'I quit London to pursue my yoga dream in the West Midlands - and this has an extra level'

At the time she was a PA for a busy city firm and started doing yoga when realising it was one of the only pastimes that helped take her mind off of her career.

After axing her corporate role, she went travelling in India before settling in the Midlands to have children, and took up a part-time course to be a qualified yoga instructor.

Then, when the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020 she re-evaluated her goals and decided to go into the field full-time which she has now been doing for the last two years.

Since then, the busy mum-of-two has been running classes on land and water, but credits the on-the-water class as a session that gives participants a solid foundation for when they approach the pastime on land.

Arabella, said: "I left London to go travelling and then moved to the Midlands to have children, I was working in property after London and then we had a pandemic, which is when I decided I wanted to focus on things that I loved.

"I fell in love with yoga while I was in London, it was the only things that could take my mind off all of my responsibilities, I did it every morning before work and noticed how much better I felt.

"On-the-water classes started last summer which is one of the classes I teach, the maximum amount of people is 10, which is full every week.

"Yoga on the water has an added level of balance, it's really good for your core strength because you're always having to stabilise, which is what your core's job is.

"The added benefit of being out in nature is that it's really beneficial for your nervous system and dealing with feelings of stress.

"It also refines technique for when back on land because members have to really focus on their body and how they move.

"Little things like learning something new and being out of a comfort zone can be very beneficial for neuro-pathways because they'll all be firing at once."

Arabella went on to say that one of the best things about the class is the community feel that it has built since it started. She said seeing all of the members take a genuine interest in each other and wanting to know they're all okay is great to see.

She also said that a stereotype of the industry can put people off trying and wants people to realise that anyone can give yoga a go if they think they will enjoy it.

She added: "The community element is so important, I can really see friendships building and we’re a bunch of friends now. Everyone is really supportive, encouraging and friendly.

"There's a stereotype that yoga people look a certain way and are really flexible, but the truth is that everyone has such a different bodies, some people can pick up the moves instantly, others can take years, it's case by case and everyone should feel confident and supported when they're learning."

She finished by revealing what happens when members fall overboard and into the water.

She said: "People do fall in the water and it’s not based on how good they are, it's based on their personality and how far they’re willing to push themselves.

"You're better off when you fall in because you lose that fear of it. We had one person who had a fear of water last year and found it hard, but coming to the classes helped her get over it."

Classes take place every Saturday at Aldridge S.U.P. School, in Walsall, and cost £20 per session but £15 for those that are already a member of the school.

To take a class, click here.