My love affair with yoga began 4 years ago on the beach in Byron Bay as I was backpacking around Australia. As I sank into my first Savasana I knew I’d stumbled across something undeniably important. This was not just another work-out fad. This was something real, a way to let go of the anxiety of modern living, strip back the layers and rediscover my true self.

My practice soon evolved from an exercise routine into a daily ritual that supported me through the next few years of transitional life. It was yoga that kept me warm whilst my hair froze in -30 degree Toronto winters. It was yoga that kept me grounded and healthy as I submerged myself in a whirl of ‘backpacker’ hedonism. Wherever I was in the world, yoga became the constant reminder to stay true to myself.

Before long I wanted to share my yogic awakening with the world. I started to hold informal classes in the park for reluctant co-workers, I dragged un-enthusiastic friends along to classes and waxed lyrical about the myriad of benefits to anyone who would listen.

Embarking on my teacher training was the only way to progress. Now, all I needed was to stay in the same place for long enough to complete my studies.

The time came one sunny afternoon in late February. I’d just moved to Australia for the second time and applied for my residency. I had no mortgage, no steady career, no children. I was loved, supported and stable. Everything was in alignment, I just needed to find the perfect catalyst.

I’d always imagined my teaching evolution would take place in an Ashram in India over the course of long solitary months dedicated to self study. However, Australian immigration steered my path in another direction and the search began right here in Sydney. It took about five minutes to find my true path with a little help from the all seeing eye of Google.

Dancing Warrior Yoga immediately stood out from the crowd. I was initially attracted by a blog post Mathew had written for Elephant Journal. I admired his community spirit and his desire to stay true to the ancient teachings. His sense of humour and vitality shone through the screen. Practicalities such as the convenient location, course dates and competitive rates helped to seal the deal.

I could pretend that I then did the ‘sensible’ thing and spent copious amounts of time comparing and contrasting different yoga schools, diligently attending classes and seminars until I was sure I’d found the perfect teacher who I could trust with my hard earned cash and open heart.

The reality is I signed up immediately, paying my deposit before I’d even met Mathew, visited the studio or experienced his teaching style.

Luckily the risk paid off.

This leap of faith turned out to be one of greatest decisions of my life thus far.

Mathew is an inspirational teacher with a staggering amount of knowledge and experience. Under his guidance and unwavering support I learned more about the tradition in those 21 days than I had in 4 years of practice. It was intense, emotional, exhausting, stimulating, terrifying and joyful all at once. My perception shifted and I realised that yoga is not just something we do. It is something we become.

Since completing the immersion my passion for learning has been re-kindled, I’m more inspired and motivated than I’ve been in years. My desire to help others is being fulfilled every time a student walks into my class and leaves with a little more inner peace.

My study of yoga philosophy has infiltrated into my day to day life, improving my happiness and general well being.

Every time I master a challenging asana I know I can harness the same determination to overcome any difficulties that may arise.

Ultimately I have realised my dream and I am now a yoga teacher. I currently teach 3 times a week at the studio and more teaching opportunities are flooding in on a daily basis. I’m busy creating my own full-time enterprise linking yoga with not-for-profit community development and I’m loving every minute.

I believe that generosity and compassion are inherent to our human nature. Yoga helps us connect with our true nature. Therefore, the more people practice yoga, the less suffering there will be.

Naive? Maybe. Possible? Absolutely.

“Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu”

May all beings in all worlds be free.