Georgie at Sage Yoga Dance talks to Ian Waller about the fitness and wellbeing benefits of yoga
Hi Georgie. Can you tell me about your background in yoga, please?
I began gymnastics and dancing at the age of two and continued training throughout my childhood. I loved the joy of movement, but I didn’t love the competitive nature of these practices.
When I tried my first yoga class, aged 18, I immediately fell in love with it. It offered the same variety and flow of movement that I had been trained in, but the focus was inward; the focus was on how I felt internally, not on what I looked like externally. This was hugely powerful for my physical and mental health. I have continued to practise yoga regularly ever since.
How has yoga benefitted your fitness and wellbeing?
Yoga taught me to listen to what felt right for my body. Every BODY is unique. We have all been on our own journeys through life and our bodies carry that.
When I had trained intensely in gymnastics and dance, I got a lot of joint pain and back pain. With a regular practice of yoga, I gradually moved away from those feelings of discomfort in my body to feeling comfortable. Now, aged 39, I feel healthier than ever.
Yoga, however, is much more than a physical practice. Yoga is primarily a practice of the mind and is deeply rooted in ancient philosophy. It is vast and, having practised for over 20 years, I continue to be fascinated by the roots of this philosophy. Applying this ancient philosophy to our modern lives never ceases to fascinate. When I see how it impacts my students in a myriad of ways it amplifies how powerful it can be.
When did you start teaching yoga and dance fusion classes?
My first yoga teacher training was in 2018. However, prior to this I had been a gymnastics coach and a cheerleading coach, so I had a lot of experience in teaching and training the body, so I was grateful that this aspect of the teaching came quite naturally.
Over the years, I have done additional workshops and courses to continually develop my skills and knowledge. I have now done training in many areas of yoga, including pregnancy and postnatal, fascia; sound healing and inclusive yoga. In 2018, I began teaching a weekly class as soon as I had completed my training. It was in 2022 when I decided to move away from my day job and start to teach yoga and dance full time.
Who are the classes aimed at?
As the mind is central to yoga, the movements that we practice are designed to create a healthy home where our mind and energy can reside. Therefore, my classes are all about moving the body in the way which is right for you.
The new Yoga/Dance Fusion class is for adults and will include floorwork and floor-based exercises, so it is important that people attending this class are comfortable with this. For more experienced dancers, the yoga element is an exciting way to expand your dance ability, particularly in relation to expressing emotion. However, I will break down and teach the moves, offering alternatives, so that beginners can enjoy the class. It is the perfect place for yogis to explore their yoga practice through a different lens.
The Yoga Flow & Feel class is also aimed at adults and is appropriate for most. Again, being able to get down and up from the floor is helpful, but we can make modifications for most physical ailments. The most important aspect is to let your body, energy and mind be your guide.
Please note, if you would like to bring along an older teenager to either of the classes, who you think would benefit, please get in touch and I should be able to accommodate you.
What benefits will the classes provide for the people taking part?
Finding a moment of peace and reflection can help with processing emotions and challenges you might be facing. We live in a society which celebrates over-stimulation; yoga can help to combat this.
Overwhelmingly, both yoga and dance have been shown to release ‘happy hormones,’ boosting wellbeing and supporting mental health. In my classes, the yoga philosophy focus regularly changes and we explore it in different ways, meaning there is always something new to learn, even for experienced yogis.
Sage Yoga Dance is a warm, welcoming community. It is a non-judgemental space. You do not need to be strong or flexible when you begin and, although it is not the primary focus of class, most people find that after practising consistently for a while, they feel stronger, more flexible and generally healthier in their bodies.
In Yoga/Dance Fusion, we will work on a set piece of choreography across the course. This provides a great opportunity to develop specific dance skills and the feeling of accomplishment at the end of the course is joyous.
Focusing on learning choreography or flowing yoga sequences is a brilliant way to bring the mind into a flow state. I could continue to list the many benefits associated with yoga and dance, but the truth is that the classes impact everyone differently, because we are all unique. I sometimes find the language used in the wellbeing space to be too exaggerated, but it is true to say that yoga and dance are extremely likely to have a positive influence on your life.
What do you enjoy about leading the lessons?
I love seeing regular clients returning week after week and knowing that they not only have a good relationship with me but have formed friendships with each other.
Having clients speak to me after class to let me know how the practise impacted them; maybe it shifted their day from being a heavy one to feeling lighter and more optimistic. Sometimes clients speak to me after class and tell me about a challenging time they are going through and how the philosophy that we are learning has helped them to find peace or shift their perspective.
I particularly enjoy leading guided meditations and seeing everyone’s breath start to soften and slow, seeing shoulders and jaws relax, as their body’s melt into the floor beneath them. Sometimes people join the class and it is clear that they are nervous. I enjoy the relief that washes over them almost immediately as they realise that it is not as scary as they thought!
In dance, I love seeing people learn new skills and accomplish them for the first time. Completing a whole routine and dancing it until everyone in the room feels confident is wonderful. It is also an incredible feeling to choreograph a dance whilst alone in my home, then see it evolve into a dance being performed by a group of dancers in a studio; each one interpreting it in their own unique way.
I have deep gratitude for the creativity aspect of my job and the way that the dancers are willing to step into this creativity with me.
Where and when do the lessons take place?
Two Rivers CofE Primary School, Keynsham
Wednesdays from 23rd April
Yoga/Dance Fusion 6.30pm – 7.25pm
Yoga 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Booking at sageyogadance.com is essential.
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