We work with some incredible teachers at Yoga One Bournemouth, in this interview series we ask them about their teaching journey and what brought them to Yoga. Jennifer Frazer teaches regular classes and like all our teachers was a member at the studio before she began teaching with us.
How did you get into Yoga?
I first tried yoga when I was living on a cruise ship. I had a set of 6, 15 minute videos downloaded onto my laptop, a tiny cabin which I shared with another member of crew, and we would both do these short yoga videos almost daily. From then I fell in love with the feeling of stretching my body and moving mindfully.
When did you know you wanted to teach?
I wanted to teach yoga for about 5 years before I got the chance to do my training. I had a lot of injuries and digestive issues that stopped me from feeling able to do it. Once I was finally feeling better after a lot of lifestyle changes I booked my yoga training 10 months in advance and spent the following months studying and upping my practice in preparation.
What does your personal practice look like at the moment?
I practise every day, whether I’ve got 10 minutes or an hour. I roll out my mat, put on a playlist and move to the music. I burn incense and candles and use a wheat eye mask for savasana.
What obstacles has Yoga helped you overcome?
Yoga has helped me learn how to move my body and enjoy exercise, before I found yoga I thought I hated all exercise, now I run, cycle and even completed my first triathlon in June. Yoga made me strong and feel capable in a way that P.E didn’t in high school. Yoga taught me to meditate, breathe and be in the present moment which is a daily practice that has saved me in times of hardship and grief.
Describe your classes and teaching methodology
I like to design a class that I enjoy doing, I enjoy slow, mindful movement with breath work. I teach vinyasa, marrying breath with movement. I like to ladder build asanas creating a rhythmic flow that becomes more familiar through repetition. I like a long savasana that savours the prana from the practice.
Who is one of your greatest teachers/inspirations?
My yin yoga teacher for 2 years – Jordana – she would host yin yoga in this tiny old village hall, and turn it into a cosy yoga setting, lighting a fire, burning candles and incense, creating an alter of flowers (she is also a milliner and herbalist) she would play beautiful music, read poetry or short stories, invite the bell and use singing bowls, she made lavender rice bags for eye masks and would heat them up whilst we held a pose, ready for savasana. She would often finish the class with a foraged herbal tea or conscious chocolate bar. Her classes were/are a multi sensory experience and ones that I will never forget.
For you, what is the most rewarding aspect of teaching?
I love to see students make progress from when they first start coming, to a few months of regular practice. I love to see their confidence grow on and off the mat and seeing how yoga changes them and helps to heal and develop inside and out.
Why do you think Yoga is so important for the times we’re living in?
Yoga for me is spiritual, in modern times I think we often feel directionless and yoga can be a focus, a reminder to bring it back to the present moment, to bring it back to our body and our breath. Switch off the news, switch off the internal radio, and focus on the now, here and in your body, it can be very powerful and enlightening. If everyone in the world did a little bit of yoga every day, I think the world would look a very different place.
When you’re not teaching, what else do you love to do?
I love to make art, I am also an art teacher, my favourite medium is collage but I enjoy working with lots of materials. I love to be outside, I have a camper van so I am often out in the van exploring the countryside or by the sea.
Jen teaches Vinyasa, 9:30am every Sunday at Yoga One Bournemouth.