Graduates

Ann Reck

My journey with yoga began in 2006 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada when a friend suggested we start to improve our lives with Saturday yoga classes during a particularly snowy January. It was a journey that has only grown deeper and deeper for me as I realise the extent to which yoga has become an integral part of my life. I continued my physical practice during all aspects of life – during the good, the bad, before childbirth and after, when I felt at my fittest, and when I felt at my lowest – and gradually, through this process discovered that yoga was absolutely integral to my sense of well-being, strength, youth and confidence.

In 2015, when particularly dissatisfied with a job I was working at, I decided to take the 12-week Philosophy of Yoga course offered then at Body Bliss. As I deepened my understanding of the cultural, historical, and philosophical roots of yoga, combined with the significance of pranayama, the physical aspect of asana suddenly all made sense to me. And I decided I wanted to go further still, become a teacher, and share that passion and sense of exploration with others.

From 2015-2016, I completed the Level 3 YMCA Yoga teacher course through Body Bliss. It was an excellent course – well-organized, with a focus on safety and independent learning – that allowed me to deepen and structure my own teaching practice. Upon completion of the course, I began to gradually take on more and more cover opportunities and then was able to branch out and teach my own classes.

I have had the absolute honour of teaching several classes at Body Bliss, namely: the Hot 26 (Bikram-style class), a powerful Hot Yoga with weights class on Friday mornings, a Saturday 8:00 am early class (my own style – inspired by Ashtanga yoga and elements of the American Rocket yoga), and the wonderful Sunday morning 9:00 hot class – a mixed-ability jam that aims to incorporate many elements of dynamic standing postures, twists, various sun-salutations, back-bends and core work. I have also had the privilege at teaching yoga classes at ABC Fitness Gym and Rayleigh Leisure Centre, at Appleton School as part of staff wellness, and some private classes. I have also worked as a tutor for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 cohorts of the YMCA Body Bliss yoga teacher training programme.

With every class, and every yogic experience, my confidence has grown and grown. I consider myself very fortunate indeed to have found Body Bliss Hot Yoga Studio – where I met with and worked with Tracey Bailey, whom I consider to be a teacher, a mentor and a friend.

As I write this, I am also preparing to relocate my family to Canada to be closer to my parents – and where I intend to become an entrepreneur and ultimately launch the AnnReckYoga lifestyle brand that will specialise in retreats, recycled products, yoga and kindness. While the new adventure is exciting, I do not hesitate to say that I will greatly miss the wonderful, unique and inspiring yogis at Body Bliss. The journey continues.

Sarah Hall, Yoga At The Thames

I completed the YMCA Hatha 500 YTT at Bodybliss yoga centre last year (2018) it was truly a worthwhile journey of learning and self exploration. Tracey and her teaching team were all nurturing and supportive throughout the course. It was a journey and experience that has enriched my knowledge and deepened my understanding of yoga this in turn has enabled me to teach confidently with compassion for my students.