Alexis Fletcher, Fitness & Nutrition Expert and Founder of Flex Yoga Manchester, is one of our resident fitness gurus here at Broadside. Alexis has been running a virtual weekly yoga course for Broadsiders where she shows us how to strike a pose and talks through any fitness or nutrition queries. We had a chat about wellness, music and why yoga could be just the thing you need to revitalise your mind and body.
I started Flex Yoga Manchester almost seven years ago after working in the music industry for over ten years. Based in Manchester City Centre, I teach classes in different studios and for corporate clients around town, but obviously just online at the moment. I also do Personal Training and juice packages for clients as well as reviewing lots of different wellbeing products and brands for my social channels.
Yoga is a great tool for bringing people together (albeit through a screen at the moment) and easing the mind and body at the same as strengthening it. I always love to incorporate some breathing work and relaxation in all of my yoga classes as its so important to stop and check in with yourself daily. Nutrition is a big passion of mine too, and I’m always happy to help clients and students with any queries they have as it can be such a minefield.
The first week of lockdown in March I watched my classes drop day by day until I was left with no work, but just as everyone did, I adapted quickly to move all of my classes online. Our spare room has become my yoga studio and looks like it will stay that way for a while longer. I did start doing physical classes again before the second lockdown and made sure I stuck to all of the rules which meant no hands-on adjustments, offering an essential oil spray which doubles as a hand sanitizer, people using their own matts and keeping socially distanced etc.
Yoga is probably one of the safest (and most needed things) to do in these times! Before lockdown I was involved in different wellbeing events, such as yoga and brunch and events around causes such as Mental Health Awareness day. I’m currently looking into hosting these kind of things online, so watch this space! I’m also using this time to train in other areas of yoga, as I love learning. And hopefully I can get back out teaching again soon
Whilst everything’s still chaotic and up in the air, I feel it’s so important (and maybe a bit easier) to simply slow down. Make sure you’re enjoying everything you do and not just doing it because you think you should. Yoga can really help to give you this time to stop and take stock.
I’ve developed a series of FREE virtual yoga classes exclusively for Broadsiders. They consist of breath-work, hatha/vinyasa flow, core work, inversions and a cool down. So grab your matt and your blanket and come and get flexy!
For anyone who’s never tried yoga and is a bit anxious about trying it, I would say that’s a completely natural way to feel. But the online classes (especially the pre-recorded ones) are a great way of trying it the comfort of your own home, and then I’m sure you’ll feel confident enough to come to the live class and hopefully physical classes in the future.
My favourite yoga pose? I love an inversion. Headstands and handstands are a great way of getting the blood flow and digestive system going, whilst making your body and mind stronger
I like to turn the music up and have a soundtrack to my yoga sessions. Sol Rising is one my favourite yoga DJs and my playlists feature an eclectic mix of people from Christine & The Queens to Charlotte OC and Max Richter to Massive Attack.
I love living in Manchester City Centre and have really seen it grow over the last 10 years. The quirky little shops and coffee shops make it what it is but more so the people and the dogs! I cannot wait for the buzz of the Northern Quarter to return when everything reopens and explore all of the new places… you’ll no doubt find me enjoying a Margarita in the sunshine somewhere!
If you want to give yoga a try then join Alexis’s FREE virtual yoga classes now by emailing hello@broadsidemcr.com. Suitable for all abilities, the classes will be live every Saturday during March at 11:15am. We’re hoping to run these classes from our Fitness Studio in-person from May, so drop by via Zoom and give them a try.
Not sure if yoga’s for you? Email us and we’ll send you a free, pre-recorded taster class.
Find out more about Flex Yoga here.