Photo by Katya Granardo
Lauren Groch practices yoga on Dartmoor
Lauren Groch practices yoga on Dartmoor
As a yoga teacher who loves growing, cooking, and sharing plant-based food, Lauren Groch has found a simple yet cohesive lifestyle, sharing accessible practices to support others.
Lauren grew up in South Africa where she studied business at university, before embarking on several years of travel around the globe. As a business graduate she often managed to pick up short-term work in investment banking firms to fund the next leg of her travel. Returning finally to London, she settled into commune life and that is where she first learned to love cooking for large groups of people, reproducing some of the wonderful flavours of the many cuisines she had experienced. Shortly before her son was born, she moved down to Plymouth where her son’s father is from, and qualified at Plymouth Marjon University to become a secondary school teacher. She taught maths, economics and business studies in Callington and really enjoyed working with young people. It was also a difficult time: her ongoing mental health difficulties, combined with the huge pressures of working in school, led to a more serious breakdown, forcing her to leave her post.
From this low point, Lauren has gradually put all the blocks in place to build a sustainable life, in all senses. Her recovery was helped by immersing herself in growing fruit and vegetables on one of the Buckland Abbey allotments. The grounding, methodical work of cultivating her plot provided therapy, while reaping the subsequent produce was hugely rewarding. Now with two allotments and some expert help, she produces almost enough to maintain her family’s needs all year, freezing berries in the summer and growing leafy greens and squashes to sustain them through the winter. Another key element was yoga. She had practised yoga for many years and was already studying on a two-year teacher training course with the Devon School of Yoga in Exeter. Both the meditative and the physical aspects of yoga have played a huge part in her recovery, especially teaching others. She helps people use yoga techniques to aid other parts of their life, such as managing stress and anxiety, improving sleep and feeling better in body, mind and spirit. She also regularly practices Qi Gong and often starts classes with Qi Gong style warm-ups to get energy moving.
Lauren has lived in Yelverton for almost 10 years. Her South African upbringing taught her the value of entrepreneurism and that, combined with her education and experience, gave her the confidence to set up and expand her own business. She now teaches yoga classes in Horrabridge, Yelverton, Walkhampton and Whitchurch, using her experience to adapt classes for all abilities. She even managed to continue classes through the pandemic, with small groups practising outdoors whenever possible. She believes yoga should be beneficial and accessible for everyone; there is a saying in the yoga world: ‘if you can breathe you can do yoga’. She says that for the first time in her life she now feels part of a community and has put down roots. She is a great believer in community collaboration, and organises monthly orders for Yelverton Food Group, enabling members of the group to bulk buy wholefoods at wholesale prices from a trading co-operative. She is also treasurer for her allotment committee, a run director for the Tamar Trails parkrun and helps to facilitate gatherings of local yoga teachers.
Food and cooking, particularly sharing food, are very important to Lauren. She has loved baking from an early age - this remains a speciality, but is now entirely plant-based, with gluten free options. Her plant-based food uses fresh, seasonal vegetables, based on her long experience of eating her allotment produce. Often inspired by the flavours of Mexico, India and the Middle East, she aims to make healthy, plant-based food utterly delicious. Her latest collaborative venture - Yoga days on Dartmoor – combines yoga practices with nourishing food, taking inspiration from Dartmoor locations. Lauren hosts other expert yoga teachers, while she takes on the role of retreat chef. A range of full-day and half-day retreats and workshops are on offer in community venues, with low-income support available. The longer timeframe provides the opportunity for a more in-depth approach to yoga, while sharing food and friendly company is also a big part. There is also sometimes scope to take practices into the outdoors and enjoy the benefits of the stunning surroundings. Lauren has really built a positive lifestyle that has helped her healing process, and likes nothing better than sharing the wholesome benefits of yoga and seasonal, local food. She says: “People have so much stress, anxiety and disconnection these days, yoga is here to help.”
By Rosemary Best
For more information about Lauren’s classes and retreat days visit www.yogawithlauren.co.uk or contact Lauren at hello@yogawithlauren.co.uk or 07808 556135.