Meeting Life’s Challenges with Yoga and Mindfulness

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all well and have enjoyed the classes this week!

This week’s theme has been challenges. In my life, one of the biggest challenges I face is my health. Living with fibromyalgia (a chronic pain condition) feels like being on a constant rollercoaster, trying to manage my symptoms day by day.

With my symptoms being heightened recently, I have been trying everything I can to help myself. One thing I have started doing is running. I have just completed Week 1 of the Couch to 5K app, and I am really enjoying it.

As a teenager, I used to enjoy running 5Ks for fun, but since developing fibromyalgia, I have been unable to. There was a time when I couldn't even walk, so running again once felt impossible. Slowly, I am building back my strength, and it feels wonderful to reconnect with something I love.

Challenges can arise in many areas of life, including health, relationships, love, and work. They are growth opportunities, moments that reveal our strength, courage, and resilience.

On the mat, the challenge invites us to stay present, breathe deeply, and respond with patience rather than resistance. Sometimes the hardest part is simply rolling out the mat and committing to practice.

Whether your challenge is to try a more advanced pose or to listen to your body and rest when needed, both are powerful forms of growth. Facing challenges mindfully through yoga helps us meet life’s difficulties with the same compassion.

Remember that rest and surrender are still forms of strength.

I hope you all enjoyed the candles I handed out at the end of class. They are perfect to light after practice while having a warm bath, reading, or sipping your favourite cup of tea☕

This week's intention: I meet challenges with steadiness and grace.

Journaling prompt: What challenge are you facing right now, and how can you meet it with breath and grace?

In class, I played the mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha, which translates to 'remover of all obstacles' from Sanskrit. This mantra was played often during my yoga teacher training, and whenever I am not feeling my best, I love to listen to it as a reminder that I have got this.

Here is the link to the song on Spotify. It gets a little groovy towards the end🎶

Massage and Me🤍

A key part of my fibromyalgia management is getting a massage every couple of months with the lovely Jo. I could not recommend her more!

She offers female-only massages and reflexology in her home treatment room in Buckhurst Hill. It is a beautiful space to unwind and give your body some well-deserved love and attention.

Community Support

This week I taught my 80th Wednesday class, which equals more than three full days of teaching in that space. Thank you all for your kind messages and for practising with me. It has been so lovely to watch this community grow and to see friendships forming on the mat.

I also received a thoughtful gift from one of my students, as well as

a surprise card, flowers, and gifts from one of my best friends. I feel so grateful to be surrounded by such caring and supportive people🌸

Christmas Break 🎄

I will be teaching classes up until Thursday, 18 December, and will resume in the new year from Monday, 5 January 2026.

For those on a 6-class pass, I will extend all your blocks in December to cover the break. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

As Christmas approaches, why not gift a loved one the gift of wellness? I offer e-gift cards for group classes or female-only private sessions. It is a lovely way to share yoga with those you care about.

Next week’s theme: Compliments ✨

I love giving compliments to others. Sometimes a kind word from a stranger can mean even more than one from someone you know. In class next week, we will explore how to give compliments to ourselves and remember to share them with others to brighten their day.

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See you on the mat next week,

Eloise x

When was the last time you surprised yourself by doing something you once thought you couldn’t?