"This is not just a job for me" - The Chester yoga studio bringing together community and healing
Soul Space Chester recently marked six months since opening its doors to the public.
Nub News recently sat down with owner Monique Thissen, to understand the journey behind the passion project and her deep-rooted belief that yoga is for everyone.
Monique moved into her twenties with deep trauma following an abusive childhood, which she attempted to suppress with alcohol and "partying".
Citing the beginning of her journey, she said: "My trauma started really early on and because of that I got into all kinds of trouble.
"During my twenties I didn't do much else than getting wasted, basically.
"I was escaping my trauma, my feelings and my body.
"Basically my whole life I've been feeling like a victim. I was always blaming everything externally.
"There was a point where something deep within me was saying, you can either continue like this and be unhappy- or you do something about it."
In this dark place, she learned what things were necessary for healing, equipping her to try and help others.
As a result, building a strong sense of community was a major focus when creating her own studio.
Monique added: "Community was something I needed when I was deep in my healing phase and it was something that wasn't readily available to me, even though I did yoga.
"I worked for many yoga studios and kind of missed the whole community aspect."
She explained that during yoga practises, deep rooted emotions can resurface - meaning there needs to be a space for people to talk after class and a community where this is facilitated.
"I used to feel really emotional after a class.
"That was one thing that was really important to me, is that we have a lounge, that there's always tea available, and that teachers are willing and available to speak to students after class.
"I was really dissociated; I could often not feel my body.
"Doing yoga, I felt my body again and the trauma was released.
"I was crying and I just didn't know why, " she said.
From that point onwards, she became compelled to learn more about the impacts of doing yoga, and how she could help others through the practise.
"I feel super grateful that I can now offer this to so many people.
"Even if it's just yoga, for a lot of people, healing begins with yoga."
Six months after first opening the doors to her studio, which she painted and decorated entirely on her own, she reflected that it has never been about making money.
She said: "This is not just a job. It's something far beyond a job for me anyway - it's a calling."
As a mother of three, balancing work with raising children is not always easy but is something she considers necessary for her overall happiness.
"This is something I have to do", she said.
"Being a stay at home mom was just, it wasn't making me happy.
"I felt like I have something to give and share with people.
"When you don't follow your purpose, you get depressed. So that's kind of what I think depression is... when you're not living in alignment with what you should be doing.
"It's an adjustment, but everything in life changes all the time.
"Nothing stays stagnant or still, and it's not supposed to be like that.
"As our family grows, we all evolve."
Classes at the studio vary from intense workouts to slower, steadier forms of movement which focus more on breath work and remaining present.
Monique describes how different forms of movement can often serve as escapism for people, which isn't always beneficial in every stage of life.
She explained: "Often it's escapism, the exercise.
"It's not really going inward, it's almost like you're running away from something."
The instructor uses yoga to help people work through the stress and trauma they often don't realise they are carrying.
It can serve as a form of therapy, she argues, especially when people aren't compatible with standard talking therapies.
"When you slow down, you can really use that hour to transmute some of the shit that you don't want to carry with you in your day, or in your week.
"Or it can be an opportunity to like, acknowledge what is there.
"It's okay, whatever you come with, that's okay. There is no wrong or right in terms of feeling - all of your emotions are valid.
"You either practice with them or suppress, which is not great.
"I'd rather have you crying in my class, than trying to stuff that stuff back down, because it comes out one way or another," she added.
Monique explained that yoga isn't an exclusive form of movement, restricted to only those who are flexible or look a certain way.
Rather, the practise is something that everyone can benefit from in their own way.
She said: "You learn lessons on the yoga mat that you can take with you in your life.
"Like how to center yourself, how to ground yourself, how to breathe.
"It's far more than just getting more bendier; it is a way to regulate your nervous system.
"Not all yoga classes are designed to do that, but that's what we do here."
Monique bases her yoga teaching on the acceptance of living in the present moment, and what we can learn from "sitting in the now".
Monique shrugged off misconceptions of yoga being a sport exclusively for flexible young women.
Citing this belief, she said: "Yoga is for everyone; It's not about just touching your toes.
"It's about what you learn on the way down and the possibility that you might do it if you stick to the practice.
"Not only will you be able to touch your toes, but you'll find you might also be calmer, more centered and more embodied."
Alongside yoga, Soul Space Chester also offers sound baths, women's circles, workshops and one-to-one sessions.
You can book classes and find out more about Monique's work here.
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