Yoga with Michelle

So I decided that I need to introduce a little bit of "normality" for the next few weeks... I've returned to work this week, albeit from home mostly, and Murray and I went to Sueann Rochester class last night. What an amazing class!!! Totally what I needed... although my body is certainly recognising the work we did... those Chataranga's and Suyra Namaskar!! 🫶 💪 Thank you Sueann, that wee shoulder press during Svasana was soooooooooo nice, you've no idea how good that felt ❤️ 🕉

It was nerve-racking turning up for what would be my class but I thoroughly enjoyed it and it gave me time to breathe, stretch and focus on a more self healing kind of "inward" and it was amazing to be a student with my students - absolutely amazing to see you!!! 🫶

Thank you to Caroline Oldham for the goodie bag you gave us (the truffles were my lunch!! 😁) and thank you all for all the hugs! It meant a lot especially when I was so anxious prior to class.

Thanks to my yoga teacher Morag Wilson who visited today. Somehow it doesn't matter how much time has gone by since we last saw each other, things are just the same with us and it was so lovely to see you ❤️ Thank you for the beautiful flowers from - gorgeous arrangement.

Lotsa love from us ❤️ xx

There’s been a lot of heartbreak, worry and uncertainty in our little world over the last few weeks, with everything that’s going on with Murray and the uncertainty around his diagnosis and upcoming neurosurgery in September.

Thankfully, Murray is doing okay for now, and we’re just taking things one day at a time. He’s also been absolutely spoiled with all the love and kindness that has been shown to him — including a frankly ridiculous amount of Kit Kats and Chocolate Buttons! He is very grateful for all of it!

And amongst all the worry, there have been some good things too. I’m trying to notice them and appreciate them, because they really do matter.

I count myself incredibly lucky to have such amazing family and friends around us. The messages, visits, dinners, flowers, cookies, baking, gifts, hugs and just knowing that so many people care about us has meant more than I could ever put into words ❤️ Our love is very much sent straight back to every single one of you.

I had my garden revamped by Don, and he did such a fab job! It’s completely changed the space and I've enjoyed some peaceful moments of being able to actually enjoy being in it. I’ve been adding different plants and making it into our own wee haven, and with everything that’s been going on, having somewhere I can sit, breathe, potter about and just have a bit of peace has been really good for me.

And HAPPY NEW CAR DAY TO US!!!!! 🥳

Our new EV has arrived and we absolutely love it! It feels like such a lovely bit of excitement in amongst everything else.

I’ve really missed my colleagues, my yoga community and my classes. I miss the normality of it all and I’m looking forward to getting back to it when the time is right.

For now, we’re just taking each day as it comes. There are still some very difficult weeks ahead, but there is also so much love, kindness and goodness around us.

So today I’m choosing to celebrate the good stuff too — Murray doing okay, the amazing people in our lives, a garden that has become a little sanctuary, lots of chocolate and a brand new car!

Sometimes, when life feels incredibly heavy, it’s the little pockets of good that keep you going. ❤️🌿🚗✨

I hope you and your family are well.

Lotsa love from us 🫶💖 xx

Hey yogi's ❤️

I just wanted to say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for your love, thoughts, beautiful messages, gifts, flowers and prayers for Murray's recovery and everyone that has come to visit us at home! We feel it 🕉 ❤️

It turns out that according to the neurosurgeons the large mass on Murray's brain is likely a vascular cavernoma as opposed to a cancerous tumour 🙏 Whilst there is so much hope and positivity in that, he'll have surgery to remove it in the next few weeks.

I miss you so all much!!! 😭 BUT, please please please keep your practice going - go to what would be my class and enjoy it! Take that time for YOU! You deserve that time to BREATHE 🫶 You’re in great hands with Sueann Rochester and Hayley!

I'll see you when I see you... Lotsa love from Murray and I ❤️

Namaste 🙏 # # #

Hello everyone ❤️

I just wanted to pop on and say hello and let you all know that things from my end will be quiet as I'm taking some time away from my classes at Breathe Yoga, Pilates & Wellness in Dunfermline and Fife

Many of you know my son Murray, and I know how fond of him you all are. Devastatingly, after he was taken to hospital on Sunday and subsequent scans undertaken, a brain tumour was detected. We're currently waiting to hear from the specialists in Edinburgh about the next steps, treatment, and surgery.

It's an incredibly difficult time and the road ahead is a long one, but right now, my place is by Murray’s side. One thing I do know is how much yoga teaches us about meeting life's challenges with patience, resilience, and compassion. Those lessons are something I'm leaning on every day.

Until I return, I'd love you to keep going to class, keep rolling out your mats, and keep your practice going. Don't make me come back and have to start all over again with your balance and strength!!! 😆

I want to thank you for the lovely messages we've received, for your kindness, love, support, and prayers for Murray's treatment and recovery. It means more to us than you'll ever know!!

Take good care of yourselves, and we'll see you on the mat in the not so distant future!!

With love, Michelle ❤️ xx

I love this! ❤️ I completely agree... some days our bodies say yes and other days they say no, and that's totally OK! It's the movement and the practice that means more than anything 🕉 xx

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

(Although Facebook Memories can give it a good go too. 😂)

You’ll find this quote on the wall in the studio. Most people think it’s a just reminder not to compare ourselves to others. But I think there’s another comparison that’s just as unhelpful… comparing ourselves to a younger version of ourselves.

This photo popped up from 11 years ago, when I was still a Yoga student and becoming a teacher wasn’t even on my Bingo card.

It’s a bound Dancer Pose. One I can’t do now without pain.

My right knee has no cartilage and arthritis. I could spend my time wishing it was different, but that won’t change it. What I can change is how I respond to it.

Ironically, I will still teach this pose. Not because I think everyone should be able to do it, but because Yoga teaches us to let go of our ego. The student could do it. The teacher can’t. And that’s okay.

There’s another saying in Yoga:

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

For me, that’s what the practice has become.

Some days that journey looks like balancing in a challenging pose.

Other days it looks like modifying, resting, or saying, “Not today, Susan.” And that’s a perfectly valid Yoga practice too.

I will always encourage you to explore what’s possible. If your goal is to learn a headstand, I’ll happily help you work towards it.

But if your goal is to get your socks on without wobbling, walk upstairs without holding the banister, or simply move with a little less pain, I’ll help you with that too.

Because Yoga was never about doing the most impressive pose in the room.

It’s about meeting yourself where you are today… and leaving feeling a little stronger, a little calmer, and a little kinder to yourself.

❤️ Susan

Breathe
11 Nethertown Broad St
Dunfermline, KY12 7DS

Looking forward to the week ahead 🫶

Murray and I are booked in with you tomorrow Susan David 😀 xx

Susan’s Weekly Roundup & Week Ahead.
Yoga: we focused on Thread the Needle variations alongside plenty of plank work. These movements strengthen the core, obliques, hips and shoulders whilst helping improve balance, stability and support for the lower back.

Pilates: this week stripped things back to basics with no props, focusing purely on bodyweight work and glute strength. Strong glutes play a huge role in posture, pelvic stability and reducing pressure through the hips, knees and lower back.

Hot Pilates: I also covered Hot Pilates again this week and between the 42°C heat, weights and the ball… it was definitely a strong class 🔥

Looking ahead to next week:

MONDAY
7am Reformer Pilates – 1 Space
9.30am Mat Pilates – 1 Space
6.20pm Hatha Yoga – 2 Spaces

TUESDAY
6am Reformer Pilates – 1 Space
9.30am Hatha Yoga – Spaces Available
Evening classes currently fully booked.

WEDNESDAY
9.30am Hatha Yoga – Spaces
6.15pm Hot Pilates – Spaces
7.35pm Hot Pilates – Spaces
with our brilliant new teacher Olivia.

THURSDAY
6am Mat Pilates – Spaces
6.25pm Hatha Yoga – 4 Spaces
7.45pm Vinyasa Yoga – Spaces

I’ll update Friday to Sunday availability later in the week.

May has been an unusual month with spaces appearing in classes that are normally waitlisted, but that’s the reality of running a studio and of life in general. Not every week is a sell out and not every month follows the same pattern.

What matters most is continuing to create a welcoming space where people can move, breathe, switch off and feel at home.

Whether you’re completely new, returning after a break or one of our long-time regulars, you’re always welcome at Breathe 🤍

If you’d like to join us next week, now is a good time to grab one of the remaining spaces.

Breathe
11 Nethertown Broad St
Dunfermline, KY12 7DS

What a fab week of classes! ❤️ xx