Meet our yoga teacher... Leigh
"My physical practice helps me better understand my body as it shifts and changes through my life. And my meditation helps me connect to my inner landscape"
Leigh’s practices synthesise a beautiful mix of energy and awareness. His reassuring and grounding presence, combined with his ability to add heat and fluidity helps balance and grow the mind-body connection. His practices lean in on our physical connection with the body, providing an intuitive road map for us to develop and deepen our own practice of yoga.
HOW DID YOUR YOGA JOURNEY BEGIN?
My journey started at the beginning of 2018 when I went to my first Vinyasa class in Fitzroy. I was so surprised how challenging I found the class. Even though I considered myself relatively athletic. I walked out of the class a sweaty, hot mess. But I felt calm. My body felt open and light. And I wanted to know how much further I could go with this new practice. I was obsessed from the beginning.
HOW DOES YOGA FIT INTO YOUR LIFE?
So much of the way my body moves can be attributed to yoga. Yoga is a part of who I am, it has afforded me a flexibility and range of motion that weaves into both my daily life and other forms of movement.
My yoga practice ebbs and flows with my life, but I always make sure I stretch everyday, even if it’s only for 10 minutes before I run out the door. My physical practice helps me better understand my body as it shifts and changes through my life. And my meditation helps me connect to my inner landscape.
AS A TEACHER WHAT DO YOU SEEK TO BRING PEOPLE WHO PRACTICE WITH YOU?
As a practice yoga offers us all something different. For some it is the opportunity to grow flexible and mobile in their bodies, for some it brings a sense of community and social connection, and for others it is a way to open up a conversation with themselves and their body. It can bring a sense of groundedness and help to quiet the mind. My role is to guide others to find what yoga offers them, and to find their own meaning through their practice.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL MOST CONNECTED TO YOUR MIND AND BODY?
I feel I’m most connected when away from distraction, whether that be my phone, or work, or busyness. When I am able to just be in the moment, either with company or in solitude. I find this enables me to draw my awareness inward, come back to myself and feel a sense of coming home, of coming back to myself. Which entails presence.
IN MOMENTS OF UNEASE WHAT DO YOU DO TO DOWN-REGULATE, RESET AND RESTORE?
Usually when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed by something, I take a moment to stop and be still. It sounds a bit of a cliche. But I find if I allow the experience to completely wash over me, I can then make a calmer, more rational decision to take the next step forward. Without being emotionally charged or out of sorts.
I also take myself out into nature or for a walk. This allows me to reset in a new environment, and to step outside and away from a scenario and into a new one while I gather perspective.
WHAT IS A DAILY RITUAL OR HABIT THAT YOU NEVER LIKE TO SKIP?
I always move my body in some form or another. Whether that be something more gentle, or high energy, it’s a part of the day that is dedicated just for me.