melissa liversedge yoga
I first became aware of yoga as a child. My grandmother used to tell me to
practise ‘yoga breathing’ (long, slow inhalations and exhalations) if I ever
felt worried or unwell. She swore by the benefits of yoga, both physically and
mentally, and although I never actually saw her practise a single pose, I
considered her to be the ultimate yoga guru! After University, I worked in the
City as a stockbroker, at which point I officially started going to yoga
classes, seeking a counter balance to the busy lifestyle I was living. I went to
all sorts of different classes - whatever the gym had on offer and whatever I
could find locally: flow yoga, power yoga, bikram yoga, sivananda yoga. I soon
realised that yoga could be quite a different experience depending on the type
and the teacher. I had the good fortune of meeting a Japanese colleague who
swore by the benefits of Iyengar Yoga. She introduced me to a senior Iyengar
teacher, Maxine Tobias, who completely transformed my experience of yoga. She
had spent many years under the guidance of BKS Iyengar himself and was very
inspirational. I was amazed how the Iyengar method gives you a deep
understanding of your own body, its strengths and its weaknesses. Although the
classes looked easier, and you got to use belts and blocks, actually I found
them the most challenging. Furthermore, the classes were full of real people:
all ages, shapes and sizes. Each person came to understand their limitations and
their strengths and were on their own journey. It wasn’t about the gymnastics of
the poses, it was about the relationship between the body and the mind. After
several years of practice, I applied to do my teacher training course in 2005,
but then found out I was pregnant. Life and babies took over, so it was only
after another 10 years and a new life in Hampshire, I felt I was ready to
reapply to train as an Iyengar Teacher. The training course was long and
challenging, as it should be when you are dealing with other people’s bodies,
but I was lucky enough to have one of the best and most experienced teachers
living nearby, Judith Jones, who pushed and encouraged me to aim for precision
and quality of teaching. Judith has spent many years visiting Pune and the
Iyengar family, and has always been heavily involved with the Iyengar Yoga
Association UK. She is truly remarkable and continues to be a great inspiration
& mentor. I am currently preparing for the next level of qualification within
the Iyengar Yoga system and hope to continue my yoga journey for as long as I am
able. I have a great husband, 3 kids, 2 dogs, and a fish called Martin. I like
the sea, travel, fashion, shoes and people. Family is the most important thing
to me.
