Hello! I'm Tamsin, a Seasonal Yoga teacher living in the picturesque Scottish Borders. My journey is fueled by a deep-seated passion for fostering rest and relaxation.
Unlike many yoga teachers, I didn't come to yoga with a background in gymnastics or dance. I tried yoga because, like so many others, I was starting to suffer from lower back pain, felt stagnant from an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, and struggling with stress.
Yoga was a practice that not only helped to strengthen my body and find joy in movement, but also provided a sanctuary to disconnect mentally and offered tools that could be used beyond the mat to help cope with everyday stresses. Throughout the pandemic, my yoga practice became a lifeline, fostering resilience and offering a space for reflection amidst uncertainty, especially given my demanding day job running a scenic & prop hire business in the theatrical industry.
The year that I spent doing my 200hr Seasonal Yoga Teacher Training in Edinburgh proved to be the most transformational and healing experience. Completing further training in Aerial Yoga, Seasonal Yin Levels 1 & 2, as well as taking part in current trainings in Creative Sound, Spiral Movement and Restorative Yoga have further enriched my understanding and practice.
What I offer to others is what has been so valuable to me and what I still need. An invitation to truly unwind and disconnect—whether through gentle movement, mindfulness practices like meditation, rejuvenating yoga nidra, or immersive sound experiences. Some days all that is required is the space and permission to just lie down and take it easy with a heated and lavender-scented eye pillow, accompanied by a soothing sound bath!
As I navigate the balance of teaching yoga whilst continuing to oversee my theatrical business, I deeply understand the daily challenges of managing stress and maintaining energy levels, particularly with my own underactive thyroid condition. This unique perspective fuels my commitment to offering classes that provide not just physical relief, but also a respite from the demands of modern life.
If you feel like you are in need of some grounding respite then please do get in touch. I’d love for you to join me in my studio.
What is Seasonal Yoga?
Seasonal Yoga aids us in finding alignment with the energies of nature and the changing seasons, fostering a sense of balance and connection.
Embracing a seasonal lifestyle serves as a grounding force, nurturing the harmony of mind, body, and spirit, while deepening our connections with others and the natural world around us. Through mindful practice, we cultivate an enriched sense of well-being.
Seasonal Yoga offers guidance for embracing a seasonal lifestyle by exploring the correlation between our habits, diet, movement and the natural rhythms of the seasons to support holistic well-being. By understanding the meridian lines and their connections to vital organs, Seasonal Yoga aims to optimise health and support our own energy throughout the year. Integrated practices such as meditation, pranayama, Qi Gong, and Body Clock Flows complement this comprehensive approach, aligning us with the shifting energies of each season for overall vitality.
In a fast-paced world where time seems to slip away, Seasonal Yoga offers a valuable reminder to pause, savour the present moment, and appreciate and celebrate the unique beauty and magic of each season. It encourages us to embrace the simple joys of everyday life and find enchantment in the here and now, rather than constantly yearning for what lies ahead.
What are the benefits of Restorative Yoga?
A Restorative Yoga practice offers a valuable space to relax deeply and fully restore both the body and mind. In today's fast-paced world where stress is a common companion, taking time for restorative practices is essential for maintaining overall wellbeing.
Restorative yoga involves gentle poses held for extended periods, often supported by props such as blankets, bolsters, and blocks. These poses allow the body to relax deeply, releasing tension and stress accumulated throughout the day. This also encourages mindful breathing and instills a sense of inner peace and calm.
Incorporating this practice into your routine can have significant benefits for your overall health and wellbeing. By prioritising relaxation and rest, you can better manage stress, improve sleep quality, and enhance your overall quality of life. It can also help to bolster your immune system, balance the nervous system by supporting the ‘rest & digest’ function of the parasympathetic nervous system, improve mood and focus, quieten a busy mind, and encourage greater compassion towards yourself and others. We can achieve much more through a practice that encourages us to do less!
My mind is often racing with thoughts, but I've discovered that practices like Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Sound Experiences offer me a profound sense of peace and rest, surpassing even the benefits of an afternoon nap. Whether I'm feeling fatigued, battling brain fog, or experiencing creative stagnation, these practices serve as valuable tools in my mental and energetic toolkit, allowing me to reduce mental chatter and recharge fully.
What is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra, often referred to as "yogic sleep," is a guided meditation practice that induces a state of deep relaxation whilst remaining conscious. It's particularly effective for calming the mind, reducing stress, and enhancing creativity. Through specific techniques, Yoga Nidra helps you access deeper layers of consciousness, where true relaxation and rejuvenation can occur.
Thirty minutes of yoga nidra is even suggested to be as beneficial as 2-4 hours of sleep, however it should be seen as a supportive and complimentary practice, not as a substitute to sleep.
What are the benefits from Sound Experiences?
Sound Experiences, such as sound baths or even just listening to calming music, can be powerful tools for quieting the mind and promoting relaxation. The vibrations and frequencies of sound have a profound effect on our brain waves, helping to shift us into a state of deep relaxation and mental clarity. An experienced practitioner will also carefully include moments of mild dissonance which is thought to help clear any energetic blockages keeping our energy pathways clear and flowing.
Yoga teachers often make reference to observing any pockets of tension in our bodies - the hips often holding onto feelings of frustration which can sometimes release emotionally during a juicy hip opener! Seasonal Yoga is a wonderful companion to sound work as the physical practice works with the energetic meridian lines that flow all through the body. All the practices above are designed to keep you feeling balanced and optimal, working alongside the shifting energies throughout the year
By incorporating these practices into your routine, you're giving yourself permission to prioritise rest and relaxation, which is crucial for overall well-being.