Name & Hometown:
Deirdre Denholm, ERYT
Who or What inspired you to be a Yoga Instructor ?
About 25 years ago I was living in Toronto and decided to take some yoga classes at a Sivananda Center. I liked the style so much I decided to go for the teacher training at the Sivananda Center/Ashram in Val Morin, Quebec. Prior to that, I was seeking alternative therapy for anxiety/depression and found that yoga was very helpful. Once I developed more of a practice, I wanted to share it with others. I would also say I was quite inspired at the time by Jon Kabat-Zinn and how he used both yoga and meditation for healing and pain management.
Describe your style of yoga:
My original yoga training was pure Sivananda, but over the years have added in some Ashtanga sun salutations. However, I have never really deviated from the basic structure of the Sivananda class style, although I have had to modify it for teaching at different locations such as gyms. I did do some additional training in Bikram yoga and will incorporate some sequences from that style.
What’s your favorite yoga pose ?
It’s really hard to narrow it down but I always feel great relief from a simple seated forward bend/Paschimottanasana and love to hold that pose and just breathe.
What brings you to the mat ?
What brings me to the mat is a need for self-care, to nurture body, mind and spirit and meditate, and a desire for freedom from stress.
If you teach, where ? Feel free to list your classes & locations.
I have taken a break (literally) from teaching for most of this year after fracturing my femur last February. But now I have a much greater understanding of pain and with my new leg hardware, I hope to get back to teaching again next year—I miss it!
How has being a member of YAGD helped you in your yoga career ?
Being a member of the YAGD helped my yoga career when I moved to Michigan from Canada, and I was seeking a yoga community. I was much more involved in the organization then and being a member allowed me to network and learn from other teachers.
Do you have a favorite yoga story from your teaching experience ?
Just what happened when I went for the initial Sivananda training in Quebec. It was July, and we were on a beautiful ashram north of Montreal. Many of us were camping in tents around the periphery. On the second night I was there, a tornado ripped through the ashram, destroying many tents—including mine—blowing out glass windows and knocking down trees. One person was trapped under a tree! I had managed to get out of my tent and run to safety. It was terrifying, and I will never forget it. After getting through that night, the rest of the month was an amazing life-changing experience—steeped in Indian culture—swamis, food, dance, pujas, chanting, and of course, yoga.
Is there anything else you would like to add, like family… hobbies… karma yoga… or other professions ?
Grateful for this yoga community!
Namaste,
Deirdre