Rosie Lewis, has just opened her new business, Yoga Studio, in Bude.

Last September she returned to Bude, where she now lives, after living in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, for 13 years.  Before that she used to live in Trewarmett, Tintagel and was a swimming teacher for 20 years.

Previously working at Launceston Leisure Centre, she then ran her own swim school in the UK and in Cayman and went on to teaching yoga, after qualifying in Cayman and the United States of America. 

Rosie, who is married and has two sons, three grand children and two step children, explained that she was diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2005 and underwent extensive surgery to remove two thirds of her right lung and received chemotherapy.

She said: "Yoga for me is  way of life, I entered yoga nearly five years ago when I was recovering after chemotherapy, it had left me very weak and for an active person  this was a very hard time for me. I didn't enjoy it to begin with, mainly as all my bones ached, I could not even sit on the floor comfortably, I wondered what on earth I was doing.

"After surgery, even the breathing was hard, slowly it all fell into place and I was transformed and began to embrace fully the whole ethos of yoga. My lung capacity improved with the breath work, my body began to subtly change and get back into shape — but  most importantly was the mental aspect, the piece of mind and the calmness."

Rosie continued: "I am so excited about the Yoga Studio (located in the Strand Shopping Centre) it has been a dream of mine for a while and now I can open the doors of this special space to help others enjoy yoga. If I had to define the yoga I teach it would be a Hatha style yoga with a strong influence of Iyengar. By using props — blocks, straps, even chairs — it is possible for everyone to take part in yoga. The classes will be very small and I will be doing private sessions too. I am quite happy to offer Reiki sessions as well."

Rosie has taught yoga to various types of people including students with special needs, Parkinson Disease sufferers and senior citizens.

She continued: "I have taught people who previously thought they would not be able to do yoga.  Yoga is for everyone, the theraputic and restorative nature of the work can only be a benefit, who does not need to de-stress these days?

"The year 2005 for me was life changing, not only my illness, but my introduction to the world of yoga. I am so grateful to my teachers and mentors for their encouragement and patience, I know they will be so pleased to see the Yoga Studio open its doors. I feel so lucky to have survived cancer and to be able to share my experience and yoga with everyone."