Our yoga teachers and studios have been adaptable and ingenious, finding new ways to connect and to continue teaching and supporting their students. Through lock-downs, tech issues and learning to give adjustments virtually over zoom. This month we’re shining a light on them! Throughout January we will feature studios and chat to teachers here on the blog, all in the spirit of celebrating those that have kept us grounded over the past year. Meet Yoga teacher, Josh Taylor, below.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi, I’m Josh. I am from a little island on the east coast of the UK called Mersea Island. Growing up I was the type of boy that dressed in Power Ranger outfits and jumped from the top of stairs and did knee slides at parties. I ignored advise from parents that my knees wouldn’t like me when I got older. I played football and rugby through school and college and was rowing at university. I didn’t believe in stretching or the idea of getting injured. I thought as long as my mind kept strong my body would keep up. After university I took on a few endurance challenges. I rowed a boat non-stop around the UK with three friends achieving a Guinness World Record. I then took on the longest cross-country skiing race in Finland with no prior cross-country experience. It was at this point did my body start to protest. As a result of a chronic injury I got into yoga.
I soon found out that yoga was as much of a, if not more of a challenge, than any rowing or skiing race that I had done before. I immediately saw the amazing benefits yoga could have. It captivated the physical and also the mental side for me. Both my body and my mind felt like it was opening up. I was hooked. Three years into my yoga journey, I qualified as a Teacher. Yoga taught me to be more humble, to slow down, respect my body more and to not treat everything as a competition.
With a year that has been very different, what are some challenges you faced as a yoga teacher in 2020?
The biggest challenge I faced as a yoga teacher was the uncertainty ahead. Having to adapt and go from teaching in studios to teaching online. Being reliant on income from gyms and studios and then having to be responsible for promoting your own online classes and adjusting clients to online teaching. I was also hoping to take on my own studio but unfortunately I had to put that on hold.
What has 2020 taught you and are you able to find a silver lining in it all?
2020 taught me again to slow down. At the start of the first lockdown I thought I could teach 5 classes a day as I was teaching online from the same location. I soon burnt out. I also discovered that I wasn’t invincible to suffering from anxiety and subsequent attacks. 2020 taught me to prioritise a healthier routine for myself. If I wasn’t healthy I was no use to myself or anyone else for that matter. 2020 has made me connect to my body and mind more deeply than ever before.
I got into cold water swimming in 2020. I jumped in two-three times a week from September to December. The cold water helps you become extremely present to all the sensations within the body and the environment around you. Putting your body into a stressful environment and breathing through it has really helped with day-to-day stress and anxiety. I also met some really humbling people who also like the cold water.
Where do you find inspiration and motivation?
My motivation in 2020 and now comes from a couple of things. Firstly, I am motivated by the things I enjoy doing. I love to surf, sail and swim and my motivation to keep active stems from being able to do those activities. Secondly, introspection and learning. I’m curious about the human body and the mind and also how we interactive with others. I am currently studying to become a psychotherapist. I have a long way to go but I am enjoying what I am learning.
Any words of wisdom for anyone struggling to stay positive and inspired right now?
Slow down, be kind to yourself. Get into a healthy routine. Breath, move and read a little more. Find something that interests you and learn about it, whatever it is. If that fails throw yourself in some icy water (but be safe!)
To keep up with Josh follow him on Instagram or visit his website for information on classes and events.