Posts In: Iyengar

Meet Heather Fenwick, a yogini who embodies her practice on and off the mat. Heather’s classes are well thought out and peppered with illuminating nuggets of wisdom. Come check out her Monday night mixed level, Flow class at 7pm. You can find the rest of our schedule here.

1. What is your favorite style of yoga? 

I don’t have one favorite style of yoga. This ancient practice is so constantly evolving and recreating, just like humans do! I have enjoyed dabbling in Iyengar and Anusara, but my favorite style is the day-to-day off-the-mat practice style.

2. What first attracted you to yoga when you began your practice?

After my first yoga class in 2002, I felt a serenity that I’d never felt before. It was lasting and deep. I first loved the “yoga buzz”, but noticed that I was becoming more agile, balanced, strong, and graceful – that’s what keeps me coming back.

3. What is your favorite yoga pose right now?

Supta Baddha Konasana (lying down bound angle pose) with props. This pose is a gentle restorative space, where a backbend is effortless. It literally lifts the heart and opens the body to the breath, and to the present moment. I feel that balance between upliftment and ease so naturally here.

4. What pose is still the most challenging?

I have an injured hamstring and wrist that have prevented me from enjoying some more advanced postures like hanumanasana (splits) and adho mukha vrksasana (handstand). I would love to get into these poses one day, but injuries are “patience testers”, and I remember over and over again that being attached to the form of a pose is as un-yogic as it can get.

5. If you were an animal, you would be:

I would be a stray dog in Costa Rica. Those dogs have the best life, just running up and down the beach all day and all night, napping in the shade, swimming in the ocean, playing with other dogs, and they have enough to eat. They are freedom and joy.

6. Describe what yoga means in your life using just 6 words: a shedding, a letting go, to let light shine

7. What might your students be surprised to learn about you?

I actually come from a family of staunch republicans.

8. Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for new students?

I think that new students are ultimately the best teacher for everyone else because they approach yoga without any expectations: an empty cup.

I let all my students know that yoga is a non-competitive venture, and to go no further than a deep breath allows you to. No pushing, no forcing, and in fact a cultivation of “what is” and trusting that that’s enough, and even perfect.

This month we’re showcasing Amy Freeman, a fabulous teacher who has been with Yoga One from the first day we opened our doors…over 11 years ago! Her classes are challenging, fun and rewarding. Join Amy on Tuesday and Thursday at 12pm for a level 2 lunchtime flow or Saturday mornings at 10:30 for an advanced level 2/3 Vinyasa Flow. Click here to see our full schedule.

1. What is your favorite style of yoga?

ALL! Sometimes I crave a hot sweaty Vinyasa class and other days I am in need of a Restorative practice with lots of deep stretches and long holds. I love alignment based practices like Iyengar and Anusara. I love singing bowl, gong and meditation classes; I love yoga with live music; I love laughter yoga; I love Pranayama classes!

2. What first attracted you to yoga when you began your practice?

I began yoga in 1995 during a college Philosophy course and it really resonated with me. What drew me in at first was the philosophy aspect – the study of Patanjali’s Sutras and the Eight Limbed Path. I felt as though I had arrived someplace I’d been seeking for years. It’s a hard feeling to describe, but that professor transformed my life. I feel so humbled and honored to be able to share that same wisdom today. Since the day I found yoga I have never stopped practicing – the focus may shift depending on the season of my life, but the devotion to the ancient spiritual, physical and mental practice is always there.

3. What is your favorite yoga pose right now? 

Urdhva dhanurasana, full wheel 🙂 It’s my favorite because I have struggled with it for a long time and it feels so good to get into now and just enjoy! It’s invigorating and energizing.

4. What pose is still the most challenging? 

Urdhva dhanurasana and its variations (and a whole bunch more). It’s also the most challenging because I have a tight upper back, mid back and low back 🙂 but with consistent practice, it does get better.

5. If you were an animal, you would be: a crane for their long legs and freedom to fly.

6. Describe what yoga means in your life using just 6 words: Creating space, uncovering the stillness within

7. What might your students be surprised to learn about you?

They might be surprised to learn I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. After graduation I moved to Dallas, Texas for a career as a buyer at Neiman Marcus. (I retired after three years and moved to an ashram in Virginia in 2001. Teaching yoga has been my passion ever since.) Also, I have two sons aged 7 and 9 and I teach yoga and art in their classrooms.

8. Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for new students?

Breathe. I am constantly reminding beginners (and everyone) to breathe. Pay attention to your body and breath – there is wisdom within, body and breath are our real teachers.

Have fun! I like to say our time on the mat and in the studio is our practice, the test begins when we step off the mat. Can we meet life with the same equanimity and courage with which we practice? Can we keep breathing while watching the kind lady write us a parking ticket? While listening to our kids fight? While stuck in traffic on the way to work?  Sometimes. Sometimes not.

Join us on Sunday, July 1st, for a fun-filled and challenging practice with Jo Zukovich from 3 until 5pm. Jo has been teaching yoga for over 30 years and has taken five journeys to India to study with the Iyengar family. She recently moved back to San Diego from Hawaii and she’s excited to offer this workshop at Yoga One. Be sure to sign up soon because space is limited! $35 in advance, $40 at the door. To register, follow this link and click on the “workshops” tab.

To entice you even further, here’s a little bit more about Jo and her upcoming workshop:

Jo writes, “I love yoga and I love teaching yoga as an art. My own practice feels like an art form to me. My teaching comes from my heart and it is full of joy. During the workshop, I hope to introduce you to better alignment and more freedom in twists and standing forward bends. Yoga is a journey and just like the journey of life, it’s important to have some fun along the way!

“I started my journey with Iyengar yoga in 1979. Almost immediately, I was sure I would practice yoga the rest of my life. The impact it has had on my own life is amazing. I feel so blessed to have had such truly great teachers and mentors to help me along the way. Yoga is something that opens you to new experiences. The work may start physically, but travels to the mental and spiritual. It is with great gratitude for B.K.S. Iyengar that I teach and practice. I hope we can all become more compassionate through the practice of yoga.”