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 Rosie D’Ercole below.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a 200hr Vinyasa Flow Teacher, based in Greater London. My teaching style ranges from slow flow to more dynamic vinyasa classes and I hope to start my Yin training in 2021. My career for the last seven years has been in Fashion Design, which has been an amazingly fulfilling journey. This year I decided to take a step back upon realising and confronting a few things that were not serving me as they used to. I still work at the same company, but with a different emphasis on my role and time. This allows me to dedicate more time to my teaching which has been bringing me an endless amount of joy since I started my practise five years ago.
With a year that has been very different, what are some challenges you faced as a yoga teacher in 2020?
The main challenge for me this year was not being able to teach as many in person classes. It’s beautiful to teach in person, and feels so much more personal being in the room with students, and creating a safe space for them to practise. At the same time I feel very fortunate to have been able to offer my classes on Zoom, even if the technical side was a struggle to begin with!
What has 2020 taught you and are you able to find a silver lining in it all?
To say 2020 has been an eventful year is a drastic understatement, for everyone there have been struggles and the worst of it for me has been the level of uncertainty. As someone who finds calm in being organised, it has been a year of re learning how to focus when things don’t go to plan, and allowing myself to let go and realise it’s okay when things get changed because sometimes things end up being even better than planned.
Things that have appeared like huge storm clouds this year have ended up being silver linings, and I think we have all learnt to step back and connect with our loved ones on a deeper level.
Where do you find inspiration and motivation?
My main source of inspiration stems from the people around me, and the gratitude I have for my friends and family as we all navigate the year. I find a lot of motivation in nature, whatever happens the world keeps evolving and if I’m ever feeling unproductive I try and take a walk outside and take in the beauty of the space around me. It’s constantly growing and changing, and reminds me that we are as well.
Any words of wisdom for anyone struggling to stay positive and inspired right now?
I think my piece of wisdom is quite small, but will hopefully be helpful. I truly believe we are all capable of creating a safe spot in our minds. Somewhere where we can retreat when needed and re calibrate. Even when things seem extremely extremely dark, there is always light somewhere. I hope as a teacher I can continue to help my students facilitate this safe space through providing the tools they need to find it.
To keep up with Rosie follow her on Instagram or visit her website for information on classes and events.
