Who's Kate?
Now I have been asked, I’m not sure! I am…all sorts of things! So many labels, mother, partner, student, teacher…
But the things that make me tick are my family, friends, study, movement, sharing, being immersed in nature, the garden, preparing food, sewing. Life is complicated, I derive great joy from the simple things.
Why did you choose the Iyengar approach?
I did not begin my yoga journey in the Iyengar field at all, it was a strong Vinyasa class when I was 21 and I loved it! It was so energetic, fun and challenging. I felt the impact straight away and knew I wanted to go back. Wherever I was living and working I made sure to explore as much varied teaching as I could and practised diligently.
It was my Iyengar teacher though that supported me with her depth of knowledge in the practice during a period of extreme anxiety. Her practical supportive no-fuss approach was exactly what I needed and was the first time I had experienced yoga applied so deliberately without really using words. This type of practice reached so deep within the body and was so intriguing to me, the impact could be so clearly felt.
After I had my 3 children and met a new inspiring teacher I had the drive to explore deeper and perhaps become a teacher myself despite an internal voice saying “no way, you are just too shy!!!”. Inching myself in the right direction away from my comfort zone I committed to solely practise Iyengar yoga and see what happened. To my amazement, the subject of yoga became broader and more vast rather than narrow and restricted. It is complex and simple at the same time, so beautifully balanced. In the words of BKS himself “Words cannot express the value of yoga, it has to be experienced”.
Tell us the importance of Yoga in your life
My yoga practice and study is always a challenge to carve out time for and there have been moments I have felt it too hard within a busy young family to be asking for that time to practice and keep learning. But those are useful moments to evaluate and study in themselves, it’s a practice that keeps on revealing gems at every turn! It is honestly so interwoven into my existence that I couldn’t imagine my life without it.