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“Although this is
very small for a yoga
studio, it’s a good
sized space for up to
four students and me.”She now teaches larger groups elsewhere,
including a local gym, so it’s clearly paid off,
plus she gets the chance to combine all of
her work, including counselling, coaching and
other one-to-one work.
Now, she loves the intimate vibe of the
studio. “When I first saw the space, it felt like
being inside a giant, lovely cake. The building
dates back hundreds of years and, especially
with the trauma sensitive yoga, it feels
grounding to have a building that has stood
the test of time, endured and flourished. It’s
actually made me much more interested in
local history.”
That’s something she wants to
communicate to others. “When teaching, I love
encouraging students to find a nice stable
looking beam to look at in Tree pose and am
always taken aback by the lovely ceilings when
i n Savasana, Triangle, Fish, Bridge, Wheel and
other upward facing asanas. The space makes
me beam and I have been known to whisper,
‘Love you! Thank you!’ when I leave for the day
or evening.”
Healing energies
It’s a nice feeling at the start of each day
too when Cunningham gets ready for her
yoga sessions.
“Energy is very important to me in all the
work I do. It’s so lovely being able to set the
space each morning - I do this remotely as well
as when I arrive at work - knowing that I’m the
only one using it. I’ve taught in all sorts of other
settings including rehab, a hotel, a hospital and
a gym and with that kind of temporary space,
there’s no control over what it’s being used for
the rest of the day so I have to work harder to
set those energies.”
She adds: “It’s always fine but Feel Better
Every Day is my space so it’s easier. I had it
decorated with my classes and clients in mind.DECEPTIVELY SPACIOUS
SO WHAT DO THE STUDENTS THINK OF IT ALL?DAISY: “When I first saw it I felt excited and in awe. It has a cottagey, homely
feel about it. It reminds me of a little gingerbread house or a fairy tale
cottage, perhaps taking me back to a time free from stresses and worries. I
love its character. Each time I go to yoga, I find something in the room that
is different. Each beam has its own personality. I love the positive feel of
the place and the feeling that it is steeped in history’s mysteries. The space
creates a magical and inspiring atmosphere to participate in Yoga Therapy
for the Mind. It is a little haven in the middle of a busy town and world.”ELAINE: ‘It has so much character. And being so old, your imagination runs
away with itself when doing yoga there. I love the high beamed ceilings and
the fact that it’s such a small, personal little class. It has so many lovely
features, from the colourful décor and soft lighting to the tiny little cottage
style windows which you wouldn’t get at the gym. The best thing is our great
teacher, Eve, who always chooses a yoga session best suited to you and talks
us through each yoga pose, explaining the benefits and making us laugh.”ROSIE: “The room looked more like a venue for afternoon tea and cake rather
than yoga. It’s wonky and welcoming. As it is small, it is great for me as I am
not in a big hall and can hear everything clearly. Doing yoga there is brilliant
because it has a special feel. I also prefer being in a small group rather than
a large class.”All my clients and students contribute to it
offering a healing, supportive and often joyful
environment.”
So, feeling tempted to run some teeny
tiny classes yourself? Cunningham has a few
words of advice. “It’s worth investigating all
sorts of spaces in your area, not just the usual
gyms and church and village halls. You might
be surprised at the kind of spaces that your
students could benefit from. You might also
have a local counsellor or holistic therapist
who doesn’t use their space all week and is
happy to rent to you at a reasonable rate for
your classes. If you see office space for rent,
call them up, arrange to view it. You might
surprise yourself.”