Rebecca James Yoga in Hampshire

To start with, I loved dynamic flow, trying ever more fast paced, difficult poses and chasing flexibility. But I also began to ask myself, what are the asanas for? What is yoga? Why am I doing it? Who says I should put my foot exactly here in trikonasana and why? Why is this pose good for diabetes and this pose good for arthritis? These questions coincided with me being diagnosed with CFS/ME after a virus infection in 2017.

Now recovered this journey back into balance made me curious about what health is. When I first got ill I went to the doctor expecting them to know what was wrong with me and to fix me but, like with so many chronic diseases, it isn’t like that. Many people suffer the same symptoms but they can be due to very varied and individual imbalances in their own systems. As one of my dear friends said to me, “Now you have to really embody your practice!”

I had to take control of my own health and I started by changing to a paleo diet which helped to get rid of my joint pain. I also took the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course, practised restorative slow, gentle yoga and did lots of yoga nidra and pranayama (breathing techniques). I started to look for the joy in life and took up singing. Slowly, I began to get better. All of these practises helped to rebalance my system with a lot of gentle movement, pranayama, relaxation, loving-kindness and self-awareness I slowly healed. One added bonus I noticed was that the low-level intermittent back pain I had had for 5 years had gone. I had tried to ignore this as surely it couldn’t have been my yoga practice causing my back pain, could it? But in the end, I had to admit it was the way I was practising that was partly to blame. I had been trying to force my body into the asanas (poses) rather than listening to the feedback from my body i.e. the pain and adapting the poses for my wellbeing.  I now understand that the poses are there to help me learn about myself, not as ends in themselves.  The asanas in yoga were helpful but not because of the shapes they made, they allowed me to notice how my body felt, what sensations were present and how I could modify the movement to find ease and contentment plus how I could undo holding patterns in the body to release energy. When combined with the breath they encouraged me to be present, to notice my thoughts and emotions and in this way to get to know myself better and to form a deeper and more joyful relationship with myself.

My practice, rather than a challenging time for improving myself, became a gentle exploration of me, of the Self. It was no longer something on my to-do list that had to be ticked off but something I looked forward to. It became full of joy and curiosity and wonder at the magical world I am a part of. I began to experience life as relationship and saw the complexity and nuance of all these relationships body, mind, soul, community and environment. As part of this process, I am beginning to unpick my unconscious conditioning and little by little I am finding the freedom to be myself.

I also have vitiligo which really bought me face-to-face with acceptance. For me, acceptance is not a passive place where I just give up and let whatever is happening walk all over me. I see acceptance as dynamic stillness. It is a place where I accept what is happening whilst at the same time making conscious decisions about how I can move forward and live a happy, rewarding, meaningful life. Some days are easier than others - but I still feel at one, relaxed and joyful at the end of my yoga practice whether that is asana, pranayama, meditation, yoga nidra or reflecting whilst drinking tea and staring out of the window. In the quiet and the stillness I find wholeness, freedom and self-compassion. 

All of these life experiences are reflected in my teaching. I no longer teach ‘Simon says’ style classes preferring to try and guide people to their own subtle, introspective awareness through questions they can reflect on during their moving and breathing practice. I try to encourage people that come to my classes to be curious about how they are feeling rather than how accurately they can perform an asana. I encourage people not to do as I say but to do as they feel. This is empowering, it enables us all to take charge of our own health and happiness. In this way, the awareness aspect of what yoga can teach us has become the most important benefit yoga has given to me. 

As you can see, over the past 30 years my yoga practise has changed significantly, so whether you are interested in stretching, strengthening, meditation, breathing, healing, wellness or mental health, why not come along to my yoga class and let’s see where yoga takes you. 

I took my first yoga class in 1989 when yoga was less well known in the UK and still fairly underground. There was a yoga class at my University and a friend encouraged me to go with her. Although I was studying philosophy and had taken a course in Chinese philosophy, I knew very little about Indian philosophy and yoga, and in my mind yoga was basically stretching with some meditation thrown in. I decided to give it a go as I had heard it was relaxing and I thought it might help with my headaches. I remember two things about that class. Firstly, I couldn’t touch my toes and secondly that feeling at the end of the class. I felt completely relaxed, blissed-out, it was like coming home. I felt comfortable in my own skin and that was it, I have been practising ever since. 

 After University I moved to London and kept up my yoga practice at Innergy with Fausto Dorelli. I practised yoga through three pregnancies and it definitely kept me sane as a new and anxious Mum. In the early  2000’s I took a vinyasa class and then like many other people got hooked on Jivamukti and dynamic flow. At this time yoga studios began to spring up all over London and yoga moved into the mainstream. I became entwined in yoga’s journey as it became part of the fitness industry. 

Testimonials

Hatha Yoga

"Attending a class helps me recharge and focus for the rest of my week." - Gwen

"Rebecca is an excellent yoga teacher allowing you to work at your own level, whatever that may be, but gently extending you further each session. You will emerge feeling relaxed and rejuvenated yet strengthened and stretched. In my view the perfect "me" time."  - Charlie  

"Rebecca’s classes have become an important part of our week; they're challenging and stretching as well as calming and grounding.
The sessions are well paced with familiar poses combined in different ways and with different moves.The focus required makes them time out from everyday cares and preoccupations. 
Rebecca creates a friendly, positive atmosphere where you are encouraged to do your best with gentle adjustments, suggestions and demonstrations. 
The breathing and relaxation techniques have become part of my everyday life - I’m even learning to relax my toes! We always leave the classes feeling better - more balanced and at peace." - Alex and John Holden.

"Rebecca is an intuitive teacher who reads the classes needs each week. The class flows along at a good pace but never feels hurried. I come to yoga to help my mind and body work at its best and I always leave Rebecca's class feeling happier, stronger and more at peace with the world around me. You are fab and we love it." -  Alex

"Rebecca is a great teacher.  Her approach is  very positive and supportive and she  inspires me to push my yoga practise that bit further.
Through the music and Rebecca's style of teaching there is a calm atmosphere, whilst at the same time a very focused and dynamic pace to the yoga exercise.  I love yoga.  I look forward to my class each week since I truly believe that it is like a weekly dose of really good medicine, that heals any ills that I have accumulated in the previous week and sets me up for the week ahead." - Suzanne

"I particularly enjoy Rebecca's yoga classes as they are never dull, she combines a variety of interesting and challenging postures with breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques. Through gentle encouragement she allows you to work to your individual limit leaving you feeling well stretched in body and mellow in mind." - Helena

"Having had the pleasure of attending Rebecca's classes as a pregnant, non pregnant and post pregnant person, I can testify to the quality of the teaching. Rebecca's experience and passion for yoga is clear and her classes are taught in  such a calm way. At all levels of different physical ability from complete novice to heavily pregnant I have always felt the lasting benefits of increased relaxation, strength and flexibility following a class. Classes often have varying numbers of students of different ages and abilities and yet Rebecca's teaching 'speaks' to everyone..... this is a special skill!  Looking forward to the new term" - Maddie x

"It is evident that our teacher is constantly learning and practising the art of yoga because there is always something new brought to each yoga session. Every session is tailored, well thought out with a new dynamic added each time.
This is by far the most enjoyable yoga class I have taken part in, I enjoy the calm atmosphere, the steady relaxed pace and the non-competitive focus encouraged. Explanation of each yoga move is perfected which makes it really easy to know what hands to put where, when!  The commentary that explains each position can show you, how by making one slight move, you can achieve the correct position to achieve the intended benefits." - Orlagh

"Rebecca's Classes leave me feeling refreshed, relaxed and better able to cope with life's challenges. She is an inspirational teacher; calm, supportive and has a deep understanding of yoga. I really enjoy the beautiful calming music too!" - Tina

Mummy & Baby Yoga

"Mummy and baby yoga with Rebecca is great fun. The exercises are gentle and strengthening. At the end of the course my body felt stronger and my baby was relaxed and happy with a range of movements and stretches. Working out together in this nurturing class enhanced our bond and I continue to use the songs and stretches at home to soothe and calm him." - Maddie and Thomas (8 months)

Pregnancy Yoga

"My first pregnancy yoga class at 36 weeks helped me focus on the little babe inside and myself. It was not only beautiful to be moving around, stretching and relaxing with my bump, but it was great to share the experience with other really lovely women doing the same with theirs.  Through the classes Rebecca and the other women helped me approach the birth with confidence and positivity." – Brooke

"I joined Rebecca's pregnancy yoga class when I was about 16 weeks pregnant and carried on until week 37, I thought it would be a great way of maintaining some of my fitness. The pregnancy yoga classes were fantastic, Rebecca made me feel at ease & I felt confident with my pending labour. I have made two great friends from the class, who I hope our children will grow up together. I would recommend pregnancy yoga to every expectant mum." - Kirsty

"I did Rebecca's pregnancy yoga class when I was pregnant with my second baby. The classes were a lovely way to relax and spend time focusing and bonding with my baby, helping me to prepare for the birth in a confident and positive way. I had severe SPD and the yoga helped me maintain some pelvic stability. Rebecca is a lovely, friendly and supportive teacher and, as a therapist myself, I recommend her classes to my own clients. 

After my son was born, I took him along to Rebecca's mother and baby classes. I really valued the class as a chance to spend quiet, bonding time with Nathanael as it helped both of us to relax as well as giving me the opportunity to do a bit of exercise. I found that baby yoga is very different to most other baby classes that are around because it is much calmer in its approach and therefore creates a lovely space to deepen your relationship with your baby." - Helen

Private Classes

"With two energetic boys under seven, and an unexpected third baby at an advanced age, I was inevitably out of shape and exhausted for many months after the birth, with back problems due to a lack of core strength and generally stressed and worn out.   My private sessions with Rebecca were the highlight of my week - allowing me a moment of peace and calm and time to recover myself, and to gradually restore a sense of well-being and physical strength.  It felt initially like a luxury, but I soon came to see it as a complete necessity." - Hester  

"Rebecca is a very intuitive and experienced instructor. I trained as a dancer and am now a rider and am aware of how important it is for a teacher to have a good understanding of how the body takes time to open, change and release. Through the poses Rebecca gently manipulates my body into a better alignment. I am seeing a change in my riding that I wasnt able to achieve with the gym and also an opening of my posture that is freeing my body of the aliments that comes with riding." -  Natasha

"Having had numerous operations and procedures to reduce my back pain, conventional medicine came to a dead end.  Although my pain was much reduced it still was difficult to do some simple things.  I decided to try out Yoga.  I found Rebecca on the internet and after a few chats we organised for her to come to me 1 to 1.  In the 5 months that I have been doing Yoga, I have found I am so much more flexible and no more cramps, complete elation.  Thank you Rebecca : )" -  Wowie

Yoga for Children

"Yoga makes me feel relaxed." - Kai
"Yoga makes me feel alive." - Sam
"Yoga makes me feel peaceful." - Alex
"I love the relaxation and the headstand." - Max
"When I started yoga I couldn't do a headstand, but now I can. It's a real achievement for me." - George 
"Yoga makes me aware of my own self and in the relaxation I feel floaty." - Florence