What the class members say.....by Mary aged 95!

Mary - aged 95 doing her spinal balance pose - Upavista Konasana B



1. How long have you been practicing yoga? 

Since Autumn 1976.  So 37 years!!

2.       What do you feel you get out of your yoga practice? 

It has heightened my awareness of everything, mainly health and diet.  It eases tension especially when driving (yes I still drive).  I have made some valuable friendships in the classes.

3.       How do you feel your life has changed since you have been doing a regular yoga practice?

I have enjoyed yoga in so many different classes and locations in the UK and abroad - the highlight being named student of the year in 2006 at Alston Hall on one of the yoga days run by Lancashire Adult Learning.

4.       What is your favourite posture and why?

I love spinal balance - although it's not very elegant!!  It takes strength, balance and flexibility.

5.       What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending yoga for the first time and a little afraid to take that first step?

Start and then never stop doing yoga!  It helps maintain a good posture which is so important - there are far too many 'humpy backs' around - not a pretty sight!!  Yoga is such a marvellous thing, even if you are incapacitated, just do the movements in a chair.

 

(questions kindly answered by my dear, lovely friend and class member, Mary Brewer Aged 95) who continues to inspire me and the other class members :)
 

www.yogiclaire.com

 

What the class members say.......part 2

1.       How long have you been practicing yoga? 

Almost 2 years

2.       What do you feel you get out of your yoga practice? 

It's helping to keep me mobile and it's challenging me to attempt postures and exercises that I wouldn't do at home on my own

3.       How do you feel your life has changed since you have been doing a regular yoga practice?

I now have strategies for dealing with the stresses and strains of everyday life - breathing exercises, shoulder and neck exercises.

4.       What is your favourite posture and why?

I like forward bends because I have discovered I can do them!  Also because I can really see myself improving with practice.

5.       What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending yoga for the first time and a little afraid to take that first step?

Be brave and do it!  It doesn't matter how little you feel you can do at the beginning, you will improve.  You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.  I always feel better after class and miss it if I can't go.

 

 

(questions kindly answered by one of my Friday morning class members)

www.yogiclaire.com

 

What the class members say.......Part 1

I am hoping to provide some of you with some inspiration to get back to a yoga class or to begin your yoga journey.  I am going to be publishing some answers to a questionnaire I gave out to my lovely class members about their yoga practice and what it means to them.  Here is the first one - enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

1.       How long have you been practicing yoga?

On and off for 40 years. Gaps in years when my children were younger or when I’ve had too many commitments to go to classes. About 20 years in all.

2.       What do you feel you get out of your yoga practice?

I feel relaxed yet energized. I feel good about myself. Probably because I feel I’m taking responsibility for my own health and fitness. I think I can sum it up better how I feel when I don’t do weekly classes for a long period. Sluggish, lazy, a bit de-motivated and definitely creaky

3.       How do you feel your life has changed since you have been doing a regular yoga practice?

 Well, I’ve always been healthy and have no medical issues really, but now I’m getting older (62) I notice that I can’t join in conversations with people my age about medical problems or compare medication. Is that a downside? Don’t think so.

4.       What is your favourite posture and why?

Rag doll and forward bends. They just keep your back so supple. Also, any poses that make you stand up straight. This forces you to think about your posture.

 Also the warrior. This makes me feel strong

5.       What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending yoga for the first time and a little afraid to take that first step?

Maybe try a few classes and see how you get on with the level taught in each one. Also, teachers have different approaches, and you need to find a teacher that you respect and want to emulate.

(E.g. a teacher who bullies you into poses because they think it’s good for you although you may be capable, may not really be your style)

Also, you can pick up yoga on holiday, say in a local class or on a beach (sorry that sounds a bit superstar-ish but hey, why not)

You can pick it up any age. It’s never too late. You can’t do that with a competitive or speed based sport, so you would never feel at a disadvantage,  classes are almost always sociable and friendly.

You don’t need any expensive equipment. Very little initial outlay at all

The very best thing is that you can arrive at a class with the weight of the world on your shoulders. Well that’s how is seems, and afterwards think…. Now, what was I worrying about?

Eleanor Hamer  (Friday morning class member)

 

www.yogiclaire.com

 

Never Stop Learning.......

I am delighted to say I have just received my certificates from the last two courses I have studied.  It’s been quite a long and challenging slog as I have been incorporating as much physical yoga practice as possible to compliment the theory I have been studying.  I believe it is imperative to do as much practical training as is possible.  Anyone can pick up a book and start to memorise facts, but to put it into practice is when the real learning, understanding and transformation begins.  Needless to say it is worth it, as human beings I think it is natural for us to want to learn and explore throughout our whole lives.

Hatha Yoga Teacher (Advanced)

This seemed an obvious choice of course for me as I found myself needing to delve deeper into all aspects of yoga - especially philosophy.  In this course I studied the roots, history and philosophy of Yoga, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the Eight Limbs of Yoga and also covered Vedantic philosophy and Ayurveda.  I studied more advanced postures, including safety aspects, teaching points and guidelines for physical, mental and spiritual benefits.  The use of pranayamas, mudras, bandhas and kriyas were explored, as well as meditation techniques, mantras and the connections between asanas and the chakra system. 
(This course has been awarded a Level 4 NCFE accreditation)

Yoga Therapy – Level 3

I began this course with the study of digestion and nutrition, this was written by Rosalind Sinnett SRN. I also studied first aid and hygiene and then studied further therapeutic treatments using basic shiatsu and remedial massage. The course continued with the study of cellular dynamics, response mechanisms, neurology and reflex action. The course also involved control techniques and treatments for common conditions.  My aim is to integrate this knowledge into my teaching, to bring further benefits to my yoga class members.  It was certainly a very challenging course with some concepts which really engaged and enthralled me throughout!

I hope that continuing my studies I can evolve and become a more effective teacher, of course yoga teaching is not an academic subject and really all we do as yoga teachers is try to pass on what knowledge and experience we have gained to others.......

www.yogiclaire.com