Mara: I have had the pleasure to interview Katherine, an experienced teacher who teaches Holistic You’s ‘chair stretching’ class on Tuesdays.

Katherine, you had a successful career in the city before deciding to become a full-time yoga teacher. What was the reason behind such a drastic change of career?

Katherine: That’s a good question. Well I got to 40 years old and knew I needed to make a change, those land mark birthdays really make you reflect on how you want to continue to live your life. It was a huge decision – but one I knew I’d regret if I didn’t at least give myself the chance. I’d qualified with the BWY a year or so earlier,  but hadn’t done a  great deal of teaching. My corporate job was such that it wouldn’t have been possible to commit to even just one class a week. It was all or nothing ! I’m not sure I believed in myself at that time – but I wholeheartedly believed in yoga.

 

Mara: You suffered a very bad accident a few years ago where you almost lost the use of your left arm. You have since made a miraculous recovery. What do you think has helped you the most to regain full use of your arm?

Katherine: Three days after my 50th birthday, I had a riding accident and fractured C6 in my neck on both sides and avulsed (tore nerves from neck to arm) on my left side. After realising I wasn’t dead, and that I could still walk, I felt incredibly fortunate. However, being completely paralysed down my left arm and shoulder was a shock. They did various tests but couldn’t assure me that feeling or movement would return. I could move my fingers and knew my spinal column had not been severed – so felt hopeful. I had physio, which after the first session I cancelled – it was painful, and I felt through all my years of yoga I had a better understanding of my body. A yoga friend advised me to ‘imagine’ my arm was moving – even though it couldn’t – in order to keep the neuromuscular pathways open. Very, very slowly the arm began to move, it probably took 18-24 months for full mobility to return.

I was in a full body brace for three months, all physical yoga was impossible. Having found meditation both impossible and boring in the past this was all I had. Waking in the night with panic, or during the day –  I found placing one hand (the one that worked!) on my abdomen and allowing my mind to follow the breath directly here invaluable and effective in controlling that fear.

My doctor signed me off for 6 weeks. But as soon as I could, 2 weeks after the accident I returned to teaching. During those classes I completely forgot about my own body, all I thought about were the students. It was the one thing that made me feel normal, useful and sane. It sustained and defined me when I doubted myself the most.

To answer your question, ultimately yoga and the support of my (now) husband was essential.

 

Mara: After qualifying with the BWY, you also went on to teach in prisons and in secure mental hospitals.

How do you find that the yoga benefits people in these institutions?

Katherine: I work with the Prison Phoenix Trust – which is a brilliant organisation, really dedicated experienced individuals who I’ve learnt a lot from. In any class you teach you cannot exactly know what people are going through  – this is doubly so in secure hospitals or prisons.  Many people deal with fear and uncertainty on an unprecedented level, a lot of people you are dealing with are on remand – and may not even be guilty, a lot of people have learning difficulties.  Being non-judgemental, encouraging people just to notice simple sensations in their own bodies – and more importantly giving them the freedom to decide what’s suitable for them can be the easiest and most effective way to teach. Many inmates and patients have told me they feel so much better after a class. The wardens have also said inmates are often less volatile and angry after a session. Simple movement /breathing exercises, guided relaxation and lots of encouragement seem to help. Basically a lot like teaching anywhere. Just with bars and locks.

 

Mara: How would you describe your teaching style?

Katherine: I very much hope my style adapts to whoever I’m teaching. Some people need to find fun in the practice – especially if they are in an office environment and practising with colleagues. Others are very serious – and want a very demanding technical class. If I deem it’s safe to do so, I love to take them forward into the wonderful array of challenging postures. Often there’s a mix of people and I try to cater for all levels simultaneously – I hope no one gets left behind – and that others are challenged.

I try to observe as best I can people’s physical and emotional needs and tailor a practice to best suit them, even in a busy class.  I constantly suggest options and modifications, based on what I see. I can have a lesson in mind – and then disregard it completely as I can see it’s just not appropriate that day. I hope I’m creative and that I can help people find in their yoga practice whatever they need it to be – that it can be stimulating, relaxing or uplifting – ideally all of those and more !

 

Mara: Finally, lets’ hear from one of Katherine’s yoga students:

“We’ve hired Katherine to lead a number of chair yoga sessions and the team absolutely love them! Her style and gentle guidance is absolutely fantastic, and because she understands and works in corporate settings, she totally gets the balance that has to be struck between making it fun and delivering something truly valuable for colleagues. After her sessions we always feel re-energised, de-stressed and like we’ve taken a moment out of our day to look after ourselves. Would thoroughly recommend her to anyone wanting to place team wellbeing at the heart of their company’s culture.”

Jenny Ousbey, MD, OVID Health