For Angel Knightyoga is much more than movement. it is a way of finding connection, healing, restoration and empowerment. Drawing on her own journey through pregnancy, birth and motherhood, Ange has created a nurturing space where women feel supported at every stage of the womb. From its gentle, mindful yoga classes to its community initiative, Parachute – a soft landing for parents, carers and young children – helps parents rediscover the ‘village’ that so many long for. Here, Ange talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the experiences that shaped her business, the power of authentic connection, and why she believes the simplest moments often have the biggest impact.
The passion: What inspired you to create your business?
My deep love for yoga lies in its transformative power as a form of healing, acceptance, empowerment and restoration. Its benefits extend beyond the “class” or session. Yoga has been my anchor through distance, change, the womb and everything in between.
As an Australian living in the UK, ‘home’ means many things – not just in, but also to the people and communities that shaped my journey.
My goal is to honor the essence of yoga, which is to balance or unite, and to inspire that sense of union from the inside out. It is my intention to journey with others and share the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of this lifelong practice that I feel privileged to share.
The launch: How did you get started in the first place?
Two years after completing my yoga teacher training, I enrolled in pregnancy yoga teacher training while pregnant. Before then, I focused on vinyasa and yin yoga.
Pregnancy yoga teacher training during pregnancy helped prepare me emotionally, physically and mentally for birth. I did not wipe myself with any expectations, but spent a lot of time devoted to my practice and preparation for the birth that was destined for me. I was able to adapt my practice to accommodate my changing form – energetically and physically. This gave me a very real understanding and lived experience of pregnancy and childbirth.
My birth was one of the most memorable moments of my life – one in which I felt deeply connected to my inner wisdom and the power of my body. I was clear about boundaries, but flexible and open to changing circumstances at any moment and the need to discern my trust – with my partner’s support.
My birth inspires my teaching today. Not based on some whimsical event – it was no walk in the park – but because it was the raw revelation and unfolding of what I had been working towards and believing in, while trusting the experience that was meant for me. I am very grateful for my natural and unmedicated birth. At the same time, I recognize that many women have very different experiences. With increasing intervention rates and feelings of helplessness rippling through birth cycles, I take a very gentle approach to reminding women of the importance of a balanced birth and listening to your body, while having clear boundaries to ensure the safety of both you and your baby.
Enter motherhood – not exactly the change I expected. This led me to take a step back. It prompted me to retire from teaching for a year to journal, reflect, and use my lessons off the mat and as a new mother. These experiences became my anchor for navigating the mattress, which is largely what inspires my offering. Reflection and integration is a very big part of what I do. To this day, I continue to learn both from the people who practice with me and my own experiences to inform my teaching – and how yogic philosophy and finding connection physically, mentally and spiritually can help calm and ground the inevitable shifts and changes of life as a parent.
Innovation: What has been the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
A big breakthrough was having the courage to stop, reflect and give myself space for 12 months between relocating and having to build a community from scratch. Being so far away from my family in Australia meant I needed a village more than ever. I needed someone I could call if I got sick or unexpected events happened.
It was a relentless search for connection and the lost village, combined with years spent listening to mums and learning from my own experiences, that led me and a colleague to launch Parachute – a soft landing for parents, carers and their little loves. A no-nonsense, no-fuss and meaningful gathering to inspire connection and community. A place to grow and move alongside each other and build a village with heart. A space to navigate the great privilege of being a caregiver – in the eyes of Mother Nature. Story time, singing, playing and mindful movement.
I’m building a community of moms who are also looking for the missing connection and are tired of chasing perfection. To celebrate the messy homes, messy hair, and chaos we often have to deal with on many levels during the womb that no one had a voice or words to explain.
It is made organically, without pressure. But it’s clearly something others have been looking for. That sometimes the simple things are the most powerful and comforting. This was the breakthrough.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Teamwork with my husband, open communication, and being willing to have the tough conversations were essential. I have also made the conscious decision to limit my use of social media and instead focus on print media such as this magazine. I realized I had to take a stand against the constant pull of being online. As a stay-at-home mom, I want to be fully present with my daughter, instead of being distracted by my phone and the demands of maintaining an online presence.
This approach works well for me, but I have a lot of respect for those who find their own way to balance social media with family life. I just couldn’t find the right balance for myself and it was hard to admit that.
