I remember my first taste of yoga, which came from watching a DVD featuring Rodney Yee. I struggled to imitate Yee’s beautiful postures and calm, serene composure - but every single muscle in my body tingled and shook, my breath was rough and choppy, and tears engulfed me at the end of the practice. I realised that I had stumbled on something that I absolutely had to explore, and did my teacher training shortly thereafter. From then on, I was deeply committed to sharing the wonderful benefits of yoga.

For many years, I was led to believe that “no pain, no gain” was the way to go to become physically fit and healthy – and so I would spend hours at the gym, pounding away on the treadmill, pumping iron and punishing my body in all kinds of ways, convinced it was “good for me”. And at first, my yoga practice was really just a workout – muscle, power and sweat. Over the years, my practice and teaching have evolved and I no longer have any fixed ideas of what yoga should be. I like to listen and observe and modify my yoga accordingly. Sometimes my practice is strong, athletic, ashtanga-like, at other times it is soft, introvert and quiet. My aim is to find harmony and balance between yin and yang, hard and soft, strength and flexibility, effort and surrender… and take that balance into my daily life.

I also believe laughter and joy are great healers and I favour a light-hearted, humorous teaching style. I like students to leave my class filled with joy, light and inspiration.

Do join me at Ashiyana for my New Year Rejuvenation Retreat.

Om shanti
Andrea Freely