‘Your body exists in the past, your mind exists in the future. In yoga, they come together in the present.’
— B.K.S Iyengar
My Story
Meet Penny
Having been brought up in the North of England, Penny now lives in the New Forest with her family. All her life she have been fascinated with how the body moves — from the grace of a ballerina to the athleticism of a sprinter. As Penny navigated the challenges of anxiety during the peri-menopause and menopause, yoga became her sanctuary. Through its practice, she discovered that exercise has always been vital to her because it allowed her to breathe freely and deeply.
Penny’s yoga journey has been deeply nourishing and transformative. Having completed a 350 hours Teacher Training at Triyoga in London, accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance UK and USA, Penny remains forever grateful to her teachers, Anna Ashby and Tony Watson, for their guidance and for deepening her practice and understanding of the tradition. Since then she has also completed training in Yoga for Cancer, Yoga for the pelvic floor, Yoga for Menopause and Restorative Yoga. A couple of years ago, Penny returned to Triyoga as a mentor on the TT28 programme with Anna and Tony.
In her classes, whether conducted on zoom or in her studio, she endeavours to create a relaxed environment where each individual can feel valued and supported. Her style has been drawn from Hatha yoga and the influences from her other trainings.
Penny’s yoga provides support for a wide range of challenges, including the side effects of cancer treatment and surgery, fatigue associated with long COVID, symptoms of menopause and when returning to movement after extended periods of inactivity.
Through focused breath work and mindful movement, she hopes to help you maintain a practice that truly works for you — bringing a balance to your mind and body.
Discover a practice that makes you
Stronger, calmer, healthier
The road to recovery is
Gentle, supportive, healing
A safe and supportive space
Receive guidance
With years of dedicated practice and with deep empathy, Penny brings an understanding of yoga's healing potential to every session. She pays meticulous attention to individual needs, helping to support specific challenges such as fatigue, fear, joint pain, bone health, lymphatic drainage and improving ROM (range of movement). Through her classes, Penny offers more than just yoga; she provides a sanctuary for her students to rest, nourish, and rebuild strength and balance. She believes that yoga and breath work can truly help to heal and balance the body. With Penny guiding the way, you're in kind hands, ready to embark on a transformative journey towards greater health and balance.
Penny’s practice
Gentle styles
Embark on a transformative journey with Penny's diverse range of classes tailored to suit your unique wellness needs. From the alignment and breath practices of Hatha yoga to the supportive environment of Yoga for Recovery, all her classes are designed to support and promote your wellness.
In the Hatha yoga sessions, you'll explore mindful movement, breath awareness, and relaxation techniques to cultivate strength, flexibility, and inner balance.
For those seeking more support or a road to recovery, Penny's specialised Yoga for Recovery classes provide a sanctuary where gentle postures, guided breathwork and meditation aim to help alleviate symptoms of discomfort — start to build back your strength and work towards a greater sense of well being.
Equally sometimes working in a group can be overwhelming, so in Penny’s private 1:1 sessions you'll find a safe and supportive space that is tailored exactly to your pace and needs.
Choose a practice
Yoga For Recovery
Step into the gentle embrace of a Yoga for Recovery class — a sanctuary where nurturing movements and calming breathwork come together to support your healing journey. With a focus on individual needs, each session is thoughtfully modified to address specific challenges, offering a safe space for restoration and renewal. Find your balance as you navigate through tailored practices designed to soothe the nervous system. Embrace moments of pause and rest, allowing for a gentle increase in strength and flexibility, guiding you towards better well-being.
Hatha Yoga
In my Hatha Yoga class, you will find a harmonious blend of internal and external balance. Through mindful movement and focused breathwork, this class cultivates a sense of peace and rejuvenation. Each practice is designed to harmonize body and mind, offering moments of rest and restoration amidst the flow. Experience the transformative power of Hatha Yoga as you journey towards a deeper connection with yourself and a renewed sense of vitality.
Private Classes & 1:1
Whether you're seeking individualised instruction to build confidence, address specific challenges, or simply prefer a more intimate setting, my 1:1 sessions offer a sanctuary for your tailored practice. Working together, we'll explore gentle movements and breathwork, incorporating props as needed to support your body and enhance your experience. With a focus on the breath, we'll harmonise the nervous system and create space for rest, digestion and healing. Whether you're new to yoga or returning after a hiatus, private sessions provide a safe and nurturing environment for you to explore, grow, and thrive at your own pace.
‘The inspiration you seek is already within you. Be silent and listen.’
— Rumi
Testimonials
““I couldn’t recommend Penny highly enough. Eighteen months after surgery for a ruptured achilles tendon from tennis, I struggled to walk and move around normally. When I started to suffer from vertigo, I knew it was time to find a permanent change to my lifestyle.
My life changed when I started one-to-one yoga with Penny. Penny is incredibly
knowledgeable about my medical conditions, if there is anything she doesn’t understand medically, she researches it fully, I feel incredibly safe in her caring hands. We do chair yoga and my balance, strength, movement and dizzy spells are improving every day. I have total faith & confidence in Penny.
Thank you, Penny for your warmth, compassion, wisdom and the sense of calm you have brought to my life.”
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““Penny intuitively connects with her students, she has a deep knowledge of yoga anatomy and philosophy and caringly adapts her teaching to the students abilities and limitations, in a safe and comfortable space. Penny’s extensive yoga teaching experience is evident and students quickly trust and enjoy her teachings.”
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““Penny Smith is a wonderful yoga teacher. I take private lessons once a week and have been doing this for about 6 months. Penny teaches me about breathing and is gradually helping me build some strength and balance.
My balance has been a big challenge as I have aged. She helps me do more than I think I can do. I am now using this in my real life. I have never taken Ballet classes, but I’m doing it now and I walk up the High Street with more confidence thanks to Penny. She is a lovely sweet lady who is very knowledgeable about yoga and life.”
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““I am so grateful to Penny for introducing me to yoga. She is an amazing and passionate teacher. I have had inflammation of my spinal cord (transverse myelitis) and broken my ankle and spine. Penny has been very thorough with my rehabilitation programme. I couldn’t not have had more support and care.
She says she is going to prevent us all from stooping in our old age and we are devoted pupils. I really can’t recommend her enough.”
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““It’s a privilege Penny to do yoga at your classes. For your gentle and attentive teaching to your mind strength of getting me totally relaxed. From gentle stretches to strong poses. I come away from each class feeling relaxed, refreshed and in touch with who I am both mind and body.”
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““After 6 operations and chemotherapy I had lost all my physical confidence and was very nervous about finding my way back.
Penny has been hugely empathetic and very good at listening. She plans each session very specifically and checks in with me afterwards to see if we need any adjustments. My range of movement has developed beyond recognition during my time working with Penny.
My confidence is fully restored and my fitness is returning!”
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