Our yoga teachers and studios have been adaptable and ingenious, finding new ways to connect and to continue teaching and supporting their students. Through lock-downs, tech issues and learning to give adjustments virtually over zoom. This month we’re shining a light on them! Throughout January we will feature studios and chat to teachers here on the blog, all in the spirit of celebrating those that have kept us grounded over the past year. Meet Yoga teacher Fiona McBride below.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a yoga teacher based in Sussex, UK. Yoga has been part of my world on and off through the years. In 2018 I found myself being drawn to my yoga mat on a regular basis. Practicing yoga at home and following YouTube videos to develop my practice, I found yoga became a place which provided me with space to ‘just be’, also strengthening, grounding and peaceful. I became a regular at my local yoga studio in Haywards Heath, and decided at the start of 2019 to take teacher training. Taking the training was ultimately for me, I wanted to develop my understanding and appreciation of the history and philosophy of yoga. I genuinely had no intention of teaching! I already had a full time job, a freelance learning Consultancy business, which I still have and I enjoy greatly.

When I qualified in June 2019 I realised quite quickly that I wanted to be able to share my love of yoga with others. A couple of teaching opportunities presented themselves to me and now I teach regularly, offering Hatha flow, Vinyasa flow and Restorative yoga, all with a focus on mindful movement, grounding and connecting with the breath.

I am an avid reader of yoga books, plus enjoy listening to yoga podcasts to continue to deepen my understanding and knowledge of this wonderful ancient practice. I am fully aware of how much there is still to learn and practice.

My qualifications:

• 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (2019 w. Be Yoga Sussex)
• Yoga & Somatics for Healing and Recovery – 70hrs (2019 w. Charlotte Watts)
• Restorative Yoga Teacher Training – 45hrs (2020 w. Emma Cole Yoga)
• Mantra & Meditation (2020 w. Divine Works Yoga)

With a year that has been very different, what are some challenges you faced as a yoga teacher in 2020?

I find this question interesting.. with regards to the pandemic I found the shift from face-to-face teaching to online ok. I am very comfortable utilising technology to support others to learn, it is a space I have worked in for a long time in my learning consultancy work. I found I was able to offer support to fellow yoga teachers to get to grips with the shift to online. I even spoke at a learning conference in 2020 about this very subject!

My main challenge was not being able to hold space for my students as they needed. Yes, we moved to online classes and that has been good for the most part, but we have to acknowledge that isn’t an option for everyone (for a variety of reasons) and some people were not able to join online at all.

What has 2020 taught you and are you able to find a silver lining in it all?

2020 taught me the value of acceptance and helped me to develop further my practice of non-attachment. This is why I so appreciate studying Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, during my training it was invaluable, and now through life it is too. There is so much to read and take in.. and the fifth yama ‘Aparigraha’ (non-attachment) is very pertinent to the present time. I have spent time mediating and reflecting on this throughout 2020 and now into this year.

Where do you find inspiration and motivation?

From my students, my fellow teachers, my community.

Any words of wisdom for anyone struggling to stay positive and inspired right now?

This quote is one which helps me in my life..

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.

In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
? Viktor E. Frankl

To keep up with Fiona follow her on Instagram and Facebook or visit her website for information on classes and events.