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Happy Seal Helen

2021 - thank you!


Grateful yogi Helen of Happy Seal Yoga practising sukhasana or easy pose on the beach
Thank you!

I'm not sure how but we seem to have made it to the middle of December already! This year seems to have been long but at the same time has gone so incredibly quickly. It's been wonderful to be back teaching in person both outside delivering yoga by the sea classes along the North Yorkshire Coast and at our indoor venues Flowergate Hall in Whitby and at the new BeYou Studio in Scarborough.


Having taught my last class of the year before taking a break for the Christmas holidays, I thought what better time to take a look back at all that has gone on at Happy Seal Yoga this year.


We started the year on New Years Day with yoga by the sea in Scarborough & Whitby, numbers were still limited to 5 per class. The weather was cold but there were some patches of blue sky between the clouds and only one no-show due to a little too much drink the night before!


Yoga by the sea class Scarborough south bay Goddess pose
New Years Day Scarborough

I'd been hoping that we'd be able to continue winter yoga by the sea classes outside but on the 4th January we went back into lockdown so all teaching moved back online. I increased the schedule so there was a choice of four classes a week, two early morning vinyasa flow sessions, one early evening yang to yin class and the usual later evening vinyasa flow session on Wednesday. Teaching online gave me a much needed routine during lockdown so I am incredibly grateful to everyone who joined me both locally and from around the country, it was a lovely way to stay connected with you all.


When we got to the end of March, restrictions eased a little and we were allowed outside to resume yoga by the sea. It was so nice to be back teaching in person, especially as for the first week the weather was good with a mini heatwave. Through spring into summer I added more classes, using Sandsend for the first time this year. I love this location as we are able to practise yoga on the soft sandy beach while the sun rises over the sea. More often than not I end this class feeling incredibly hungry from the scent of bacon cooking as the cafe above prepares for the day ahead. That must be the reason I always stop off to buy a Jackson's pork & apple pie on the way home!


I joined Tori from Scarborough Surf School to run two 'Saltwater Soul' surf yoga days, with yoga on the beach followed by an afternoon of surfing or stand up paddle boarding. It was so nice to meet everyone who came to these sessions from near and far, seeing your smiles spread from ear to ear made our day.


Saltwater soul yoga by the sea class on the beach for surf yoga day at Cayton Bay
Saltwater Soul Yoga

Towards the end of summer I ran a couple of Yoga & Wild swimming events. I love these sessions as not only do I get to share my passion for yoga and swimming with you but can also share vital sea safety knowledge built up from over 30 years experience as a beach lifeguard and over ten years as a lifeguard trainer/assessor.


As we moved into October it was great to see the return of the Scarborough Surf Festival and once again this event was blessed with blue skies and perfect waves.

Yoga class on Scarborough North bay beach for Scarborough surf festival 2021 under blue skies with Scarborough castle in the background
Scarborough Surf Festival Yoga

Thank you also to everyone who has booked a private class with me whether it has been for a one off yoga by the sea session, kids yoga, introducing yoga to the lovely ladies from Inspiring Opportunities or bringing me onto the RAF base for a ten week slot (the only classes with more men than women!). It has been an absolute pleasure.


Wishing you all the very best for the festive season, thank you so much for being a part of Happy Seal Yoga, see you in the New Year!

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