As many of you are well aware I am very into my yoga.  So much so, that I am currently undertaking my yoga teacher training qualification. It will 18 months before I’m qualified but hopefully this means I’ll be more than prepared when the time eventually comes. I have just completed my second weekend training, so technically I have less than 18 months to go.

I had my first yoga class when I was 13, (21 years ago! Where does the time go?). I went with my two sisters and some of their friends. The lady taking the class was a teacher at school and we used the ballet studio. Her name was Miss Jaabeck (South African name). She was about 60 years old, she wore dance tights and a leotard and could headstand and put her legs behind her head (isn’t it funny the things you remember?). And I was in total awe of her. At that time for me, it was very much about trying to get the poses or asanas as their known in traditional Sanskrit.

My practice then jumps from there to my early 20’s. Attending a local studio in Suffolk where I was living. The classes were mostly Hatha style (slow practice, focusing more on single postures), I did yoga then mostly for fitness and flexibility. I dipped in and out of classes and practice over the years until I went to Australia 2012-2014. There I discovered the joy of power vinyasa yoga (strong practice, flowing sequence, movement and breath). This was the game changer!

In a room heated to 40 degrees Celsius, with 50 other yogis, I sweated like I’ve never sweated before. I wobbled and fell but kept going back for more. Yoga became more than just postures and flexibility.  A meditative state can be achieved through movement and breath. It got me centred, focused, relaxed, less anxious, grounded and the list goes on. I wanted to pursue my teacher training after I realised all the benefits yoga can bring and I wanted to share that with others. I had planned to do a different course after being in Australia but it never worked out. My practice slipped a bit after travelling and being at uni but I kept finding that everything I needed and wanted kept getting drawn back to yoga. I made a promise to myself that I will finally follow this path and I’m doing it.

I’m not sure who wrote it but there is a great quote which says “if you can breathe, you can do yoga”. Now I know I’m biased but I think everyone could benefit from having a little yoga in their life. Maybe it is just for flexibility or fitness, or perhaps for stress or some inner peace. There are so many styles out there too. Like me, you just have to find the one that meets your needs.

Happy yoga-ing. Namaste

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