One hundred million years ago, I fell off a horse and did myself a fair bit of damage to my lower back/pelvis…. I couldn’t walk for several weeks. At the time I had just broken up with my partner and closed down my business, so it wasn’t my finniest month. However, it all brought me to BYC which changed my life for the better in so many ways.
The hot yoga was a major part of my healing journey for my lower back & pelvis, but also my mental health. I cannot express enough how beneficial the 90mins of not being able to think about anything other than the heat and the yoga was/is for me.
So obviously with all the amazing physical and mental benefits I was hooked, however having just shut down my business I wasn’t exactly in a place to be buying a yearly unlimited. Luckily for me one of BYC’s 4 managers at the time offered me the opportunity to be a Helping Hand (I helped out before and after class for a free class). Then Fed officered me a job as receptionist and well the rest is history, shortly after that I started managing BYC and I have been here ever since.
A few years ago one of our teachers Liz came in and said “I’ve just done a class that you are going to LOVE, Inferno Hot Pilates” – and oh boy was she right, love at first class! However, it wasn’t just the style of class that made me want to train in this discipline. While hot yoga did a wonderful job at healing me from the horse accident, my back still went out frequently. Since building my glute and core strength with regular IHP classes, this no longer happens.
Teaching IHP (or has we also call it at BYC Hot HIIT) fills me with joy. I absolutely love teaching you all. Every time I see someone hold a plank for 1 min for the first time, do their first full press up, or any numbe of the major achievements I witness every class, I am just so proud!
I really do count myself very lucky that my best friend took me to a hot yoga class at BYC to help heal my back post horse riding injury all those years ago. I am so lucky to work with the most amazing team of people, with such a wonderful community of students and have Helen as my boss!
(Wow that was an essay, well done if you read it all!)
Q&A Time:
How did you discover yoga?
I feel off a horse and damaged by back. A friend had heard hot yoga was good for back issues. We started on the hottest day of the year mid August, but I was hooked and the rest is history.
How long have you been teaching at BYC/What year did you start teaching at BYC?
I trained 2 months before covid, so I taught a handful of classes, then I couldn’t during that hole mess of a time, due to my internet/flat layout, so while technically I’ve been teaching since 2020, I’d say 2022 is more accurate.
How long have you been practising at BYC?
1 billion trillion years/ 15 years.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given in yoga or life?
I have two quotes I like to live my life by:
“Spare nothing in your search for the truth but beware of the person that has found it” – Cardinal Newman
“Everything in moderation including moderation itself” – Oscar Wilde
(I even wrote these in my school leaving book and they are just as valid and true to me today, but of course that was only a handful of years ago right 😉 )
If you could only choose one word to describe your teaching style, what would it be?
I have been told I am a Drill Sergeant Cheerleader….
If you could give one piece of advice to a fellow yogi just starting out on their yoga journey what would it be?
Breathe. The breathe, at least for me, was one of the trickiest things to master. Not holding you breath in postures, keeping it even and steady. Once you have this everything else will follow.
Favourite Album/Albums (who can have just one)?
Even though I wrote these questions I am really note sure I can stick to just one!
“The Miseducation of Lauren Hill”
“What’s The Story Morning Glory– Oasis
“Rumours” – Fleetwood ac
“Songs in The Key of Life” but basically Everything by Stevie Wonder!
“Back To Black” – Amy Winehouse
Favourite ‘Dad/mum/bad’ joke?
“How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the light bulb has to want to change.”
I did my degree in phycology, which is probably why this one tickles me.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of you life what would it be?
Tuna Carpaccio of tuna ceviche, Pasta (really any pasta, but it has to be gluten free and pescatarian!!!!), Cheese and then any desert that is chocolate! based (not white chocolate though!!!!)
Do you have a favourite BYC memory and if so what is it?
So many…. I am very lucky to work with fantastic people and we laugh every single day. Running a yoga studio isn’t always stress free but I honestly have the best team and the best boss.
Who would you choose if you could pick one person, living or dead, to have dinner with?
My family, my mum, dad, brother, sister-in-law and new nephew Nathan. Literally the best people on earth.
Do you do anything else outside of working for BYC?
I also make children’s shows. I write, direct, produce and edit them and currently I am teaching myself to animate so I am taking on that role as well. If you ask anyone I work with at BYC they may say I am a touch of a control freak….. 🤔
If you have a toddler you may like to check them out:
https://www.youtube.com/@KidsTrucksTV
