26/04/2026
🌟🧘♀️STUDENT OF THE MONTH🧘♀️🌟
🌟April 2026 Student of the month is……. Steph!
Steph is our Student of the Month, and it feels like such a natural choice. There’s something in her presence that speaks of care, and it seems deeply woven into who she is. Through her work with animals, both now in her dog grooming business and previously with horses, there’s a clear thread of compassion and attentiveness. It brings to mind Ahimsā (the key principle of non-violence to all beings), not just as an idea, but as something lived. A way of being that is gentle, respectful, and attuned, while still grounded and steady. You can sense that same quality in her practice, in the way she approaches each pose with patience and awareness, never forcing, yet always truly engaged.
There’s a strength in how she works. She meets herself with kindness, but that doesn’t mean she holds back. There’s effort, discipline, and a thoughtful approach to building her practice in a way that feels both intelligent and sustainable. She seems to understand that progress doesn’t come from pushing, but from showing up consistently and working with what’s there. That balance is not always easy to find, but she carries it so naturally.
What’s been especially lovely to witness is how quickly she’s developed. She hasn’t been with us for long, yet in that short time she’s picked up the poses with such ease and openness. There’s a calm focus about her that allows things to land and settle and you can see her confidence in the shapes growing week by week. It’s been a real joy to watch her journey unfold, and I’m so pleased to have her as part of our community.
❓Tell us a little about yourself……
🧘♀️I'm Steph, 36 and I live in West Coker with my husband Marcus and our two dogs Bran and Rupert. I moved to Somerset from Dorset for a job at World Horse Welfare where I worked with rescue horses for almost 10 years. Now I run my dog grooming business from my studio at home.
❓How long have you been practicing yoga?
🧘♀️I started practicing yoga with Lisa last November. It was great to have something new to learn in the long dark evenings of Winter! I hadn't really done much before then apart from follow the odd video online.
❓What made you start yoga?
🧘♀️It's something I had wanted to do for a long time. When I changed careers from horses to dogs I stopped moving as much and I could feel it in my fitness levels. I had also read that it can help reduce stress and help calm your mind. Which it definitely does for me.
❓What’s your favourite pose?
🧘♀️My favourite pose would probably be Parivrtta Parsvakonāsana. I like the challenge of combining balancing and the twist. I am also enjoying getting to grips with headstand as it was daunting when I first tried it but with practice each week it becomes more comfortable.
❓What’s your favourite prop?
🧘♀️My favourite prop would be the bricks. I like that they can be used at different heights for support while you gain confidence in certain poses.
❓How has practicing yoga benefitted your life?
🧘♀️My flexibility and mobility have definitely improved since starting which is invaluable as I do a lot of lifting/twisting throughout the day. So hopefully the chances of picking up any injuries will be massively reduced. I feel like i've got more energy too.
❓What makes you keep practicing?
🧘♀️There's so much variety in what we do each week, each class is different so you are always learning. I look forward to going every week to turn off my brain to everything else and concentrate solely on moving my body and calming my mind.
Thank you Steph for sharing your yoga journey with us! ❤️🙏🕉️
