Gillian Wilson

05/11/2024

Novembers class is the final class of the year so we will be going SLOOOOOOWWW.

We will start with a short grounding practice and breathing exercises, moving through some long held passive stretches using all the props and finishing up with lots of delicious relaxation and rest. Think cozy, candlelit, winter vibes.

We’re back to being a 2-hour event at our usual spot at Lila Yoga.

Sunday 24th November - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Lila Yoga, 37 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh
Price is Sliding Scale £20 - £30

Link in bio to book . I would love for you to join me 🤍.

And if you’re following my mini series over on Substack where I’m attempting to draw through lines between the person centred counselling approach and accessible, trauma informed yoga teaching then the second instalment is now up where this time I’m talking about empathy.

***ryoga

08/10/2024

23/08/2024

And just like that, we’re back!

As the air starts to feel a bit chillier (not helped by spending my holidays in the South of England these past few weeks) and daylight starts to dwindle earlier each night, I’m really looking forward to some Autumn nesting, a more consistent pre bedtime yoga practice followed by an early bedtime with a book and cup of tea.

I do love the summer months and will always choose long days and warm weather over dark and cold winters but there’s something about this time of year when I start to feel ready to slow down, I want to stop saying yes to as much social stuff and I want to prioritise my rituals and routines that I know make me feel better but go out the window during the summer months.

I’m therefore delighted that Gentle Yoga is returning in September. We’ll ease back into our yoga movement incredibly gently with a long restful practice.

You’ll notice the event is now only 1.5 hours long so arrive sharp to begin at 1:30pm. The price has dropped slightly to reflect this and as always is offered on a sliding scale.

Here’s my guide to the various tiers; I trust you’ll choose the most appropriate for your financial situation. Also note there are a set amount of spots assigned to each tier.

£15 - For those on low income and/or experiencing financial hardship - x4 spots

£20 - For those who just make the living wage and are only able to meet their basic needs - x4 spots

£25 - For those who earn higher than the living wage and have disposable income - x2 spots

I can’t wait to see you all again to move, breath. stretch and rest together again.

Link in bio to book your spot

***ryoga

29/04/2024

Yesterday was the third month of Gentle Yoga and it only seems to get better.

Having taught on zoom for almost three years, getting back to in person teaching feels so nurturing and fulfilling.

I cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to hold space for fat bodies, q***r bodies, disabled bodies, bodies with brains that aren’t neurotypical, elder bodies, and injured bodies.

I’m continuing to learn about what makes a space feel as safe as possible for all folks but especially those who feel sidelined by mainstream yoga spaces. Here are a few things you won’t find in my classes:

❌ No bright lights or loud music.
❌ No hands on assists.
❌ No gendered language.
❌ No hierarchy of poses.
❌ No diet or weight loss chat (🤮).
❌ No “peak poses”.
❌ No assumptions as to what a rest pose is.
❌ No virtue in not using props.

At the end of class I shared a quote from : “If it makes you feel any less than who you are then it’s not yoga”.

My biggest hope for everyone who comes to Gentle Yoga is for them to feel like they can be entirely themselves and know that it is always enough.

Our next class runs on Sunday 19th May at 1:30pm . I’d love for you to join us. There’s already only 7 spaces left!

🔗 Link in bio to book.

04/04/2024

Two weeks ago was our second coming together of Gentle Yoga. It was a delicious sunny Saturday afternoon in the front studio where the light streamed in.

We took up space for our bodies and props.
We all moved together but differently.
We moved at our own pace.
We chose options that felt good to us.
We asked questions when we were curious.
We rested when we needed to.
We left feeling more relaxed and less like strangers.

I love this little community we’re forming. A group made up of unique individuals bonded together with a simple desire to practice yoga in an affirming and inclusive space.

Our next class runs on Sunday 28th April at 1:30pm at . There are currently four spots left. We'd love for you to join us.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gentle-yoga-tickets-871228918147?aff=oddtdtcreator

29/02/2024

I held my first (post-pandemic) in-person Gentle Yoga class last Sunday and it felt kind of magical.

I’ve been recalling the afternoon and reflecting on the feedback I received to help me understand what it was that made it feel so special. I keep coming back to the same thing; person-centred care.

In my counselling training I see so many parallels between person centred therapy and the trauma-informed and accessible yoga teacher training I’ve previously undergone.

They share the same ethos of attempting to level the power imbalance that exists between the facilitator and the attendee.

In the yoga space creating the ‘right conditions’ means offering a welcoming space with no expectations, with permission to be yourself, to play and explore without judgment.

Sadly many mainstream yoga spaces (perhaps in an effort to be exclusive) have ended up excluding a lot of folks who might otherwise be interested in exploring yoga.

Perhaps my most fond memory of last week’s class was looking around the room and seeing all different-sized bodies, ages, genders, and abilities practicing together but each in their own unique way.

If this sounds like your vibe then the next Gentle Yoga (once again at the beautiful in Edinburgh) is on Saturday 23rd March.

Link in bio to book your space.

16/12/2022

Nope, we’re not letting diet culture get us this January. We need to fight against the powerful forces that profit from us. I’m dedicating my January to talking about this EVERYWHERE. I need your help. Let me know which groups you’re in, your communities, your spaces where you want to invite me in and we can talk about this. Send me a DM. I’m here for it.

10/11/2022

📣 ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

The idea of just not hating your body might not sound very s*xy.

We're told that with enough commitment and hard work we can learn to love our bodies.

[Insert thin, white able-bodied influencer bending over to reveal a tiny fold of skin]

But here's what I've learned in the years of doing this work personally and professionally.

We don't need to love how our bodies look in order to experience neutrality, respect, gentle loving care, and maybe even a bit of sass along the way.

Think about it...💭
What would not hating your body mean to you?

🧠 More free space in your brain?
🪞 Less preoccupation with mirrors and reflections?
🍩 An improved relationship with food?
🍑 A better s*x life?

If you want to join me as I talk through my 7-step framework to Overcome Body Shame, then follow the link in my bio to register for my free, live Masterclass on 24th November at 7pm.

There will be a Q&A afterward and a recording will be sent to everyone who registers.

Sign up here: https://www.gillianmccollum.com/masterclass

15/06/2022

Excited to be speaking at this on Friday 🤩

With our wellbeing conference only a week away, we want to announce our speakers 🙌 Alex McClintock will be speaking about the Andys Man Club, which is a peer to peer support group open to men over 18. Gillian McCollum (Gillian McCollum) who is a yoga teacher and professional body coach, will be there to speak and help you with your wellbeing. Founder & CEO of Headtorch, Amy McDonald will be speaking too.

Come along on the 17th June for some fantastic talks and great activities to get involved with. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3N74IYP And book your place: https://bit.ly/37DlyPQ

01/03/2022

You deserve to seek support 🤍

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Image ID:
Slide One: Pale pink tile with olive green words that read, 'You deserve to seek support when...'.
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Slide Two: Olive green tile with pale pink words that read, 'Thinking about food takes up a large proportion of your day', 'You feel guilty for eating certain types and quantities of food', 'Your eating patterns swing between restriction and bingeing', and 'You feel out of control and untrustworthy around food'.
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Slide Three:
Pale pink tile with olive green words that read, 'You use exercise to compensate or punish yourself for eating', 'You're ashamed of your body and believe it's a problem to be fixed', 'You're hyper focused on your appearance, compulsively checking mirrors and reflections', 'You attach your sense of self-worth and value to how you look'.
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Slide Four:
Olive green tile with pale pink words that read, 'Just because these behaviours are common, doesn't mean they're normal - they're not!', And especially to all the folks in bigger bodies who believe this is the inevitable price to be paid for being fat - it's not!', Feeling this way isn't your fault, it can be changed and you deserve to seek support'.
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Slide Five:
Pale pink tile with olive green words that read, 'Link in bio to learn how I can help you to find more trust, ease and liberation with food and your body' below is an image of a pink painted heart shape.
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21/02/2022

New Yoga Schedule now live
Book at www.gillianmccollum.com/online-yoga-classes