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London-based yoga teacher, coach and radio host Donna Noble is passionate
about helping people live a more stress free and balanced life. Here, the founder of
CurveSomeYoga, an initiative to encourage everyone to the mat, says the best time
to start is right now
How did you first get into yoga
My colleague (who was really into the latest
celebrity trends) got me into yoga after she
saw a picture of Madonna in a yoga pose
with her leg behind her head. Thinking that
Madonna looked amazing, she suggested
that we give it a try and the rest, as they say,
is history. We were fortunate enough to take
classes with a colleague who was training to
be a yoga teacher.What does yoga give you personally
Yoga has given me so much. It has
transformed my life in so many ways.
Forgive the cliché but it has healed me both
physically and mentally. Yoga has given me a
life that I could not have imagined, providing
me with the courage to leave my corporate
life. It has given me a gift that helps me to
share the numerous benefits with individuals
who would not consider yoga. It has also
helped me to extol the virtues of yoga.Describe your own teaching style
I would say that as a teacher I teach
an alignment-based class, adapting my
teaching to suit the individuals who attend
my classes. Accordingly, I am able to offer
a variety of postures to make the poses
accessible to all students. I strongly believe
that the yoga should be adapted to work
for the body and not the body work for the
postures. My teaching style is actually an
amalgamation of the various yoga styles
that I practice and have studied. Of course, I
allow my styles to evolve in order to provide
my students with the best experience.Yoga career highs so far
The creation of CurveSomeYoga
(CurveSomeYoga.com) features prominently
on my list of highs – this has enabled me
to present an ‘All are welcome’ image of
yoga. Other highlights include crowdfunding
my very first stand at the OM Yoga Show inLondon. The reaction to CurveSomeYoga
at the show was awesome and confirmed
that there is a need for what I am doing. And
also being overwhelmed by the support of
my family and friends. Another was teaching
yoga at HMP Wandsworth prison last year,
allowing me to take yoga to where it is
needed. Finally, meeting and interviewing the
inspirational yogini Tao Porchon Lynch (the
oldest yoga teacher in the Guinness Book of
Records). She is a great example of age just
being a number.What are your plans going forward
Focus more on body positive activities, whilst
still continuing to welcome more individuals
onto the yoga mat by showing that with
yoga there are no preconditions and that all
are welcome.Any tips for new students
Photos: Urban Decay Visuals and Fleckenstein Photography Don’t believe the hype. Don’t hesitate or