Wendy Wyvill, Zobha Circle of Grace Member, took time to share her personal experiences with yoga and what impact it has on her everyday life. With a background in competitive gymnastics and professional snowboarding, Wendy discovered her calling in yoga in 2001. She is trained in both the Vinyasa and Kundalini traditions, and has studied under the guidance of Bikram Choudhury and Baron Baptiste. Wendy teaches at Pure Yoga Hong Kong.
Zobha: What is your experience with teaching different level of yoga?
Wendy Wyvill: I love teaching beginners. Both to help me grow and them. In Hong Kong, students tend to be quite good at asana. So I get used to the class just flowing and moving with my instructions. But every once in a while a green brand new student will be in socks and fear on the face in the front row. I like to make them comfortable and give them permission to just play rather than perform. I give them basic instructions for their first lesson and give them space to just feel the flow of the class rather than be all over them and make them feel awkward. I feel this is so important to get them to have fun and feel connected to the bigger community of yogis that they now have become a part of.
Intermediate students are great. They come with such passion and dedication. Some of them are so hungry for teacher training, and retreats and taking 3 classes a day. I try to court them back to more simpler times and help them to realize it’s not so much about how much information they can obtain to become ‘better’ yogi’s rather it’s about how connected they can become to their own hearts and truly learn to listen to that guidance from inside.
Advanced students to me do not always mean that they can perform great amazing asanas rather they perform whatever they are doing (whether it is child’s pose or handstand), they do it authentically and they do it with truth and integrity.
Zobha: How and when did you start practicing yoga?
Wendy Wyvill: I have been practicing yoga since my early years. I was a gymnast since I was 2, practiced yoga with my mom in front of the tv and then she took me to my first yoga class at the YMCA. I was always intrigued by the strange energy that yoga seem to emit. But it wasn’t until I was in my later teens that I started to understand its truly healing benefits and its sacredness. I was a professional snowboarder for many years and thank goodness that yoga was already deep within my routine. It helped nurse me back from 3 knee surgeries and many other injuries. As well as help me deal with a terrible body image and the challenges of being a professional athlete.
My teacher training started with Bikram in Los Angeles, then Baron Baptiste level 1and 2, Kundalini TT in Santa Rosa, California, Ana Forest yoga in Hong Kong, Jon Friend in Hong Kong, Hatha Yoga TT in India with Vishva, Yin Yang TT with Sara Powers in Bejing.
Zobha: What is your favorite Zobha piece?
Wendy Wyvill: My favorite Zobha piece is the Asymmetrical Zip Pullover. I love the feel of the material and it is so great to wear in the cooler months.
Tags: Beginner Yoga, Circle of Grace, Yoga, yoga how-to, yoga tips
