We’re thrilled to introduce you to a newest addition to our Summersalt Yoga family – a wonderful yoga teacher Sabi who will be sharing her yogi knowledge and wisdom at our Balance yoga retreat in Vis this September. Sabi loves watching her students grow both in their physical and mental practice and assisting them in every step of the way. Come, join us and Sabi on our beautiful island!
Why and when did you decide to become a yoga teacher?
I came to yoga from a dance background, and had been a dance teacher for a while. I was first drawn in for the physical benefits of gaining more strength and flexibility, but when I realised how much calm it brought into my life, I knew this was something I wanted to share. As I had been teaching movement for a long time, I knew I would love teaching yoga, so I went to India to complete my 200 hour teacher training in vinyasa and ashtanga yoga.
What do you enjoy most about teaching yoga?
I love that I’m able to encourage my students to explore not only what their bodies can do, but how they can be the best versions of themselves. It is not about teaching people how to make perfect shapes with their bodies, but how they can do things that make them feel good, both on and off the yoga mat.
Name the top 3-4 benefits of yoga to you personally?
One of the main benefits for me has been how it has shaped my mindset. I’ve always been a positive person, but yoga constantly reminds me that happiness is our true nature, and it always guides me towards that state of mind. It has also brought such a feeling of calm into my life.
Living in a busy city like London can be stressful and yoga reminds you to be present and live in the now, rather than the past or the future. I’ve also always had a big passion for self-development, and yoga continues to teach me things about myself, and reminds me to always be open to personal growth.
I’ve realised that all the benefits I’ve mentioned so far are mental benefits, but there are plenty of obvious physical benefits! One of the main ones for me is that I’ve built a lot of strength through yoga. Yoga has the power to help you build strength in such a graceful way, and it can make you feel so light, and as if you are floating. What once took so much effort eventually becomes more effortless with practice, and that is such an amazing feeling!
Do you have any advice for new yoga students and why they should not be afraid to start practicing?
Yoga is for everybody! The young, the old, the flexible, the inflexible. The most common excuse people give me is that they are not flexible enough to do yoga. But this is in fact the reason to start! If someone is dirty we tell them to take a bath, so if you’re inflexible you should do yoga, it’s pretty much the same thing 🙂
What changes do you notice students after some time practicing yoga?
The obvious changes are increased flexibility and strength. But the more exciting ones that I often see are people being in a better mood, feeling less stressed, having more love for themselves and their bodies. Basically people seem to be happier after they do yoga. If this isn’t a good enough reason to start, I don’t know what is!
Why do you think participating in a yoga retreat is a good experience?
I’ve been on a yoga retreat myself and it is the perfect way to give yourself some time to recharge and reset the mind and the body. Imagine how much you need a week of mindfully moving the body, eating delicious healthy food, and being surrounded by amazing people. You come back home with a refreshed attitude, and a feeling for what’s really important in your life.