Our Inspiring Women
Updated: Mar 8, 2019
To celebrate International Women’s Day (Friday March 8th) we looked to the women that have inspired us, how they challenged the gender stereotypes and raised the profile of women for the good.
There has been a much coverage recently of iconic women in sport breaking down barriers from Billie Jean King to the England Lionesses. However it shouldn’t take ‘winning’ to raise the support so it is good to see initiatives like #ThisGirlCan #StrongisnotaSize promoting a positive body image and giving confidence to females of all ages to get involved.
Exercise is for everyone and it doesn’t matter your shape, what you wear, what colour your face goes….you will feel better for doing it and that sense of achievement is the best motivation.
TW Owner, Melissa
Inspired by Beryl Burton
My inspirational woman is Beryl Burton who dominated women’s cycling in the UK during the 60s and 70s winning over 90 domestic races and 7 world titles. She most famously set the record for most distance covered by a man or women in a 12 Hour Time Trial.
A record she held for 50yrs only recently being broken by 8 miles… and if you think about all the development in cycling kit it really was an incredible achievement back in the day
As she passed her fellow male racer Mike McNamara in the 12-hour time trial, she casually offered him a liquorice allsort.
Here’s just a few more WOW facts about Beryl.
Sports Rehabilitation Lead, Charley
Inspired by Serena Williams
My inspirational woman is Serena Williams. A hugely dominant figure in the world of tennis in the last 20 years, she has been ranked No1 on eight separate occasions and is still ranked No 10, even playing top level tennis during early stages of pregnancy. Winning more grand slams than her male counterparts being crowned ‘one of the greatest female athletes of all time’ wasn’t a title she wore well, arguing that her gender should not define her… her achievements should.
“I love who I am, and I encourage other people to love and embrace who they are. But it definitely wasn’t easy – it took me a while.”
Along with striving for gender and race equality in sport, Serena speaks openly about her body shape and supports those who struggle with body image. Having publicly received negative comments for her body being ‘too masculine’ she has been a huge influence in changing perceptions that healthy is about being strong not skinny.
Yoga Teacher, Karen
Inspired by, Aretha Franklin
Amazing natural talent, she survived growing up in segregated America, difficult domestic family situations and in a man’s world.
The stand out, goosebump, lump in throat moment for me is her performance reducing Barack Obama to tears at his inauguration.
The greatest female singer, songwriter and musician of all time who left us with the best anthem to live by….R.E.S.P.E.C.T
Yoga Teacher, Louisa
Inspired by Charlotta Martinus
Founder of TeenYoga
Charlotta is a mother, teacher and expert on the wellbeing of young people.
Founding Teenyoga in 2004 she has worked alongside colleagues in medicine, osteopathy, psychiatry and psychology to develop a practice steeped in yoga tradition which is now trained out to young people world-wide. Having been involved with young people most of her life and now a leader in the field of yoga as a mental health intervention Charlotta has worked with initiatives here and overseas to bring yoga to those that need it most.
“While many young people are well, vibrant and have a strong voice in the world today, yoga supports and helps those who do not, through simple tools that alleviate stress, relieve trauma and empower young people.”
Charlotta is currently working within an All-Party Parliamentary Group to include yoga as a form of preventative health measure in UK schools.
Yoga Teacher, Dillaro
Inspired by Jill Satterfield
Founder of School of Compassionate Action
Jill Satterfield has been in the field of integrative healthcare for over 35 years; teaching in hospitals, trauma centers, addiction institutes, at risk youth facilities and meditation centers. Turning to Buddhist Meditation to overcome her own chronic pain she has worked with practitioners to create a programme that provides Mediation and Yoga Education to people with chronic pain and those who are in a position of care.
"The body is our house—and how we live in it and where we occupy it are uniquely ours, as well as being part of the common human experience. The body is a treasure trove and an exquisite vehicle for our practice of waking up and being with what is."
Who has inspired you?
Share with us on our Instagram, Facebook or Twitter feeds
For more onTeen Yoga
For more on International Women’s Day