Feature Star - SEP

Our featured student Rachel hails from the Republic of Ireland. She turned to yoga to help her regain her pre-pregnancy figure following the birth of her daughter. She raves about our class content, instructors and oxygen room.

Where are you from?

I come from Galway, a small city overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Ireland. I spent a couple of years living in London where I met my husband. We decided to accept his internal job offer and relocate to Hong Kong even though I was 7 months pregnant! My daughter is a real Hong Kong girl. We’ve been living here for just over 1 year and we love it!

As an expatriate, I was a little bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to follow the class in Cantonese. However, I needn’t have worried. All the classes are taught in dual language and the instructors have a wonderful proficiency in English.

Why did you choose yoga?

One of the main reasons why I turned to yoga was that I wanted to regain my shape and get fit following the birth of my beautiful daughter. Firstly, I tried going to the gym but I just got bored after only 40 minutes. At that time, I severely lacked the motivation to do a full workout. I realized that I would require myself to take a class where I couldn’t run away in the middle!

Did it work?

Look at me now! I’m back to my original size. J I didn’t want my extra baby weight to become bulky which may be caused by intensive gym workouts so I knew that yoga was the route for me.

How long have you been practicing yoga?

I’ve been practicing yoga for about 7 years on and off. In between, I also enjoy Pilates, golf, swimming, tennis, skiing and scuba-diving. The strength and flexibility I find through yoga makes everything else easier!

What is your favourite class?

I found it difficult to conform to any kind of schedule while I was breastfeeding but Lifeyoga offered so many classes that I soon discovered a time to suit. I found the instructors to be really helpful and understanding of my situation. They offer a comprehensive range of classes from gentle life hatha to hot yin and even yoga therapy. Hot flow is my favourite – it is a real power workout!

Who is your favourite instructor?

All the instructors at Lifeyoga are highly trained. Javy really takes the time to make sure that one understands the basics before moving on to the more complicated poses. She encourages each person to take the posture at the level of their individual capabilities.

Ivey will make a minor adjustment to my body so that I am better aligned and the posture may feel completely different. Cora has a great technique and is very focused on flow. And Dave, well, let me just say that we need more male instructors like Dave!

I’ve been attending Lifeyoga for almost one year now. In the beginning, there may have been as little as only one or two students in the class. Now however, there may be up to 20 students in the class and on occasion it may be completely full. This is a testament to the quality of the class content and high standard of instruction given by each of the teachers.

Any yoga secrets you would like to share?

Usually there is fatigue caused by increased carbon dioxide from a room full of people breathing while exercising. At Lifeyoga we have extra oxygen pumped into the room so even by the end of class my mind feels fresh and focused. This has really helped me to push myself deeper into the positions and maximize the entire class time.

What do you like about yoga?

Everybody has different strengths and weaknesses due to previous fitness level and flexibility experience. What is difficult for me may come naturally easy for you, so we mustn’t compare ourselves with our neighbour. One of the things I love about yoga is that one is constantly working towards one’s own goals. I’ve developed so much over this past year but there is always room for improvement!

After the class, I love the way my body no longer feels stiff and my mind feels free with no signs of stress. It is wonderful to have the luxury to be able to attend so often.

What does the future hold for you?

I’m looking forward to taking my daughter to baby yoga. When is that starting? She is already better than me at downward dog!

How long will you practice yoga?

Yoga is for life! Namaste.

Member : RACHEL KELLY-YAP (PIC 2)

Written on 2008-08-20