Why not all yoga instructors have to have a YouTube channel and social media presence
Emma Rees runs Barefoot Yoga Wales in Swansea, but travels around the country to work with clients in offices and homes. She began practising yoga 26 years ago, while at university. Her grandfather also practised yoga until the age of 87. “All home taught,” Emma says proudly of her grandfather. “There weren’t really classes available then.”
Only recently has Emma become a full-time yoga instructor. She emphasises that family had to come first for a long time, and she worked as a speech and language therapist for 23 years.
Emma has never ventured into the competitive world of YouTube yoga videos. “I personally think all the uploading would drive me a bit crazy,” she admits. “And I would rather people go to a class or do a home yoga session in order to really connect with themselves.
“I have been asked to do online videos but yoga is all about the face-to-face meetings for me. It feels more authentic.”
As well as this, Emma admits to worrying that people wouldn’t want to watch her videos. “Not for any specific reason,” she says, “but there are just so many out there.”
Emma continues, “I do also think there can be a conflict between social media use and wellbeing. Social media promotes showing off and ego, and these are not good reasons to master a yoga pose.
“However some teachers have got it right. I guess if you watch it and feel empowered or encouraged then that’s cool,” she concedes.
Instead of spending hours each day editing and uploading videos, Emma spends the time she isn’t in the studio enjoying life. “I love weight training, swimming, watching my boys play rugby, reading, spending time with friends and being outdoors,” Emma enthuses.
To find out more about Emma and Barefoot Yoga, go to the Facebook page. Emma is the only certified teacher in Wales of Yoga Shred, a blend of high intensity interval training yoga and core strength vinyasa. She caters to all ages, and even runs classes for multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s sufferers, and those with visual impairments.
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