Trossachs Yoga recently did a feature on me and it went like this......
Julia, when, why and how did you begin practising yoga?
I first tried yoga classes when I was a student at Sheffield University. The classes took place in the bar of the sports centre. Nobody had a mat and the carpet smelled of stale beer and chips! Despite that it was great for relaxing and countering the stress of a very intense course.
Has your practice changed considerably over the years?
I've attended many different classes over the years and for a long time that was as far as it went. I never really practised at home. Then, while doing Yoga Scotland's Foundation Course in 2009 I had a breakthrough. I would commit to a 5 minute daily practise, rather than trying for an hour and ending up doing nothing most days. It worked. In fact I often found I could actually carry on for 15 or 20 minutes once I got started. Even a busy working Mum can find 5 minutes a day for herself and from there my personal yoga practice gradually became established. These days I include more meditation and pranayama and the asana practice varies a lot depending on how I feel at that moment.
What is your favourite yoga pose and why? What has it taught you?
So many poses to choose from and my favourites change all the time! But perhaps the unassuming Moving Cat (Cat/Cow) should get a mention. It's one pose that I find myself drawn back to time and again. The combination of breathing, movement and inward focus never fails to calm and focus my mind and even after 25 years I am still learning new things about myself from it. Its amazing how the simplest yoga poses can be just as powerful as the bigger, more physically challenging asana.
What are some things that you continue to learn as you continue to teach yoga?
I teach yoga to many different groups of people. Children, teenagers, and adults of all ages and abilities do yoga and they all teach me different things. I have learned for example that yoga does not always have to be quiet and serious! On the other hand I have also learned that youngsters are capable of great relaxation, insight and stillness given the right context and example.
Along with yoga what other interests do you have?
As Mum to 3 girls my time is mainly dedicated to them and to family life. We enjoy getting out into the hills and lochs exploring the Trossachs and its wildlife. When I'm home I love to potter about in my little garden where I grow fruit, veg and herbs.
Julia, when, why and how did you begin practising yoga?
I first tried yoga classes when I was a student at Sheffield University. The classes took place in the bar of the sports centre. Nobody had a mat and the carpet smelled of stale beer and chips! Despite that it was great for relaxing and countering the stress of a very intense course.
Has your practice changed considerably over the years?
I've attended many different classes over the years and for a long time that was as far as it went. I never really practised at home. Then, while doing Yoga Scotland's Foundation Course in 2009 I had a breakthrough. I would commit to a 5 minute daily practise, rather than trying for an hour and ending up doing nothing most days. It worked. In fact I often found I could actually carry on for 15 or 20 minutes once I got started. Even a busy working Mum can find 5 minutes a day for herself and from there my personal yoga practice gradually became established. These days I include more meditation and pranayama and the asana practice varies a lot depending on how I feel at that moment.
What is your favourite yoga pose and why? What has it taught you?
So many poses to choose from and my favourites change all the time! But perhaps the unassuming Moving Cat (Cat/Cow) should get a mention. It's one pose that I find myself drawn back to time and again. The combination of breathing, movement and inward focus never fails to calm and focus my mind and even after 25 years I am still learning new things about myself from it. Its amazing how the simplest yoga poses can be just as powerful as the bigger, more physically challenging asana.
What are some things that you continue to learn as you continue to teach yoga?
I teach yoga to many different groups of people. Children, teenagers, and adults of all ages and abilities do yoga and they all teach me different things. I have learned for example that yoga does not always have to be quiet and serious! On the other hand I have also learned that youngsters are capable of great relaxation, insight and stillness given the right context and example.
Along with yoga what other interests do you have?
As Mum to 3 girls my time is mainly dedicated to them and to family life. We enjoy getting out into the hills and lochs exploring the Trossachs and its wildlife. When I'm home I love to potter about in my little garden where I grow fruit, veg and herbs.
For more information about Yoga in the area go to trossachsyoga.com