From lockdown stress to self-love: Hope Thomas explains how inclusive yoga classes transformed her confidence, body image and everyday resilience.
- NAME: Hope Thomas
- AGE: 34
- OCCUPATION: Senior emergency planning officer at local authority
- YOGA YEARS: 6
How has yoga changed your life?
It’s fair to say that yoga has helped to skyrocket my self-esteem and confidence. I have been encouraged to use support props, take up space, and to remember that progress isn’t linear— this advice has soaked into my wider life.
Best Yoga Moments?
In 2022 I went on a retreat to the south of France. Having spent most of my practice behind a screen it was amazing to spend a week deepening my practice in person in beautiful surroundings. Aqua yoga in the pool was a personal highlight; the support of the water was the ultimate prop! And, it’s cheesy, but some of the best yoga moments I’ve had have been the classes I almost didn’t turn up to that ended up being exactly what I needed.
Why did you start yoga?
My job is emergency response, so in mid-2020 I was struggling with a huge amount of work stress and living alone through lockdown. Being a plus-size woman, I had never considered yoga as I had never seen anyone who looked like me doing it. But when I saw Donna Noble’s Curvesome Yoga beginner classes being recommended by other plus-size people, something clicked; it seemed different and welcoming. I still joke with Donna that I signed up to that initial six-week course expecting ‘fancy sitting’, but by my second week, once I had all the recommended props, I managed my first downward dog and burst into tears. I had never thought I would be doing ‘real’ yoga poses.
Favourite yoga haunts?
As I mainly do online classes, most of my practice happens in my spare bedroom where I am surrounded by props, blankets and candles. My favourite is a luxurious supported yin class so I like to get as cosy as possible. Guests have been very understanding after I replaced the spare bed for a sofa bed to make more room for the yoga!
Anything else?
I feel very grateful to have found such an inclusive and supportive yoga teacher. I’m still a beginner with a lot to learn, but I know that the world needs more teachers like that.
Om Magazine
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