A Decade of Yoga Teaching: Reflections from Year Ten

Wow. Ten years since I graduated from my first yoga teacher training course.

I'm not sure I could have imagined what life would look like a decade later. I still remember our final lesson together. We went around the room, each sharing what the experience had meant to us. When it came to my turn, all I could think was:

"I feel like I've only just scratched the surface of yoga."

That feeling hasn't changed.

If anything, ten years later I've realised just how much there is still to learn. Yoga isn't something you ever finish studying. It continues to evolve alongside you, meeting you differently in each season of life.

And thankfully, the story is still unfolding.

Highlights from Year Ten

This year I've continued teaching two weekly classes alongside my full-time job.

Teaching has become a reset button for me. No matter what kind of day I've had, stepping onto the mat instantly shifts me into a different headspace. I reconnect with my breath, my movement and, perhaps most importantly, the present moment.

It's funny really—I spend so much time encouraging students to breathe deeply and explaining the benefits of conscious breathing, yet during my working day I often catch myself holding my breath while concentrating! Practice doesn't make us perfect; it simply reminds us to come back again and again.

Thankfully I have a small painted pebble on my desk with one simple word: Breathe.

Perhaps that's one of yoga's biggest lessons—that teachers are students too.

Earlier this year I joined Caz, whom I met on my first yoga retreat a couple of years ago, and Ylva for a weekend retreat on the south coast.

Watching the sunrise on the beach at the end of the garden.

The weather was glorious, but what made the weekend so special wasn't just the sunshine. It was the teachers, the beautiful venue, the delicious food and the wonderful company. It reminded me how important it is to step away from teaching and simply become the student again.

One thing I particularly appreciated was how accessible the classes were. Sometimes people worry that yoga retreats are only for experienced practitioners or that they'll be expected to perform advanced poses. These classes offered something for everyone—whether you were completely new to yoga or simply looking to slow down, breathe and move with kindness.

Outside the yoga studio, running has become another unexpected joy.

After completing Couch to 5K last year, I've been working towards running 10K. It's taken longer than I expected, but that's because I'm choosing to progress sustainably rather than rushing and risking injury.

To my own surprise, I've started looking forward to my runs!

I've even entered a 10K race in September. The motivation? Well, yes, the exercise…but also the wine stations along the route. Sometimes motivation comes in unexpected forms!

What Surprised Me This Year

I haven't bought a new instrument…yet!

I visited the Mind Body Spirit Festival with a friend and caught up with Anne Malone, my sound teacher, as well as other friends. It had been a while since I'd experienced one of Anne's sound baths, so it was wonderful to take part in one again, along with one of Caterina's sessions.

I did, of course, discover a beautiful new drum. Fortunately I'd set myself a sensible budget before arriving, which helped me resist taking it home.

What I've Learned

One of my biggest discoveries this year has been exploring AI as a planning tool.

I have shelves full of books and years' worth of class plans, but AI has become another useful source of inspiration. It's brilliant for helping generate themes, explore ideas or overcome the occasional creative block when time is short.

It can even produce simple stick-figure sequence diagrams, although some of the poses require a little imagination!

Like any tool, though, AI works best alongside experience. It can't replace the intuition, observation and adaptability that come from teaching real people in real classes. It simply gives me another place to begin.

I've also been reminded of something I probably already knew: If I don't plan it, it rarely happens.

There are so many courses I'd love to take, books I'd like to read and ideas I'd like to explore. Unless I intentionally make space for them, life simply fills the gaps.

The good news? Since writing my original notes for this blog, I've signed up for a 50-hour course with Alba Yoga Academy. I'm excited to see where that learning leads and to bring those insights back into my classes.

Looking Ahead

Lately I've found myself thinking about the next ten years.

Not in a worrying way, but in a way that encourages me to be intentional.

Time is precious. There are only so many weekends, holidays and opportunities available alongside work, which means I need to be thoughtful about what deserves space on my bucket list.

I'm beginning to realise that a meaningful life isn't about doing everything.

It's about doing the things that matter most.

Ten Lessons from Year Ten

• Prioritise the bucket list.

• Stay present and enjoy the moment.

• Welcome challenges—they're often where the growth happens.

• Find moments of stillness in everyday life.

• Take intentional pauses throughout the year.

• Remember that teachers are always students.

• Progress doesn't have to be fast to be meaningful.

• Make time for your own practice.

• Be open to new tools, but trust your experience.

• Keep scratching the surface—there is always more to learn.