Yoga teacher - Nine years on

This year marks nine years since I began teaching yoga. It’s humbling to reflect on this journey – how it continues to evolve, deepen, and adapt. Teaching yoga has never been static for me; it has grown alongside the changes in my life, and this past year was no exception.

When I first qualified, I never imagined the many forms this path would take. Every student, every class, every moment on the mat has been a chance to learn something – and this year, that learning came through choosing stillness and space.

The key highlights this year

One of the biggest changes this year was consciously choosing to scale back the number of classes I teach. It wasn’t easy, but it was the right decision – one made to conserve energy for my day job and to be more present with my family. I’ve always believed in the importance of balance, but this year truly tested and reaffirmed that belief.

Despite teaching fewer classes, the connection to my practice has felt richer, more intentional. The moments I do teach feel more grounded and nourishing – both for me and for those who join me on the mat.

Something new for me this year was completing the Couch to 5K programme. It started as a bit of a curiosity – wondering if I could actually run – and turned into a surprising and empowering experience. I was amazed by the body’s ability to adapt, how small, steady efforts built up to real progress. There were definitely days when my mind said “you can’t,” but the body kept showing up – and eventually, the mind followed. Running has become a different kind of mindfulness practice, and I’m really proud to have crossed that 5.6K finish line. (The extra 0.6K made a big difference!)

I also continued exploring sound work and playing with new instruments, Ocean drum and additional Koshi Chimes, finding joy in the little discoveries that come with experimenting. While I didn’t travel for a retreat this year, I created space at weekends for micro-retreats – mornings of stillness, long walks, catch ups with friends, moments with a cup of tea and no agenda. It’s amazing how restorative those little pauses can be.

Liz hugging an Oak tree at Kew Gardens. Photo credit: Lee Daffen

What have I learnt this year?

This year has been a gentle reminder that less can be more. Stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away. In fact, creating space has helped me reconnect with why I started teaching in the first place – to share a practice that helps us pause, notice, and come home to ourselves.

I’ve learnt that presence isn’t always about doing more, it’s about being clear on where you want your energy to go. Prioritising family time has brought deeper joy, and carving out quieter evenings has helped me bring more calm into my day-to-day life – something that inevitably flows into my teaching.

And the running reminded me that we are always capable of more than we think – when we take it one step at a time.

What’s next?

Right now, I’m not rushing to plan the next big thing. I’m sitting in the in-between and letting that be enough. That said, I’m still open to what might come – whether that’s more sound work, a new retreat when the time feels right, or simply staying rooted in the present.

This year has shown me that it’s okay to shift gears. The important thing is to keep the connection to your ‘why’, and to let your practice reflect the life you’re living.

Tips from year nine

• Prioritise presence over productivity

• Trust the seasons – it’s okay to slow down

• Find joy in the small rituals

• Nurture the practices that nurture you

• You don’t have to do it all – just do it with intention

• The body is wiser than we think – trust the process