Student of the Month - June 2025 - Mal
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👩🎓🎓🌟STUDENT OF THE MONTH🌟🎓👩🎓
June 2025 Student of the month is…… Mal Nelson-Hedge! Mal is a truly remarkable student of yoga and a source of inspiration for all of her yoga friends.
As she shares below, the past few years have brought immense challenges: two knee replacements, a hip replacement, an ankle fusion, and even a small stroke. Despite all of this, Mal has met each obstacle with extraordinary grace, resilience, and acceptance.
Where many might have stepped away from their practice, Mal has shown unwavering dedication—continuing to attend weekly classes whenever possible. She embraces props and modifications without resistance, beautifully embodying the yogic principle of santosha—contentment with one’s circumstances and making the most of the present moment.
Her commitment is a powerful reminder of how yoga supports not just our physical health, but our emotional and mental well-being. Especially when the body is healing, maintaining some form of movement helps preserve overall strength and balance—and yoga offers a uniquely compassionate way to do this. Beyond the physical, the community and connection we share in class are healing forces in themselves.
I’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Babs, who so generously stepped in to drive Mal to class after her stroke. That act of kindness and support speaks volumes about the spirit of this community. Thank you, Babs.❤️
❓Tell us a little about yourself …………………
🧘♀️My name is Maralyn Nelson-Hedge but I am usually known as Mal.
I have three sons and have had two marriages in the past.
❓How long have you been practicing yoga?……………
🧘♀️I am 82yrs and started practicing Yoga, in earnest when I retired aged 70. I attend Gentle Yoga once a week and do my own home practice most evenings.
❓What made you start yoga?
🧘♀️I had always planned to join Nuffield gym on retirement and was delighted to discover that there was a Yoga class. I have always danced and over the years having attended Dance classes, I had also joined a few Yoga classes but Dance was always my main focus. The Yoga class taught by Anna Finch was excellent and I enjoyed gaining skill but after about 5yrs when I was 75 my body started misbehaving. Since then I have had three joint replacements and an ankle fusion. I have spinal stenosis and had a small stroke in 2023 and then developed Inflammatory Arthritis .
❓What’s your favourite pose?………….
🧘♀️My favourite pose is Halasana
❓What’s your favourite prop?……
🧘♀️I don't have a favourite prop but they are all very helpful.
❓How has practicing yoga benefitted your life?………………
🧘♀️Although I am unable to achieve the things I used to, I feel that my Yoga practice is more important now that my body is in decline. I have learned ways to combat the problems - for instance i start every day with spine stretches. I always enjoyed moving my body when I was younger. Now it is not so joyful but I think it is important to keep on trying to do what I can do to maintain mobility and strength
❓What makes you keep practicing?……………….
🧘♀️Lisa's phenomenal teaching keeps me going . I always feel better after the class than I did before.
❓Anything else you’d like to add?…………..
🧘♀️After my stroke, I was unable to drive, my eyesight had been affected and I thought that I would be unable to get to my regular class but my Yoga buddy, Babs, picks me up and takes me home each week - what a star! I enjoy the camaraderie of the class and welcome the growing number of male Yoga buddies. They contribute to the collective.
Thank you Mal for sharing your yoga journey with us! ❤️🙏🕉️
