INNER & OUTER YOGA
My yoga journey...
I was first introduced to yoga during a stay in India, and started practicing regularly in my 20s. In 2008 I travelled to Rishikesh to immerse myself in my first YA 200hr Yoga Teacher Training with Yogi Vishvketu. The style of yoga was termed 'Akhanda,' meaning whole. I soon realised this was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to learning about yoga and becoming a teacher. I gained some teaching experience with beginners in Tokyo, but deepened my own practice in Tokyo yoga studios, and took several inspiring workshops including those with Clive Sheridan, Jason Birch and Duncan Wong.
In 2012, having returned to London, I completed a second YA 200hr TT and Reps Level 3 in Teaching Yoga with Sun Power Yoga. I began teaching Hatha classes in fitness centres and to corporate clients.
In 2013 I completed a YA 33hr Vinyasa Immersion at Triyoga with Mimi Kuo-Deemer. Following this I taught at Urban Yoga studio in Dubai for a year.
From 2015-18 I undertook YA 300 hr Advanced Teacher Training with Yoga London, During this period I taught vinyasa flow classes at the lovely Leyton Yoga studio, and private and corporate classes around London.
Complementing my yoga training, I studied BA World Philosophies at SOAS, and based my dissertation on the Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali.
My yoga philosophy...
Off the mat I feel there is a responsibility that accompanies the role of a Yoga Teacher, and it has been in this area more so than with the physical practice that I have felt challenged. In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the yamas & niyamas, or ethical codes of conduct, set a high bar to meet. I choose to consider each principle to see if it resonates with me, rather than unquestionably abiding by strict rules.
When contemplating ahimsa, non- violence or non-harm, I feel that minimising harm is more realistic than causing no harm at all; that is harm to myself by way of negative self-talk, what I put into my body, what I say and do to others and to the planet. Satya or truthfulness is also a challenge, as always speaking the truth might cause harm to others, if I'm not mindful. Speaking with compassion feels right; being true to myself is important.Asteya or non-stealing sounds straight forward, but when considered more closely I question do I take more than what I need from others and from the environment.
These are just a few of the moral guidelines we are presented with in yoga. When teaching I offer yoga philosophy as an inquiry for the participants to muse over, instead of as dogma. In this way we can decide which words of wisdom have meaning in our own lives and may offer some guidance to us.