Welcome to yogabeing, a tranquil and inviting yoga studio located in the heart of Bicester. Led by the experienced and passionate yogi, Elaine Whittaker, yogabeing offers a serene space for individuals of all ages and abilities to embark on their yoga journey.
With 18 years of teaching experience and a personal love for yoga spanning nearly five decades, Elaine understands the importance of a gentle and mindful approach to practise. In her classes, there is no rushing from posture to posture – instead, she encourages students to take their time, allowing them to truly be present in each moment. Her ultimate goal is for her students to feel comfortable, relaxed, and happy, cultivating a sense of calm, confidence, and freedom from physical tension and mental stress.
The majority of yogabeing's classes cater to ladies in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, who appreciate Elaine's more gentle teaching style. Each session commences with a brief period of breath awareness, followed by gentle warm-up movements. Students then flow through various postures, often in sequence, enabling them to lose themselves in the soft and fluid movements. The classes conclude with breathwork (pranayama) and a blissful relaxation, leaving participants feeling calm and peaceful.
Elaine believes in integrating the philosophy of yoga and aspects of mindfulness into her teaching. While the stresses of life cannot be eliminated, she emphasises the importance of developing coping mechanisms to prevent physical, mental, and emotional tension from building. Through yoga, students learn to release tight muscles, improve balance, and unravel knots of tension, ultimately enhancing their overall sense of wellbeing. Yogabeing offers a sanctuary of calm amidst the demands of a busy life – a place where one can press the metaphorical pause button, unwind, and refresh.
One of the key aspects that sets yogabeing apart is its welcoming nature towards beginners. Elaine's gentle teaching style ensures that individuals of all levels can comfortably enjoy the classes without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, yogabeing encourages you to embrace your inner goddess, finding that calm and tranquil woman within yourself that may sometimes become hidden in the midst of a hectic lifestyle.
If you are intrigued and are eager to explore the transformative power of yoga, yogabeing warmly invites you to contact Elaine for more information. Many students have already experienced the benefits and shared their positive feedback, with one expressing how the reduction of body tension was noticeable after attending a session, and another comparing Elaine's classes to works of art.
Elaine's yoga journey has been enriched by extensive training. She spent three years completing a Foundation course and a 500-hour Diploma course with the British Wheel of Yoga. In addition, she has undertaken numerous hours of supplementary training in areas such as Yoga for Back Pain, Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness, Yoga for Depression, Yoga for Women's Health, Yoga for Older Adults, Yoga for the Menopause, and Nutrition. Drawing from these diverse influences, Elaine curates gentle and nurturing classes that pique interest and offer a sense of challenge within a non-competitive and supportive environment.
Above all, she encourages her students to cultivate mindfulness as they explore their own unique yoga practise, allowing them to unwind, relax, stretch, and truly be present.
In the wise words of Christina Brown, the author of “The Yoga Bible,” Elaine believes that yoga is about learning to come back to oneself, expanding boundaries, and finding relaxation in the whirlwind of a fast-paced life. As Etty Hillesum once noted, sometimes the most important thing in the whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths. At yogabeing, you are invited to immerse yourself in the serenity of the studio, reconnect with your inner self, and discover the profound benefits that yoga and mindfulness can bring to your life.