My Story
When I went with a friend to my first yoga class, I immediately noticed the physical and therapeutic benefits – and how much I enjoyed it! It was a revelation.
As an occupational health nurse, it really struck me how impactful yoga is, improving both my flexibility and overall well-being – and as I continued to attend classes, I definitely wanted to know and understand more.
Was I doing the downward dog correctly? Was I breathing in and out at the right times?
Invited to attend a class with Dru Yoga, an accredited international provider of yoga teacher training, I was struck by the clear instructions and the way I was encouraged to practice within my personal ability.
Most of all I loved the way it made me feel. I noticed that I was calmer and generally more content for the days that followed the class.
I pretty much decided there and then to train with Dru as a yoga teacher, starting the course in 2019.
Most of my fellow yoga students had no intention of teaching but the positivity was infectious - soon enough most of us decided that Dru was something we wanted to share as widely as possible.
Working as a specialist nurse in occupational health, I felt that I was often picking up the pieces when it was too late; people came to see me who were already significantly mentally unwell or had developed a back problem and a fear of movement.
I began to feel frustrated because I wanted to have some influence on the prevention of ill health rather than trying to support people who had already developed fears and beliefs about their health or situation.
Training as a nurse in the 1980s, you were either a ‘general nurse’ or a ‘mental health nurse’ and never the twain shall meet!
Over many years working as a nurse, I came to understand that our physical and mental health are intrinsically linked.
I observed the difference in recovery times for patients with a positive attitude compared with those with a less positive attitude.
Yoga works on both the physical body and the mind and therefore benefits both. Yoga was first practised over 5000 years ago so there must be something in it!
I’ll soon complete a post-graduate certificate in back care and wellbeing with Dru Yoga and plan to start classes specifically designed to manage back pain – one of the most problematic and widespread chronic pain problems of our times.
I provide a friendly and supportive experience for anyone that attends my classes. Giving individual attention and support means it’s essential to keep my groups small.
A health questionnaire is completed before attending my classes to enable me to consider what adjustments may be needed to support individual clients.
