How long have you been practicing yoga and what made you get into yoga in the first place?
I’ve been practising yoga for over 10 years and been a teacher of this modality since 2020. Alongside this I also teach Pilates (Mat, Reformer and Clinical) at various studios on the Central Coast. I have been privileged to have yoga as a regular part of my life since I was a teenager.
I started yoga because the physicality of the movement brought me back to my dancing roots. Even though I was interested in the physical benefits to improve my flexibility and strength, I quickly learned that I loved the way it made me feel. The connection between mind and body allowed me a precious hour to, “shake it off”. Yoga is now part of my everyday life as I incorporate deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and meditation to calm my mind. Yoga can also lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, so yoga became essential for my overall well-being.
Throughout the years I’ve been fortunate enough to attend yoga retreats in India, Sri Lanka and Bali. I have learned through the art of doing and being that yoga is a deeply personal practice. Every time I step onto my mat something different happens, something special. When teaching I encourage my students to explore what is new with themselves on their mat on each day.
Why do you practice yoga?
I practice yoga for many reasons. Yoga allows increased mindfulness and mental clarity. It encourages me to be present in the moment which enhances focus and concentration. Another reason I practice yoga is for self-awareness and self-care to increase my self-esteem, self-confidence and therefore I am kinder to myself. The humbling thing about yoga is that it brings you right back into the moment, wherever you could have been that day, it creates a pattern interrupt. I found one of the biggest benefits for myself is self-awareness and has taught me how to drop into my body and learn what it may need at any time. Self-awareness and self-advocacy.
What are some of the key benefits of yoga, and how do they affect our overall health and wellbeing?
I believe that the biggest benefit of yoga is that everyone can do it. Yoga benefits us like a pattern interrupt. It allows us to take a pause during our busy lives and to be present in our bodies.
Other benefits include better posture and balance as many yoga poses focus on aligning the spine and improving posture. Better digestion and detoxification as certain yoga poses and practices, such as twists and inversions, can stimulate digestion and promote detoxification by stimulating lymphatic flow and enhancing circulation. Yoga has also been found to boost the immune system by reducing stress, improving sleep, and promoting overall physical health.
Speaking from personal experience I find that the practice of Yoga has deeply supported me in moments of anxiety or when I’ve suffered from a physical injury by teaching me the art of body awareness and stillness.
What are some of the different types of yoga, and how do I seek a yoga studio that is right for me?
There are many different types of yoga, ranging from Vinyasa – a style of yoga where you seamlessly flow from one pose to the next, using breath. Yin Yoga – which normally consists of a series of passively held poses that aim to release tension from the deeper fascia of the body. You also have many other physical practices such as Bikram, and your non-physical practices such as meditation and pranayama (breathing practices).
I personally love to teach and practice Vinyasa Yoga, as this is the style, I can connect to the best and is the way I love to move.
Yoga studios will usually offer more than one type of yoga. If you’re a beginner I would recommend contacting studios in your area to see what class may be the most suitable for you. I love using the trials at different places so then I can get a feel for what style and teachers I connect with the best. It is important to practice yoga under the guidance of a qualified instructor and choose the type and level of practice that suits your individual needs and abilities.
Is yoga a good workout? Should I be combining yoga with other forms of exercise for optimal health?
In short, regular practice of yoga can have numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits that in turn promote health and well-being.
Yoga is great for your physical body with increased strength, flexibility, and mobility. It is amazing for your mind and for regulating stress. Yoga has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by promoting relaxation, mindfulness, and a positive mood. It can also increase the production of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone, which can help improve mood and emotional well-being.
You may choose to complement your yoga practice with other forms of exercise. I find a combination of yoga, Pilates, weight training and walking or running is right for me. However, everyone is different and needs to find the right type and amount of Yoga for them.
If you feel like you need some help and support on your journey to yoga and you are located on the Central Coast of NSW, please come visit me at Mindful Movement Studio – Long Jetty, where I teach a combination of both Vinyasa and Yin Yoga.
I also have an Online Studio, Bloom With Eliza. Which has beginner to advanced both Vinyasa and Yin Yoga practices, that allow you to practice at home with ease.
Namaste x
