Sometimes I think it would be easy to finish my day with a glass of wine on the sofa, but I make myself come to the studio instead and I’ve never ever regretted that choice. 

One thing I’ve learned is that we have complete control over how we react to life. As well as being great exercise, yoga has been part of my spiritual journey in which I’ve been able to create space between external factors and my reaction. 

Hot yoga gives me the physical challenge I gained from a life of disco dancing…

It was difficult to adapt to the heat at first, so I started slowly with one class a week until I could build up. Now, I love the extra challenge that the heat brings and I’m able to do two or three classes a week. While I’m starting to get arthritis in my joints, it’s important for me to keep moving. I’ve always been active – I enjoyed sports when I was younger and I rode my bicycle to work until I was 60.

When I moved back to the city after a short stint living in a rural village, I swapped my daily commute into Sheffield – a cramped and soul-sucking train journey – for a monthly yoga pass at Soul Fire Studios. 

This was the first step I took towards investing in and choosing myself. Exchanging a tedious chore for a nourishing yoga practice felt like such a novelty, and it still does six months later. 

This International Women's Day, I wish to express my fascination with the way we beautiful beings operate.

I say this with the understanding that the sympathies of Women and their human rights can be shared by those who do or do not identify as being a Woman, and that Feminine energy is shared by everyone regardless of gender.

What makes this day special for us here at Soul Fire is that we are a Woman led business. The majority of our service professionals (yoga teachers, counsellors, body workers, and space users) are women, and offer an energetic touch that makes this place feel powerfully warm, and welcoming like home.

Yoga on Edgedale Road had an explosive start, some rocky residue, tumultuous times and serious trepidation. When I took on the studio and rebranded to Soul Fire Studios in 2019, I felt sure that there was work to be done to make this place sustainable and successful, that it was possible, but it would take time…

A well-rounded yoga practice goes well beyond the mat. Most yoga practitioners already know, or very quickly find out, that the only visible representation of practicing yoga are the physical postures.

How can we look beyond the postures, and see ourselves engaging in a practice of wholeness?

This takes a multi-layered approach.