1. Name:

Leanne Glanville.

2. DOB:

4 August 1983.

3. What style of yoga do you teach?

ISHTA yoga and Restorative for Adults. Yoga Bears for babies, baby & me, family yoga, tweens, teens and special needs kids.

4. Where do you teach?

The Yoga Co-Op, Morningside studio, (at my home studio), ISHTA School of Yoga and Health and various schools in and around Northern Joburg. 

 

5. How long have you been practicing yoga?

I’ve been practicing yoga pretty much my whole life….My mom was a yoga teacher and in fact taught a class just a few hours before I made my debut into this world! Although Yoga has always been a part of my life, I started my own regular practice about 11 years ago.

6. How long have you been teaching yoga?

This will be my fifth year.

7. Who have you trained with and where?

I trained with Yoga 4 Kids to do my Children’s yoga certification and have my 500 hour teacher training certification with ISHTA School of Yoga and Health, both of which are registered with the YTF. I also have an honours degree in Psychology from UNISA.

8. What lead you to teaching yoga and at what point did you decide that you wanted to teach?

Since my very first yoga class as a young adult, I knew I would teach one day. It was a deep knowing, one that I believed would bring me to the right place at the right time. I never actually decided when I was going to start teaching yoga…the universe in its divine wisdom guided me to a point and then chucked me into the deep end, so to speak….  Soon into both the teacher training programs I was called on to fill in for my teacher and just like that I had taught my first of many yoga classes….For the duration of the courses I continued to fill in for various teachers and learning valuable and practical lessons on the way… and I’ve been teaching every day, all day, very happily ever since!

9. What do you love most about teaching?

I love connecting with people on a deeper level and sharing the light of yoga with them in that space…I love being able to impart knowledge to them that helps them maintain their sense of peace in their everyday lives…I love how I learn just as much, if not more from my students …I love the post-class smiles and the quiet stillness in each of them following savasana…When it comes to the kiddies I love how connected they are to Source…how in tune they are. Their capacity for unconditional love and acceptance always inspires me. Teaching yoga is definitely food for my soul….

10. Is there a focus in your teaching style?

I never prepare a class…I prefer to channel the divine consciousness and let it guide me. So each class is very unique, some are more energetic than others but in general my teaching style is gentle with conscious, precise and flowing movements coupled with a deep inner awareness of the various sheaths of our existence and how the subtle energy body is affected by each asana. I like to think of yoga as a moving meditation. At the same time, I tend to place quite a bit of emphasis on correct physical alignment and minor tweaks that can deepen an asana. With regards to the Yoga Bears classes my teaching style is spontaneous, light hearted and fun…we really get involved in our magical adventures and it’s not uncommon to find us hopping about like a frogs or roaring like lions.

11. What do you love most about yoga?

That’s a hard one…I love everything about yoga but if I had to choose I’d say I love the way everything can be worked out on the mat…No matter the day I’ve had or the “to-do” lists looming ahead I know that for that 90 minutes it’s just me, in the present moment, turning inward and reconnecting to self. I am always reminded of the fact that “I am” and that it is all that actually matters….Om Tat Sat.

12. What is the greatest challenge you have overcome with the help of yoga?

Yoga has helped me overcome so many challenges, big and small…one challenge being the severe anxiety which used to plague me every moment even as a small child. Through Yoga this anxiety has abated and I am now proud to say that I am officially totally chilled out…sometimes a bit too much. :)

13. What advice do you have for people who have never tried yoga?

Try it! There are so many different styles of yoga. You’re bound to find at least one path that suits you at the time. When you go to your first yoga class: leave behind your expectations, baggage and personal judgments. Just let go and allow yoga, meaning “union,” to happen naturally.

14. Do you have a regular practice?

With teaching so much I have allowed my personal practice to slide a bit this past year and it is my 2015 New Year’s resolution to re-establish my own practice once again.  Yoga definitely makes me a better teacher and a better person!

15. Favourite Asana

I have so many favourites…Downward Dog would definitely be on the top of my list though…and Mermaid.

16. Strongest Asana?

Shoulder stand.

17. Any religious affiliations?

I am a Universalist in nature…I believe that all faiths have a place and everybody has the right to choose their path to enlightenment. I embrace all religions although truth be told; I have a special affinity for Hinduism.

18. What are your other interests?

I treasure spending time at home with my little family or catching up with our close friends on weekends. I really cherish the time spent with all the kiddies in my life, especially my little godson, Tylar. And I love India and anything Indian!

19. Any Thank yous?

I am eternally grateful to my teachers; Known and unknown, past and present, young and old, yogis and non-yogis, family and friends and all the trials and tribulations in years past…all of whom and which have taught me invaluable lessons and led me to this time and space. A special thank you to my mom, who was my very first yoga teacher and to my little sister for their unwavering support and love. I am filled with love and gratitude to my husband, Bevan, for his sound advice, wise words and gentle heart, (he is a true yogi, without even trying), :) and of course to my furry-kids for their unconditional love and licks.