Brittany is a yoga teacher and trainee psychologist based in South-West London. We caught up with Brittany to learn more about her background and practices…
Join Brittany for a special class on Yoga for Anxiety which you can register for through the link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/yoga-for-anxiety-with-brittany-mcconnell-tickets-617094063957
You can find out more about Brittany through her Instagram page @brittm_yoga
Tell us a bit about yourself…
Originally from Glasgow but now living in South-West London.
What does a typical day look like for you?
As well as teaching yoga I am currently undertaking my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology which provides a lot of variety to my weekly routine. I switch between being a student, NHS professional and yoga teacher which can be challenging at times therefore it’s non-negotiable that my morning and evening routines stay consistent to give me a sense of stability. Each morning starts with meditation practice – even if it’s just a few minutes and then a coffee (always Story Coffee, SW Londoners you know!) and a walk in the park either listening to a podcast or talking to my family. Evening routine consists of a few yin poses, reading (right now I’m loving anything Taylor-Jenkins Reid) and sipping on a magnesium drink to help me drift off into a deep sleep.
How did your yoga journey begin and what inspired you to become a yoga teacher?
I began practicing yoga 11 years ago in an attempt to rebuild my physical and mental health after a long-term health diagnosis. I remember after my first class feeling a synchronisation between my mind and body which felt like pure magic after struggling through months of disconnect between the two. Yoga, for me, became a language of both movement and stillness and allowed me to consistently show up without judgement as my body began to heal. I also started to notice the impact that a regular practice had on so many other areas of my life and knew that one day I would want to share this with others.
What inspired you to specialize in Clinical Psychology?
I have always been fascinated by human behaviour and decided to study Psychology at university where I began to learn more about neuropsychology and how we express emotions which lead me down the (very long) path of specializing in Clinical Psychology. Clinical Psychologists work with a broad spectrum of mental health disorders reducing psychological distress and promoting psychological well-being through talking therapy.
How have you seen yoga benefit those going through mental health difficulties?
I began to notice the role that yoga has in developing body awareness and saw my clients begin to enjoy elements of the practice that aid mental clarity. Most of the work that I do is talking therapy, however verbal expression doesn’t always come easy and by implementing yoga as a tool in therapy my clients were able to deepen their emotional awareness and build up skills needed to regulate their nervous system.
What is your favorite quote or life motto?
“Wits fur ye’ll no go by ye” – a Glaswegian reminder that the universe always has a plan for you. This has been such an anchor for me recently, keeping me connected to my roots (both physically and metaphorically) as I focus on the here and now.
Join Brittany for a special class on Yoga for Anxiety which you can register for through the link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/yoga-for-anxiety-with-brittany-mcconnell-tickets-617094063957
You can find out more about Brittany through her Instagram page @brittm_yoga
