If you know that I (Joanne) drive in to Kendal to go to a yoga class, when I have a studio next to my lounge, you will understand why Jacqui Wallace, of Yoga Sapien is one of the three yoga tutors I recommend if you are coming here.
I first met Jacqui when we moved here and I searched for a yoga studio. I needed an early morning class and Jacqui was the person who cheered me up in those early hours. Over the years, I have got to know Jacqui and appreciate her talents and intuition, get book recommendations, chat about our love of Costa Rica and admire her beautiful artwork. So of course I was going to ask her to be a feature in our Meet The Experts series and here are her insights to my questions.
I will start the blog with Jacqui’s answer to what was in fact my last question, because it will inspire you to read more about her.
What values, hobbies, lifestyles make up you and what sets your soul on fire?
“My number one value is freedom (closely followed by creativity). I have to work at it though, because even when I feel free in what I’m doing, or the choices I make, sometimes I know my mind trips me up, self-doubt creeps in and before I know it, I feel a little trapped in my own thoughts! That’s where the real yoga practice begins!
I have a gazillion interests in life (which can sometimes be a problem!) but I love to travel, to get outside my comfort zone and immerse myself in nature mostly. And paint…I love to paint! I think the thing that really sets my soul on fire, though is when wonderful, extraordinary things happen, when you least expect it, and it’s a reminder to wake up in this magical thing we call life!”
As a yoga teacher offering weekly classes, one to ones, workshops and yoga & walking retreats in the Lake District and North Wales, Jacqui loves working one on one, with either yoga, or the Thai Yoga Massage she offers, as she gets to spend more time with people and build up a relationship.
“I love seeing their progression and of course, it’s always lovely to receive messages from people telling me about the difference it’s made or how they’ve had the best night’s sleep in ages! “
Being both a Yoga Teacher and qualified Thai Yoga Massage practitioner, Jacqui understands all the benefits that these practices can offer people and shares this knowledge with us:
“I think mostly, people think that yoga is about flexibility, which of course it is a bit, but it’s so much more besides. For me, it’s about giving yourself space, both in mind and body; building strength and functional range of movement. It is about acknowledging and accepting your body’s limits, then working with kindness so that progression is steady, safe and useful. It’s about working with the body’s nervous system responses and finding an easy path back to relaxation. Yoga encourages you to be present, so that when you are off the mat, you can function better in the world, with less stress and anxiety. It’s a way of life really.”
“Less known about, but equally beneficial, Thai Yoga Massage, helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system; our bodies’ natural relaxation response. Gentle stretching, twisting and moving through yoga asana, help relieve stress with its grounding, rhythmic qualities. It can encourage the release of holding patterns and blockages, freeing the body’s healing potential, quieting the mind, and ultimately restoring balance and harmony. Again, it’s about freedom and finding space within.”
After a yoga class, Jacqui witnesses that people feel calmer, lighter and more spacious in their bodies. After Thai Yoga Massage, she says people talk about feeling more energised and feel better connected to their body again, resulting also in being able to sleep better and gaining more clarity and losing the ‘brain fog’.
Having had a Thai Yoga Massage, I can absolute recommend booking a session to experience it for yourself. I loved it and would describe it as a relaxing sport massage without any pain, but the deep benefits afterwards.
Yoga sessions can be from 60 minutes upwards and a Thai Yoga Massage can be 60, or 90 minutes. Both can be longer if required. Jacqui is very good at adapting classes to suit all abilities, but of course mentions that there might be occasions where it is necessary to seek a doctor’s permission before attempting anything you are unsure of with regards to your own personal health.
I asked Jacqui what her advice would be if anyone is unsure if to book a session with her and her advice is something I can relate to …
“Fear is almost always our immediate response to uncertainty … and in my experience, the best things are often found on the other side of fear – so give it a go!”
Inspired … get in touch with Jacqui …
https://www.yogasapien.co.uk/
jacq@yogasapien.co.uk
