I practice and teach yoga in the Tradition of Krishnamacharya – the approach of this tradition is to make yoga accessible and relevant to every person that wishes to practice. In our practice we concentrate on the body, the breath and the mind – and hope to unify their actions. When doing postures the breath is lengthened and deepened and movement is coordinated with the breath. This keeps our awa
reness on the movement, and therefore the body, and helps to focus and calm the mind. The breath is the link between the inner and outer body. We might practice yoga purely as a form of physical exercise or as a way of developing a state of mind that allows space for reflection and self inquiry. If we want to explore the full scope of yoga it encourages us to look deeply at ourselves, our habits and behaviours and our relationships and gives us a path to make positive changes. Yoga not only helps to keep the body flexible and strong and the mind calm but it can also be a powerful tool for personal transformation. Yoga is a system designed to improve the quality of our lives on various levels. Yoga helps us to create a state in which we are present – really present – in every action, in every moment. When we are present we become more aware of our thoughts and actions and have the ability to choose our responses wisely. About me:
I have enjoyed practising yoga since my early 20’s. When I moved to Kununurra in the 1990s and found no yoga teacher there I decided to undertake a teacher training course. I saw this as a great opportunity to not only deepen my knowledge and understanding of yoga but to also be able to offer yoga to the community. Initially I studied Integral Yoga and this course helped me to establish a solid understanding of asana and pranayama. It also introduced me to some of the philosophical aspects of yoga. Until these studies I had thought that yoga was all about the postures. Once qualified I started teaching classes and continued to further my knowledge through personal practice and research. I became interested in how yoga can be used as a therapy to address individual needs and circumstances. In 2008 I attended a course at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM). The KYM is an institution in Chennai, India that faithfully follows the teachings of Sri T Krishnamacharya, said to be the grandfather of modern yoga, and his son TKV Desikachar. Learning yoga directly from Desikachar, a great master, was such a privilege. The way that yoga was taught and practised at the KYM resonated deeply with me. I went back to the KYM several times in the following years and then decided to apply to do their teacher training course. I was accepted and for 3 years I travelled back and forth to Chennai. The depth of their teachings into all aspects of yoga was inspiring. This training showed me that through yoga anything is possible, if we are willing to practise and persevere! I continue to pursue yoga study options and attend courses and retreats annually. Most recently I have completed modules in Yoga Therapy which help me to observe movement patterns and develop, adapt and modify practices to suit specific needs. The study and practise of yoga has, and continues to be, a wonderful and rich experience for me, one that I am very happy to share with other interested people.
