I remember the exact moment that I decided to become a yoga teacher; it was late 2001. My boys were then 3 and 5 years old, both attending pre school. I had more time on my hands and was wondering how to fill it. Having left a full time job in life insurance to be at home with my boys, I did not want to return to an office environment. I was attending a wonderful yoga class weekly at the Bhava Yoga & Dance Centre which was close and worked in with the time both boys were at kindergarten.
Initially I thought the class was not physical enough, having come from an Iyengar background. The postures were gentle and there was a strong focus on visualisation and meditation. After a few weeks though, I was hooked. The classes were transforming; I began to discover the depth of yoga, the moments of stillness, of breath, of ME. It was wonderful.
It was late in the same year, that I received a newsletter from the yoga centre. There was an article about their upcoming Teacher Training program. Time stood still. I remember looking dreamily out the window wondering if this was for me. The timing was perfect; I was looking for direction and this seemed to fit. It was a wonderful opportunity to both deepen my own yoga knowledge and experience and to embark on a new career, one that could really work well with a young family. The decision was made and I enrolled for the next year.
It was perfect; imagine studying, practicing and then working in a field that you love. A job that has flexible hours and brings something positive into other peoples lives. I remember thinking, if I can help just one person feel the way I feel when I attend my weekly class, it will be worthwhile. Yoga is like that, it changes you in so many ways. It starts in class, then permeates all aspects of your life. You experience a deeper connection to yourself and others. It is so much more than a physical practice. For me, the key difference is that Yoga is a practice of Awareness. One of my teachers at Bhava, Nola Day used to say ,YOGA is Your Own Growing Awareness.
The teacher training course at Bhava was more than I could have hoped for. It was a year of learning, exploration and integration. I have now been teaching yoga since mid 2002 and my greatest joy is sharing my passion of yoga with others. I also run workshops and retreats and have recently become co-owner of Bhava Yoga & Dance Centre.
The yoga I teach is of a creative nature, using smooth transitions between postures , themes and imagery. It is a style that is gentle and nurturing, with options and modifications of postures so everyone can participate. Bhava yoga is inclusive, no exclusive; you are encouraged to move your body in a way that is ALWAYS pain free and in a comfortable range of movement. Bhava yoga is like a moving meditation (many students practice much of the class with their eyes closed), where your body, breath and awareness are moving as one – this is union, this is yoga.
Personally for me, yoga has been my rock; through the illness and death of my father, navigating teenage boys and the emotional rollercoaster of my menopause at 43. Yoga is my constant companion, my source of strength, my voice of inner wisdom and guidance. Through practice I find of clarity, stillness, patience and peace.
