Why I Love . . . Yoga

I have always been fascinated with how things work, especially when it comes to us human beings.

I studied chemistry at UCC, then worked in pharmaceuticals for almost seven years before leaving my permanent, pensionable job (much to my father’s horror) to become a yoga teacher.

I trained with Himalayan Yogarishi Vishveketu of Akhanda Yoga in Rishikesh India. It is a system that helps to bring the ancient practices of yoga into the modern world. My students can't get enough of it.

Akhanda means whole, complete, indivisible. It incorporates all aspects of the ancient practices of yoga, not just the physical. Combining mantra, movement, breathwork, philosophy and meditation, it leaves the practitioner feeling ultimate bliss.

Nettle socca

---

‘I’m a 40-year-old woman. How do I tell a man I’m a virgin?’

---

Why I love . . . Brazilian jiu-jitsu

---

Yoga isn’t a workout, it’s a work in. To me, yoga is my sanctuary. A space of non-judgment and bliss in a world growing ever more hectic. It is the one part and time of my day where I feel I can show up as my true authentic self and nothing is expected of me. I am welcome.

Yoga is a way of life. It takes dedication, commitment and practice but it rewards you 10-fold. If you don’t have time in your day for yoga, you need to do yoga twice. To me you can do yoga any time, anywhere. You live and breathe it.

I practise every day. I have a lot going on in my life and sometimes I wonder are there even enough hours in the day. But to me, yoga is the one thing that brings me back to my self and so I prioritise it.

Often I wake before sunrise to ensure I do my practice. Do I want to get out of bed? No. Do I ever regret it? Never. Some days it can be five minutes of meditation, other days 90 minutes of movement, breath work, meditation and chanting. I go with my intuition, how I feel and what I feel I need.