Holistically Anne Harrison

Holistically Anne Harrison Yoga Teacher, Nutritional Therapist & Wellbeing Coach
Qualified, Registered & Insured
Exeter, UK

Understanding Vata DoshaToday I’m exploring Vata, the dosha associated with the elements of air and space.In Ayurveda, V...
23/06/2026

Understanding Vata Dosha

Today I’m exploring Vata, the dosha associated with the elements of air and space.

In Ayurveda, Vata is considered the energy of movement. It governs circulation, breathing, communication, creativity, the nervous system and the movement of thoughts throughout the mind. When balanced, Vata brings inspiration, adaptability and enthusiasm. When out of balance, it can leave us feeling scattered, anxious and depleted.

Common Vata traits

Those with a strong Vata constitution are often creative, energetic, quick-thinking and adaptable. They tend to enjoy variety and new experiences but can sometimes struggle with routine and grounding.

Signs of Vata imbalance

Excess Vata may show up as:
- Anxiety or overwhelm
- Restlessness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dry skin
- Digestive irregularity or constipation
- Racing thoughts
- Feeling ungrounded or exhausted

Yoga for Vata

Vata benefits from slow, grounding and nourishing practices rather than fast paced movement. Gentle forward folds, mountain pose, seated postures and longer-held stretches can help calm the nervous system and create stability.

Foods for Vata balance

Warm, cooked, nourishing foods are traditionally recommended for balancing Vata. Think soups, stews, root vegetables, warming spices and healthy fats. Cold, dry and highly processed foods may aggravate Vata tendencies.

Daily routines

One of the best medicines for Vata is consistency. Regular meal times, a calming morning routine, gentle movement and prioritising rest can all help create a sense of steadiness and ease.

Evening rituals

A warm herbal tea, reducing screen time, gentle stretching, meditation or breathwork can help settle the mind and support restful sleep.

Vata affirmation

“I am grounded, calm and supported. Stability nourishes my creativity.”

Over the next few days I’ll be exploring the remaining doshas, Pitta and Kapha, and how understanding these energies can help us create greater balance in our lives.

Which of these Vata characteristics resonate with you?

What is Ayurveda?This week I’m taking a break in Cornwall at a beautiful Ayurvedic inspired spa.Originating in ancient I...
22/06/2026

What is Ayurveda?

This week I’m taking a break in Cornwall at a beautiful Ayurvedic inspired spa.

Originating in ancient India over 5,000 years ago, Ayurveda translates as “the science of life.” It is a holistic system of wellbeing that focuses on creating balance between the body, mind, and spirit through nutrition, lifestyle, movement, herbs, and daily rituals.

Ayurveda and yoga are deeply connected and have traditionally been practised together. While yoga supports physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing through movement, breathwork, and meditation, Ayurveda offers personalised guidance on how to live in harmony with your unique constitution.

At the heart of Ayurveda are the three doshas, the energies believed to govern our physical and emotional characteristics:

Vata — associated with air and space, linked to movement, creativity, and change.

Pitta — associated with fire and water, linked to transformation, focus, and ambition.

Kapha — associated with earth and water, linked to stability, strength, and calm.

We all have a unique blend of these doshas, and wellbeing comes from understanding and balancing them.

Over the next three days, I’ll be exploring each dosha in more detail, sharing how they influence our bodies, minds, yoga practice, and daily routines.

Which dosha do you think sounds most like you?

Summer SolsticeToday marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and a beautiful reminder to pause and honour...
21/06/2026

Summer Solstice

Today marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and a beautiful reminder to pause and honour the light, both around us and within us.

As nature reaches its fullest expression, this is an invitation to reflect on what is flourishing in your own life. What brings you joy, energy, and a sense of balance? What would you like to nurture over the coming months?

Take a moment today to step outside, feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the rhythms of nature.

Whether through movement, nourishing food, quiet reflection, or simply spending time outdoors, allow yourself the space to slow down and appreciate the abundance of this season.

May this Solstice bring you renewed energy, gratitude, and inspiration for the months ahead.

What are you welcoming more of into your life this summer?

Take a moment to pauseAs the week comes to a close, take a moment to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself.Our brea...
19/06/2026

Take a moment to pause

As the week comes to a close, take a moment to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself.

Our breath is one of the most powerful tools we have to calm the mind, release tension, and reconnect with the present moment.

Just a few minutes of intentional breathing can help you:

- Ease stress
- Support healthy blood pressure
- Sharpen focus and mental clarity
- Support immune function
- Encourage more restful sleep

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, tired, or simply in need of some space to unwind, I have two guided breathwork videos waiting for you.

Head to the link in my bio to access them and give yourself the gift of a little calm this weekend.

How are you planning to recharge this weekend?

Yoga For FootballThe World Cup reminds us just how much football demands from the body.Every sprint, tackle, change of d...
18/06/2026

Yoga For Football

The World Cup reminds us just how much football demands from the body.

Every sprint, tackle, change of direction and powerful strike relies on strength, mobility, balance and recovery.

But football training alone isn’t always enough.

Yoga for football players isn’t about becoming more flexible, it’s about moving better, recovering smarter and building resilience on and off the pitch.

A sport specific yoga practice can help you:

- Improve hip and ankle mobility
- Build core strength and stability
- Enhance balance and body awareness
- Support recovery between training sessions
- Reduce the risk of common overuse injuries
- Develop focus and composure under pressure

Whether you’re playing competitively, turning out for your local team or enjoying a weekly kickabout, yoga can become a valuable part of your training toolkit.

I’ve written a new blog exploring how yoga supports football performance and why it deserves a place in every player’s routine.

Read the full blog via the link in my bio.

I offer private and group Yoga for Athletes sessions in Exeter, Exminster and Topsham.

What are nutrient dense foods?Nutrient dense foods provide a high amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre, hea...
12/06/2026

What are nutrient dense foods?

Nutrient dense foods provide a high amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre, healthy fats, or protein relative to the calories they contain.

Some great examples include:

Blueberries – rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which help protect our cells from oxidative stress.

Spinach – packed with iron, folate, magnesium, vitamin K, and antioxidants that support energy, bone health, and overall wellbeing.

Eggs – provide high-quality protein, B vitamins, choline, and selenium to support brain function, energy production, and muscle health.

Avocado – contains healthy monounsaturated fats, fibre, potassium, and vitamin E, supporting heart health and balanced blood sugar levels.

Almonds & Pumpkin Seeds – excellent sources of magnesium, zinc, healthy fats, fibre, and plant protein, important for immunity, hormone balance, and energy.

Garlic – contains sulphur compounds and antioxidants that may support heart health and immune function.

Seaweed – naturally rich in iodine and trace minerals, which are essential for healthy thyroid function.

Beef & Liver – provide highly absorbable iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin A, nutrients that support energy, immunity, and healthy red blood cells.

Kiwi – loaded with vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants that support immunity, digestion, and skin health.

Cacao – a source of magnesium, iron, and flavonoids that may help support mood, circulation, and overall health.

While these foods are nutrient-rich, no single food contains everything we need. The key to good nutrition is variety.

Aim to include a colourful mix of vegetables, fruits, quality proteins, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole foods to help your body get the full spectrum of nutrients it needs.

Small, consistent choices can have a big impact on your health over time.

Whipped Lemon & Strawberry ParfaitLooking for a light and refreshing dessert to enjoy on warm summer days? This Whipped ...
11/06/2026

Whipped Lemon & Strawberry Parfait

Looking for a light and refreshing dessert to enjoy on warm summer days? This Whipped Lemon & Strawberry Parfait is the perfect balance of creamy, zesty, and naturally sweet flavours.

Layers of lemon infused yogurt, strawberries, almonds and h**p hearts create the taste of summer that’s ready in just minutes.

Whether enjoyed as a dessert, afternoon pick me up, or even a special breakfast, it’s a delicious way to make the most of seasonal strawberries.

- Quick to make
- Packed with lovely ingredients
- Naturally dairy free and suitable for a vegan lifestyle

Perfect for sunny afternoons, or whenever you’re craving something light and refreshing.

Yoga & InteroceptionWe live in a world where we’re constantly being encouraged to measure, track and optimise our health...
10/06/2026

Yoga & Interoception

We live in a world where we’re constantly being encouraged to measure, track and optimise our health.

Steps. Sleep scores. Heart rate variability. Recovery metrics. Calories. Glucose levels.

While technology can be a useful tool, there’s an important question we don’t often ask:

Have we become so focused on external data that we’ve stopped listening to our own bodies?

One of the most fascinating areas of research in health and wellbeing is something called interoception, our ability to sense and interpret what’s happening inside the body.

Can you recognise when you’re genuinely hungry? When you’re tired? When you’re stressed? When you need movement, rest or nourishment?

These signals don’t come from a smartwatch. They come from within.

This is one of the reasons I love yoga.

Yoga invites us to slow down and notice. To pay attention to the breath. To observe sensations without judgement. To recognise the difference between effort and strain, challenge and overwhelm.

Rather than looking outside ourselves for more data, yoga helps us reconnect with the information our bodies are already providing.

Of course, technology has its place. But true wellbeing isn’t found in achieving the perfect score on an app.

It’s found in developing a relationship with your body that is built on awareness, trust and self-compassion.

Sometimes the most valuable health metric isn’t the one on your wrist.

It’s how you actually feel.

Private Yoga Classes Have you ever felt that group yoga classes don’t quite meet your individual needs?Private yoga sess...
09/06/2026

Private Yoga Classes

Have you ever felt that group yoga classes don’t quite meet your individual needs?

Private yoga sessions offer a personalised approach, allowing your practice to be tailored specifically to your goals, experience level, and wellbeing needs.

Whether you’re completely new to yoga, returning after a break, looking to build strength and confidence, or seeking deep relaxation and recovery from stress, private yoga can provide the focused support you need.

I offer:

- Hatha Yoga Private Lessons
- Relaxation & Recovery Sessions
- Introduction to Yoga for Beginners
- 4-Session Yoga Programme
- Private Yoga for Two

All sessions are available in person in Topsham and Exminster and include an online copy of the postures so you can continue practising at home.

If you’d like to explore which option would suit you best, book a free 15 minute consultation and let’s chat or head to the link in my bio to find out more or book your lesson

Are you eating enough?Many people assume that if they’re eating ‘healthy’, they are automatically meeting their body’s n...
08/06/2026

Are you eating enough?

Many people assume that if they’re eating ‘healthy’, they are automatically meeting their body’s needs. But under eating can happen even when your diet is full of nutritious foods.

Your body is always communicating with you. Signs that you may not be getting enough energy or nutrients can include:

- Constant food thoughts
- Fatigue after meals
- Feeling cold all the time
- Sleep issues
- Anxiety or irritability
- Hair thinning
- Low libido
- Bloating
- Irregular periods

These symptoms can have many different causes, but consistently under fuelling your body is one factor that’s often overlooked.

Proper nourishment isn’t just about weight or calories, it’s about supporting your hormones, energy levels, mood, recovery, and overall wellbeing.

If you’re experiencing some of these signs, it may be worth exploring whether your body is getting the fuel it needs.

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