ekam (pronounced ay-kum) is Sanskrit for : ‘the act of unity and ultimate oneness’.
Opened September 2018, ekam Yoga is a space where everybody is welcome to come and absorb the benefits of yoga & meditation in a friendly, sociable and nurturing environment. A community is defined as a group of people interacting in the same location and ekam Yoga will be an integral part of this community.
Set up & founded by Rosie Blake, ekam has been a project 3 years in the making. Rosie completed her yoga teacher training with YogaCampus, London and continues to attend yearly trainings with Rod Stryker and Richard Freeman. Yoga has taken Rosie to the USA, India, Vietnam, Costa Rice, Morocco and Portugal. After living and working in London as a photographer for 10 years alongside teaching yoga in studios across the city, a few years ago Rosie began to crave a slower paced, more natural and peaceful life near the ocean. She bit the bullet and moved to Newquay in November 2017; always having the notion she would eventually return to Cornwall after studying at Falmouth College of Arts.
In Advaita philosophy ekam describes and promotes the idea that there is only one reality and truth, Brahman. Everything else is of a transient nature. Brahman is formless, indivisible and beyond the reach of the 5 senses. This philosophy’s teachings show that this world is transient and impermanent.
Yoga doesn’t judge. Yoga isn’t a form of religion. You don’t need your own mat, own 10 pairs of leggings, be between ages 18-35 or have any background knowledge to come to a yoga class.
Yoga is for everyone. It literally means ‘union’. Yoga is naturally inside each and every one of us.
One of the many beauties of the physical practice of yoga is that the postures are designed to support and sustain you, no matter how old or young, inflexible or supple you are. Fit or frail, you can safely come to your mat. Your mat is where you nurture your whole being!
In yoga we practice asanas (Sanskrit for ‘postures’). Every asana has its benefits, whether it is the Cat Stretch that strengthens your spine, or the Wind-Relieving Pose (you can guess what that one does) there’s a perfect potion for every pose.
As you progress in your practice of yoga, your understanding of the asanas becomes more sophisticated. Through developing a regular practice you will instinctively move from working on the external alignment to focusing on what is going on internally (in the mind, mostly) to eventually simply ‘being’ in the asana.
Put simply, the breath, body and the mind become intimate friends.
At ekam we’re firm believers that building a sustainable relationship with your self is the foundation of everything. Yoga can come in many different forms; and we want to help uncover what it means for you.
The Story Behind the Logo / ‘Om’
The Power of Three
We at ekam believe three is a mysterious and potent number. Three has frequented itself in classic mythology, fairy stories, religion, literature, architecture and most importantly – yoga.
In the latter form it represents itself as the vital trinity of body, mind and spirit.
This brings us nicely on to ‘Om’.
‘Om’ is the most sacred symbol in many Eastern philosophies and is made up of three audible sounds, A-U-M.
It is a mantra, or vibration often chanted at the beginning and end of a yoga class. ‘Om’ represents all creation, the sound of the universe.
The sound of the universe. What do we mean by that? Essentially, it is something we can all interpret in different ways. We are surrounded by it in our daily lives, but aren’t so accustomed to being aware of it. It can be found in the rustling of the autumn leaves, the waves rushing on to shore, or the wind blowing through the trees.
Somehow, the ancient yogis knew what scientists are telling us today – that the entire universe is moving, pulsating, creating a rhythmic vibration. The ancient yogis acknowledged this by creating the sound of ‘Om’.
Chanting ‘Om’ allows us to recognize our experience as a reflection of how the whole universe moves — the setting sun, the rising moon, the ebb and flow of the tides, the beating of our hearts. As we chant Om, it takes us for a ride on this universal movement, through our breath, our awareness, and our physical energy. Through this, we begin to sense a bigger connection that is both uplifting and soothing.
Many of us may be intimidated or fearful of chanting ‘Om’ the ‘right’ way. And that’s totally ok; take your time. Feeling the effect of the vibrations as others chant is just as effective. Another beautiful thing about ‘Om’, it doesn’t matter how loud, quiet, high or low – there is no right way. The effects are the same (and amazing, at that).
“You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state.” ~ Sharon Gannon
