Tell us about your yoga journey...
My journey began in 2008 with a simple Yoga book that I believe was placed in my path at a time in my life when I was looking for some other energy to guide me. I'd come out of a 14 year relationship leaving me feeling really fragile and living alone for the first time.
Initially, there was a passion for the physical practice which could be done in a safe, personal space but this very quickly grew into a love of the inner transformational benefits.
A method of exercise that I could do in my tiny garden surrounded by pretty plants, lanterns and incense, this daily practice became a specific time when I could go inside and connect with something I didn’t understand. I was able to feel strong on the mat when off the mat, my life felt anything but flowing and I felt the opposite of strong. I practiced every day at sunset. Who knows why… I just decided this and stuck to it. Then one day, I finished a practice and realised something.. I felt peaceful, content. Or rather, I wasn't looking, wanting or lacking.
When did you decide to become a teacher?
Having felt rocked by the power of a regular Yoga practice, I decided I wanted to learn more and not just someone’s own interpretation of Yoga but true Yoga as it was intended to be understood. My intention was never to teach but to learn… I resigned from my job and signed up to a teacher training in 2011.
There was a continued test of commitment to yoga versus accepting exciting job offers meaning I floated between two lives for a few years before I was caught between two job offers and what my heart was telling me to do… My heart had experienced something so much bigger than my ego nailing another celebrity photo shoot.. It had experienced me, the world, something purer. So I said no to both job offers and instead booked on my second training with The Yoga People in Thailand.
As a young girl, I had three daily requirements: to cuddle, to laugh until you cried and to see the sunrise or set everyday …now I can and do all three. Everyday feels like Sunday.
When I returned from Thailand, the change and expectation felt greater. It was scary. Yogarise in Peckham trusted me with some Yin classes and because of them and the response from the classes, the journey has continued unfolding. Yogarise has been a huge influence on a passion becoming something greater. For this, I am eternally grateful to such a wonderful space and studio.
What do you love about yoga?
When you arrive on the mat, as you actually are acknowledging what else has arrived with you, you are there in your purist truest form... As you are. Nowhere to go, nothing to do or be other then you as you are, in your body as it is….with your heart and your own thoughts.
What are the main benefits of a regular yoga practice?
A regular practice expands beyond any physical benefit as time to recognise and feel your own personal power, to truly feel your body, breath, mind...to appreciate you, to look inside and love what you see. Yoga is a grounding practice, creating a sense there is a place for you in the universe, a time to feel fluid enabling you to embrace that attitude beyond the mat to essentially practice going with the flow.
It’s a time to connect into the loving energy of your heart, current emotional state and feel the truth of YOU, just as you are. To move, breathe and ultimately, meditate.
The more you practice, the more you can see, witness, the more you can learn to love. Our thoughts and the way we feel, change from minute to minute and the energy we create during a Yoga practice directly affects the way we feel and the way we think. It influences our perception of what is important. Feeling without agenda and this is why a regular practice is important. We change, our body feels different minute to minute so get on the mat even if it is for 15 minutes of Sun Salutations a day. Just get inside, feel it and use this information of your body and unconscious mind, to be kind to yourself, to act with humbleness towards your entire being. Listen to the softening of your heart and mind, listen to the wisdom of your own body... give yourself a break. If you don’t, who will? The question says it all. Practise, practise, practise… Keep practising. Keep trying…Fall down, get up and do it again. Slow down, simplify, observe… Seek the truth from within your own heart and trust who you are.
What is Yin Yoga?
In Yin Yoga, we don’t demand, we gradually open to ourselves, see ourselves in a softer light. A more passive light.
Yin is a journey that begins from a physical perspective enhancing our natural range of movement, creating space. Emotions, memories or trauma can affect us physically and in Yoga, the breath reflects the state of our physical, emotional and thinking layers. Personally, I believe Yin Yoga is a tool for healing especially when physical ailments originate from emotional stress.
During a conscious Yin asana practice, we quietly and securely bring to light unconscious holding patterns that result from emotional holding. We learn what is deeply hidden within the physical, emotional and thinking bodies feeling safe to express these thoughts.
Yin Yoga enables us to let go and replace negative thoughts with gratitude, kindness and compassion for the self.
Yin marries both meditation with asana where physical space becomes space between thoughts. In Yin, we practice sitting quietly with ourselves completely still without allowing physical distractions to prevent us from meditation.
How does a Yin practice complement other types of yoga?
Yin and Yang are opposites therefore are complimentary creating a complete practice... a whole. Yang Yoga creates energy through heat, Yin a passive cool method to create energy. Both Yoga systems create energy and I teach from an energetic perspective - how emotions and what emotions are related to individual muscle groups, meridians and Chakras. Practicing both Yin and Yang yoga balances our energy. Balancing engagement with ease, speed with stillness, holding an asana for 5 breaths versus 5 minutes. Cultivating mind body awareness through a Yin and Yang combination allows us to take residence in our own bodies, encouraging a deeper exploration of the individual self. The space we create in Yin can form a purely physical perspective and allow you to embrace Yang asana deeper. Essentially, it is all about moving towards meditation. Being able to sit comfortably or without allowing for physical distraction for a long period of time. The Yin creates this space meaning that the seat may feel easier, your hips may feel more open, the yang builds the meditative aspect, a rhythm taking you to that meditative state where the energies in both practices are combined, released, experienced.
Yin and Yang together can be an incredibly powerful combination that creates a sense of grounding, freedom and harmony leaving you feeling balanced, restored, complete and present.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I teach most mornings so I am up at 6am. The first thing I do is sit outside and just look… at the sky, the day, the weather. I listen to the birds - those early morning sounds of excitement as a day is just about to unfold. I just adore watching the unknown day begin. It’s so exciting not knowing what adventure is going to happen today.
Then I make a smoothie with my dad’s berries - he’s an amazing gardener and grows heaps of fruit which I freeze raw and use in desserts and smoothies - some oats, a banana, yoghurt, cinnamon and honey.
Then I shower - I never teach before a bath or shower as I believe it removes any energy so I can be the holder during classes. Also, I love to smell good and I’m a complete products magpie! Neal's Yard, Aveda and John Masters are my weaknesses… with a bit of Palmers coconut butter thrown in for luck!
After class, first stop is Ali Baba juice hut off Rye Lane… Nappi pear, hibiscus and ginger is so refreshing. Once I get home I change and then go out to a class. Continuing to be a student is paramount for growth. I never want to forget what it is like to be a student.. to struggle, to cry in savasana, to fall over with a big bang, to laugh at yourself. After class I’ll go to Small White Elephant Cafe on Choumert Road and have an Almond Milk Cappuccino - The Al Pacino and Nick’s warm coconut bread with butter and maple syrup. I am a normal person and the Yin Yang approach to life definitely works for me! I’m all about wearing high heels on Saturday night, walking barefoot on Sunday. Wine on a night out with my sister and we will drink green juice in the morning. Embracing all aspects of life for me is key, never say you can’t do anything, just ask if you really want to do it…. be honest with yourself.
When I get back home, I am like a whirlwind.. I tidy my partner's trail of annoying bits then it’s down to work. I sit in our conservatory which is my office during the day and write sequences, study and read. I keep to a schedule and have lists in my diary each day of what I need to get done. I embrace teaching yoga as I would any job and structure my days so I can make the most of the time with clear goals. I work mostly in silence as when my partner is home, he’s straight on his vinyl and plays funk, jazz and other loud music so I appreciate the silence, the sound of the birds, mowers, my own thoughts.
I used to do 11 hour days, not moving from my desk, blinds down and not seeing the day. Now, it’s all about balance, living, feeling, seeing and smelling. I’ll take an afternoon walk to the shops with a supper shopping list in mind. Eating is really important to me. As a family we would wait for my father to get home before we ate together and share our days. Food should be exciting, appreciated even if it goes wrong. The evenings are about food and closing the day. Being in it as you won’t have that day ever again.
Who or what inspires you?
My mother is my biggest inspiration. She is this little Burmese lady who is one of the strongest and most loving people I have ever known. Everything she does is with love and kindness. Her big smile makes me feel safe, that everything will work out just fine, just as it is intended to. Her ability to put things into perspective is immeasurable. We spend a lot of time together, talking, laughing. She is my ultimate inspiration.
My partner and his drive and creativity of making something out of nothing with only an idea or dream as inspiration. He is definitely my yang with his love of crisps, chocolate and movies. He balances me and is my teacher of learning to go with the flow. Our house is always being filled with some heap of crap off the street which he will sit with and patiently make into some incredible piece of furniture.. He is a gentle soul, so loving, so giving and is my little buddy.
My little sister, my best friend and her ability to help people. She is a doctor who with such braveness, has travelled to extremely remote places around the world and trekked for 3 days sleeping in hammocks with face mosquito nets, to travel to an indigenous village to mend, to heal. When she isn’t saving lives, she is cooking with love holding secret venue dinner parties as Love Club Suppers in crazy places like old butchers, pie and mash sops and other funky places. She is such a cool chick and so much fun to be around.
From a yogic perspective, Dr Hiroshi Motoyama and his view on energy, Taoism, meridians and the Chakras. He is both a scientist, spiritual instructor and author. His books and papers on spiritual self-cultivation, the relationship between the mind and body, karma and reincarnation and the theories of the Chakras are complex and incredible studies of research. Motoyama emphasise the meditative practice of Yoga, is a psychic and the head Shinto priest of the Tamamitsu Shrine in Tokyo and a yogi.
My teachers Jamie & Dulce, The Yoga People. Incredible teachers and such a unique team. A true Yin Yang combination. A complete. I adore them and will be forever grateful for their guidance towards both Yin and Yang Yoga. Animals and children because of their natural curiosity, excitement and adventurous outlook on life… And finally, my students as in all of them I see myself.
Any exciting plans for the coming months?
Lots of things are vibrating away and I’m excited how life will unfold over the next few months! My partner restored an old building at the bottom of our garden which used to be a Sarsaparilla factory. It's all wooden floors and bare brick walls. He is incredibly talented and patient. He wanted to create a space for me to practice daily, to be able to continue the yoga journey teaching or not teaching.
So was born The Peckham Yoga Den where I plan to hold monthly events called Yin Yang Yum. Yin and meditation workshops along with my sister and Love Club Suppers. A small intimate experience where we Yin Yoga and Meditate in before a meal made with love.
I am also running a series of Yin Yang workshops with Rocket Yogini, Lizaan Jacobs at Yogarise, Peckham. Lizzie teaches Rocket with huge amounts of love and an energy that you might not usually associate with such a dynamic Yoga practice. Her ability to take you into poses you wouldn't even contemplate is quite incredible, to trust yourself, to fan the inner fire of self worth. The workshops will focus on the energetic qualities of the Chakras taking a journey from Crown to Root, cultivating awareness, grounding us, encouraging a deeper exploration of the individual self. An incredibly powerful combination of Rocket and Yin Yoga.. Move sweat, open, release, the true self, letting go, building courage and releasing fear!
I also have some exciting new classes beginning at The Light Centre Belgravia and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to work with such a beautiful healing space.
Teaching yoga is a very giving job, how do you make time for yourself?
Being in a position to give to others is a gift and nothing humbles you more than sharing the little you have. However, I learnt that I can give more if I give back to myself too. I used to be terrible at putting myself first.. I’d give my time and energy anywhere it was asked for. I’d never say no to anything. Since teaching full time, I have realised that I need as much structure in my life as I did when I worked in an office and continuing being a student on the mat everyday is ultimately something I will never let slip. Making time to get on the mat every day is paramount to my own personal growth which I can then share in my classes. If I’m not in a class at Yogarise or the Light Centre in Belgravia, I am on my mat in the den. My teachers Jamie & Dulce told me that if you wanted to practice and cultivate patience, meditate everyday for a year.. So I meditate every day. My other requirement is to bathe in the evening, to cleanse and release the day, to encourage good sleep, to rest and restore!
Find out more at www.emmapeelyoga.co.uk