Why do we practice yoga?
Why do we practice yoga?
I'm often asked whether yoga is the only exercise I do.
As I get older, I think of yoga less and less as a form of exercise. Sure, we move, and investigate how our muscles and bodies feel in different shapes and on different days, but yoga for me is now more about exploring, gathering information and moving mindfully.
Moving Patterns
Yoga's strength is the way it gives us space and time to observe ourselves and become aware of our patterns.
These patterns could be related to movements – do I stand symmetrically? Does my right leg support me in the same way as my left? When I lie down do I drop more into one hip than the other?
These kinds of questions provide information which can inspire the movements we make in other activities, such as when we're working on strength, swimming, walking or running up hills.
How do we respond?
There are also patterns related to responses which are more relevant to life and living. Psychological responses and beliefs.
If I can't do something or have something (lift my little toes or get my own way, for instance) how do I react? Do I get agitated? Get frustrated and act out? Give up? Or push through - possibly too hard - and end up feeling totally exhausted and drained?
Discovery
Yoga is amazing.
Whilst we practice arbitrary movements, some easy, some challenging, it shines light on who we are and how we behave. Whilst practicing, we gather information about ourselves that may help us modify patterns which no longer serve us.
The value of attention
The philosopher Krishnamurti was a great friend of Vanda Scaravelli and her work is suffused with his ideas.
In this talk about attention and change (1968) he explores the value of personal reflection and necessity of understanding ourselves and our fundamental beliefs to enable change.
He discusses the value of listening with “certain attention – as you listen to the wind among the trees”, from a space of openness and perhaps emptiness, with no agenda. Once we can observe ourselves with this clarity, he suggests, change is not only simple, it's natural and inevitable.
Join my weekly yoga classes
If you'd like to explore the softer, deeper side of physical movement as expressed through yoga, join me:
6:30-7:30 pm | Monday Evening
9:30-10:30 am | Wednesday Morning
10:00-11:00 am | Sunday Morning
All Online
£12 drop in
£44 for 4 classes : valid for 4 weeks from date of purchase
£100 for 10 classes : valid for 8 weeks from date of purchase
If you’d like to pay for a block of classes, please email us direct and we will set this up for you
Can’t make it live?
Recordings are available for all online classes for those who cannot make it on the day.
Book as normal and add a note to say you'd like a recording. We'll send you a link so you can view at a more convenient time. All recordings are available to view online for 7 days from the date of your chosen class.
Classes are suitable for everyone with any level of experience, from beginners to those who’ve been practicing yoga for many years.
Yoga may be particularly helpful for those working with long term joint issues, cranky backs, or regular aches and pains and good for stress and sleep issues.
I teach yoga which offers a fresh and truly accessible approach to yoga. Each class will follow a theme which evolves from my personal research and explorations, so each class builds and develops from the material we covered in the previous week.
Although I’d love to see you each week and there are definite benefits from regular practice, I always take time to carefully explain the focus and what we’re doing in each pose, so you won’t miss out if you can’t make it.
About Catherine
With a Masters in Ballet Studies, Catherine Annis has over 40 years yoga experience and has been practicing movement nearly all her life. Originally a professional dancer, she discovered yoga in the mid 1970s and has studied various styles of yoga and movement including Iyengar, Astanga and Hatha, as well as Pilates.
Catherine began teaching yoga in 2004 and has taught thousands of hours of classes whilst continuing to study and research yoga and movement. Catherine taught in all the leading yoga studios in London for many years and was invited to join the teacher advisory board and lead the Triyoga teacher training. Noticing that trainees consistently asked for more detail about anatomy and biomechanics, she created the Intelligent Yoga Teacher Training Course in 2017, a 12 month, anatomically focused yoga teacher training qualification recognised by Yoga Alliance Professionals.
Catherine Annis Yoga offers a wide range of live and on-demand and CPD workshops (British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance Professionals). She has been invited to create themed courses for leading businesses and charities, for example: Network Rail, The ME Society and The Pilates Foundation. In 2024 she was approached by the Army to create a course introducing yoga to their personal trainers and launched the course Mindful Movement for Fitness Professionals in the Armed Forces (recognised by YMCA Awards). This course provides existing gym instructors the skills to incorporate meditation, yoga and breathing techniques into their current training programmes.
Catherine teaches regular retreats in the UK and internationally and is recognised as a Senior Teacher at Yoga Alliance Professionals and an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT® 500) and a Continuing Education Provider (YACEP ) at Yoga Alliance US. She is currently enrolled on the SIRPA chronic pain practitioner course and has joined DGR Interactive, the world class training in rehabilitation and biomechanics.
Have you ever thought about becoming a qualified yoga teacher?
Take a look at Catherine's accredited Intelligent Yoga Teacher Training course with renowned yoga and anatomy teacher, Gary Carter.
Great post on the benefits of yoga practice