om body
What are your plans going forward
To go deeper into my personal practice and see what emerges from
this time with myself; that is enough. I am also insatiably curious
about this body we inhabit for a while. Over the next five years I will
be continuing studying it academically in osteopathy, naturopathy
and yoga.
Any advice for new yoga teachers starting out
Practice, practice and then practice some more. You don’t need
years of experience of yoga to have something of value to share
with your students. Sincerity, gratitude, and enthusiasm are highly
infectious. Keep sharing your beginner’s heart as it will invigorate
everyone’s practice. Beware for the potential of hurting others and
approach all bodies with caution and respect.
Any tips for students new to yoga
You have everything you need to take part in yoga posture practice.
You are perfect just as you are, whatever physical challenges you
might face. Time spent with a good compassionate teacher will help
you develop. And most importantly of all, yoga is a love affair. Devote
a little time to practice, so you can move more gracefully into a state
of balance, integration, wholeness and ultimately relaxation.
What about people who say they can’t do yoga because
they’re inflexible, or too old
Nonsense! Your body is a healing machine! Just give yoga a try and
feel it for yourself, and if it really isn’t for you, do something else that
keeps your body moving in some way. Whatever it is, move!
What do you do when you¹re not doing yoga
It’s a pretty full on job running a yoga retreat like ours. When I’m
not practicing or teaching, I’m massaging and treating guests with
acupuncture. In between, there’s gardening, perpetual studying,
walking or feeding the dogs and piglets. And plenty of time to be
with our team and guests during the week and our grown up kids at
the weekend whenever they’re in Portugal. Both are now studying full
time in the UK. Through all the duties and choices, there is a part of
me that is simply just waiting for the next time I can practice yoga.Any tips for incorporating yoga into daily life
Use any spare moments you have, no matter how small, to lengthen
and broaden the body. Even if it’s just to get up from a chair and
stretch. Connect with the sensation of breathing as often as you can
through your day, exhaling as fully as possible and perhaps in the
process, let go of any tension you might unknowingly be holding.
This can happen anywhere at anytime and is so good for our sense
of wellbeing.Anything else
Yoga is very simple. Take a posture, breathe, hold for a time or move
through a sequence of shapes. Try not to be too hard on yourself.
It is simple, but being so, can be extremely difficult at times! It takes
practice to find the simplicity of practice, so be patient and kind with
yourself and with others around you. On and off the mat.Vonetta Winter is co-founder of Vale de Moses retreat centre in
Portugal. Visit: valedemoses.com“You don’t need years of
experience of yoga to have
something of value to share
with your students. Sincerity,
gratitude, and enthusiasm
are highly infectious.”