Yoga in Barking – Benita Yoga teacher at The BoatHouse Barking

I can’t believe it’s been a year already since I started teaching yoga in Barking.
Last year I joined The Bath House in Barking team, a group of dedicated therapists and teachers who are very passionate about their work and willing to help people improve the quality of their lives. It’s all about promoting wellbeing, happiness, body and mind awareness and at the same time creating a nice community around these values. Everyone is welcome, prices competitive and quality of service top end ?

As a yoga teacher and part of the team I’ve been also involved myself in promoting a healthy lifestyle and a message of yoga at The Boathouse in Barking. I’ve started first by offering a regular open yoga classes (for all levels). At some point I’ve realised how important it is to dedicate some time to people who have never done yoga, only heard about it, maybe have seen some videos on you tube and may have some reservations about it. Some people would be simply to afraid to come to a regular class having an image of a fit, young, super-flexible girl in their mind. My aim is to encourage as many people as I can to try yoga to have this first hand experience and really feel what it’s all about. This is why at some point I started running yoga for beginners, a specially designed 6 weeks course for these students who want to go slowly through the poses, modify them if needed, learn the breathing techniques and meditation. Over the months I welcomed to my yoga classes / courses quite a few new yogis and yoginis and it is a true joy to observe their journey. We’re creating a nice and friendly yoga Barking community in East London. If you are looking for a vinyasa flow yoga classes in East London, don’t look any further, please see my SCHEDULE here and CONTACT ME if you have any questions.

Some of my long-term students kindly agreed to share their stories of working with me. These are very inspirational words of people who already discovered benefits of a regular yoga practice on many levels, physical and emotional.

1) What was your situation like before you joined my yoga classes?

Before starting yoga with Benita I was working long hours and finding it hard to relax or switch off. I was also having issues sleeping. In general, I have also always struggled with coordination and, in particular, balance, so someone suggested to me that I try yoga in order to connect more with my body and learn methods for relaxation.

2) What reservations (if any) did you have about yoga or coming to yoga class?

I was slightly nervous that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the class and that I would look silly, as I’d never done yoga before. However, Benita makes the class accessible to all levels of experience, so this wasn’t a problem at all.

3) What has the regular yoga practice with me been like?

I have gained so much from doing the beginners course and now my weekly yoga class. The class is a safe environment where I have an opportunity to completely focus on myself. Benita talks you through everything and encourages you to push yourself if you can, but doesn’t put any pressure on you. Each week I can feel myself being more able to move in different stretches. It has become one of the highlights of my week.

4) What is the one best result you have got from with working with me?

There have been lots of good results, I’m better balanced, stronger and have really noticed the difference in the tone of my body. However, I’d say the best result is how much it has helped me to relax. I am sleeping better and am using the breathing techniques we learn in class to help me clear my mind and switch off from work. This has had a dramatic impact on my wellbeing.

Phoebe Pluckrose-Oliver, South East London