“Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down.” – Unknown
Hey lovely,
Ever noticed how much lighter you feel after a yoga class? How even a few minutes of sitting quietly with your breath can shift your whole mood? It’s not just in your head (though your head definitely benefits too) it’s real. Yoga and meditation have this amazing way of helping us feel more human and more whole, especially when life gets a bit… well, lifey.
And here’s the best part: science is slowly catching up with what yogis have known for thousands of years. The ancient practices of yoga and meditation aren’t just good for stretching hamstrings or calming the mind, they’re powerful tools for navigating modern problems like stress, anxiety, burnout, low mood, poor sleep, and even chronic pain.
So if you’ve ever wondered, “Is this actually doing anything?”, the answer is a big, gentle yes.
And as I said to my Yoga Lab class last night, you don't always have to feel anything from a pose, sometimes the work is subtle, it's an energetic shift, a quiet release. Allow yourself to just be in and with the pose, even if you think it's not doing anything for you, I promise you magic is happening deep inside.
💭 Feeling Stressed or Anxious?
Welcome to the club 🤣 we’ve all been there. In today’s go-go-go world, our nervous systems are in a constant low-level state of “fight or flight.” Yoga and meditation help switch us back into “rest and digest” mode by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
🧪 Studies show that regular yoga and meditation reduce cortisol (our primary stress hormone) and can significantly ease symptoms of anxiety. Deep breathing, long holds, and slow, mindful movement all signal to your body that it’s safe to relax.
If that's what you are in dire need of, then I encourage you to make Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Meditation and our Friday night Unwind class your go to's.
🌙 Trouble Sleeping?
If your brain likes to throw a party the minute your head hits the pillow, yoga and meditation can help calm the internal chatter. Gentle evening practices, especially restorative yoga, yoga nidra, or slow breathwork, prepare your body and mind for sleep.
💡 Research has shown that yoga can improve both the quality and duration of sleep, especially in people who experience insomnia or sleep disturbances due to stress or anxiety.
We have weekly Wednesday night Nidra sessions as well as monthly restorative or soundbath workshops happening right now. 😉
🌀 Feeling Emotionally Flat or Unmotivated?
Yoga reconnects us to our bodies when we feel disconnected or low. It brings us into the present moment, which is often where the medicine lives. Meditation builds self-awareness and helps us notice (without judgment) when we’re spiralling into unhelpful thinking.
💛 Multiple studies suggest that yoga can help reduce symptoms of depression and improve emotional regulation by boosting levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter linked to calmness and clarity.
Sometimes a more active class is exactly what you need if you are suffering a serious case of the blahhhhhssss. Join our Rhythm Flow class, Wheel class or our lovely Thursday night Ebb and Flow Vinyasa class and move yourself out of blah into hurrah! 🔥
🧍♀️Tight Body, Achy Joints, Stiffness?
Yoga is movement medicine. When we move, stretch, and breathe consciously, we release tension, improve circulation, and increase mobility. For many people with chronic pain, yoga offers a gentle way to move that doesn’t flare up inflammation or cause further strain.
🌿 It’s also a wonderful antidote to “tech neck,” tight hips from too much sitting, and the general physical fog that can come from a sedentary lifestyle.
Friday night with Steph or Sunday morning with Ele will have you moving with grace and ease and be the perfect medicine, not just for the body but also the mind, as you release old limiting thoughts.
❤️🩹 Burnout, Overwhelm, and “I’ve Got Nothing Left”?
Sometimes we don’t need a solution—we just need a place to land. Yoga and meditation provide a pause. A reset. A space where you don’t have to be productive, perfect, or on time. Just present.
Even one mindful breath can shift your nervous system. Even one class a week can restore a sense of connection. It’s not about doing it “right” it’s about showing up for yourself in whatever way you can.
Don't put yourself last all the time, give yourself the gift of presence and let yoga be your guide to a more vibrant and fulfilling life.
🧘♀️ So, Why Keep Coming Back?
Because yoga meets you where you are, every single time. Whether you’re flying high or falling apart, there’s space for you. And the more you practice, the more you start to notice that the benefits don’t stop at the end of class, they ripple out into your sleep, your relationships, your focus, your energy, and your overall sense of wellbeing.
If you’ve been struggling lately, physically, mentally, or emotionally, just know you’re not alone. And also know that you don’t have to fix everything at once. You can simply start where you are. Come breathe. Come move. Come sit still. Let the practice hold you for a while.
What's happening in The Pantry? 🧘♀️
Beginner Plus
We have just 2 Beginner Plus courses scheduled this year the first one starts in June so get your name on the list and join me on a Monday evening for some excellent pranayama, asana, mudras and bandhas along with some deeper yogic philosophies thrown in the mix.
Sign Up Here
Sound Bath!
Yay! The Last Sunday of May is the day for you to immerse yourself in a luxurious sound experience. Soak in the tones of Tibetan bowls, crystal bowls, rain sticks, wind chimes, hand drums and gongs.
Check out our Workshop page to get more information and to register for this healing event.
Head here to book all your regular yoga classes
Remember you can join us online from anywhere in the world, live or at a time that suits you with our instant 14-day on-demand Zoom recording!
Don't forget you can also join us for a FREE meditation session every Saturday morning, and even if you can't you can book in via Zoom and do the meditation later in the day :)
Your YouTube class of the week
Here's an oldie but a goodie,
Enjoy.
As always, sharing is caring, so please share these videos with someone you think will benefit.
See you on the mat my awesome friend!
Let’s keep learning and healing together.
With love and deep breaths,
Tash x
P.P.S Don’t forget to share your Yoga insights on social media with the hashtag #TheYogaPantryLife #Yogaislife
Let’s spread the yoga love far and wide!
I see you, and I appreciate you, you are awesome x
