When Eleonora first joined my yoga classes at Breathe With Ease, it wasn’t born out of curiosity or a simple desire to try something new. It was a journey sparked by years of physical and emotional challenges that had left her feeling disconnected from herself and the world around her.
But through yoga, she began a journey of rebuilding her strength, processing her trauma and rediscovering a sense of belonging.
Eleonora's journey had not been an easy one. After an ectopic pregnancy, she had struggled with endometriosis, chronic pain and the feeling that her own body had betrayed her.
"I felt so let down by my body that I started to neglect it. I was also holding so much emotional trauma that it got to a point where I was in so much pain, my body just shut down."
Her body was calling for change, and with encouragement from her physio, Eleonora made the decision to try yoga. At first, stepping into class was a challenge in itself.
“I’d been working from home and distancing myself, I had to really force myself to be around people.”
But in time, yoga became an anchor – something she could rely on as she navigated through her pain and began to trust her body again.
“Not only did the classes help rebuild my core strength, but it helped me reconnect with my body, and actually, it was a way for me to somehow stay in society because I was spending so much time on my own.”
The true turning point for Eleonora came when she decided to join my Spanish yoga retreat – a significant leap from the weekly classes where she would be sharing a room and meals with strangers for a week.
“I booked my spot fairly last minute. I was still living in fight or flight mode, constantly feeling unsafe, and I needed to learn to be around people again. But I felt safe with you and the Breathe With Ease community.”
My European retreats, like the one Eleonora attended, are a balanced mix of new experiences, challenges and quiet moments of reflection.
“I needed time to rest, and there was plenty. But I also thought there was a perfect balance of activities and a chance to connect with each other too.”
At one point, a challenging hike triggered an endometriosis flare-up. But instead of letting it overwhelm her, Eleonora took a breath, asked for space and allowed herself to process the moment.
“I felt safe and supported by everyone around me. It was the first time I was able to move through it without feeling completely defeated. It only took about ten minutes to settle, and that was a huge milestone for me.”
While it sounds scary having this experience in the Andalusian mountains, Eleonora described it as a highlight of her trip! And after the hike, she continued to surprise herself by jumping into the next activity: paddleboarding for the first time.
“The retreat was a turning point, I thought, okay, I'm starting to get better at this. It was a glimmer of what life could be like and I began to believe I could face whatever came my way.”
Returning home, Eleonora noticed the transformative impact of the retreat. Her weekly yoga classes became a sanctuary, a space to reconnect with herself and others.
“I get so much from having that community at Breathe With Ease. It’s a safe space for us to share our challenges and we all encourage and support each other.”
A year later, Eleonora's journey has continued to blossom.
“I had chronic daily pain for over 10 years, and I don't have that anymore. I didn't even think that was a possibility when I started this journey. I feel so much more grounded and in touch with my body.”
I hold a range of yoga classes at my new space, The Sussex Shala, along with other teachers and practitioners who choose to hire the 24-foot olive yurt for their events. Eleonora remains a regular here and has even signed up for my next retreat in Greece in 2025!
“You put so much thought into creating a safe and beautiful space. Every class feels like a mini holiday! And I appreciate you giving us options and variations so I can listen to my body that day and ask myself: how far do I want to push myself today?”
As a yoga teacher, I’m not in charge, I’m simply a guide. I’m there to quietly observe and adapt the class throughout to meet the needs of every individual, often asking myself: how’s the room feeling? That’s my responsibility as the teacher. I want you to be able to close your eyes and know that if you’re struggling, I see you and will support you.
I’m so inspired by Eleonora’s story, it’s a testament to the transformative power of yoga, not just as a physical practice, but as a pathway back to oneself.
Nicole
If you’d like to share your journey with Breathe With Ease like Eleonora, I’d love to hear from you! Just get in touch to let me know at hello@breathewitheaseyoga.co.uk and I’ll be in touch with the next steps.
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