The Yoga Tribe: Looking after our wellbeing at the Whitley Bay coast

The Yoga Tribe NE

Created back in 2019 to support the emotional wellbeing of mothers from pregnancy through to older children, The Yoga Tribe is the brainchild of Cat Percival, a former nurse. Friendly, softly spoken and approachable, Cat is the quintessential yoga teacher. She told me about her passion for yoga, journaling and tackling Mum guilt, and how The Yoga Tribe had given her the perfect vehicle to spread the benefits of this gentle exercise. Here’s what she has to say:

“As a Mum myself, I know what it’s like to feel guilty about carving out some time for yourself. And yet, as a former nurse, I also know the importance of that time, not just for the body, but for the mind too. So, I set up The Yoga Tribe back in 2019 to teach yoga, journaling and a series of other unique workshops aimed specifically at Mums in the Whitley Bay area. I want to help Mums transform the way they feel in everyday life.

“My motivation for the business lies behind the huge step into motherhood. It’s always assumed that motherhood will come naturally to all women and I think we sometimes head into it with that vision in our heads. Unfortunately, that often isn’t the case. While welcoming a baby into the world is supposed to be a joyous thing, mothers can often feel exhausted, isolated and guilty about absolutely everything.

“The Yoga Tribe isn’t just about yoga. It’s about providing a holistic approach to motherhood and looking after the emotional wellbeing of parents. I have created unique workshops that support women to reconnect with who they are as a mother and what they want their life to look like now.  We shouldn’t have to keep struggling, wishing for kids to get older and life to get easier. We can make changes so that we enjoy life right now. We share stories and provide support that is focused on not feeling guilty, being realistic and dealing with the challenges that parenthood throws at us all.

“The conversations at my sessions so often boil down to guilt. Mothers never feel like they are doing a good job. Whether they stay at home or go back to work, they always feel they’re not doing enough. Which is why The Yoga Tribe is so important. It offers Mums the opportunity to take some time out for themselves without feeling guilty and make positive changes in their everyday life.”

What classes do you offer?

The Yoga Tribe supports women from pregnancy and beyond, so we offer antenatal classes, Mum and baby classes and then women-only classes for those who want to have some real ‘me’ time. We normally hold our classes in Monkseaton at St Andrew’s church and at the Yoga Station in Whitley Bay Metro Station, plus Beach Yoga sessions during the summer on Cullercoats Bay. The yoga sessions are for everyone – complete beginners to Mums who have done yoga before, we welcome any ability into our tribe.

Then there are the retreats which are incredible half and full-day sessions held somewhere luxurious in the North East area. The retreats offer a real break from ‘real-life’ with the opportunity to make friends, relax and spend some time looking after yourself.

For more information about Whitley Bay Yoga, visit The Yoga Tribe website or @TheYogaTribeNE on social media.