An interview with yoga instructor Annie Noakes Robinson.
Annie's path to self-care and her role as a yoga teacher offer valuable insights into maintaining a healthy, balanced life and mindset. She's discovered the power of self-discipline and the positive effects of incorporating self-care routines into her daily life.
Q1: How Did You Start Your Practice?
Influenced by her mother, an energy healer and Reiki master, Annie has been on her self-care journey since childhood.
As an adult, she struggled with depression, which led her to start practising yoga. The dedication to her practice gave her a sense of calm and helped her regain control of her daily routine, giving her a stronger sense of self. Yoga's focus on the mind helped her navigate her mental struggles.
Annie's advice: “Find an enjoyable daily obligation that brings stability to your life. It could be yoga, meditation, or any activity that offers peace and tranquillity. In today's flexible work environment, a daily routine can be your anchor.”
Q2: What Does It Take to Stay Committed?
For yoga teachers like Annie, personal practice can be challenging due to the physical and mental demands of teaching. Setting aside time for herself is crucial, and she doesn't push herself to practice intensely every day to avoid burnout. Trainers often see clients set unrealistic goals, leading to exhaustion, and quitting. Annie suggests taking small, achievable steps, listening to your body, and enjoying the journey rather than focusing solely on the destination.
Q3: How Do You Encourage Commitment to Yoga?
Annie acknowledges that yoga's benefits, especially the spiritual and self-realisation aspects, may not yield instant gratification. She recommends focusing on individual classes and the gradual improvement in how you feel. She emphasises the importance of finding the right teacher for your personal journey, as physical and mental goals are intertwined.
Q4: Do You Ever Feel Like Giving Up?
Annie admits that even as a teacher, she faces moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. She stresses the importance of remembering why you started and that it's okay not to be perfect. Celebrate each small success and understand that change takes time and persistence.
Q5: How Does Your Practice Reward You?
Annie's journey has led to reduced anger, stress, and greater resilience to face obstacles in her life. She's found a supportive community seeking similar answers. Becoming a teacher allowed her to create her own community of beautiful, imperfect human beings. Small achievements, like someone touching their toes after weeks of trying, provide a large sense of fulfilment.
It's the moments that count
Annie’s story reminds us that self-care is essential for mental and physical well-being and brings structure to your life. It can take many forms, from yoga to meditation and more.
Avoid overworking yourself; it doesn't benefit anyone. Pace yourself for the long run.
Patience is key. Don't compare yourself to others; focus on your own progress over time.
Start with manageable tasks to build confidence before tackling bigger challenges.
Self-care is a natural way to improve your health, performance, and well-being, often better than medication.
Annie and her journey with us at Feva Sweat aims to empower individuals on their self-care journey and dedication to their bodies and minds through fitness and health.
