Issuu

a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e y o g a p r a c t i t i o n e r s

richard and Kirsten Agar Ward

Bath Iyengar Yoga Centre 01225 319699 www.bath-iyengar-yoga.com How did you come to be a yoga practitioner? Richard: Yoga attracted me at age 19 in 1975 as it promoted spiritual, mental as well as physical development. After attending class for a few months I was convinced that I wanted to make it part of my life and took up home practice from where it became the basis of my life. Kirsten: After leaving university in the 1980s I spotted Iyengar Yoga in local adult education classes and thought I’d give it a try. I was immediately hooked, finding myself prioritising yoga, despite other temptations and having a demanding job. What area of yoga do you specialise in? We are committed to enabling all to access yoga all ages, whether pregnant, ill, injured, stiff, flexible, stressed. We practise and teach ‘Iyengar Yoga’, a holistic, regulated and safe method with rigorously trained teachers. What advice would you give to a beginner? Make a start! Choose a well trained, dedicated teacher who teaches the subject sincerely. Remember you can only work within your own potentials, don’t force anything. Be regular, don’t dip in and out or go to lots of different teachers as this will hinder your progress.

alice milner

07961 102853 www.funkymonkeystudio.com www.yamayogahub.com How did you come to be a yoga practitioner? I was working as a lifeguard in the prestigious Broadgate Club in London and one of the yoga teachers swum quite a bit, I just connected with her as a person so it made sense to go to her class! Where in Bath are your classes based? I’m based mostly at my two studios on the Lower Bristol Road, but I also teach privately, working with clients one-to-one or in small groups at their homes or workplaces and I still teach five classes a week at Fitness First too. What area of yoga do you specialise in? I started out in Ashtanga and this is still a huge part of my teaching and personal practice, over the 20-odd years, I’ve been teaching, I’ve studied under many teachers and styles and lots of other disciplines too. Most recently I’ve studied the “Strala way” which is all about finding ease and flow in how you move and be. I’m also loving the joyful and playful nature of the AcroYoga Practice. I feel it really is the antidote to our modern lifestyles. Summarise yoga in one sentence. Yoga to me is... moving with ease, living in an honourable and authentic way, being joyful and positive, supporting and accepting ourselves and our communities just as we are!

simonA hernandez

GEORGIE BASSFORD

How did you come to be a yoga practitioner? I originally worked as a cognitive neuro-psychologist. After a partying lifestyle and car accident, I came to yoga. It saved me! Within a year, I was off to India to train as a teacher.

What type of yoga do you teach? Having practiced yoga for over 20 years and taught for 16, I’ve developed skills in many areas. I specialise in Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga and pelvic floor/core health but love teaching a range of classes, many for beginners, including Restorative Yin (slow and meditative, great for joint mobility), Yang-Yin (blending fiery and cooling practices) and Move.Relax.Restore classes (for relief from stress overload!).

Yoga Bodhi 01225 464848 www.yogabodhi.co.uk

What misconceptions are there about yoga? Yoga comes from the root word ‘yuj’ – to yoke. Yoga in the west has become very much about stretching and the body. However, yoga is about yoking the mind, body and breath and ultimately finding inner spirit. Yoga is a way of life – we don’t have to be bendy or able to touch our toes, just have an open mind and heart. Where in Bath are your classes based? I mainly teach at Yoga Bodhi in Bartlett Street. I also teach privately at people’s homes and workplaces as well as special workshops around the UK. Summarise yoga in one sentence. Yoga is space in my body.

Bright Blue Yoga 07940 704850 www.brightblueyoga.co.uk

What are the main benefits of practising yoga? So many! From improved mood, increased mobility, a sociable way to get moving, flexibility and strength, to relief from niggling health issues and better sleep; yoga can be life changing. What advice would you give to a beginner? You don’t need flexibility, just an open mind! Speak to your teacher about their training, experience and ethos. Try a few classes - there are many different teachers and yoga styles - if one doesn’t suit, there’ll be another that does! Where do you teach? I run classes in Newbridge and Oldfield Park as well as at the Bath Yoga Studio and Yoga Bodhi. I also run workshops and teach privately too.