How Francesca's yoga healed my heart

It was a dark, deep-winter’s night - the 3rd of January no less. I paced up and down my lounge. “I should go. Hmm I’m not sure. Maybe not. No I should go...” the inner tumult went on. “If I left now, I’d be 15 minutes’ late into the class. It will be too embarrassing. Everyone will stare at me...”

Somehow, something persuaded me to at least give it a go.

I pulled up to the village hall, a curtain was across the door, so I had to pull it back to see in. Just as I feared, the class was in flow. But before I could back out, a beaming face welcomed me in and pointed out a space where I could unfurl my mat. That was Francesca, the yoga teacher.

That was over a year and a half ago now, and not only have I got pretty good at yoga, but I’ve made a troupe of new friends. And most of all, I have healed and grown and know to be kinder to myself now.

I had done yoga before, but practising with Francesca has added dimensions. The things she says, the way she leads you through the movements, the music she chooses for the background. They all helped soothe me through a hard time, nurture my sense of self, and indeed grow my self-love.

Flowing through the poses, I found how strong I could be - inside and out. I learnt to value the wonderful set of mechanics my body is that carries me through the world. I learnt to love and be as kind to myself as I would do anyone else.

Standing in warrior 2 or mountain pose, I feel like I can take anything on. In plank or tree, I feel my body get stronger. And in child’s pose or cobblers pose, I feel caring about my body and mind.

In one of those early days after I joined, Francesca got us up dancing. Free and uninhibited we could be as silly and as energetic as we chose, with no judgement. Looking around at all the smiling and kind faces enjoying themselves in the room, I was flying high as an eagle.

Another time, Francesca led us through a long relaxation and meditation in savasana (lying down, eyes closed). After a while, visions about the situation that had been troubling me of late played out in front of me. They showed me a different way of looking at it, and how I might approach things from now on. I left the class full of joy and hope for the future.

I’m so glad that I set off on that dark winter’s night and pulled back the curtain. Thank you, me. Thank you, Frankie!