YOGA
‘…effort towards steadiness of the mind is practice..'
Sutra 13, Book One Samadhi Pada, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
I first came across yoga in the gym as a student which was a very brief encounter! At the time, sport was my practice and yoga didn’t feel like it fitted; ‘I wasn’t flexible enough’. In my mid-twenties, I found yoga again, practicing sporadically, experiencing benefits from resting and pausing each time and becoming more curious about the experiences. Alongside this, I explored Buddhist practices whilst finding the love of meditative long-distance running (and working and studying a lot)! I was working hard and exercising hard, but something was missing.
In ‘busy’ city life I was seeking to feel restored. When attending hot yoga classes and studios, I felt I suddenly had time given to me, but outside these spaces, it felt like time was being taken. I was experiencing rest. I was noticing where stress was accumulating in my body, and where I wasn’t taking care of it. The time being given to me during yoga practice gradually became more of a conscious choice of creating new spaces to slow and to connect wherever I might be; including being in the natural environment (which informed becoming an environmental psychologist too).
From being a ‘runner’ since I was eight, my hamstrings guided me to explore a journey of softening; to change the perceptions of myself and my body. I learnt that whilst we can explore movement that can create flexibility and strength over time, moving away from the ‘should’ on what physical yoga practice looks like and embracing the experiences wholeheartedly; is where we can find our freedom.
In my thirties, I found a renewed energy to deepen my practice; spiritually, physically and creatively. Making the commitment to complete yoga teacher training let practice unravel and weave its way into life even more. I felt strong in my body, yet I could also feel this by doing less: the path of allowing. We are fortunate to have the ancient teachings of yoga philosophy as a guide to discovering more to open connection with ourselves and connection with the world.
Learning and practicing yoga has no timeframe; our practice will change, the guidance and teaching we need will also change. However, creating the space to allow stillness and movement is where the commitment is.
Our collective practice brings us space for growth to exist, shift and shape our lives. I consider it a privilege to hold shared space for practice with others and I aim to support your practice to develop however you want to meet it; continually learning together on the mat.