Bandhas & Bubbles: My yoga philosophy

It’s been a while since I had a gap (“gap” being relatively speaking… {ahem, I still have a crap ton of stuff to get finished today, lol}) that I sat down to write a blog post! But thought I would share some of the snaps from my first two yoga events, “Bandhas and Bubbles” – I’m SO excited to share these snaps because these events have been SO much fun to put together and share with all these yogis! These events also highlight my philosophy on teaching yoga so I thought I would share my thoughts here!

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For me, yoga is something that is really special. It has it’s roots in a sacred tradition that has been brought over from the East and has been allowed to grow in our modern Western world. I think there is ABSOLUTELY the need to keep yoga modern, relevant, fun, upbeat and awesome but I also think that it is REALLY important to keep yoga special. Yoga is a practice that was never intended to be commercialised but I also know (and respect) that yoga teachers need to be able to keep themselves alive (and paying rent) teaching what they love. My goal for teaching yoga is to always keep it special, to keep it within the community framework that it was always intended – where the teacher honours and truly respects each and every student and the students honour and respect the teacher.

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I wanted to try and make sure I had thought of everything, so before class began, there was a waiver form for everyone to sign and at the bottom, if people wanted to read up a bit more, I had made a little description about what a Bandha is. “Bandhas & Bubbles” after all!

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As each person signed up for the event via email, I replied (obviously) and tried to get a little bit about each person – and mostly this came up naturally – some people mentioned that they were new to yoga, others mentioned that they were new moms and had found yoga so super calming, others told me that they were getting married or that they were coming from out of London. My aim for these events is to make every person really feel like they have been thought about, and made to feel special.

For our Prosecco cups, I bought some bright scrapbook paper and then typed up some phrases which related to the things I knew about the people attending. Some were quite specific (I’m getting married) others were more broad (I’m excited for summer!), I then taped them onto bright pink paper cups using broad packing tape (and a bit of washi tape for decoration).

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After our yoga class, I asked them each to grab a cup and find one that fitted with them. The idea for this was for everyone to start chatting and passing around the cups and getting to know the person next to them a little bit more! It’s also a great conversation starter when you can look at someone’s cup and ask, “Oh! So where are you going?” or “What’s your baby’s name?”. I wanted each person to truly feel like I had taken the time to learn something about them.

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I spent a bit of time the day before baking some carrot and walnut cupcakes and decorating them with an “we (heart) yoga”!It turns out that they were very edible, so it appears that my baking skills are rapidly improving! ha!

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I had also decorated the ends of the wooden spoons with some washi tape to match the whole vibe – we whacked them in some granola pots with yogurt, muesli and blueberries.

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Husband was an absolute rock-star with helping with everything. Honestly, I could not have done ANY of this without him. And for ME, that feels really special. I bought him this to say thank you. ha

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So many people traveled so far to come and practice with me and I am so grateful! Katharina and her mom (visiting from South Africa) were in London from Germany celebrating Katharina’s birthday, Angela came all the way from Wales and Beeta all the way from out in the country! Feel so humbled that so many people woke up super early to come share the morning with me! Thank you to everyone who came those from near and from far! I made sure I had some birthday candles to sing to Katharina and I also got a “breakfast beer” instead of Prosecco for Vaughan.

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At the end of the classes I left a little positive affirmation for each student at the top of their mats. They all have a different message and I invited them (before reading their cards) to swap with someone next to them/in front of them as many times as they want until they ended with one that they felt was right for them. It was a good little activity to get everyone mixing and chatting and for everyone to take home something positive and uplifting to keep with them. The pic above is snapped from Nicole (@lifelessbeige) Don’t you just LOVE her henna?!

My aim for yoga is to keep it special. To keep it in the way that it was meant to be taught, honouring each and every student and making them feel like they are part of something amazing. Since this was an open class, I kept the actual sequence fairly standard – but it would be cool to do an event that is a real power house yoga session or one that is more chilled out and relaxed.

I have SO many other ideas that I’m keep to get rolling and I’m SO excited about everything!

My 6 week course is more than half way through and I have booked venue space for another 6 week course – this one will be aimed at play and progression – so for anyone who has done a bit of yoga and wants to extend their practice. I also have a SUPER exciting announcement about a YOGA WEEKEND RETREAT that I’ve started planning for the end of November coming soon – I’m SO super excited!!

If you’d like to be one of the first to hear about the courses and up coming events, you can subscribe here.

Have a fabulous Friday all!

x

4 Comments

  1. Rhianne on June 19, 2015 at 8:51 am

    First – oh my gosh a retreat?! That sounds like the perfect 30th birthday present to myself doesn’t it! I hope I can make that definitely, I’ll be patient to hear about it 🙂

    Also Che, this post made me a little emotional because I’m so proud of you – your classes sound incredible and reading this I just wished I could be there somehow. I’m determined next year to make it down to London and practice Yoga with you – I think that would be very special indeed 🙂

    Keep up the amazing work!

    • Ché Dyer on June 19, 2015 at 9:41 am

      Ah Rhianne! Thank you always for all the love and support! I hope we get to practice together some day soon too! xx

  2. Keri Bainborough on June 19, 2015 at 10:07 am

    Subscribed! Even though I don’t live in London, I will live vicariously through all your posts 🙂
    SO proud of you and I know you are already THE most amazing yoga teacher ever. xxx

    • Ché Dyer on June 19, 2015 at 10:09 am

      who knows maybe i will host a little yogi goodness in KEP TOWN one day!?!?! xxx

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