November Yogi of the month : Ngaire

Live and Breathe Yoga Yogi of the Month

—–

1. When and where did you first start practising yoga? 

I started experimenting with yoga when I lived in Ireland about 7 years ago, it was a tiny little studio just like the one Live & Breathe used to be in on Flinders street, just a whole lot darker and colder.

 

2. Why were you interested in the first place? 

Curiosity about what all the hype was about. I wanted something to bring me back to earth a little and help me balance out my moods and emotions.  I was also interested in getting flexible again and just looking after my body more. So many aspects of yoga interested me & the more I started to learn the more I wanted to learn. I still feel the same way today.

 

3. What is it that got you hooked? 

What got me hooked is definitely the people that seem to be attracted to yoga. There is a real honesty & gentleness about so many, it’s just such a pleasure to be a part of such a positive little community.  I feel like I am just hanging out with friends.

 

4. What do you love about Live and Breathe yoga?

What I love about Live & Breathe Yoga is that there is so much love there. The friendliness, the sense of community, the fact that I feel at home & very much accepted & able to be myself. I love all the activities, talks, workshops that are offered, its not just about Yoga, Live & Breathe to me is about learning to nourish and look after myself in more ways than just on the yoga mat. You just don’t’ find that sort of commitment to wellness at all Yoga Studios.

 

5. What benefits have you felt since practising yoga? 

I feel that since starting to practice yoga I have learnt more about who I am than from any books I read. I seem to be able to tune in to my body a little better. I do sometimes read Yoga books and think  ‘what on earth are they waffling about and when will I understand it ‘ but then when I am actually on my mat and really feeling my practice (it doesn’t happen all the time), I do sometimes get a sense of  ‘so this is what peace feels like’. On a physical level my flexibility in my hips has improved, the stability in my knee is getting better and I attribute this to both my yoga practice and also my sessions with Harry at Spark Movement Studio.

 

6. How often do you practice in a week?

The frequency of my practice is something I really do want to work on. At present it all depends on my emotions and moods, sometimes I practice 3 times in a week, sometimes only once. When it’s only once I really feel the difference in my body. I am however starting to sit on my mat at home in the mornings before work. I might not do much more than take a few deep breaths but its a step in the right direction.

 

7. What’s your favourite thing about Ashtanga Yoga?

My favourite things about Asthanga yoga is the way I feel after a class both physically and mentally. I love the rhythm of the sequence, the flow. It makes both my mind and my body feel stronger.

 

8. What would you say to someone who is thinking of trying yoga? 

What I would say to someone wanting to try yoga would be  – that yoga can really be something that is about you and only you. It can be such a good way to connect with who you are & how you are.  All the other positives like how great it makes your body feel and what a great community it is are all just bonuses.

 

connect

Free guide: Breathwork for Busy people

Join the list and get instant access to our guide : Breathwork for Busy people and learn more about how Pranayama works to calm and invigorate.