Yoga Will Save The World

Quotes from rowers & other yoga-ing folk:

Katherine Grainger,
GB Womens Rowing Squad:
I have been meaning to try yoga for a long time now as I thought there would be many advantages but i found the class so much better than I’d even hoped.  It was enlightening, stimulating and inspiring. It was tough but fun at the same time.  I was much stiffer and more inflexible in places than I had expected to be but with a few corrections in how I was sitting, standing, breathing and moving I felt taller, stronger and more relaxed.

Rebecca was a very patient teacher, gentle with us as it
was our first time but also challenging in what she thought we could manage. I thought as an athlete I knew my body pretty well but in just one session I learned so much more about how my body moves.  I left the class feeling excited about how much better my body could feel and how much more I could learn to do with it in future sessions.

Jess Eddie,
GB Womens Squad
There are some things your body should be able to do but during yoga you realise you can’t. When I first started classes with Rebecca I thought some things were physically impossible but now I can feel myself getting stronger and more supple and moving into these postures. I don’t understand why all athletes don’t do yoga. As a rower we train at such tremendous volume all the time it’s so important to do yoga where you stretch and strengthen and have time to understand your body and it’s positioning.

Melanie Wilson
GB Womens Squad 
I find this dynamic style of yoga much more engaging than any other yoga style I’ve done before. My core strength and flexibility has definitely improved loads.

Harriet Stokes, 
Lightweight Rower, Thanes RC 
Yoga has helped me recuperate after glandular fever and build up my immune system again. I have found it a good way to build some strength again before going back into the weights room and a good form of exercise that is the total opposite of rowing. Which gives your body a bit of a break whilst still working it! 
Brendan Crean,

GB Mens Squad
I’ve been to other yoga classes but Rebecca has a confident nature which comes across in a really well structured, flowing class. As a full time athlete I do yoga because I know it’s like medicine. On one level I don’t feel much difference but then I can see big changes happening in my body. I feel generally more relaxed. Also it’s a good place to pick up women, it’s where I met my girlfriend.

Ed White, Thames Rowing Club
I’m hooked! Having initially been sceptical about yoga at first, I now go at least once and sometime twice a week. In addition to being great fun and relaxing, yoga significantly improves flexibility and helps prevent injuries. Rebs classes should be built into all training programmes!



Quotes from coaches
Donald McLachlan, Coach at Imperial College Rowing Club
Yoga is a very valuable tool for a competitive rower. Its combination of active mobility and static holds is really helpful for dealing with uneven loading often encountered by rowers. I would highly recommend it. Having retired from rowing 10 years ago I had progressively lost mobility and subsequently prolapsed a disk. Only after a few sessions with Rebecca I have been able to get back in a boat and potentially might be able to turn around to see where I am going soon!
Other Quotes from Land Based People
Charlie Maile (Charlotte)
Having decided to give up rowing and try my hand at running, my body took a fair beating and was getting more inflexible by the day. I was recommended to start yoga classes with Rebs and started them a few weeks into my marathon schedule. They have made a huge difference to my flexibility and my recovery time. I would thoroughly recommend doing weekly sessions as part of any training schedule as it became a welcome change from the repetitive running sessions.

Kath Ryan
I attend Rebs' classes as often as I can. Her classes are tailored to suit each group and are always dynamic and fun. I leave feeling strong and relaxed at the same time and always look forward to the next class. I highly recommend these classes!‎ 

Tony Clarke
Having never been to a yoga class before I wanted to try something to help me recover from long weekend rides and tours on the bike. Rebecca's classes were really well taught and easy to follow. She focuses the lessons on diffrerent muscle groups and I'm noticing a real difference with my flexibility, posture and recovery time.‎ 
As a beginner, I have taken weekly Ashtanga classes with Rebecca for about half a year now and I feel that I have made some real good progress in terms of flexibilty, core strength and posture.

Sven Sabel
In previous beginners classes, I always felt that I wasn't challenged enough. This is very different with Rebecca as she knows very well when to push and encourage. She takes care to explain all moves/poses properly and helps focusing on details. She's simply great. I can definitely recommend her for other beginners.

Sarah Wilson
Having practised yoga sporadically for about 3 yrs I've naturally had quite a few yoga teachers, and can honestly say that Rebecca is one of the best. (Great value & fun too) She takes care to explain all moves/poses properly, and her lessons are a perfect combination of building confidence and introducing managable challenges to all abilities. I always leave feeling better in myself and more prepared for the world

Kenza Mezmizi
She’s great. I go to a weekly class which Rebs takes. My strength, flexibility and levels of calm have all improved massively thanks to Rebs and she has such a lovely way about her. You push your self but within your own comfort zone, I’d recommend her to people who are total beginners as she teaches yoga in a non-intimidating way but also to yoga enthusiasts as she has a great level of knowledge

Lize Theron
I started doing yoga with Rebecca as a total beginner and after almost a year of taking classes with her I definitely feel that I’ve come a long way in terms of flexibility, posture and strength. She knows when to encourage and when to set a challenge all to ensure that you get the best possible workout. She is calm, patient and have great knowledge and experience in her field. I would definitely recommend Rebs as a yoga teacher, regardless of your experience level.

Susie Parker 
Rebecca has been giving me private lessons for two years. She’s a great teacher and yoga has sorted out neck and shoulder problems I had from sitting too long at computers! With some laughs I’ve found myself in poses I never imagined possible. I’drecommend Rebs and yoga to anyone who hasn’t tried it or wants to go further.