awesome ashtanga, demanding yin flow and great beginners classes both hot and not.  The vibe was exciting but relaxed at the same time.

The grip dot towels flew off the shelves and I think that I single handedly drank all of the water that the fridge could hold!

As the week progressed more people signed up for the introductory offers and block of classes, some people even attending 3 classes in a day!

The Yogadudes class yesterday was fabulous! 8 guys all different shapes, ages and sizes.  A few with yoga experience, others with none!  The testosterone in the room was sky high, egos were left at the door as they all pushed themselves to their max and gave their all to the postures.

The opening week ended with a lovely 90 minute Detox Flow class.  The temperature was at a moderate 30 degrees, the music calm and chilled and the twists were endless!

The workmen have moved out now so my week ahead will be filled with finding a home for all the bits and pieces, and reordering more!  The showers and changing rooms are good to go, we are 95% there!......

After teaching 19 classes this week I have to admit that I am exhausted!... But very happy!

62 YOGIS HAVE COME THROUGH YOGABOMB'S DOOR,

96 BUMS ON MATS - AWESOME!

NAMASTE,

LOU. X

Can yoga really change your headspace?

A few things have happened to me over the last couple of days that have made me stop and think about my mental space.  

There's a lot of things going on in my life right now, especially with the studio opening less than a week away (aaarrgghh!), having 7 house guests for 3 nights this week (double aaarrgghh!) and the school holidays (no explanation needed....), but in my opinion i do believe that i have managed to keep a sense of calm and focus whilst my head has been swimming with to do lists and the never-ending demands of family life.

Yesterday I had my much needed fortnightly chiropractic adjustment, and after a day of sitting at a screen i took advantage of the horrendous weather and traffic in town, put on my waterproof jacket and trainers and stomped through town and all the puddles forming along the way and enjoyed some fresh(!?) air which helped to clear my fuzzy brain.

I had to cross a busy road during rush hour and was waiting patiently for the green man to appear when i noticed the guy next to me.  Probs about 70 years old, smartly dressed with a small wheelie case in tow.  I was so surprised by what happened next... The green man started flashing and as we set off to cross the road there was a car that had stopped slightly over the pedestrian area as the driver hadn't had chance to turn right.  The 70 year old guy then launched into a torrent of abuse at the driver, squaring up to him at the window of his car - where his wife and young children looked out equally horrified.  This went on for the duration of the road crossing, the poor car driver had not done anything wrong, he wasn't breaking the law, there was plenty of space for us to pass by.  I so felt like telling my fellow pedestrian  that he in fact was the f***ing a****ole, not the car driver!  

Also how many times do we witness road rage nowadays?  The slightest things wind people up.  Why not let someone out at a junction, or let the other driver merge before you when 2 lanes become 1.  Does it really make that much difference?

We need to find mental calm and in the words of Frozen - 'LET IT GO'

It has made me recognise that life is so fast paced, so stressful and hectic for our society that everyone, now and again - or everyday if possible - needs to take time out to find some mental calm, otherwise we can react badly to the slightest of things that normally wouldn't bother us.  

I find my mental calm in lots of different ways.  Now that i have become more aware of my state of mind i make sure that i give myself time to LET GO and destress.  it can be anything from walking the dogs, meditation, taking a bath, going for a run or my fave....... Yoga (obviously).  Yoga is amazing at giving you the time to let all sorts of sh*t go and calm the mind - as well as giving you an awesome workout!

Come and find your mental calm at Yogabomb - i promise you it is there, you just need to tap into it....... 

That 70 year old guy needs to find some mental calm, he needs to be Yogabombed!

October Update...

Quite a lot has happened since my last blog.. it has been pretty manic to say the least!

The studio is coming along nicely.  Changing rooms are being built, I've chosen tiles, flooring, shower furniture etc.  The strand woven bamboo flooring has been ordered for the studio.  My graffiti guy has been here the last couple of days doing the artwork on the main studio wall.  I don't want to spoil the surprise so the pic is just a taster!

Dan the plasterer is busy making all of the surfaces smooth too ready for mirrors and more paint!

My humidifier and air exchange system arrived this morning.  It took 5 men to lift it off the truck, it's so heavy.  Luckily I arrived just as they finished moving it!

My website is nearly done, just putting the finishing touches to it now.

Now my priority is to get my mindbody software working for me.  It's an amazing program, so all of my clients can book on line and schedule their classes, it just takes a lot of inputting from me!

Best get on with it!

LAUNCH DATE NOVEMBER 9TH!! BRING IT ON!

Website Progress!

Today has been a busy day!

I have spent the majority of it choosing pictures and text for my website.  It's amazing how your mind goes completely blank when you are trying to think of the right words to say.  It's a real learning curve using squarespace, one that I am enjoying but it is also infuriating at times, I know what I want it to look like but my computer seems to have other ideas

I also had a site meeting with the heating and humidity company.  Oh my, talk about feeling out of my depth at times!  But it has given me the confidence that I am doing it correctly and if you're going to be a bear you may as well be a grizzly!

I may have to delay the studio opening by a week or so which is dissapointing but otherwise i'll be breaking my neck to get it finished AND I've got 3 children on half term to contend with!

If you get chance have a read through my site and the class descriptions and let me know if there is anything that I have missed!

Lou. x

Why Yoga?

Being a wife, a mum of 3 young children, a hotel owner and having 3 energetic dogs, people often ask me why I decided to add more stress to my already busy life by wanting to open my own hot yoga studio.

Good point really!

I would like to think that I'm the sort of person that thrives on being manically busy.  I don't like to be sat down resting, there's always 101 things that I could be doing.

However, saying that the stresses and strains of living this way (and also being a self-confessed control freak) do take their toll on my mental health.  I have had a few battles with depression over the years and needed a little extra help along the way.

Then I discovered Yoga

Yoga gave me the headspace that I needed to function effectively.  I was able to use Yoga to help give me much needed mental clarity and to find calm when everything around me was moving at 200mph. It's amazing the power of a downward dog!

I began practising once a week, then twice, then more and more. I was hooked.  Then a good friend and I would find new yoga classes and styles to go and try together, enjoying the diversity of yoga styles available.  I LOVED hot yoga, it was the one that I kept going back to and wanted more of.  The feeling I got when I finished a class was exactly what I needed both physically and mentally.  I like to feel like I have done a monster work out, I like to sweat and ache the next couple of days.  Hot yoga gave me all of this and also helped release my mental state of mind! After 6 years I was able to come off my medication and yoga became my new medicine!

Then all of a sudden all 3 of my children were going to be in full time education.. what to do?

Again I kept going back to hot yoga, it was a real passion of mine and it motivated and inspired me.  My husband was complaining about being a 'yoga widow' as I was always going to classes or practising at home.

Then on a family holiday to the States I was chatting all things yoga with my spiritual sister and it hit me.. I needed to open my own studio, my own hot yoga studio.  I truly believe in things happening for a reason.  I had been shown the path that I needed to take and this was to be the next step in my yoga journey.  The wheels had started turning...

Yogabomb Branding!

Can't quite decide which angle to go for with my branding.... Some feedback has been positive, some very amusing! I think I'm going to go for the bomb symbol which some think looks like a stomach or a heart diagram.... But I like it!

Yesterday I actually had 18 hours sat in a bed (don't ask) and it was extremely productive... It's amazing how many Chinese companies are willing to sell anything plastic for next to nothing! But I think I am going to support the British economy and purchase from local suppliers!

i also woke up at 3am in a blind panic about changing room doors.... Randomly.... Then couldn't get back to sleep.  My brain seems to be on overdrive at the moment, I definitely need to find some time for headspace this weekend, in between forest quest, Saturday school, rugby training and paintball birthday parties!  Not sure how I'll find time but need it so much!!!

If you have a quick fix meditation technique to share please let me know!

The walls are coming down!

Well the day has finally arrived... the builders are here and the walls are coming down starting to create the Hedspace studio where all of the Yogabomb classes are to be held..... very soon!

I have spent most of the day discussing the widths of shower cubicles, comparing infrared heaters, finalising price plans and timetabling, choosing flooring and discussing humidifiers.  There is so much to do, so many decisions to make and the countdown is on... the days are flying by until open day!

My youngest daughter also started full-time school today so it has been rather emotional, plenty of excitement with a few teary eyes mixed in.  Where have those years gone?  12 years on since leaving my last teaching job, a husband and 3 children later, I am about to embark on a new chapter.  It is quite daunting but very exciting at the same time

Who would have guessed that my life was going to take this direction?

Keep tabs on yogabomb's progress here on by following my facebook page or instagram

#yogabomb #newbeginnings

New Vinyasa Flow Yoga Studio

Coming soon to York a new Vinyasa Yoga Studio. Watch this space! Did you know Marilyn Monroe practiced Yoga?

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