- How did you get into Yoga?
Yoga has been an intermittent part of my life since a teacher at my junior school taught us some, in the early 80s (yes I’m that old). I then learnt yoga from a book and practiced it for many years periodically. When I joined the Islington Chiropractic Clinic as a Sport & Remedial Massage Therapist in 2010 I soon realised that I should be doing something to keep myself fit and healthy. Charlotte asked Bridget Thornborrow to run a class at the local Church Hall in the evening after my shift, I suddenly had no excuse.
I loved my first experience of a yoga class and soon realised that I was not as flexible as i thought, and some poses I hadn’t been doing particularly well. I soon realised that if I went to the yoga classes my body felt better, if I didn’t I started to ache. So the choice was obvious: go to classes and start my own practice.
Bridget had been encouraging me to consider learning to teach from fairly early on, and I was resistant to begin with as I didn’t feel I knew enough about yoga and had other things to learn. I then attended her Introduction to Yoga Teaching Course last year and decided that it was the right time for me to start. So I started the London Yoga Teacher Training Group (LYTTG) course last autumn and am finding out so much more about yoga on the 2 year course (equivalent of a 500 hour course)
- Why is Scaravelli your chosen practice?
What I love about the Scaravelli inspired style of yoga is that it is very individual. I go at my own pace, discovering what is happening in my body at the time that I’m practicing. Sometimes I have a slow exploratory practice but other times I move more quickly depending on what feels right for my body. It is not terribly fixated on precise positioning of arms, legs and feet, rather it allows me to discover and accept what my body is capable of and to gently travel along the path to the final poses.
This style of yoga really suits me and feels like an extension of the style of bodywork (Myofascial Release, and Sports Massage) that I practice: it feels like it combines the mind and body. Also whilst it might appear gentle and soft, there is a strength that is built up through the practice.
- What are its health benefits?
This yoga style is about trying to move the spine in a functional way to promote a healthy flexibility, and to take the joints through a safe range of movement that will help to maintain joint health. One of my favourite quotes (that I saw on Facebook) is “Listen to your body when it whispers, so you don’t have to hear it scream” and this is a skill that this style of yoga really helps with. There is also an emphasis on feeling into the body, which is something that a lot of people find tricky initially, to help to identify areas of tension that are introduced as we move and to see if things can change and we can use less effort.
From my work as a bodyworker I see a lot of people who are very sedentary in their jobs and one of the main things I suggest to people is that they need to find a way to get themselves moving. There is a growing body of evidence that sitting still is killing us and that we need to keep active. I also see people who spend their whole lives rushing and their exercise is also fast paced, I suggest that it is sometimes good to include an opposite.
Though I hate to make promises about health benefits of something as it can really depend upon the individual’s needs and response.
- What can someone expect from one of your classes?
It is a relatively slow, calm and gentle class with a focus on exploring your body. I teach simple movements and poses, with an emphasis listening to your body as you move into the poses, staying within what you are able to do. I say simple poses but I have learnt that what is simple for one person is difficult for another, and that is okay.
I am not including a meditation aspect in the 45 minute class as my meditation group is immediately afterwards, which people are welcome to stay on and attend.
- Tell us a little bit about your upcoming Reiki Level 1 course at Clerkenwellbeing…
In August I am teaching my foundation course in Reiki, which is also known as a Reiki level 1 attunement. Reiki is a healing energy that can help calm the mind and body, and can help the body heal itself. Using Reiki as a part of your daily self care routine helps to replenish the energy reserves that get depleted in today’s busy world. This course gives you access to the Reiki energy so you can give yourself, family, and friends Reiki. It also introduces you to a healing system that has its roots in Japan, and I discuss other elements of the subtle energy body such as the Aura and chakras.
I call it a foundation course as this is open to all people, with the exception of pregnant women, and covers the basic elements that can start you on the journey of healing with Reiki, which can then be continued with the second level Reiki attunement for those that want to take it further.
