Free yoga classes offered to all News Associates trainees

After working hard each week to master their essential journalism skills, our trainees will now get the chance to attend free remote yoga classes on Sunday mornings.

We have hired professional yoga instructor Emma Lindsay – a former part-time trainee who currently works for ITV – to teach a ten-week course on Sundays 9:15am-10am.

Emma kindly ran free yoga sessions on Saturday mornings for News Associates trainees and staff to unwind during the challenge of adapting to remote working throughout lockdown – and we loved them so much we couldn’t let her go!

Emma first took up yoga to ease aches and pains caused by a physically demanding job crewing yachts, but quickly discovered it also had a positive influence on her mental wellbeing.

She said: “I’m so thrilled to be partnering with News Associates to offer yoga classes to this year’s trainees.

“The physical benefits of yoga are well known, and I know that moving and challenging your body after long days of studying will feel great.

“But it’s the mental clarity and focus that comes as a result of yoga that will get you to 100wpm.”

Emma believes absolutely everyone can benefit from regular yoga practice, both physically and mentally.

She primarily focuses on teaching the physical aspects of yoga, having recognised the spiritual aspects of the practice can be off-putting for some people.

The sessions will use clear communication and logical progression, building sequences in a way that is accessible for all.

It has already proven immensely beneficial for our trainees. Part-time graduate Kate Pounds said: “Emma’s yoga gave a much-needed form of relaxation and exercise during lockdown when I wasn’t allowed to go out as much as I usually would.

“But more than that, it provided a way for me to connect with my classmates, who I otherwise only saw on Zoom lessons.

“She’s an attentive and very thorough teacher, who can manage people at different stages in the same class, and I’m missing her yoga now.”

Yoga teacher Emma in a black strap top and black leggings. She is sitting at home on her wooden floor. Her legs are crossed and she is leaning forward with her arms stretched and her hands on the floor in a thumbs up. Emma has short brown and a huge grin. The white background is quite plain but to Emma's left is a luscious green leafy house plant in a dark pot.

Kate’s course mate Jack Howes said: “Emma’s sessions helped me to strengthen following a fairly serious injury.

“I said to Emma back in January that I had the world’s tightest hamstrings, so she tailored exercises to focus on that. It was helpful as well as really fun.”

News Associates editorial development manager Lucy Dyer said: “I am so pleased we are able to offer free yoga sessions to all of our trainees.

“I am constantly telling our trainees that they should be doing what they enjoy alongside their studies, as it is good for their mental health and will also make them more productive.

“Emma’s classes were so helpful to many of us during lockdown – especially stretching our shoulders and backs which were really missing proper office chairs!”

Follow Emma on Instagram @the_yoga_coach for your daily dose of poses and positivity!