- Name:
Renee Watson.
- DOB:
9 May.
- What style of yoga do you teach?
I love Vinyasa Flow.
- Where do you teach?
The Source in Cape Town (and in Chembe village in Malawi where I’m based).
- How long have you been practicing yoga?
Since 2007.
- How long have you been teaching yoga?
Since 2014.
- Who have you trained with and where?
With Conscious Movement Education in Cape Town, and numerous workshops in Cape Town, Malawi and the UK.
- What lead you to teaching yoga and at what point did you decide that you wanted to teach?
I’ve been teaching Pilates since 1998 and had a small studio. When my business partner and I moved into our new space (The Source), we finally had the opportunity to grow and evolve. We both love Yoga and he focuses on transformation, so we took the plunge to open the Yoga side. This was just a natural expansion of my movement practice and I just love it!
- What do you love most about teaching?
It grounds me.
- Is there a focus in your teaching style?
Perhaps because of my Pilates and rehab background, I tend to focus on setting a good foundation for any of the poses. I also love to include natural, flowing movements within a class.
- What do you love most about yoga?
I love how it connects. Connects our physical body to our energy. Connects a feeling of strength with a feeling of release. Connects us to our quiet inner world.
- What is the greatest challenge you have overcome with the help of yoga?
My challenge is to step away from the busy-ness and chaos. Yoga offers a space and it’s really a gift of ‘me-time’.
- What advice do you have for people who have never tried yoga?
Yoga really is for EVERYONE. It can be intimidating to see pics of beautiful people wearing small clothes and doing the splits. And that’s really not what Yoga is all about.
- Do you have a regular practice?
When I’m in Cape Town, I go to as many different classes and teachers as possible. I soak it up! When I’m in Malawi, I have to be self-motivated and then I do shorter practices for myself every second day.
- Favourite Asana
Standing Pulling Bow. I love the feeling of reaching, pulling, lift, stretching, and opening. It’s a constant adjustment and tuning-in to find balance. What a great analogy for life!
- Strongest Asana?
Warrior 2. It might not be my ‘best’ pose but I always feel my own strength and determination in it.
- Any religious affiliations?
I believe we are spiritual beings, given this gift of time on earth, and everything is unfolding perfectly as it’s meant to.
- What are your other interests?
Pilates, of course! Learning, I go to lots of conferences and workshops. My family, (husband and 3 kids). Poker, for fun.
- Any Thank yous?
I have to say thanks to my husband Jurie for completely supporting this lifestyle of traveling between countries! And my business partner Bryan for having this vision and collaboration.
