Based in the beautiful west of Ireland, Kelly-Louise Pryce is passionate about helping her students disconnect to reconnect
- NAME: Kelly-Louise Pryce
- AGE: 31
- OCCUPATION: Yoga teacher
- YOGA YEARS: 19+
Why did you start yoga
Having grown up in a holistic household (my mother is a reflexologist), I was introduced to yoga and mindfulness long ago. I attended a Kundalini class at 13 as I was struggling with school, mood swings, hormones and chronic back pain. I found myself turning to yoga to heal my body after doctors found nothing wrong. Fast forward to 2020, a pain specialist referred me to rheumatology and, two weeks later, I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), an auto immune arthritis. Yoga had been my place of sanity in that time, allowing me to set everything aside when I felt like it was all in my head, questioning myself, and to surrender to the universe, knowing that one day I would have the answers.
How has yoga changed your life?
Yoga was the only consistent practice I had throughout my teens and twenties. The power of pranayama has been the biggest tool for me, especially when pain is amplified around my body. Yoga has changed my whole career too. I would never have become a yoga teacher if I had not been diagnosed with AS. When the rheumatologist said I needed to change my desk job for a more active role, I instantly knew I wanted to be a yoga teacher.
Best yoga moment?
The feedback I get from my students is incredible. Hearing them say I have helped them sleep better, improved their anxiety or just taught them that yoga is not about being flexible and more about being present in their body, makes me feel such gratitude. Teaching pregnancy yoga brings a whole new level to holding space. Allowing expectant mothers to spend time with themselves, and their baby, knowing that there are humans in the room that have yet to meet the world, is truly magical. The highlight is when I get a message or a photo of a newborn baby and how much the breathing techniques and tips helped the mother in labour. Those babies were present in my yoga classes and now they are in the outside world — it’s truly amazing!
Anything else
Anything else? My aim is to teach people how to disconnect to reconnect. For me, it’s an honour to help others on their journey and hold space for each person that comes to a class. Post-pandemic, the world seems to be turning at a faster pace. Society seems to have lost track of what downtime is and stress seems to be common in most peoples lives. Yet people have never felt more disconnected. I offer a mindful approach to my students, to press pause on their day and allow them to be present, to observe the senses, the breath and the body.
Find Kelly-Louise Pryce online at: yogalekelly.com or connect with her on Instagram @yoga_le_kelly
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
