Yoga devotees can maintain their inner peace without leaving the house thanks to an enterprising city studio.

The Yoga Studio in Carlisle this week launched its online yoga video platform.

Yoga can be a welcome break from the stresses of daily life. More so now than ever. With more people working from home due to the pandemic it is important to consider your own physical fitness and mental wellbeing.

Owned and run by Emma Vasquez and Martin Scott, The Yoga Studio’s latest venture is “a library of yoga videos you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home, to tide you over when you’re unable to attend classes for whatever reason”.

There are currently 20 videos which can be watched on tablets, phones, laptops and smart TVs, with more added each day.

Although the launch feels very timely, in fact the couple, who took over the loft space at Kinmont Barn in Treasury Court in September last year, have been working on it for some time.

“Going online has been something we wanted to do for the past few years,” said Emma. “Before we took over the studio me and Janet [Richards, former studio owner and still an instructor] talked about it quite a few times but it is so time consuming it just was never done.

“I started bringing the idea to life at the start of the year, but it felt like the right time to push and go for it. It needs commitment so as soon as it’s launched new videos and input will be needed a few times a week to keep it fresh and up to date.”

In normal circumstances the videos will complement actual classes at the studio. For now, though, they see them as a great alternative, explained Emma. “The online video platform is free for our members so if they have to take a week off to self-isolate they can keep up their yoga – especially our older students, who may self-isolate due to underlying health issues. I don’t want them to be alone, I want them to still have something to turn to that will support them during isolation. So now they can continue their yoga/meditation practice at home.”

“My students’ safety is my priority but also their mental health- a lot of my students need yoga to support them to cope with life.

Emma hopes that the videos will help alleviate the stress everyone’s feeling. As a community we really need connection right now so it allows them to stay practising via the online platform. Obviously there is huge wave of stress and anxiety right now and the videos on the platform include deeply relaxing voice guided meditations to soothe and calm.

“It’s so important for me to give as much as I can to others. That’s the whole ethos of my studio, to give back and to support students, to bring union.

“For those who maybe have never thought about yoga before it gives them a taste and a chance to take some time out just for them. I’ve kept the price low even though the man hours and work that’s gone into it and cost has been high, this is because yoga should be available for everyone no matter of finances. The online platform makes yoga accessible and affordable to everyone. We have classes ranging from 10 minutes to one hour, and soon 90-minute classes too. They range from breaking down specific postures to a full body flow. We have stress relief, high quality voice-guided relaxations that you can listen to laying down with your eyes closed, core workouts, movement and mobility, sound healing and meditation.

“There’s something for everyone and options are always given to suit all levels.”Emma has lots more videos in the pipeline: “We have so many ideas, a lot of videos will be put up this week. Martin is filming a video today using a chair for those who are now working at home so they can stretch out and de stress at their desks! I’ll be filming a full 90 minute Ashtanga video this week and there will be more stress relief/ meditation coming in the next few days As well as some gentle yoga for those who’ve never done it before and want a 20-minute taster.”

There are no minimum requirements for using the videos and no special equipment is needed. Emma explained: “Some of these videos can be done lying in bed or seated.

“For the more active videos you could do with a mat but if you’re unable to leave the house there are seated ‘flows’ [a series of connected movements] you could do in your lounge.”

Emma herself is a devotee of ashtanga – a very dynamic form of yoga. “Ashtanga is an incredible breathing-moving practice but you don’t need to do the full sequence to get the benefits,” said Emma. “There’s currently a video of me breaking down sun salutations that would be great for those to do at home wanting to learn and understand Ashtanga. “Just 15 minutes of yoga can really make a difference.”

Already there has been a positive response to the videos, with more than 100 people signed up at the time of writing. “As soon as it went live last night my phone was pinging with emails of signs up from people who don’t even live in Cumbria!

“Our students are so grateful we’ve gone above and beyond to further support them during this time and to allow them access to it for free and at such a low cost for non members.One student who is self-isolating called it a ‘lifeline’ while they stay home for 14 says. I’m thrilled to help, and I want to keep the older community and those with underlying health problems safe and supported.”

“I must also thank Bev Love our incredible website designer for the hard work she’s put in throughout the entirety of the weekend to get this up and running so quickly and to my teachers for coming in to film. We have many more ideas as to what we will upload and include, and there will be videos being uploaded a few times a week.

“We hope this brings calmness to those suffering stress, anxiety and isolation, but we hope it also encourages people to start to look after themselves, to move their bodies, to start to breathe deeper, to be present and enjoy life right now in this moment. Yoga is something that will change the way you perceive life, it is a powerful practice that will bring you so much.

“Yoga will always be there for you, and so will we.”

  • Yoga Studio members have free, unlimited access to the videos. Non-members can sign up for 30-days’ access for £10 at https://www.theyogastudiocarlisle.co.uk