‘Yoga with Eleanor’ is one of the longest-standing bookings we have at Eynsham Village Hall. Eleanor ‘inherited’ the class from her own yoga tutor Hazel over ten years ago. Many of the current participants have been attending for so many years that they were part of the local cohort who helped to raise funds for the building of the Hall in the late 90s. If you haven’t tried a class yet, perhaps now is the time?
Eleanor’s classes are in the Hatha style of yoga, which is often seen as the gentler, slower practice. It can be easily adapted to suit everyone’s needs or limitations. “It’s a friendly, mixed-ability class and we welcome newcomers,” says Eleanor.
Even more encouragingly, the first class is free of charge, as Eleanor feels it’s important for people to see if they like her style before they commit: “when it comes to yoga instructors, we may all use the same ingredients, but the cake is always different!”
Eleanor’s journey with yoga
Eleanor first discovered yoga in 1973 when she was working as a trainee teacher. She attended regular classes when she could, but life would sometimes get in the way; her work as a Basic Skills teacher took her to various parts of Oxfordshire and she had three children to raise, and other family concerns.
Over the years, she worked with various yoga instructors and was encouraged to train, which she did in retirement 16 years ago. “I knew if I worked as an instructor that I would have to continue training, and that benefits me as much as the class.” It is a learning journey that continues to this day.
“If regular yoga practice becomes part of one’s lifestyle, the benefits are both physical and mental,” she says. “Sissel Fowler, a wise yoga instructor, told me, ‘There’s a style of yoga for every stage of your life.’ I trained in Hatha yoga which raises energy and develops strength and flexibility. The focus helps to still the mind and emotions.”
Classes at the Village Hall
Yoga takes place in the Hall every Thursday morning (9.30am-11am) during term time – many attendees are parents or grandparents, so school holiday time means childcare!
A single class costs £16, or the cost is £12.50 per class if the whole half term block is booked in advance (5-7 weeks, depending on school dates). The first class is free of charge and a mat can be provided initially; regular attendees bring their own.
Eleanor also runs an online chair yoga class on Zoom for people with MS on Monday 12pm-1pm (although anyone who could benefit from chair yoga is welcome to join – it can be helpful for those recovering from an operation). This class is funded by the West Oxfordshire MS Society and so there is no fee, but attendees are asked to make a donation to the MS Society.
Anyone wishing to attend either the online or in-person class are encouraged to email Eleanor in advance on [email protected].
“Yoga raises the spirits; improves the immune system, and develops flexibility in body and mind,” she says, urging even the sceptical to consider having a go. “Everyone can reap the benefits.”