In the past, my experience with yoga classes hasn’t always been positive. I’ve been touched and moved into positions I wasn’t comfortable with or fit enough for and have even been criticised by a teacher for where my hip sat - I forgave him the chance to learn that as I child I had perthes disease so my hip makes different shapes to other peoples. I’ve been worried about keeping up, making the shape and landing the pose to the point where I don't return and have mostly practiced via the internet at home in my own safe space.

 

Meet Leicester yoga teacher, Freya Gibbs. To me, her yoga practice is the epitome of meditation for the body. Her phrase and lived philosophy “come as you are - that's where I'll meet you” is the real embodiment of her classes. Every *shape* not only is suggested to be entirely optional but actually is, and you really feel that in her presence. It’s really quite difficult to explain until you're lying on your mat, making the decision for yourself of what feels good for you in that precise moment knowing that it’s fully accepted by your teacher to be going your own way. Every time I finish a class with Freya I have the same thought “that is exactly what I needed.” Her philosophy extends beyond the mat too. Turn up in your pjs, recommended. Haven’t brushed your hair in five days, that’s fine. Arrive with a belly full of spaghetti, no problem.

 

The best part about knowing Freya is that I get to share her with you. As much as I’m a fan of her work it is very kindly returned in the shape of herself being an ede skincare and aromatherapy fanatic. With this in mind, Freya has put together four gentle practices using each of the ede aromatherapy collection to suit the feeling captured from each of the aromas. Allow the organic essential oil blend in each roll on therapist to lift or settle you through the olfactory system and welcome in Freya’s serene teachings of yoga to create a moment likely to be your most mindful of that day.

 

“I have been using ede roll on therapists to enrich my home yoga practice for a while now, opting for morning brew [roll on therapist] on the days I need a boost of energy or clarity, or press pause [roll on therapist] when my mind is scattered or anxiety is bubbling...

 

...these have become such staple components of my accessible daily self-care that I thought I’d share with you some ways that I use the roll on therapists along with my yoga practice. They are all really simple and adaptable, so why not give them a go, and then get creative and make them your own.”

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Find the four gentle yoga practices below and let us know how you find them by either getting in touch hello@theedestore.com, in the video comments or you can find Freya directly here.