Viva Lewes Issue #140 May 2018

HEALTH
Flex Appeal
Strike a pose…
Once associated with
dusty church halls and
concerned vicars, yoga
has had a makeover -
and hit the big time.
According to a 2016 Yoga
Journal report, the yoga
market is worth £74bn
globally, and £812m a
year in the UK, while, in
America, some 36.7 million
people practise the
once-esoteric discipline
- you can even do ‘Doga’
with your dog, or (if you
happen to be in LA) try yoga in the nude.
But with so many different types of yoga, how
do you know which to choose? Enter Gyles
and Fiona Abbott. Their new central Lewes
studio, Soulfit, brings together a variety of yoga
classes, along with personal training and treatment
rooms - plus a range of teas, freshly made
smoothies and healthy snacks.
“When we moved to Lewes, I thought, ‘Where
is the yoga?’” says Fiona. “There were teachers
but no central point. It’s so difficult for people
to get time to themselves, on or off the mat, so
we wanted to make it easy for them. We want
them to feel special from the moment they walk
through the door, to be able to find what they
need, and to feel nourished inside and out.”
With up to six yoga classes timetabled every
day, choices include all the most popular styles,
from Ashtanga to Iyengar, as well as some more
unusual ones, such as Y12SR, which helps those
struggling with addiction.
“People ask what class they should do, but it all
depends on what they are looking for and what
they want to get out of it,” Fiona explains. “Some
people want to work out
and others want to relax.
For example, Scaravelli
is really gentle and
calming, while Iyengar is
more disciplined.”
“Vinyasa is probably
the one I love best,” she
continues. “It’s strong
and really opens you
up and tones you. It’s
similar to Ashtanga -
which is strong and good
for building muscle - but
more flowing.”
For those seeking a softer option, she recommends
Restorative Flow, which utilises bolsters
and blankets for extra ease and comfort, and
Mindful Movement, which is aimed at those who
are older or have physical challenges. There are
also classes specifically for beginners, as well as
mother and baby sessions, and pregnancy yoga.
Less familiar offerings include Body and Brain,
which Fiona describes as ‘quite tribal’. “It
involves tapping your body, and moving and
shaking to music, properly letting yourself go -
and there’s a tea ceremony at the end!”
There is also Kundalini, which incorporates
mantra, music and breathing, as well as physical
‘kriya’ exercises, which work to release stress
and generate energy; and Karma Yoga, which is
a ‘community’ class, designed for those who are
vulnerable or in need, and payable by donation.
“Until you actually do it, it’s hard to know what’s
best for you,” Gyles points out, “but here you can
try everything. We want to provide something
for everyone. It’s not a case of one size fits all.”
Anita Hall
wearesoulfit.com
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