What does yoga mean to you?

One thing I love about yoga is that it is such a personal, individual practice. We could all be in the same class but what we each experience & get from that class can be very different.

For some it’s a space to relax & pause, for others it’s about building flexibility & strength, maybe it’s your way of getting some gentle movement into the day, perhaps it’s your much needed escape & me time or it could just be the chance to breathe & be still.

The beauty is there is truly something for everyone, & for most that ‘something’ will evolve as the exploration continues beyond asana (postures) to pranayama (breathing) & dhyana (meditation)

If you were to ask me what my practice gives me, then I would ask, do you mean for my body, my mind or how I feel? The simple answer is that it hits all three 😉. It’s been journey which has also helped me to discover other complimentary practices too.

My personal yoga practice, came about perhaps much like it does for many people, driven mainly by the physical aspect & desire to build tone & core strength in the body.

Many years on, 15 plus in fact, my practice has evolved & broadened to include more breathwork, mindfulness/meditation & other practices &, while it still helps me feel healthy & strong, it definitely helps me to stay grounded & balanced too.

I am also now largely plant based & expanding my knowledge in the sister science of Ayurveda has given my diet & lifestyle approach a very different meaning.

Then there’s teaching & sharing the practices, & well that’s a whole other story & it's one of the best bits. Getting to know new people, make new friends & watch as they each discover yoga, what it means to them & learn new things about themselves as they go is a real honour.