Do you know how Jacqui got into yoga? Find out now in this interview with @jacquinoelyoga what motivated her to do yoga teacher training and how her practice changed after having a child.

Dear Jacqui, how long have you been practicing yoga?

I've been practicing yoga since 2016. I started with a class at a local gym because I was looking for a way to move my body and get some exercise. I wanted to counteract the effects of sitting and working in an office all day and improve my overall fitness. Before that, I didn't really know much about yoga. Many years ago, I tried a few yoga classes, but to be honest, I hated them! I thought yoga wasn't for me because it was too slow and boring. I carried that view with me all these years. Despite that, I wanted to give it another chance each time, but I always ended up leaving class without enjoying it. Then one day it was different. I don't know why, but I started to enjoy it. I believe yoga comes to you at the right time, when you need it most and when you're ready to integrate it into your life.

How does yoga affect you?

After my first yoga class in 2016, I felt like a new person. I wondered why I'd never stuck with yoga before! I remember it was a lunchtime flow class, and I felt so good and happy afterward. I had a demanding and quite stressful office job, but as soon as I stepped onto the mat, I could switch off and completely forget about the stress. I was able to focus entirely on the present moment, and when your mind becomes that free, magic happens! I felt so light and free. The combination of moving my body, connecting with my breath, and being present was the ultimate liberation for me. I quickly started doing more yoga and tried many different styles, such as Vinyasa, Yin, Hatha, Acro, and Aerial.

Why did you decide to do the yoga teacher training?

The feelings described above are precisely why I decided to become a yoga teacher. I felt as if my eyes had been opened. I wanted to share these feelings and the benefits I experienced with everything around me with other people. I fell in love with the way yoga made me feel in my mind, body, and soul. Seeing all those happy and radiant faces after class is what motivates me to continue and share my practice with others.

When we decided to move from Sydney to Munich in 2018, I thought I'd take advantage of the change and complete my yoga teacher training. Becoming a yoga teacher was something I'd been considering for a year, and the move around the world was exactly the trigger I needed. A few months after moving to Germany, I completed my yoga teacher training and became a certified Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin yoga teacher. And this continuous learning hasn't stopped! The following year, I completed further yoga teacher training in prenatal and postnatal yoga, as well as baby yoga and massage. Currently, I'm undertaking yet another training in a completely different style of yoga: Ashtanga and Rocket Yoga.

Do you have any other hobbies besides yoga?

I also did ballet for a while. I trained professionally until I was 22, but unfortunately, after some injuries, I couldn't continue. My love for ballet never faded, and when I lived in London, I found a group of enthusiastic adult ballet dancers with whom I trained. I haven't danced for several years now, but I still love incorporating dance movements into my yoga flows.

Music and playing the piano are among my other passions. I've been playing the piano since I was 5 years old, and it's another way for me to relax. I could switch off for hours while playing the piano!

I also love to cook and try different dishes from around the world. Since my parents own a restaurant back home in New Zealand, food has always been a big part of my childhood.

Has much changed in your yoga practice since your daughter was born?

Yes. It took me several months to resume a physical yoga practice after the birth of my daughter. For the first few months, I didn't feel ready to do more than simple stretches. There are so many physical changes after childbirth, and they're different for every woman. The most important thing is to listen to your body and not rush things.

I used to practice while she slept. Now, however, she always wants to play on the mat as soon as I unroll it. So, I practice around her or simply include her in the practice. It offers us a wonderful opportunity to spend time together, and she sees that her mother also takes care of herself. I hope that this will teach her to take good care of herself as she gets older.

What advice would you give to yoga beginners?

Keep trying! Keep coming back and try completely new styles with new teachers. There's a suitable yoga style and teacher for everyone. I, too, tried yoga so many times until I found the right style and teacher for me at the right time. For yoga practice, you also need to be mentally open to accepting it. Yoga offers numerous benefits! Besides the physical work with the body, yoga also helps with stress, anxiety, depression, and getting to know yourself better, among other things.

Just give it a try, you have nothing to lose!