ENGLAND struggled to stretch the game with Harry Kane up front against Denmark.
But they certainly fared much better in their yoga class the following day.
The Three Lions Euro 2024 squad marked the International Day of Yoga as they were put through their paces, positions and postures by Dr Rebekah Jade Lawrence at their plush Weimarer Land spa and golf resort in Germany.
Rebekah got the England players breathing, stretching and meditating their way through a recovery session by teaching them yoga.
She took to Instagram following the lesson and wrote: “Wow, thank you England football team for inviting me to teach yoga as part of your recovery process in Euro 2024.
“Yoga is such an incredible tool and practice that can benefit athlete recovery and performance in so many ways.
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“I’m so glad to see it getting some spotlight and to be part of that journey. I can’t wait to dive deeper and share more about this topic over the coming months.
“Thank you Nike London and the whole England team for your hospitality and incredible hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
“We’re just getting started >>”
So who is Dr Lawrence and how did she end up doing yoga with the England team?
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AWARD-WINNING DOCTOR
By trade, Rebekah Jade is a qualified doctor – despite the difficulties associated with being diagnosed as dyslexic.
She studied physiology at King’s College London, graduating with a first-class honour, before completing a medicine degree in 2021.
Dr Lawrence has particular training in emergency medicine, vascular & upper gastrointestinal surgery, geriatrics and acute general medicine.
And she even won national awards for her research into neurosurgery and anaesthetics.
After seven years of studying, the London-based medic now works part-time as a junior doctor in an NHS hospital alongside her yoga coaching.
STEP INTO YOGA
However, she is already forging a second career in yoga.
A qualified teacher, she runs various coaching sessions – from one-off one-to-one sessions for £90 per hour to group classes in London.
Her passion for yoga came about after struggling with her mental health and finding the practice as a way of slowing down and boosting her personal well-being.
Rebekah told Yoga Matters: “Through my teens and early twenties, I went through many cycles of burnout and poor mental health.
“I’ve always worked hard and put a lot of pressure on myself (like many people do), and I got to a point after four years of medical school where I needed a break.
“I ended up on an island off the coast of Panama volunteering in a beach hostel and living with yoga teachers for two months.
“I started practising yoga every day. Slowly but surely, yoga became an integral part of my routine and well-being, and I decided to take the leap to do my teacher training.
“I like to be creative. I love bringing new people into yoga and creating a space where they can feel calm.”
Her rise in the industry has also led to Rebekah becoming a director at Yoga In Healthcare Alliance – combining her two roles.
COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEUR
But as Dr Lawrence made a name for herself in yoga, she realised she was often the only person of colour in the room.
And that prompted her to launch her own cultural platform, Pana, which aims to promote health and happiness within the black community through yoga.
The founder said: “In recent years there has been a push for more diversity and inclusivity in wellness which is great, but the majority of spaces are not created by someone from the community they’re trying to serve.
“Pana was a way to tackle that problem.
“Yoga has helped me so much over the years and I really wanted to create a safe space for the black community and allies to experience the practice and hopefully some of the same benefits.
“Pana brings together wellbeing practices with a celebration of black culture, to help the people feel welcome and connected, while supporting cultural education through experience.
“Over time we’ve become a really wonderful community with events such as supper clubs, retreats and BPOC yoga club.”
Some of those retreats include trips to Gambia and Kenya, with Pana’s first visit to Ghana coming up later in 2024.
HAVING AN INFLUENCE
Still in her late 20s, Rebekah Jade’s stock has continued to rise over recent years.
That has led to her debut appearance on Elle’s women’s fashion and lifestyle podcast.
And then in June 2023, she was signed up by Nike London as one of the sportswear giant’s yoga trainers.
She is part of the Nike Well Collective area – which focuses on movement, mindfulness, nutrition, rest and connection.
And those attributes no doubt appealed to Gareth Southgate as he brought Dr Lawrence in to work with his team – whose kits are supplied by Nike.
NEVER MISSES A BEAT
But as well as her passion for yoga and mindfulness, Rebekah Jade is also passionate about music.
In fact, she is even a DJ – regularly doing gigs, radio sets, festivals and events for brands including Nike, Converse and Uniqlo, showcasing sounds from around the world including old-school reggae and British funky disco.
And the talented star has brilliantly combined her love of music and ability on the decks with yoga by producing ambient, electronic mixes to accompany her classes.
Dr Lawrence explained: “I grew up listening to reggae so it felt very natural to incorporate this in my practice – it’s something that makes me feel calm.
“I created an event called Dub Garden Yoga & Picnic where we do yoga to reggae and have healthy Caribbean food after class.
“I teach it in the park which makes it more accessible and affordable, as well as allowing us to enjoy nature.
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“We have attendees of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicity and ability – for many people it’s their first-ever yoga class.
“Many feel comfortable coming as they resonate with the food and music, and the yoga is an additional aspect they can try. It’s relaxed and fun, which I think is so important for helping people come back again.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
