🌟🌟🧘‍♀️🕉️🧘‍♀️🌟🌟🌟
👩‍🎓🎓🌟STUDENT OF THE MONTH🌟🎓👩‍🎓

July 2025 Student of the month is…… Jan Probert! Jan is a regular and consistent attendee of the Monday afternoon class in Yetminster. She has developed a strong understanding of how her body responds to the postures and selects props thoughtfully to support each pose. This is the sign of a mature and advanced practice—one grounded in self-awareness and patience. Although she may sometimes feel she can’t do certain poses, her willingness to adapt and explore shows real depth in her approach.

Jan brings a great sense of humour to class. While she doesn’t take herself too seriously, she practices with steady focus and gentle determination. Despite leading a busy life and being actively involved in various community activities in Yetminster, she continues to prioritise her well-being. She is also caring for her elderly mother, so looking after herself is essential to support others from a place of strength and balance.

Jan also attends her daughter Sarah’s Pilates studio in Sherborne (Core Pilates), which complements her weekly yoga practice beautifully.

❓Tell us a little about yourself
🧘‍♀️My name is Jan Probert, rapidly approaching 70! ( will be 68 later this year) - how does that happen? I’m married to Mark and we have three children Tom,Greg, Sarah and one grandchild. I’m retired now but spent some years of my working life as an Environmental Health Officer in several Local Authorities in England and 4 wonderful years in Ayrshire, Scotland. Moves were due to following Mark’s time working for the Ordnance Survey. We moved to Yetminster four years ago to be near to Sarah and granddaughter Lyra who live in Sherborne- what a lovely part of the country to come to. We brought my Mum Ethel to live with us too. She’s 92 years young - I haven’t yet managed to persuade her to do yoga yet despite the wonderful inspiration provided by Mal, June‘s Student of the Month.

❓How long have you been practicing yoga?
🧘‍♀️I’ve been practicing yoga for just over three years now - Mark was the first one to join Lisa’s class and he was so inspired that he persuaded me to give it a try. The main thing I remember about my first lesson was sitting on some blocks and Lisa giving instructions to “ spread your buttock flesh diagonally “ and on another occasion referring to one’s “middle buttock” which caused some confusion and amusement!

❓What made you start yoga?
🧘‍♀️I did have my arm slightly twisted to keep attending as Mark thoughtfully bought me a complete yoga kit including a bag to put it in!

❓What’s your favourite pose?
🧘‍♀️My favourite pose, avoiding the obvious Savasana at the end of class, is probably the supported bridge pose, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, lying on blocks. It looks very uncomfortable but is actually great when you’ve got it right. I also like being able to tell the family that I can do a headstand! I also enjoy some of the breathing exercises.

❓What’s your favourite prop?
🧘‍♀️Probably the belt as I need to use it so much to get anywhere near many of the poses. The dowel is really good to help with alignment but is not necessary comfortable to use.

❓How has practicing yoga benefitted your life?
🧘‍♀️Practicing yoga has certainly helped with general strength, mobility and balance. I’ve been quite physically fit at times, walking, mountain climbing and running, having completed several half-marathons and one full marathon. I’ve not run so much lately, the last being a 10k race shortly before we moved here. However despite having stayed relatively fit I have never been very “bendy” - so yoga is definitely helping but I have a long way to go yet!

❓What makes you keep practicing?
🧘‍♀️I hope at least any improvement in suppleness and balance keeps ahead of ( just about ) any decline due to getting older! On the wellness and mindfulness side of yoga I can really feel the benefit of the concentration spent in a class, and time spent just focusing on the body and breath, not “other stuff”! I do feel tired after a yoga session but also totally relaxed and refreshed.

❓Anything else you’d like to add?
🧘‍♀️I know that Lisa absolutely doesn’t expect praise and doesn’t seek it but I can without doubt say that I can’t imagine anyone else inspiring and encouraging me so much to continue. Her patience and enthusiasm at each class is awesome!

Thank you Jan for sharing your yoga journey with us! ❤️🙏🕉️

Student of the Month - July 2025 - Jan

Student of the Month - June 2025 - Mal