Meet Gabriella Espinosa. Gabriella is a nurturing and supportive teacher who embodies her teaching. She supports women to navigate their journey from menstruation to menopause.
What do you teach and why?
I teach embodied yoga, movement and breathwork to support women’s hormonal cycles. I am also a nutrition/lifestyle coach and write about women’s health. For the last 15 years I have been guiding women in their journey from menstruation to menopause empowering them to take charge of their hormonal health, develop greater awareness of their physical and emotional body and embrace their whole selves through these therapeutic and healing practices.
What brought you to this practice?
Yoga has been my constant companion for 22 years providing me with grounding, clarity and strength whilst I travelled around the world in a busy professional career and then into pregnancy, motherhood and now menopause.
My teaching is informed by my personal healing journey overcoming stress, anxiety, an autoimmune condition and navigating the transition into menopause. Deepening my knowledge of somatic body and breath based practices, neuroscience and retraining as a nutritional therapist has allowed me to offer the women I teach and work with a 360 degrees holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
What motivates you?
Empowering women to connect with their natural cycles and to really know their bodies so they can be the best advocates for their health. This brings me so much joy.
What is your favourite way to unwind?
Going for long walks in one of London’s beautiful parks with my husband and our dog.
Which living teachers / thinkers most inspire you and why?
My three teenagers have been my greatest teachers! They really have taught me how to apply everything I have learned about the philosophy of yoga into everyday practice, how to love deeply and to laugh out loud.
Recommend your favourite books.
It is hard to choose just 3 books as I am always deepening my learning and research around women’s health. However, three books that I always keep nearby are:
The Wild Women’s Way by Michaela Boehm. I have learned so much about embodiment and trusting my body’s intelligence from this book and Michaela herself.
The Breathing Book: Vitality and Good Health through Essential Breathwork by Donna Farhi. Donna is a teacher’s teacher and I am so grateful to have been able to train with her.
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom (revised edition): Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing by Dr Christianne Northrup A must go to guide for any woman.
Which daily practice would make us feel better?
Start your yoga practice with an “Embodiment Tune In.” Either sitting or lying down placing one hand on your heart and another one your belly. Notice your breath – where do you feel it and how is it moving through you? Observe non-judgmentally what it feels like to be in your body, what is the tone of your emotions, what is the quality of your thoughts? By taking this inventory you can use yoga to welcome your experience with compassion and making room to accept where you are in the moment.
Mountain or Beach?
Beach – especially on the coast of my native country of Ecuador.
Cat or Dog?
Dog – My life would not be the same without long walks and cuddles with my Labradoodle, Hugo
Rural or Urban?
Both! I have always lived in big cities and love their vibrancy and cultural diversity. However, I do long for the stillness and natural beauty of rural areas to resource and replenish.
Sunrise or Sunset?
Sunrise – There is always gratitude to the start of a new day
Spring or Autumn?
Autumn – the fresh air, colours, smells and sounds are such a feast for the senses!
Which is your favourite food?
Black beans and fried plantains always take me back home to wonderful memories.
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More about Gabriella Espinosa:
Gabriella Espinosa supports women to get to know and trust their bodies and navigate natural transitions. Gabriella’s classes are informative and inspiring and support women to develop greater awareness of their bodies.
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