77
NESTLED WITHIN A CONDOMINIUMcompound on the East Coast of Singapore is a
boutique yoga studio that turned eight in January this year. Students are greeted by their
names when they first step into the home-like studio, decorated with beautiful paintings,
oriental rugs, cozy sofas and inviting lampshades. After each class, students get to enjoy
home-brewed tea and essential oil-scented chilled towels.
This is the ambience at Kate Porter Yoga studio that carries a tagline ‘Yoga for Normal
People’, because the teachers strongly believe that yoga is an approachable activity that can
be adjusted to any person, regardless of their fitness level, size, age or shape.WHO IS KATE PORTER?
The brainchild behind the studio, Kate Porter began her yoga journey in 2000 as a result
of a debilitating illness which wasn’t
diagnosed for many years. After finally
learning that she was suffering from
Systemic Lupus, an autoimmune disease,
and Fibromyalgia which leads to acute
musculoskeletal pain, Kate decided to heal
herself holistically. Although moving was a
painful ordeal, she was determined that her
quality of life depended upon being active.
She began doing a few simple yoga poses
just from her bed.
As positive changes became evident,
she began attending yoga classes, which
eventually created the desire to attend a
yoga teacher training. Although it was only
meant to be a new learning experience,
Kate found that friends started to ask her to teach them a few poses. At the end of her teacher
training, these friends continued to come back every week and insisted on paying her as she
was now officially a qualified ‘teacher’.
From four students, there were 150 that flocked to her apartment every week. Her husband,
Tom Porter, encouraged her to start her own studio in the hall of their home that could
accommodate about 16 students. It soon became apparent that a larger dedicated studio space
was required, and so Kate Porter Yoga studio became a reality in 2011 at 5000G Marine Parade
Road.
Sadly in 2015, Kate’s health began to deteriorate after three very difficult pregnancies.
Doctors advised she move to a drier climate and step away from the business in order to
focus on her health and family. Kate and family moved back home to South Africa, leaving the
management of the studio in the capable hands of fellow teacher, Li Ling Soon, a vibrant and
calming Singaporean who subscribed to the same beliefs as Kate.
“We strive to keep a personal connection with our students, especially when dealing with
injuries, illnesses or pregnancies,” says Li Ling, who continues to run the studio. “If a pose
doesn’t work for an individual, it can be modified. Yoga is not a one-size-fits-all practice,
otherwise students can often become discouraged or even injured.”To learn more about the studio, visitwww.kateporteryoga.com,
[email protected] call 97813403 for more information.KATE PORTER
By YJ EditorWeekend intensive course in Singapore with
Joan Hyman, Director of Teacher Trainings for
Wanderlust U.S.3 rdto 5thMARCH 2017
Topics: From flows and inversions to
understanding your shoulder girdle to unlocking
your psoas and healing your lower back.
More info at http://www.kateporteryoga.com/
classes-fees/mastering/Readers of YJ enjoy a 10% discount at Joan’s
workshops. Just quote ‘KPYYJ’ when booking.“Yoga is first and foremost
about the individual”- Li Ling, Kate Porter Yoga
YOGA
- A HOME STUDIO IN SINGAPORE
Upcoming event at KPY
ART DIRECTOR : ANUJA BAGADE