Santosha and Class Updates

Hey everyone,

I hope you all enjoyed this week's classes!

Santosha (contentment)

This week, we have been focusing on our second niyama (internal observance), Santosha, which translates to contentment.

This is one of my favourite principles of yoga. In a world where we are constantly pushing productivity and comparison, Santosha reminds us to slow down and appreciate what is already here - our body, our breath, and this present moment.

Rather than searching for happiness somewhere else, Santosha invites us to recognise the quiet sense of enoughness that exists within the life we already have. It isn’t about settling for less or giving up on your goals, but about meeting the present moment with acceptance while remaining open to growth.

One of the simplest ways to practise contentment is through gratitude, which I always like to include at the end of every class while we rest in our foetal pose.

Intention: I choose to be content with what is, while remaining open to growth.

A song that fits beautifully with this theme is “Nothing Even Matters” by Ms Lauryn Hill, from my favourite album of all time, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” If you have never listened to it, I highly recommend the album. The song captures the feeling of being so present and absorbed in love that the outside world fades away - a lovely reflection of Santosha and the joy of appreciating what truly matters 🎶

Listen here

---

Class Update: Wednesday 25th March – Room Change

Unfortunately, I am unable to hire the main hall at the Woollard Centre on Wednesday, 25th, as it had already been booked before the hall change. The class will instead be held in the Stag Room (upstairs) at the Woollard Centre.

To get there, please use the blue roadside door and head upstairs. There is a small path from the car park that guides you there.

This room has a maximum capacity of 10 spaces, so please book ahead if you plan to attend that week. I also teach Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8 pm in the same room, if you would like to join on another day.

---

Little Updates

I was very excited to finally get a permanent banner outside the Woollard Centre, which is now the home of all things Yoga by Eloise. The lovely caretaker, Keith, and I put it up together on Wednesday morning, which was so much fun. Eloise from construction! 🛠️

My grandad ran his own tailoring business in London and always says, ‘I was a somebody - I had my name up in lights!’ Yesterday, he told me that I’m a somebody too. Well, I’ve got my name up… just waiting for the lights, hopefully one day!

I have also been making the most of the beautiful weather with daily walks through Roding Valley Nature Reserve, and I have been meditating every day, which seems to be helping my fibromyalgia.

This weekend I am off to Kew Gardens with a few friends, which I am really looking forward to, especially as all of the bulbs are starting to come up🌷

---

Next Week’s Theme: Tapas (Discipline) 🔥

This principle always makes me giggle a little, because many people associate tapas with Spanish cuisine and ordering or sharing lots of small dishes. However, in Sanskrit, it translates to discipline, which feels like the complete opposite!

Scroll down and subscribe to the blog/newsletter for more yoga-related content.

See you on the mat next week,

Eloise x

Book here