Notes from the Studio
Thoughtful conversations about yoga, practice and living well.
Welcome to Notes from the Studio. These are the conversations that don't always fit neatly into a yoga class.
Ideas we've been thinking about. Questions that have stayed with us. Things we've noticed through teaching, travelling, running a studio, hosting retreats and simply trying to live well Sometimes they begin on the mat. Sometimes they begin over coffee after class. Sometimes they begin somewhere much further away!
We don't want to make more content for the sake of making more content. There is already plenty of that. We'd rather share things that feel genuinely worth your attention.
Some Notes will be about yoga.
Others will be about practice in a broader sense: how we pay attention, how we create space, how we navigate change, how we build community, and how we try to remain curious as life keeps changing around us. They are written by us, Chris and Debbie, the founders of Yoga x Life, and are part of a much longer conversation about what yoga can mean beyond the time we spend on a mat.
We hope you enjoy reading them. And perhaps, every now and then, one gives you something to think about long after you've closed the page.
Issue One: Making Space
For years, we thought that if we worked hard enough, life would eventually become more spacious. But perhaps space isn't something we find. Perhaps it's something we create. A reflection on yoga, resilience, attention and learning to make space in the life we already have.
A Guide to the Core Classes at the Yoga x Life Studios
Not sure whether to book Vinyasa, Deep Flow, Functional Flow or a restorative class at Yoga x Life? This guide explains the core class types on our Newcastle timetable, who each one is for, and how they can support strength, mobility, nervous system regulation, anxiety and sleep - so you can choose the right session for your week.
Make your practice part of your week (not your to-do list!)
One small feature in the Yoga x Life app - choosing your own weekly practice goal - can quietly transform how you relate to yoga. Instead of “I should do more,” you build a realistic rhythm of sessions that supports habit, consistency, stress relief, sleep and nervous system regulation.
El Día de la Pachamama: What Reciprocity Can Teach a Yoga Practice
Every 1 August, communities across the Andes mark El Día de la Pachamama, a day of gratitude to the Earth rooted in Indigenous tradition. It's an occasion worth pausing on, not just as an interesting date, but for the idea underneath it: reciprocity. Here's what the day involves, why it echoes something we already teach on the mat, and a few small, sincere ways to mark it yourself.
How to Really Learn Arm Balances (not just muscle your way into them!)
Arm balances have a reputation for being for "advanced" practitioners only - but what actually gets you off the ground is more ordinary than it looks. Here's what's really going on in poses like Crow and Side Crow, and how to build the practice properly.
Balance Point: Marking the Equinox at Yoga x Life
Twice a year, day and night stand in exact balance. Discover what the equinox means across yoga, tantra and shamanic tradition, and join us across three events this September - from cacao ceremony to sunrise raag to the Yoga Mala - built to be felt as one arc.
Yoga x Life Introducing, Class of 2026
Discover the next generation of yoga teachers at Yoga x Life. Our Introducing classes are led by newly qualified graduates stepping into their teaching journey with care, skill, and authenticity. These accessible, donation-based sessions offer a chance to support emerging teachers while enjoying a thoughtful, high-quality practice grounded in everything we stand for; inclusive, intelligent, and deeply supportive yoga.
Remembering the Arc of Practice on Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima invites us to remember that our very modern yoga practice sits in a long arc of human questions: how to meet the mind, body and heart with honesty. The world looks different now, but the simple truths that survived in these teachings still speak.
Join us on the Newcastle quayside for Yoga in the sunshine this summer!
Yoga x Life is heading down to the Newcastle quayside again this summer for a series of sunshine soaked sessions, some that you can bring your dog too!
Consistency is the Key…
Consistency is one of yoga’s quiet superpowers. Rooted in the twin principles of abhyāsa (steady practice) and vairāgya (non-attachment), it is the simple act of showing up regularly that reshapes the nervous system, stabilises the mind, and supports sustainable growth on and off the mat.
Introducing ‘Practice Points’
Practice Points is Yoga x Life’s new loyalty programme designed to reward consistent practice. Earn points every time you attend a class, unlock rewards across three tiers, and reset each quarter for a fresh start. A simple system to support long-term growth on and off the mat.
Ibiza Retreats April 2027: Three New Yoga x Life Retreats Now Open for Booking
Our Ibiza 2027 retreat schedule is open for booking! Will you join us on the White Isle?
Make the Most of Your Practice This Summer and Beyond
Head to the 🏆 tab in your app to sign up for our summer challenges and earn account credit.
Guide to the Perfect Savasana
There are many ways to soak up the benefits of a proper savasana. Here are some supported variations to ensure you can enjoy this concluding and incredibly important posture.
What’s Your Type?
Understanding your dosha can help you select the practices that are going to be especially nourishing for you at this moment.
Coffee O’Clock? A Yogi’s Guide to Caffeination
At Yoga x Life we love our coffee… here is how to ensure you get all the goodness and avoid the crash!
Hot Water and Clearing ‘Ama’
Swap out your morning coffee and reap the benefits with this super simple Ayurvedic upgrade!

