After teaching yoga for over 30 years, I’ve seen how both my personal practice and teaching style have evolved. Early on, I developed a habit of seeking out continuous education and training to refine my classes, a practice that I’ve held onto throughout my career.
Especially during the COVID years, when in-person classes dwindled and online learning exploded, I seized the opportunity to deepen my knowledge. I purchased and completed several programs, and in doing so, something profound shifted in me. I realized that beyond the practice of yoga, I had a deep interest in the science behind movement, exercise, and overall health and well-being.
This curiosity sparked countless questions: How does the body truly move? What happens beneath the surface when we engage in movement? What is considered a healthy range of motion? How can I help my students move in a healthier way? And what additional benefits can we achieve by refining our approach to exercise?
One influential figure in my journey has been Jules Mitchell, a yoga and biomechanics teacher from the U.S. Her teachings have been incredibly eye-opening. She challenged many of the traditional ideas around yoga poses and alignment, asking critical questions we’ve often taken for granted: Why do we suggest certain alignments? What makes a pose “correct”? And how can we better accommodate the unique bodies, injuries, and needs of different students?
As I grow older and experience my own aches and pains, while working with clients with varying health conditions, I feel an increasing desire to be more precise and knowledgeable in my teaching. My goal is to help my students maintain a healthy range of motion and keep moving together for years to come.
This desire for deeper understanding led me to enrol in a kinesiology program at Vancouver Island University (VIU) this fall. My first two classes were both intimidating and exciting. Being the only student over 25 has certainly made me feel a bit out of place, but I’m determined to rise to the challenge. I’ll admit, my brain isn’t as sharp as it once was, and many of my classmates look like professional athletes, but I’m embracing this new chapter with optimism.
The professors I’ve encountered so far are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and incredibly supportive. My hope is to absorb as much as I can over the next four years and bring that knowledge back into my yoga classes, sharing it with my students what I will learn over the next four years.
This journey is a blend of passion, curiosity, and a commitment to lifelong learning. And I’m excited to see where it takes me—and my students—next.
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