Month: August 2016

You’ve finished your Yoga Teacher Training…but can you actually teach?

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teaching 1It has been nearly a month since I completed my 200hrs Yoga Teacher Training with YogaLondon (highly recommended). The first few days I was on a high – I’d just graduated and felt I was ready to launch myself into teaching. A week later I was full of doubts!

‘You’ve finished your YTT… but can you actually teach real people?’ This was what was going round and round in my head. Friends and family had become fed up of being experimented on relentlessly during my training, so any teaching practice since had involved teaching my imaginary student, using my loud teacher voice, in the living room whilst my cat was either trying to sleep on my mat or join in. I’m pretty sure the neighbours think I’m insane!

I was starting to feel quite panicky about the prospect of teaching my first class. What if I just freeze? What if I can’t remember my sequencing? What if my class is boring and my students don’t want to come back? What if? What if?

So what actually happened? Arriving I felt quite anxious but setting up the room and greeting the students I somehow lost all those fears and doubts. It was amazing, I absolutely loved teaching. I felt prepared, nothing I had predicted happened. The class went well, with a nice flow and all the students worked really hard. It wasn’t a struggle, it just felt so natural. I had managed to offer appropriate modifications and alternative asana for those with injuries,everyone was smiling. The feedback I got at the end of class was really positive, everyone said they enjoyed it and even asked if I taught other classes!I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

5 Things about teaching my first class.

  • When you are not talking, it is very silent – this can be disconcerting, but remember – when you are participating in class the silence is nice. The students like to have a bit of space and time to just be, to explore the asana and how it feels.
  • If you ask a question, it’s likely no-one will say anything at first. This is okay, just carry on, they do start responding once you gain their trust!
  • Don’t be afraid to challenge your students – emphasising the process of exploring where their individual challenges are and working on those. It’s the journey – not the destination.
  • In savasana some people won’t close their eyes. That’s okay…it might make you feel uncomfortable, like you are being watched BUT it’s better the student feels comfortable! This is their time, you don’t want them feeling on edge! Hopefully in time they will learn to feel safe in the space and completely relax.
  • My favourite moment? Bringing them out of savasana – everyone looks so peaceful. Bringing the awareness back to the body, wiggling their toes and fingers, it’s amazing to see these tiny movements as they reconnect.teaching 2

So if you are prone to anxiety, like me, and you have just qualified then really don’t worry. It is completely normal to have some doubts and fears but dont let the what if’s stop you.”Paralysis by over analysis is deadly” Assuming you’ve had good quality training there really is nothing to worry about.

Good Luck – Harri x

What are the 8 Limbs of Yoga?

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Here I am going to give a general overview of the 8 fold path set out by Patanjali in ‘The Yoga Sutras’ (Ashtanga – 8 limb…. not to be confused with Ashtanga Vinyasa which is the set of sequences devised in Mysore by Patabi Jois)

‘The Yoga Sutras’ aims to explain; what yoga is, the aim of yoga, how to achieve this, what might get in your way, how to overcome these obstacles and what the result could be. It is non-dogmatic and each sutra (thread) is open to interpretation. The 8 limbs are almost like an action plan!

  1. Yamas – Ethical considerations
  2. Niyamas – Self observations
  3. Asana – Physical postures
  4. Pranayama – Breath control
  5. Pratyahara – Withdrawal of senses
  6. Dharana – Concentration
  7. Dhyana – Meditation
  8. Samadhi – Freedom/Enlightenment

Firstly we need to consider our ethics, through understanding the 5 Yamas: Continue reading →

Asparagus, spinach and chestnut risotto.

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This is just yummy and has had very positive reviews when I’ve made it for others. It is balanced, nutritious, easy and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. I have also made it alcohol free, but by all means add wine to your risotto if you have alcohol.
Ingredients (serves one so multiply it up for more):

  • 1tsp coconut oil 
  • 75grams arborio rice
  • 1/4 brown onion
  • 1 clove of garlic 
  • 1tsp Swiss vegetable vegan bouillon powder or any other veg stock
  • 350ml boiling water
  • 100g asparagus tips or fine asparagus cut into approx. 2cm pieces
  • Handful of spinach (roughly chopped)
  • 90grams Roasted and peeled whole chestnuts (I like the Merchant Gourmet ones for ease) chopped into halves
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Alright so this is really quick and easy!

  1. Chop the onion and garlic. Melt the coconut oil in a pan of your choice, once it’s hot enough add the onion and garlic.
  2. Allow the onion to soften, then add the bouillon powder, pepper and rice to the pan.
  3. After 1-2mins stirring, start adding the water a bit at a time and keep stirring. Simmer for 15mins… And yes stir!
  4. Now add your asparagus and simmer another 5mins. 
  5. Check the consistency of the rice is as you like it (it shouldn’t be dry, more of a creamy slightly soupy texture) ahh sorry hard to explain! Add the spinach and chestnuts, just fold them in, the heat from the risotto will wilt the spinach and warm through the chestnuts.
  6. Serve straight away 😊

There you have it, give it a try! Any questions just leave a comment. 


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Confused by the many styles of yoga?

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Looking at the timetable of a yoga studio can be quite intimidating for a new student. There are so many styles to choose from, Hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Restorative, Vinyasa Flow, Yin… I could go on!

So let’s take a look at some of these to help you make a decision about which style suits your needs best. Of course it’s great to try out as many styles and teachers as you want, to find your fit.

Hatha – often seen as a gentle, slower practice but hatha is actually the umbrella name for a physical yoga practice. Realistically these classes could be anything but most often, on studio timetables, there will be a more classical approach incorporating basic pranayama (breath control) and asana (postures)

Iyengar – Be prepared for lots of props. Precise alignment is the aim and dependent upon your body type, this could make it incredibly difficult. This practice is suitable for beginners to advanced and all fitness levels.

Ashtanga – The class is a set sequence which you learn in one of two ways. The majority of led classes will be the primary maybe sometimes a secondary series, but there are actually 6! Each series leads on to the next becoming progressively more difficult, so mastery of one is essential before moving to the next. Breath anIMG_0778d Movement are in unison throughout the sequence, it’s a moving meditation, with all postures linked together by vinyasa. Mysore – A way of teaching in the traditional way, where the teacher works individually to teach the student the sequence, one asana at a time. Each person is doing their own practice within the class and will go up to where they are in the sequence and stop. Once you master a pose your teacher will give you the next. Continue reading →