Yoga teacher Gem Hansen shares her experiences of growing up on tiny Bryher and working on beautiful Tresco, both part of the Isles of Scilly
I grew up on Bryher and spent my childhood beachcombing, rock climbing and running free with my siblings. I now guide yoga and meditation practice around the coast of Tresco, taking in sea views and salty air, using the horizon as our gazing point, and the gentle lap of waves on the shore as our object of attention.
My greatest joy is sharing the sanctuary of Tresco or Bryher for a few days with a small retreat group, invited to immerse themselves in gentle practices and discover deep restoration. In my yoga practice and teaching, I am guided by the seasons: awakening styles in spring, for instance, with accommodation at the elegant hotel Hell Bay; or unwinding and soothing sessions for the Autumn Yoga & Meditation Retreat on Tresco. The escapism a remote island offers is unparalleled when it comes to a peaceful pace of life, time for reflection and surrender to the elements.
I love living by the sea, as it invites me to move in tune with nature. When the tide is high, I can kayak the short distance between Bryher and Tresco to offer yoga outside in the famous Abbey Garden. If the tide is especially low, it’s possible to walk between the two islands, across the sand flats. Tide, weather and sea state dictate my daily commute between my island home, Bryher, and the location of most of my yoga classes, Tresco.
The mood of the sea and sky each day inspires the class’s style in a way that invites us to be in the present moment. Yoga is a moving meditation, and if it can be done beneath the vastness of the open sky and beside the rhythm of the waves, the experience is truly enhanced.
To find out more about Gem’s yoga workshops, go to tresco.co.uk/enjoying/events/yoga-meditation and gemhansen.com.
