Three years ago, on the 2nd July 2019 I taught my very first yoga by the sea class in Whitby and Happy Seal Yoga began. I can vividly remember how nervous I was, would anyone even turn up? Thanks to Josh at Whitby Surf School who helped with promotion, seven people came to give it a go. The night before I dreamt I threw up during class so I was extremely relieved when that didn't turn out to be a premonition! I also remember what a lovely group of people turned out for that first class. It is the people who come to class that make running Happy Seal Yoga such a pleasure, seeing friendships form and communities arise is such a wonderful part of the world of yoga.
Since that first class in the summer of 2019 we've expanded to offer yoga by the sea classes all along the Yorkshire Cost from Sandsend to Filey, as well as heading indoors in Whitby & Scarborough. The little matter of a global pandemic sent us online, creating a way to stay connected when the world was so restricted.
Anyone who has come to class will be aware of how much I love the sea so it only makes sense that we now also have regular SUP yoga classes in Scarborough throughout the summer. I also enjoy the surf yoga days we have run in collaboration with Scarborough Surf School and am very excited to be working with the Surf Coach (Matt Jones) to deliver Sirens Surf Sessions on Friday evenings in Scarborough through the summer months.
Looking back over the last 3 years, there have been so many highlights but some of my favourites include:
The dolphins putting on the most amazing display right in front of class during a Whitby yoga by the sea class in summer 2020. Everyone was trying to balance in tree pose but that was put aside just to take a moment to embrace the wonderful sight of nature at it's best right in front of us.
Dogs coming for an impromptu cuddle mid class. It's always nice to get a bit of canine love but as this pup's owner says "don't throw the ball or you'll never get him to leave you alone!"
When a pair of ducks pottered their way through class in Sandsend earlier this summer!
Not necessarily a highlight but it did make us laugh, the seagull who decided to let go above me in Filey, luckily it landed in front of me and not on me! I don't have picture or video for this one!
Another one that made me laugh was when I accidentally knocked the picture off the wall during an online class early on in the first lockdown.
Finally this year's summer solstice sunrise yoga class at Cayton Bay was magical!
Whether you've been to one class or more than 80 over the last three years, whether you’ve been coming along since 2019 or have recently joined, I want to say thank you so much for being a part of the Happy Seal Yoga community. I hope we continue to flow together for many years to come.
Happy Birthday ❤️