#18before18

The 2017-18 series of interviews with #BablakePupilsEverywhere begins with Laura Needham, who runs a weekly yoga class for Bablake’s staff.

What did you study for A-Level? 

‘For A level, I studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths.’

What did you do next? 

‘Well, to be honest, I spent a lot of time making decisions that, although they resulted in me having a good job and relatively promising career prospects, were not making me happy or giving my life much meaning. It was probably all for the best in the end though, as this is how I found yoga.’

When did you decide to go for yoga? 

‘I started practising yoga when I was working in the corporate world. It helped me get through long, stressful days in a corporate environment followed by endless late nights and weekends working on my laptop to stay on top of my game for the next long and stressful day. I wonder how many of you can relate to this hamster wheel! 

Back then, I did yoga because I needed it just to get through my working week; it made me feel good. Little did I know it was gradually changing me, mentally and physically, until I realised I loved it so much I wanted to not only do it every day, but share it and teach it to other people. This is when I decided to train as a yoga teacher. 

I realised making a living doing something I love is important to me, so last year I took the plunge and, in a leap of faith, left the corporate world I was working in and flew to India to start my new life teaching yoga.’ 

How did you train or get experience? 

‘I decided to complete my yoga teacher training in India, the home of yoga where the practice originated. My training was intensive - 13 hours a day, 6 days a week... for four weeks. 

I chose this option, so I could immerse myself fully in the discipline and roots of yoga, absorbing and learning as much as I could. It was also a test for myself, as I didn’t want to make another ‘bad’ career choice. I figured, if I could live and breathe yoga in that intensive environment for four weeks and still want to do it, then I would know it was the right career choice for me.’ 

What do you enjoy most about teaching yoga? 

‘Everything! Literally, everything! I wake up every morning and come to my mat for self practice... well, almost every morning. This way, I continue to grow in my own practice as I teach others and I ‘practise what I preach’. 

I believe when you teach something you are so passionate to share, it reflects in the teaching and a student’s understanding. Yoga changed my life, so I guess what I most enjoy is sharing this with others, so they may also experience yoga enriching their lives. Sometimes I can literally see the difference in my students’ mood and energy at the end of class and it is a great feeling knowing one yoga class did that.’ 

What next?

‘I’m hoping to do further training in yoga, as there is so much to explore in the discipline. I am currently qualified to teach Aerial, Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin yoga, but I plan to train in pre and post natal yoga, yoga for children and complete another ‘300 hours’ training course and advance my current teaching practice.

After that, who knows? Workshops, studios, yoga retreats, training to be able to teach people to become yoga teachers and hosting my own 200/300 hour teacher training courses…..the world is my oyster, so I’m dreaming big!’ 

What would you tell your 16 year old self? 

‘Forget about other people’s expectations of you, as that is their dream not yours. Do not worry about what other people think about your dreams, they are not you. Discover what lights you up and stokes your fire, then DO IT! Dream big and believe in those dreams, because limitation is only in the mind. Anything is possible, so go and live BIG!’ 

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Laura feels very honoured to have been offered the opportunity to teach yoga at Bablake and share her learning with the school that taught her so much as a pupil. 

She said this about her yoga class: ‘It has been amazing to watch everyone progress and grow in their own practice, particularly those new to yoga. Many congratulations to one student who has never done yoga before, but now stands on her head as well as her feet!

I’d urge other staff to come and try a class, as I love new students and teach to all ages and abilities. You don’t have to be flexible, strong or calm! You never know, you might find inside yourself a yogi you never knew was there!’

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Laura’s 5 Myths about Yoga

Laura wanted to debunk a few yoga myths in case you were intrigued about the benefits and were considering trying it, but were unsure whether it would be OK for you. ‘Don’t worry, yoga is for everyone, so don’t let 5 yoga myths put you off!’ 

1. Yoga is for flexible people

‘This is one of the most common reasons people think they cannot do yoga, but, honestly, it is absolutely irrelevant to your practice. It may be true when people practise yoga regularly, they become more flexible, but that’s exactly what it is - a result not a requirement. 

There are a number of options, modifications and variations of every yoga pose. For example, when you complete a standing forward fold, your hands may well touch the floor, or maybe they only reach your shins, or maybe even your thighs, but you’re still doing a standing forward fold and still gaining all the benefits of that pose. 

If you don’t want to be that person in class with your hands only reaching your thighs, then that is your ego talking, so release it and come to class! You will soon see that one of the first lessons of class is not to pay any attention to what anyone else is doing on their mat; it is only your mat that matters.’ 

2. Yoga is just for women

‘This is one of the ones I find the most ironic, as in India the traditional culture is almost reversed, for it is the men who are traditionally the ones encouraged to become yoga gurus and master teachers more than women, although these days, there is less of a gender divide. 

Yoga has amazing benefits for men and women, and I have many men come to my yoga classes now. My Saturday morning class regularly has more male than female students in attendance! So for all the guys out there thinking yoga is just for girls come and give it a try, you will soon see there is absolutely nothing girly about this practice!’ 

3. Yoga is for the young and skinny

‘OK, so I understand where this one comes from, with photos of advanced yoga postures all over Instagram, but the real life picture of a class is actually nothing like this. It is like comparing an airbrushed, photoshopped image of a model on the cover of a magazine, after editing, to a real photo with no filter.

The reality is... yoga is for EVERYONE! I have a 76 year old man in one of my classes, who started practising yoga after he retired and says it is the best thing he ever did! So no matter who you are, what your number is (scales or birthday) you can come to yoga if you want to!’

4. Yoga is too hard for me

‘Well yes, in a way, yoga is hard, but maybe not in quite the way you are expecting. If you were expecting to come to your first yoga class and wrap your legs around your head or hold a handstand, then, yes, you are probably right in thinking that it is too hard for you. In short, it probably is, but this is not what you will be doing in your first week, month or even year of yoga. 

Also, yoga helps open you up and clear your thoughts and vision. A lot of people find this hard because sometimes – well, we do not like what we see. It is amazing, though, when we release our expectations and accept what shows up it actually starts to become harder NOT to come to your mat.’

5. Yoga is for spiritual people/ Yoga is against my religion

‘Whilst yoga does draw upon some of the teachings and philosophies of Hinduism and Buddhism, due to its origins in India, it is a separate practice and not part of any religion. Yoga is an exercise of the mind, body and spirit and it can be whatever you want it to be. It serves your own needs – whether that is reflective meditation or simply a good workout.’ 

There are many mental and physical benefits of yoga, so see you on the mat!