Anez Barnes

When I first began yoga, my sister provided the single most valuable piece of advice, saying; ‘Yoga can be as easy or as challenging as you make it.’

Candra Sleeman, Alive Yoga and Pilates, Eltham.

Chandra’s advice to me was, ‘Your body knows what it needs and what to do.’ I have put Chandra’s advice to use in my classes by enhancing students’ awareness of what is going on for their body. This is achieved through invitational language, and inviting students to be curious about their body and ask questions about what needs to be stretched, what hurts, where the aches are, what does and doesn’t feel good. Our body is good at communicating with us, we just need to make time to listen to it.

Dominic Salerno, Australian Yoga Academy, Prahran.

‘Integrity before intensity.’ On a personal level, Dom’s message has been a constant reminder to tone it down to avoid injury and that sometimes less is best. The notion of ‘integrity before intensity’ is evident in my classes as cues are provided which lay the foundation for safe posture and alignment before possibilities to level up are offered.

Carina Smith, Australian Yoga Academy, Prahran

I’m not a fidgety person naturally but you can bet that in a yin class I’m finding every excuse to move. Carina noticed me and asked ‘What are you afraid will emerge in the stillness of a yin class that you’re running from?’ In that moment I realised that stillness was confronting for me because it gave me the space to remember difficult memories which I had tried to forget. Movement had formed part of my coping mechanism to avoid dealing with those painful memories.

Learning about trauma informed yoga has made me appreciate how responses can differ and equipped to respond to any situation. For example, some may embrace silence or stillness of savasana, others may find this a challenging and emotional experience.

Travis Elliot

Travis has been my beacon of light during covid lockdowns when studios were closed and kilograms crept on. Travis has amazing flows which are challenging and dynamic which I draw inspiration from in my sequencing.

The other thing I love about Travis is that his sequences are coordinated with music that follows the pace of his class which makes it more engaging.

I love music and whilst it’s not conventional, my random spotify play list accompanies my practice!

#yogawithtunes

My kids

I learn so much from kids.

For example, my five year old daughter used bumble bee breath on the way to school. It was a beautiful moment that importantly showed that she could find strategies to manage her emotions. It reinforced how breath can be used as a calming force- taught at any age.

Our four year old son is fearless and enters into tuck jumps and handstands with no fear of falling. It reminds me of how important a positive mindset is and confidence in our ability. Zack reminds me yoga can be sporadic and fun as he screams ‘Mummy INVERSION’ and throws himself off the edge of the couch where his head is lower than his heart and his legs up in the air. Together, we lie [off] of the couch like this to unwind.