About ~ Really Wild Yoga

Welcome to Really Wild Yoga, your warm and welcoming home-based studio nestled at the foot of Gala Hill in Galashiels. Offering Ashtanga based classes, our tranquil space accommodates up to ten students, providing a peaceful sanctuary just five minutes from the town centre.

Here, you're invited to embark on a shared journey of exploration and growth, delving deep into your practice while enjoying a supportive community atmosphere. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or stepping onto the mat for the first time, everyone is welcome to join us at Really Wild Yoga.

 

ABOUT ME ~ Shelagh wallace

As a registered Experienced Yoga Teacher (EYT) with Yoga Alliance, my journey in yoga has been a blend of exploration and dedication. Originally trained in Rajadhiraja Yoga amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas at the Himalayan Yoga Institute, Himachal Pradesh, India, I've since deepened my practice with various teachers and trainings in different cities across the UK and the states.

My personal practice revolves around Ashtanga Yoga, complemented by the harmonizing elements of Yin and Restorative practices. Over the years, I've enjoyed learning from teachers such as Doug and David Swenson, Melanie Cooper, and Manju Jois. Inspired by their wisdom, as well as the guidance of some great local teachers (thank you Emma Issikovi, Amy Hughes, Sarah Hatcher, Karen Kirkness, and the Meadowlark team) I've been constantly challenged and encouraged to evolve on my yogic path.

Dedicated to both my personal practice and continuous growth as a student and teacher, I understand that yoga is an ever-unfolding journey of discovery. Each day brings new lessons, reminding me that the essence of yoga extends beyond the mat and into every facet of life. As I embrace the evolving nature of my practice, I eagerly anticipate the possibilities that lie ahead on this enriching path.

SEE MORE ABOUT MY CREDENTIALS - TRAINING & ACCREDITATION

ABOUT MY YOGA CLASSES

In my classes, I offer several Ashtanga-based sessions tailored to individuals eager to explore this transformative yoga method. Whether you're new to Ashtanga or seeking to deepen your practice, my classes are designed to foster independence and over time, an openness to change.

Ashtanga Vinyasa, practiced within the spiritual framework of the eight limbs, is a dynamic form of yoga that harnesses the power of physical movement to connect us internally. Through consistent practice, we gradually peel away layers of tension and conditioning, fostering strength, flexibility, and clarity of mind.

I believe that there is a form of yoga for everyone, you just need to find what resonates with you. Ashtangis seem to like to feel things very deeply. Ashtanga resonates with me personally due to its strong and visceral impact on the body and mind. Each session serves as a holistic reset, offering immediate benefits that accumulate over time, leaving us feeling revitalized and centred.

Please get in touch if you’d like to explore the depths of Ashtanga Yoga for yourself.


ABOUT ashtanga yoga

“Yoga is simple, everything else is complicated” - Manju Jois
Ashtanga Yoga still stands the test of time as a potent practice, its essence found in simplicity.

Yet, prepare to delve deep. If you seek yoga to infuse real meaning, depth, and change into your life, Ashtanga can help us on this transformative path, if you care to embrace it. Practice, persistence, and patience become our guiding lights, revealing the fruits of our labour unfolding in a myriad of ways.

This dynamic yoga form challenges body and mind, especially when coupled with mindful breath awareness. The aftermath is not just te benefits of physical exertion, but a sense of calm and mental clarity.

Ashtanga Yoga when combined with a holistic and healthy lifestyle can enhance cardiovascular health, stamina, strength, and flexibility. It can act as a detoxifying helper by cleansing and toning internal organs and the nervous system. With regular practice, the holistic benefits cascade, leaving you with a sustained sense of well-being long after you've rolled up your mat.

Ashtanga means eight limbs, as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras.  It consists of the following eight spiritual practices

  • Yama [moral codes]

  • Niyama [self-purification and study]

  • Asana [posture]

  • Pranayama [breath control]

  • Pratyahara [sense control]

  • Dharana [concentration]

  • Dhyana [meditation]

  • Samadhi [absorption into the Universal or Unity Consciousness]


Now, the practice of yoga
Yoga Sutra 1.1
अथ योगानुशासनम्
atha yoga-anuśāsanam

WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga is the mastery of the fluctuations of the mind
Yoga Sutra 1.2
योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥२॥
yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ

WHAT DOES IT LEAD TO?
Then we can see ourselves for who we are
Yoga Sutra 1.3
 तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपे अवस्थानम् 
Tada drashtuh svarupe avasthanam