Welcome to the new Freedom Yoga!
Dear Freedom Seekers,
Welcome to the new Freedom Yoga & Retreats !
I am silly excited today, as we close this old year in reflection, and anticipate with hope the new. I love anticipation, and I love hope. I love hope the most.
Freedom Seekers ✺
Those of you who follow me personally on IG, FB, or follow Freedom Yoga and Retreats on IG, FB will know that I like the word Freedom. But what does it mean to me, and what exactly is a ‘Freedom seeker’ and why do I call myself one?
3 years ago, I started using the name ‘Freedom Seeking’, ‘Freedom Yoga’ and ‘Freedom Retreats’ it was lockdown, the inspiration for my new yoga name was obvious.
Lockdown affected all of us in very real ways. For some of us it gave us space to breathe, to quit the day-to-day, get creative and realise ourselves, for others it meant losing loved ones, experiencing the walls closing in, and a breakdown in connection of long-term relationships.
Across the world we watched as inventive people made the most of what they had in their everyday living, and we watched those even less fortunate than us, in high-rise deprivation, shanty town desperation or make-shift hospitals as communities died.
Throughout that time, I managed to carry on training yoga on zoom and teaching retreats in lockdown spaces and gaps, with social distancing and masks, hand spray and covid tests available to all. It was tough. At times it was heart-breaking. At times it was magic.
West Lexham ✺
West Lexham became a space incredibly important to me as I spent time working there, the earth consumed my tears, the water moved my energy, the sun lifted my spirits, and the breeze helped it all float away and delivered every new dawn. My yoga practise became seasonal and elemental, my personal ecosystem tuning in to the connection of the nature around me, away from the stagnancy and artificiality of the four enclosing walls.
Throughout that time we all had to dig deep, deeper than ever, and for me personally it was life-changing, losing my mum, and my relationship, but gaining closeness to my family and to my self.
This time changed everything for me and I have been in osmosis and flux ever since, only now do I feel really ready to unfurl, uncurl and step out into the new.
And the new is different, I have learned so much.
My Studies ✺
I learnt that I was struggling with the placement of yoga within our western discourse, and therefore within myself. With wisdom I knew the yoga I shared was beneficial, deep, transformational at times, but I felt lost within my own narrative of fear, loss, mistakes, and the realities of being human. I needed space to think, learn, expand. For me, with kids that still rely on me, taking time to live on Ashram, work for an international NGO or travel to India for a length of time wasn’t available to me, still I felt that intruder syndrome on my shoulder that I couldn’t quite shake off, what to do? I decided to travel to the most culturally diverse destination I could think of in Norfolk, the ‘School of International Development’ at the UEA.
Here, I am now in my second year of my Masters, learning, learning, learning. I am surrounded by critical thinkers, shape shifters and academic gems, students, and lecturers from every corner of the globe; Asia, The America’s, Africa, and every day here I feel glad to be alive and experience my self expand. I’m not sure yet how, or where, this new path will lead me, but I am ready, and keen, to make some kind of difference, in whatever tiny way, to the good of the world. In terms of yoga, it has opened my eyes to recognition of cultural referencing and personal visibility and has enabled me an awareness of a delivery of teaching yoga here in the western world in the most appropriate way we can.
To start ‘making a difference’ we launched our Community Interest Company (a social enterprise) called ‘Freedom Wellbeing Project’ where we delivered trainings and workshops in ‘ZenKids Yoga and Wellbeing’ and ‘Yoga and Wellbeing for Neurodiversity’ to over 200 teachers, schools, SEN staff, parents and children in the space of 4 months. Unfortunately, a torn meniscus put a stop to some of the trainings, but we have now offered another funding bid and hope, hope, hope to continue this work.
Retreats ✺
Retreats have slowed down a little as my academic studies ramp up, but the September Women’s retreat proved as meaningful as ever, with us now in our fourth year of gathering. A very special group of humans that come together to openly share together every year.
Thailand
Thailand of course was truly precious. It’s a cliché that there are no words to describe this experience of a lifetime in the raw dramatic beauty of the backdrop of the National Park, but there simply aren’t. We just carried it home in our cells, our energy, our memories, our knowingness, and in our connection. The union I experience with Thailand, and with the local community of Koh Yao Noi, is so special. I hope to bring guests to them every year, so we can learn from them about a way of life simple and true. Next year’s retreat has two spaces left, email me now to find out more about our Paradise yoga retreat, and Expand adventure retreat.
Really Wild
The Really Wild Mum and Daughter Retreat at the warm and welcoming Ringsfield Hall was full of joy. There is no other word to describe it. This is an area which is ready, with support and collaboration, to expand and grow. Every parent and their child should have the space to leave behind them the day-to-day of school, jobs, screens, and just be. Wild in nature. Clay between the fingers. Fire pit on for hot chocolate. Wind in hair.
Greece
The Greek yoga and writing retreat with author Jenny Knight facilitating the writing workshops, is coming up as we enjoy the opportunity to visit the archaeological spectacle of Amphiareion of Oropos – a 2500-year-old wellness retreat. We will be guided and hosted by the wonderful and knowledgeable Bill Kontakinos and his lovely local family who have opened their doors to travellers, curious to find out more about Greek myth and philosophy.
Teacher training ✺
And lastly, the Freedom Yoga Trainings - the Yoga Alliance recognised 200-hour foundation course - held at the afore mentioned super special West Lexham - has four spaces and is open to new students this January. Contact here to apply.
Likewise our sister companies ZenMuma, ZenKids and ZenTeens are always looking for women to train, to support women in their local community in hypnobirthing, pregnancy yoga, baby yoga, kids yoga and teen yoga. ZenKids and ZenTeens being particularly appropriate for teachers, TA’s, schools and those who work with children and young people.
2024 ✺
What I have learnt from the last few years is that I see my role in life quite clearly as someone here to provide good and helpful service, in whatever small but important way, to those who need it. Survival isn’t just about the day-to-day of getting by, it’s about joy, mobility, sprinkling a little sparkle, and perhaps the opportunity to leave something of worth behind. More than ever before I believe in community, wisdom and connection. 2024 is proving to be a very interesting time of change and bravery. There may just be something extremely exciting around the corner for me and Freedom Yoga and Retreats, if it is meant to happen, then it will, do watch this space.
Thank you
A personal thank you to the very cool and supportive women who have supported me in delivering this new vibe of ‘Freedom Yoga’ to you, Mahalia and Monika, you rock. To my trainees, retreaters, ZenMuma wonder women who have brought so much joy to my year. And of course, loved ones, friends, consistent inspirers - you know who you are.
And to you, for caring enough about ‘Freedom Yoga and Retreats’ that you made it through this epic welcome. Without you, we cannot be this.
Here’s to Freedom Seeking and liberation, in all of its beautiful, wild, and peaceful forms.
Love,
Jackie