Meet Hannah
My name’s Hannah and I am a T11 incomplete paraplegic and full time wheelchair user, following a spinal cord injury just over twelve years ago. Before my injury I was a yoga instructor, a climbing instructor, and an engineer / eco builder working in Straw Bale construction. My life was all about graceful movement and a love of the great outdoors. I was at my happiest on a climbing trip in the mountains, camping, connecting with nature.
A simple fall from a pull-up bar changed all that in an instant…
I recall lying in my hospital bed thinking life must be over. My partner at the time offered adventure - “We can climb half dome in your wheelchair”! But I just felt devastated, such a loss of control, a loss of freedom, a loss of adventure.
I tried returning to my yoga practice but found I had lost the love - the movements felt clunky, I felt sad and frustrated. I had lost the ability to “flow” which I had enjoyed so much with my Astanga practice. Soon after I discovered meditation, and realised that THIS was the element I had been missing from my yoga practice! Meditation really helped me get through the early days of SCI, helping me to deal with pain, stress, anxiety and depression.
I found a reconnection to the great outdoors through handcycling. I joined the British Team and trained hard, racing abroad in Italy for a season. This was an amazing experience and really pushed me during my early rehab years. However something wasn’t quite aligning - I realised I was doing this for everyone else rather than myself. Today I still love biking, but I’m more of an off-road bimbler. It gets me to amazing places I couldn’t reach in my wheelchair, helping me find that much needed connection with nature.
During lockdown I discovered Qigong - and realised this was my new yoga! I have been practicing daily since, and have trained as a YOQI instructor with Marisa Cranfill. With Qigong I can find my flow, my rhythm, my connection. The practice has been really helpful for my physical health and mental wellbeing, whilst also offering a great workout that doesn't put too much strain on the body. I really enjoy the flow of the sequences and find it so balancing, calming and energising. Check out my blog to find out more about how Qigong has helped me.
My teachings follow the YOQI method and Six Phases of Qi Flow, combining traditional Qigong movements into modern sequences and flows. I have adapted the movements to create a seated practice that is suitable for wheelchair users, or for people that have difficulty standing. You are also welcome to practice standing if you are able.
I hope to see you at a class soon!
Hannah x
YoQi Associate Instructor
Yoga Alliance 200 hour Teacher Training
Meet Matthew
My name is Matthew and I was injured in 1980 shortly after arriving at Stanford University, California to do postdoctoral research. I was playing rugby in San Francisco, dislocated my neck in maul/ruck and ended up being C5/6 incomplete tetra. I was training to be a research Chemist prior to my injury and after had to change and became a software developer. I had huge anger issues for many years unable to come to terms to the changes in my life.
In the mid 90’s I got into handcycling which was a life changer and in 1997 my daughter was born and another life changing moment. I lived a boom and bust life cycle and in 2006 I developed chronic fatigue and had to retire early. I had already begun using complimentary therapies and after retiring I trained as a holistic therapist and counsellor. I have been involved in Handcycling UK for over 20 years organising the taster days at Stoke Mandeville. And I am also a mentor with BackUp. Much of my activities are based on the notion of giving back, sharing what I have learnt so people can improve their own wellbeing. More recently, I started training to be a mindfulness teacher.
Hannah and I have just started a new venture offering mindfulness sessions on a bi-weekly basis. I am looking forward to sharing with you what is possible from some very simple practises.
