Curiosity and adversity led me to becoming a yoga teacher. Initially I did my teacher training, not with the aim of teaching, but because I wanted to understand why yoga made me feel so good. My teacher training was overshadowed by the pandemic, and just as I was reaching the end of my course, I was struck down with Long Covid, leaving me unable to fully return to my life for over two years.

I don’t think anything can prepare you for chronic illness and an energy-limiting one at that. It was the most challenging time of my life, but I was able to draw on many of the tools that I had learnt during my teacher training and experience first-hand how powerful they can be. This, together with support from family, friends and professionals, led to my recovery.

I think adversity in anyone’s life can lead to huge transformation. This was certainly the case for me, as I had to address how to make my recovery and life more sustainable, less stressful and more balanced. Before I was ill I worked and played hard, always wanting to do a zillion things. I didn’t even understand the meaning of rest, and pacing was a completely alien concept. But once again, what I learnt during my recovery and through yoga continues to be my guide, and these are the things I’m passionate about sharing with all of my students.