Got questions about yoga?

In 2008 I embarked on the journey of a lifetime. I was going to Madurai in India to become a yoga teacher. I was running my consultancy business at the time and only had the time to fly out, go straight into the ashram and then straight back home to the UK immediately after the course.

The course teacher Swami Govindananda said on the first day of the course something along the lines of "This course will change your life. It might not be immediately after the course or in weeks or months time. It may even be years. But, it will change your life."

Just over eight years later and I am finally getting the opportunity to allow yoga to change my life and I am so happy!

Over the years I have kept myself busy doing other things. Of course, I did do some teaching, most notably in India when I revisited the ashram, in Sri Lanka where I was staying as a hotel guest and Taiwan where I taught friends on a one to one basis.

As I am about to begin teaching in a more structured way in my new home town of Torre Del Mar I thought it would be good to let you know what you can expect from a class with me.

1. You Don't Have To Be A Yoga Pretzel

If you are, that is wonderful and I hope I can help you progress within your practice. If you're not, however, and you've seen much of what is in the media that yoga is all skinny, bendy, perfectly formed females, with perfect hair and make up then you would be forgiven for thinking that yoga might not be for you.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In my classes, all are welcome and I will never tell you to 'push harder', or say 'no gain without pain'. I will gently encourage you to stretch to the point where you know that you are stretching and not causing yourself injury. I firmly believe that you are the only person that knows what your body can or can't do and throughout my classes you will be encouraged to tune in to your physical capacities.

2. You Don't HAVE To Do A Headstand!

I know from experience that there is something immensely satisfying about finally achieving a yogic headstand after weeks of practice, but I also know that this can be difficult, if not impossible to achieve for some. Many asanas (postures) have a graduation of difficulty that you can progress to at your own pace. For example, the headstand has several steps that need to be taken to achieve the full posture. Just practicing the first one or two, which are very easy, will bring benefit and the confidence to progress.

It is the same with just about every asana. Each one can be practiced at its easiest and its most difficult, depending on you. Certainly, I will never push you to do anything you are not comfortable with and the advice is always to stop and rest if you wish.

3. You don't have to say OM or chant!

A full yoga class usually lasts one and a half hours and when I teach this type of class I will begin with an opening prayer called Gajananam, this will end with a closing prayer called Mahamrtunjaya Mantra (more commonly known as Tryambakam).

In a one hour class we don't really have time for these elements but I may do three Om's to signify the beginning and end of class and you are free to join in if you are comfortable or not as you wish.

This not religious and the main purpose of these short practices is to provide a moment of giving thanks at the beginning and end of each class.

See you soon

I hope I have answered any questions you may have and perhaps allayed any fears. If you have any questions about any aspect of yoga practice, please feel free to drop me a line using the contact form below.

I hope you will come along and try a class - I'm sure you will enjoy it.

I wish you peace, love and joy.

#yoga