Yoga With Janis

My yoga story started about 23 years ago, when my eldest son started nursery school. For the first time in 3 years, I had a few precious hours to myself! I wanted to do something physical, as was feeling sluggish & plump, but had never enjoyed sport as I'm rubbish at it. I started talking to another nursery mum in the same position, & we decided to look for something to do on Friday mornings. As neither of us had much money to spare, we looked at the local Adult Education classes. 'Yoga!', I said, 'apart from the lotus position I've no idea what's involved, but it's been around for 1000s of years - there must be something to it?' Madonna & Geri Halliwell hadn't discovered it back then, so no-one I asked knew either. There was no 'Google'. So off we went......
That first class still shines brightly in my memory. The teacher (the sadly deceased, beautiful Greta), started the class by saying 'I'm going to teach you to relax. With practice, you will be able to sink into a deep relaxation in the blink of an eye'. We giggled all the way through that first class as we tried desperately to get into the poses. Then the 10 minute meditation at the end - wow. I remember needing to go into town afterwards, but it was all a blur. A couple of people spoke to me, but I could hardly speak - it was as if I was drugged - a floaty, hazy, peaceful feeling that I'd never felt before. It soon wore off - but I was hooked. I went back. Finally I had found a form of exercise where it didn't matter whether I was any good at it or not . It made me feel great, with no humiliation or embarrassment. No team members were let down by my ineptitude. I didn't dread each week knowing that I would come last, miss the ball or fall over. Yoga changed my life.
I continued with Greta until she retired, then found another amazing teacher to continue my journey with. Once a week, in a village hall. It was my lifeline - in the school holidays I missed it dreadfully. Every year, come September, it felt as though I was a beginner all over again. It never occurred to me to look elsewhere - I loved Caroline.
Then Red Hot Yoga opened - right on my doorstep. I'd heard of Bikram, but never tried it. I love saunas & sunshine, so wanted to give it a go. It took me a few weeks to build up the courage, imagining a sparkly studio full of beautiful young girls thinking 'what's that granny doing here?' But finally I took the plunge. I started by going just once a week, but soon realised that to make any real progress you need to be practicing 3 times a week. That was 7 years ago. I’m now a Yoga Alliance Accredited Yoga Teacher, with an additional certificate in Yin Yoga from the Mindful Yoga Academy. I've experienced Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Forrest, Iyengar, Kundalini, Vinyasa & Yin Yoga. I've attended workshops with Ray Long, Jaye Martin, Jambo Truong, Stu Girling & Craig Norris. I meditate daily. I've practiced in Greece, Spain, Vietnam, America & India. I still read, study, & practice daily.
I now live in Denia, Spain, & teach locally. My style is measured & mindful, gentle yet strong. Yoga that isn't fast & furious, with time to fully explore each pose. My classes are suitable for Every Body. The purpose of each class is that you learn to relax & release any stress & tension – becoming stronger & more flexible comes naturally as you practice. Words cannot express how much I love teaching. To be able to pass on all that I've learnt over the years is a true blessing that I'd dreamt of, but never thought possible. Thank-you, Greta. Thank-you, Caroline. Thank-you, Red Hot Yoga & all the many other teachers that have been a part of my journey thus far. Namaste.