We already have so much to strive for in life; trying to do our best at work, trying to be better parents, partners and (fill in the blank), while improving our cooking, our fitness and (fill in the blank), not to mention keeping up with world events, local politics and (fill in the blank!).
We’re overloaded. Do we really need to come to yoga and strive to be good at that too? I don’t think so.
In fact I think yoga is a break from all this busyness; from the overwhelming demands of life. It’s a chance to stop, to rest, to connect with your body, to breathe… More than that, it’s a chance to put aside, just for a moment, your roles, your challenges and your problems and just be.
There is ‘nothing to achieve’ in Yoga. Wait, what? Why do a class if you’re not getting tangible benefits? Don’t you need to set a goal? And make progress?
Well you will get physical benefits – increasing your flexibility, building your strength, maybe increasing your mobility and – but with the attitude of ‘nothing to achieve’ you will also give your mind a chance to relax. There’s amazing potential to de-stress and rejuvenate in this approach and this is what makes yoga different.
We all know from the research how corrosive ongoing stress can be to every system of our bodies, immunity and overall health, not to mention our mood and energy levels, so learning to release stress is very important.
So, be happy with where you are today, be grateful for what you can do, focus on your breathing and notice how much better you feel.
Breeze – your yoga facilitator
Yoga has been a constant in my life for the last 20 years and I’ve been sharing yoga for some 12 years.
I am so fortunate to have learned accessible, breath-based yoga from the outset.
My first teacher was Chris Villers in Melbourne, a long time student of Shanti Gowans. Shanti would say: “You don’t have to touch your toes to touch your heart.” And a constant through her class was : “The breath, the breath, the breath”, constantly reminding us to guide our attention towards our breath.
When I undertook my yoga teacher training with IYTA in Otautahi (Christchurch), my tutor was Gail Baty, one of this city’s earliest yoga teachers, whose classes have inspired old and young for many years.
I’ve sought further training that helped me connect more deeply with my own practice and with my teaching. Swarmi Karma Karuna at Anahata in Golden Bay and other Satyananda Yoga teachers taught me how to counter stress with a teacher training in restorative yoga and yoga nidra. Donna Farhi taught me how to connect with the origins of movement, safe yoga practice – especially for the sacroiliac joint and lower back – and effective modifications. Mark Withwell showed me to move more intimately with the breath, and that yoga is a ‘whole body prayer’. I’ve learned about trauma-informed yoga, yoga for seniors and I’ve tried most of the styles of yoga but I keep coming back to the path I first started on with Chris. I have deep gratitude to Chris and to all of my teachers. I also thank all those who created talks, practices, classes, books and workshops that have challenged, inspired and informed me.
The learning is endless! Any biggest challenge is taking all the gems and creating a simple, accessible, safe and enjoyable yoga experience.
Here is what some of my my students have said about my class:
I asked them: What is the main benefit you experience from attending yoga classes with Breeze?
“Relaxed mindful state and deep sleep after class”
“Flexibility , improved posture”
“Feeling calmer, keeping body supple, overall sense of well-being”
“Relaxing and developing strength and flexibility”
I hope to see you on the mat soon!
Breathe Aotearoa 