Emma Johnston Yoga Ambassador

Emma enjoys running but has found yoga to be her true calling. She talks to Sundried about her journey.

Please tell us about sporting events you have taken part in or have coming up. 

I have worked up from 10k runs and recently competed in a duathlon and the tortuous, but breathtaking, Fort William Marathon. I have also, for my sins, attended a yoga conference that included a solid 10 hours of yoga in one day and have managed to complete several of the infamous 108 sun salutation practices marking the change of the season. 


Tell us about your journey to fitness? Where did it all start?

I started practicing yoga when I was a teenager then running took over in my early twenties. After I had my son, I realised I needed the entire yoga practice, including breath work and meditation, rather than a movement-only focussed approach to compliment and improve daily life and training. 


What are your training goals now?

For some reason I am keen to improve my inversions as it is such a meditative process and also to continue my transition to minimalist shoes with a marathon by the end of this year. Daily goals, I aim to find me time and find ‘being’ time. Simple and challenging simultaneously. Worryingly I have a triathlon in my sights for 2021!


Tell us one unusual fact we wouldn’t know about you:

I never check any race routes pre-race. I like to really be in the moment, breath by breath, not thinking too far ahead. 


What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?

Sometimes more is just more, not better. 


Do you follow a specific nutrition plan? If so, what/when do you eat?

I have tried many different nutritional approaches and have finally made peace with truly listening to my body without imposing any rules - often that means taking a few minutes of quiet time before prepping meals to notice what my body really wants. I try to eat within a 12-hour window when possible. 


What do you do to keep your clients motivated? Do you have any top tips to keep motivated?

I try to balance functional with fun. Some practices are must dos: drill the basics, repeat good form and work on ‘the boring stuff’. Others are fun to dos: goal poses and movements that are not directly linked to a big goal but do bring joy. 


Talk us through your training regime.

I practice yoga daily: breath work, movement and meditation. I run or cycle a couple of times a week and try hard to squeeze in strength training 1-2 times a week. I am transitioning into running with minimalist shoes so toe, foot and ankle work is high on my priorities. 


How do you keep your fitness knowledge up to date?

I am currently completing a 200-hour Foot Nerd Program to help myself and others reclaim strong, functional and resilient bodies. 


What are your top 3 trainer tips?

Learn to tune into your body, find your edge then soften. Movement is only one component of health. Sleep well, eat well, connect with others and your ‘fitness’ will excel. Move to make your body functional for the life you want to live. 


If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza! Anchovy and olives.

Why work with Sundried?

The sustainability and ethical elements of Sundried make a perfect partnership. Anything less just isn’t acceptable anymore. It looks good, it fits well and makes me feel amazing. Partnering with Water for Kids and working Surfers Against Sewage are another two brilliant reasons to be supporting Sundried. 


Favourite fitness quote:

“Intention without discipline is useless.” Caroline Myss.