What Yoga Means to Me: Self-Acceptance, Breathwork, and Empowerment
As a woman, mother, and yoga teacher based in Corstorphine, Edinburgh, yoga has become more than just a physical practice—it's a sanctuary, a philosophy, and a daily guide that helps me navigate life with more grace and presence. Whether you're stepping into a women’s yoga class for the first time, beginning your pregnancy yoga journey or thinking about post-natal yoga, I want to share what yoga means to me—and how it can support you too.
Yoga as Self-Acceptance
For many of us, the pressure to be more, do more, or look a certain way is a constant hum in the background of our lives. But yoga, in its truest form, invites something radical: acceptance. In each class I teach—whether for women, mothers-to-be, or beyond—yoga creates a space where we meet ourselves exactly as we are. No performance. No competition. Just breath, movement, and self-awareness.
This is rooted in the yogic philosophy of Ahimsa, or non-harming. That means showing ourselves kindness, especially when we feel not enough. It’s in the quiet moments of stillness, when we’re lying in Savasana or breathing deeply into a pose, that we start to hear that kinder, truer voice.
Breathwork: The Bridge Between Body and Mind
Breath is the anchor of yoga—and one of its most profound tools for mental wellbeing. In my pregnancy, post-natal and women's yoga sessions, I guide my classes through simple yet powerful breathing techniques (pranayama) that soothe the nervous system and bring clarity to the mind.
In our busy, overstimulated world, breathwork is a reclaiming of calm. It lowers stress, supports better sleep, and improves emotional resilience. For pregnant women, it’s an invaluable resource—not just for birth preparation, but for staying grounded through all the changes pregnancy and motherhood brings.
Mindful Movement and the Wisdom of Sthira and Sukha
One of the most beautiful aspects of yoga is its adaptability. You don’t need to be flexible or fit. You just need to show up. My classes are designed to honour your body, whether you’re navigating the shifting energy of your cycle, embracing the changes of pregnancy, or reconnecting with your strength postnatally.
In yoga philosophy, we’re guided by the principle of Sthira and Sukha—steadiness and ease. This means every posture, every breath, is about finding the balance between strength and softness. Too much effort, and we lose our sense of calm. Too much ease, and we miss the chance to grow.
This concept is especially powerful for women. It teaches us to stop striving for perfection and instead move in a way that feels both grounding and freeing. Whether you're holding a strong warrior pose or resting in child’s pose, the invitation is the same: tune in, honour what you feel, and find your own version of balance.
Mindful movement teaches us to listen—to feel into what our bodies need rather than pushing through. And from that listening, real strength grows—not just in muscles, but in confidence, in trust, in how we carry ourselves through life.
Living Yoga Off the Mat: The Yamas and Niyamas
While the movement and breathwork of yoga are often what first draw us in, the real magic happens when we begin to live our yoga off the mat too. In traditional yogic philosophy, the Yamas and Niyamas offer us ethical and spiritual guidance—simple, powerful ways to live in alignment with ourselves and the world around us.
The Yamas (restraints) include principles like Ahimsa (non-harming), Satya (truthfulness), and Aparigraha (non-attachment). These remind us to be kind, honest, and to let go of what no longer serves us. In daily life, this might look like speaking more gently to ourselves, setting boundaries, or releasing comparison with others.
The Niyamas (observances) invite us inward—toward self-discipline, contentment, and spiritual growth. Santosha (contentment) is one of my favourites, especially for women navigating constant pressures to be more or do more. It asks us to pause, breathe, and recognise that we are already enough.
These teachings are not rules, but invitations—ways to embody yoga as a way of living, not just exercising. Whether you’re on your mat or rocking your baby back to sleep in the middle of the night, the yamas and niyamas are a reminder that your practice is always with you.
Why I Teach Yoga in Corstorphine, Edinburgh
I created my yoga classes in Corstorphine to offer a local welcoming space and community where you can slow down, reconnect, and feel supported in body and mind. Whether you're a local mum, a busy professional, or newly pregnant, yoga can meet you where you are and help you move forward with greater ease and self-belief (an increase in strength and flexibility might be an added bonus!).
A huge motivation for me is to help women build communities during pregnancy and post-natally after their babies are born. My Mama Tribe are what got me through the highs and lows of pregnancy, birth, the hazy newborn days and tumultuous toddler years. In fact, 8 years into motherhood and my mum friends are still my biggest cheerleaders, support and strength.
A Gentle Companion
For me, yoga isn’t about touching your toes. It’s about coming home to yourself. It's about softening the inner critic, breathing through the chaos, and remembering your innate strength and wisdom.
Whether you join me for a yoga class in Edinburgh or simply take a few mindful breaths today, I hope yoga becomes a gentle companion on your journey—just as it has on mine.
Yoga Class Timetable
Parent & Baby Yoga Edinburgh - Tuesdays 10am
Pregnancy Yoga Edinburgh - Tuesdays 6:30pm
Women’s Yoga Edinburgh - Tuesdays 8pm
