Louise Millward’s story of leaving a highly stressful job in London in search of relaxation is a familiar story to many of us seeking a change from the daily grind. Louise has been practicing yoga for nearly 30 years and is a strong believer that yoga is for every body. “If you can breathe,” says Louise, “you can do yoga.”
Before the pandemic, Louise taught regularly in and around the Sutton and Ewell area. Her classes are friendly, welcoming and challenging as well as relaxing. Louise greets everyone with a smile, and if someone topples from a pose she will remind her students that “it’s just yoga, wobbling is fine and don’t forget to laugh!” Her gentle and open manner makes all students feel immediately at ease.
Along with everyone else running a small local business, Louise has had to adapt quickly to the changing times. Like most people, Louise had never heard of Zoom a few months ago and it has suddenly become a lifeline to her to still teach her yoga classes online. Louise admits that she was a complete techno-phobe, but it is clear that she has transferred her skills from being a teacher in the classroom into a familiar face in her students’ homes. Louise clearly and precisely demonstrates the sequences and is able to show alternative poses without losing the flow of the lesson.
As more venues are opening up as Covid-safe spaces, Louise is looking to teach both zoom classes online as well as returning to small group classes with social distancing measures in place. Louise offers regular online lessons as well as a monthly, nourishing yoga class with guided relaxations and meditations. Louise says that these lessons in particular are “perfect for these challenging and ever-changing times.”
Hummingbee Yoga welcomes all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced. Louise has guided classes specifically for beginners, both online and (current guidelines permitting) in groups with limited numbers. Louise also has many years of experience teaching pregnancy and mum and baby classes.
Louise explains that the regular practicing of yoga and relaxation helps us deal much better with stress, particularly in these unprecedented times. Simply being aware of our breath (and how we breathe) can help us deal with the challenges life throws. We may be spending longer periods of time working from home in set-ups that aren’t ideal for our posture or well-being. Taking time out to attend a yoga class can give you some gentle exercise and a mini-break from life.
Louise adds, “it’s like pressing the pause button for a few moments and most importantly, it’s taking care of yourself.”
All details of Louise’s classes can be found here: http://www.hummingbee.co.uk/yoga/#class-schedule
All photos are owned by Louise Millward and taken by Grant Pritchard Photography.
