Meet Audrey. One of our community members turned into a yoga teacher. Audrey recently finished her Yoga Teacher Training and found a spot to teach a free Mindful Flow 2 as part of our Summer Season.
It’s always so exciting to me seeing students become teachers, knowing that the intention.. the original intention passes from teacher to teacher to student... well, you know the rest. If not join one of Alex’s classes to find out :)
The first two classes with Audrey were so amazing and they felt like she was teaching for awhile. Her style of teaching is very inviting and accessible to all levels.
As part of getting to know more of our new Summer Season teachers I interviewed Audrey for our blog. Here’s what she had to say...
Where in the world are you? Tell us more about yourself?
Audrey: My name is Audrey. I am from the U.S. and currently live in Karachi, Pakistan.
How long have you been teaching yoga and what pushed you to become an instructor?
Audrey: I started teaching in June 2021 after I completed my 200 YTT. I had been interested in learning more about yoga for some time, but took advantage of this very strange year to take the leap into a formal teacher training program. I started the training to deepen my practice, and explore ways that I can help facilitate inclusive, accessible yoga. I have spent the last few years moving quite frequently and thought one way to ensure that there is a yoga teacher wherever I am - no matter where I am in the world - would be to become a teacher myself.
When did you start practicing yoga (before you started teaching) and how did yoga change your life?
Audrey: I started practicing around 15 years ago. I enjoyed yoga but it became a more foundational part of my life when I began exploring the connection between my own physical and mental health. As I moved to new cities, finding a yoga studio and community became a way to find a home and to feel at home in my body.
If you had to describe your teaching style, how would you?
Audrey: My teaching style aims to be an inclusive vinyasa, where the practice serves your body that day. There are so many different styles and practices that resonate with me that may show up in a practice, including influences from power yoga, HIIT, pilates, and barre.
What is the intention you try to instill in your students?
Audrey: One foundational intention is to be present. Any moment on the mat is your moment- whether it's an hour or a breath. Being present on the mat can help us to be present off the mat, to set boundaries and live our practice throughout our lives.
What is your favorite posture?
Audrey: My favorite posture is child's pose.
What is your favorite Mat? And why?
Audrey: Right now, I'm in love with my Alo mat for its grippiness and support. Any mat (or towel, or patch of grass) also works.
Set the scene for your perfect practice - paint us a picture!
Audrey: If I could, I'd invite everyone to an outdoor practice with mild weather, ample shade, a water view, and surrounding trees.
“I started the training to deepen my practice, and explore ways that I can help facilitate inclusive, accessible yoga. I have spent the last few years moving quite frequently and thought one way to ensure that there is a yoga teacher wherever I am - no matter where I am in the world - would be to become a teacher myself.”
Audrey
What’s the biggest myth about yoga instructors? Set the record straight!
Audrey: One myth is that you need to be able to do advanced postures in order to teach - I may never be able to come into lotus or handstand or firefly and that's fine. It's all practice.
What was one of your most heartfelt moments in teaching?
Audrey: Whenever a student feels better after a class, that's a great class.
Any advice to newbies teachers/students? (And oldies?)
Audrey: This is partially advice and wholly gratitude, that teachers and students make their practice accessible - for all bodies, including their own.
Where do you see yoga in the next five years?
Audrey: It has been inspiring to see the greater recognition of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles, mental health, body positivity, anti-racism, environmental activism, and other elements of social justice in yoga. I hope that this trend continues in the next five years, making yoga more diverse, more inclusive, and more firmly rooted in social justice.
Thank you Audrey for the interview. We’re so glad you’re part of our community and team. Catch Audrey’s free Mindful Flow 2 (Summer Season) every Saturday at 8:30pm UAE / 12:30pm Toronto / 5:30pm UK.
http://themindfullifepractice.com/live-schedule
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See you soon, may you all be safe, happy, healthy, and free.
Yasir
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