I started practising yoga in my mid-twenties and soon found myself wanting to go just for the feeling I would get at the end – the thought of 10 minutes of peace and relaxation in savasana, and leaving the class in a feel-good bubble - would get me there even on the days when I really didn’t feel up to it! I dipped in and out of classes over the next few years, and it wasn’t until I moved to New Zealand that I started to build a more regular practice and love for yoga. I have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks through most of my adult life, and during a particularly difficult time with this when I was first living in Auckland, I remembered that yoga classes would often help bring me a bit of calm when I was extremely anxious. I struggled through my first couple classes with my anxiety, but soon found that I was able to relax more quickly each time I got on the mat. From then on I made yoga a more frequent part of my life. Because for me, yoga brings me out of my head and into my body (something I desperately need!), and it encourages me to tune in to myself and listen to what my body is telling me. By focusing on my body, movement, and my breath I am able to connect in with my body and let go of a busy mind – at least while I’m on the mat!
