What yoga means to me
I nearly didn’t go down the yoga path.
I first tried a couple of yoga classes in my twenties and it didn’t really click at the time, I found I didn’t really understand what to do and couldn’t follow the class. I felt out of place. Ten years later I’d signed up to run a charity half marathon and a friend recommended I try yoga alongside the training to help with tight hamstrings but also “It would be good for me”. I signed up to a weekly class near home with the intention to give it a go, and stick with it, at least for the 6 months I was training. As it turns out I’ve continued with yoga way longer than I ever did with the running! I don’t know if it was the location, the teacher, me being a bit older and more prepared, or likely a combination of all the above, but this time, I felt at home and that this class was the right place for me.
That weekly class is still the foundation of my practice and the point in my week where I know where I am and what I’ll be doing, whatever else is going on. Since then I’ve also tried other classes and styles of yoga and have got involved with yoga in the workplace. Yoga has also led to me developing a regular meditation practice.
I’ve found that yoga has benefitted both my physical and mental health, I feel stronger and more aware of my body; I enjoy the time and the space that practising gives me.
Yoga has also led to new opportunities and given me the confidence to do things I wouldn’t have before. I’ve travelled alone to retreats, knowing when I get there that I’ll feel comfortable and be among like-minded people. I spent my 40th birthday on a yoga holiday in Iceland enjoying the fresh air, seeing the northern lights and feeling really connected with nature.
I’ve had a lot of change in my both personal and professional life over the last few years and at times it’s been very difficult and stressful and I’ve found that yoga is my anchor, I’ve coped much better and taken leaps I wouldn’t have otherwise.
I enjoyed building up my own knowledge and understanding and strengthening my practice and getting to know yoga philosophy through study at retreats, which led to me taking the BWY Foundation Course in 2019, which ultimately led to me beginning teacher training this year, although I wasn’t expecting to be training through a pandemic when I signed up. It’s certainly added to the challenge but also given me a welcome focus through these last six months.
Because of the benefits and positive change I’ve seen in myself thanks to yoga I’ve found that experience is changing my professional life too. I have been working in the health charity sector in public health and information for around 15 years; writing patient information, developing public health campaigns, learning about behaviour change and also about how people manage their health when they have a long term condition. I’ve found that starting my yoga journey 10 years ago has led me to this place now where I want to combine my personal and professional values and expertise to help others to feel healthier and more connected.
How can yoga help you in your life?