About Me
Hi, I’m Gillian
If you think you’re too inflexible, too tired, or too stressed for yoga, you’re exactly who I teach.
I’m Gillian, the teacher behind Yoga by Gillian, and I offer gentle Yin Yoga and Immersive Yoga classes in Scotland for people who need to yoga to calm the nervous system, sleep better, ease chronic pain, and find steadiness in the middle of busy, demanding lives.
How it started…
The photos below show me early in my yoga journey. Stiff. Awkward. Doing my best.
I keep them here as a quiet reminder that yoga doesn’t begin with flexibility. It begins with starting.
How yoga found me (and how it helped me heal)
I came to yoga during a period of depression, anxiety, chronic migraine, and long-term insomnia. At the time, I was looking for a way to feel better and I knew that a quick fix was not going to be the right approach. I had been running on adrenaline for years, and a diet of poor sleep and constant tension had left me burned out and bouncing from stress to stress.
Yoga didn’t fix everything overnight.
What it did was help me regulate my nervous system, one practice at a time. Each time I stepped on my mat was a sign that I was choosing myself and prioritising my recovery and ongoing wellness.
Through consistent, gentle yoga I experienced:
- Improved sleep after years of insomnia
- Reduced anxiety and emotional overwhelm
- Support in my recovery from chronic migraine
- Enough stability to come off anti-depressant medication under medical guidance
- The capacity to complete my degree and Primary Teaching qualifications
- A healthier, more sustainable work/life balance
This is why my teaching focuses on slow yoga, Yin Yoga, restorative practices, and creating space for the body and mind to soften rather than strive.
How it’s going…
I am not cured and I don’t believe that I can be. Just as I can be prone to low mood and anxious moments, there will always be situations which make my nervous system feel attacked and may result in a migraine or period of anxiety. But now I am equipped to manage those times without guilt, overwhelm or worry.
Every day I use yoga techniques to help me quiet my mind through meditation, relax my body & mind with yoga nidra and move through yoga practices. The result of taking this daily time for myself is that I can enjoy more of the things which make life worth living, eating tasty food, spending time with family & friends and playing with my shih tzu, Jackson.
My classes are for people who:
- Live with chronic pain or migraine
- Struggle with sleep, stress, or anxiety
- Are navigating mental health challenges
- Feel exhausted, wired, or constantly “on”
- Want yoga that meets them where they are
I teach Yin Yoga because it works with the nervous system, connective tissue, and breath. It supports deep rest, emotional regulation, and gentle mobility without forcing the body. This deeply nourishing practice is an opportunity to experience stillness and to hit the pause button on a busy mind.
I also offer Immersive Yoga, a unique sensory experience combining gentle flowing yoga, sound, and large-scale visual projections to support relaxation and presence. This format is especially supportive for those who find traditional classes overstimulating or hard to settle into.
You don’t need to be flexible. You need to start.
Whether you’re managing stress, easing pain, supporting your mental health, or simply craving rest, my aim is to offer yoga that feels supportive, grounding, and sustainable. Come along to a class and experience for yourself some of the benefits of yoga to calm the nervous system.
Yoga by Gillian – My Qualifications
Studying is very important to me and I attend regular Professional Development sessions and additional teacher trainings. This is in addition to reading the latest articles and publications to ensure my approach is rooted in science while acknowledging the ancient roots and traditions of yoga.
- 200 hr Seasonal Yoga (2016)
- 50 hr Yin Yoga (2016)
- 30 hr Kids Yoga (2016)
- 150 hr Yin Yoga (2020)
- 150 hr Medi Yin Yoga (2021)
- 50 hr Yogic Mythology & Moonology (2021)
- 50 hr Restorative Yoga (2022)
- 50 hr Myofascial Release, Somatics, Buddhism & Compassion (2023)
- 40 hr Meditation Teacher Training (2025)
- 25 hr Yoga Nidra Teacher Training (2025)
You must be logged in to post a comment.