—–
1. When and where did you first start practising yoga?
I first started practising yoga in February 2010 in Allison and Harry’s living room. Live and Breathe Yoga was in its infancy.
2. Why were you interested in the first place?
Some friends in Japan had moved away from the small country town in which we lived to the bright lights of Tokyo. When I would go to visit them they just kept getting fitter and fitter. They told me it was because of the ashtanga yoga they’d been doing. It put me on the lookout for an ashtanga yoga class, but it took a long time for one to open near me.
3. What is it that got you hooked?
Teaching full time is a tiring job, but yoga gave me renewed energy. After the most tiring of days, a session of yoga brought my energy level up. This energy lasted for a few days, and made my work days feel less daunting.
4. What do you love about Live and Breathe yoga?
I love the Mysore classes because I get the chance to practise at my own pace, and it frees up Allison to roam around and give help when needed.
5. What benefits have you felt since practising yoga?
I noted before I started that I could not touch my toes anymore. Now it’s a breeze. 25 years ago I could roll in a ball on the floor, but when I tried in my thirties it felt as if my back had become a straight wooden plank. Nowadays I can once again curl up and roll around.
6. How often do you practice in a week?
Yoga class makes me concentrate and do the whole series. Practising at home gets me easily distracted. So I attend class 3 times a week. When I move somewhere that has no studio, I’ll have to learn to practise by myself regularly.
7. What’s your favourite thing about Ashtanga Yoga?
I feel stronger and more flexible than I ever have. I hope that it will help me age gracefully.
8. What would you say to someone who is thinking of trying yoga?
Ashtanga yoga is not something to do simply to relax. It will challenge you to increase your strength and flexibility. I liken it to a martial art. But it’s not a regular martial art. The only thing it defends against is laziness and stiffness.