Lewis chats to us about practicing non judgement and much more!
1. How long have you been practising yoga for?
Just over one year at Studio 70, though I had done bits and pieces over the last five or so years. I have really noticed the benefits of more regular practice.
2. What keeps you coming back to your mat every week?
Remembering how good I felt at the end of last week’s class! We all seem to have such busy lives these days, it can be difficult to find that hour for Yoga. I think Laura once said that getting to your mat can be the hardest pose of all - which I find to be very true! But remembering that feeling at the end of a class, when I feel awake and open and ready for anything is what keeps me coming back.
3. What aspects of your yoga practice are you focusing on at the moment?
I’m interested in releasing tension, from all the different parts of my body for all the different reasons it gets there. And I’m always looking to foster non judgement in myself. I really get a lot from reminding myself not to compare my body to how another body does a pose, or even to how I have done it previously, to just be in it, to release myself from judgement about how well (or not) I’m doing it, and just be in the pose; that’s when I often find a deeper stretch, or extra strength, or more profound relaxation, when I just do it.
4. What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about trying yoga for the first time?
DO IT! Everyone who I have encouraged to do yoga has got so much from it. You find your own path, your own journey. You can lean into different parts of the practice - breathing, strength, flexibility - and make it work for you. It gives a great work out and it’s very accessible. You get so much from day one, but there is so much to learn and understand that you’re always getting more and more out of it.
5. Why do you come to Studio 70?
It’s a warm and welcoming space with a great mix of classes happening everyday. My schedule changes from week to week so it’s easy to just check in with the app when I have free time and sign up to the next available class. All the teachers have a great way of facilitating your experience - finding space for you to get what you need from your session, whether to make it more dynamic or more mindful. Some days I’ll want to really work up a sweat, other days I just want to stretch and be calm, I feel there is always the opportunity at Studio 70 for me to follow what my body needs that day.
6.What’s your favourite yoga pose?
Triangle! I like being a Triangle. I love it because it captures, for me, the beautiful complexity of yoga, it is a pose which feels active yet still, light yet grounded, elegant yet strong.
7. Tell us one fun fact about yourself!
When I was at university a duck came to my bedroom window everyday. I fed him bread and I called him Paul.
Thanks for sharing your yoga story with us Lewis. Join us for a yoga class in the studio! There will be no ducks but plenty of triangle pose :) If you're new to yoga we have a couple of Beginners courses starting April!