Chi Clinton is behind the Flow with Chi yoga classes in Norfolk. Here, the 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher explains how the yoga journey started after navigating anxiety as a teenager
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Chi, and I’m a 200-hour qualified yoga teacher based in Norfolk.
When did you start your yoga journey, and why?
Well, my yoga journey started when I was maybe around 14 or 15. As a young teen navigating horrid anxiety and a complicated relationship with food, I was desperately looking for a way to cope, which is how I stumbled upon meditation and yoga. I started out simply following online videos (big shoutout to Yoga with Adrienne) in my bedroom, finding that it gave me the space to switch off a little bit.
That initial spark slowly grew into a lifelong passion, without me even realising. Over the years, I explored different studios and learned from wonderful teachers, eventually deciding to complete my 200-hour teacher training in September 2022, initially just to deepen my personal practice. What began as a search for my own healing quickly transformed into a calling to help others find peace in their own bodies.
Honestly, yoga has been my steady anchor through some of my darkest days, and I’m constantly reminded that there is always more to learn and explore. On top of that, the Norfolk yoga community is filled with some of the most genuinely kind-hearted people I’ve ever met (can I give a shoutout here please? Yoga with Jazzy, Rowan Tree Yoga, Zerrin at Zayoga, Farron at Glasshouse Studios, Liv to move, Wellness Eve, Charly at Seed Yoga, and Kelly at Hot Pod, to just name a few, I could honestly keep going). I’ve learnt so much from these amazing humans who are incredible at what they do, every single class I’ve attended has inspired me. Everyone lifts each other up and acts as each other’s biggest cheerleader, which is exactly the kind of energy I love being surrounded by.
When did you launch Flow with Chi, and how has it been going?
When I passed my training in September 2022, I felt on top of the world. I started out teaching a few online classes from my living room, but it just didn’t feel right. Over the next couple of years, I taught occasionally, but it was hard to throw my full energy into it while working full time in corporate marketing. Teaching slowly took a backseat as I focused back on my personal practice.
However, after turning 30 and attending more and more classes myself, I realized I wanted to really commit. With the encouragement of some gorgeous people in the industry and the support of my fiancé, family and besties, I started covering local classes (a huge shoutout to Yoga with Jazzy again, she’s been my absolute rock through this), which worked wonders for my confidence. As someone who doesn’t naturally love being the center of attention, standing up in front of a room of people was initially quite daunting.
At the same time, my marketing job was completely draining me. I noticed I was doing more and more yoga every day just to combat the work stress. That’s when I realised that I have the power to control my own future. So, after seven years in the digital marketing space, I randomly quit on a Friday afternoon and never looked back.
Leaving behind stability and a guaranteed income (and a promised pay rise and title promotion if I stayed) for something uncertain was definitely scary. But here I am, and it’s been incredible. I’ve learned so much and met so many wonderful people. I love getting to know my clients on a deeper level and taking the time to truly connect with them. Their wellbeing and happiness are my absolute top priorities. When I think back to the amazing Norwich teachers whose classes left me feeling deeply relaxed and at peace, that’s the exact feeling I aim to create for everyone who steps onto a mat with me.
Where are you based? Where can people find you?
I’m based in North Norfolk, but you can find me teaching at a few lovely studios across all of Norfolk. I currently teach a regular Thursday evening class at CALM in Wymondham at 6:30pm, as well as at MOVE in Dereham on Wednesday evenings 7pm and Saturday mornings at 9am. I also run a Sunday Reset class at Grove Farm Wellbeing in Swanton Abbott some Sundays. A slow, gentle, and deeply restorative space to unwind. I have a few more things lined up that I’ll be able to speak about soon too!
How can people benefit from a yoga session with you?
My hope is that you step off the mat feeling refreshed, nourished, and balanced. In our busy world, it’s so hard to find time to truly switch off, having a space with zero distractions. No phones to scroll on, just an hour to step away from screens, listen to your breath, and remember that simply being alive and breathing is enough. That’s the energy I bring to my classes.
I’m also huge on community. I love truly getting to know my clients, learning about your personal goals on the mat, why you practice, and what you’re having for dinner (love talking about food).
Any upcoming events you’d like to mention?
Yes! Jazz and I are co-hosting a special event at The Yoga Tree on September 13th, and I’d love for you to come along! I’m also running The Art of Slowing Down workshop at AD+Yoga Studio in Norwich on Bank Holiday Monday. Everything can be found and booked on my website flowwithchi.com
What are your hopes and dreams for your business?
Honestly, I’m already living my dream. Even if this doesn’t work out as my full-time job, what an absolute luxury it is to simply just try. I’ve loved every single second so far. The Norfolk yoga community has welcomed me with such open arms, and I’m so deeply grateful for that.
Moving forward, I want to keep learning, deepen my own practice, and connect with more incredible people. My biggest hope is simply to keep doing this for as long as possible. Teaching yoga is so much more than a job to me, it fuels me, motivates me, and makes me feel alive. I just hope my classes can offer that exact same feeling to others.
Chi Clinton teaches regular Flow with Chi classes at CALM in Wymondham and MOVE in Dereham. For information on all classes, visit Flow with Chi. Follow @flow.withchi on Instagram.
Featured image – supplied
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