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1. When and where did you first start practising yoga?
I first started practicing yoga in May 2010 when Allison came to run an introductory lunchtime class at my workplace.
2. Why were you interested in the first place?
I found that after just 30 minutes of yoga at lunchtime I felt buzzing and more focussed all afternoon, so thought I would look into Allison’s full classes.
3. What is it that got you hooked?
I must admit to being a bit scared of putting my body into positions it hadn’t thought of for years, but Allison assured me I could do it, and so with her guidance, I started loosening up and found that practicing Ashtanga postures were giving me strength and flexibility and body awareness that felt better than any other form of exercise I had participated in previously. (….and once I found I could do a backbend!)
4. What do you love about Live and Breathe yoga?
I love Allison’s calm encouragement and the atmosphere of the studio makes me feel relaxed (even during the Flinders St redevelopment!) The mini workshops and the day retreat were fantastic, hope there will be more. Last but not least, I also have to mention Harry’s chai on Saturdays which has opened my world to tea drinking!
5. What benefits have you felt since practising yoga?
More confidence in moving my body; my back, neck and shoulder pain from sitting at work all day has extremely reduced and my posture, while sitting and walking has straightened up considerably.
I feel like I have learned not only about postures but am starting to understand more about incorporating yoga practices and philosophy into my everyday lifestyle and more conscious of my general health and well being.
I hope to be able to still do a backbend when I am 80!
6. How often do you practice in a week?
I started off with once a week but as I have become stronger, I now find that my goal is to attend 3 studio sessions per week, and I like to practice for about 30 minutes one or two mornings a week at home as well and working on increasing this too.
7. What’s your favourite thing about Ashtanga Yoga?
I like that you are moving all the time and there is so much to achieve in each posture that it sets little mini goals for me each time I practice, so this keeps it interesting!
8. What would you say to someone who is thinking of trying yoga?
I would say try Ashtanga, don’t be put off by the fact that it seems like hard work at the beginning, give yourself time and the results are worth it!