The yogini: Amy Walker
The pose: Utthita Hasta Padangustasana (aka Standing Big Toe Extension Variation)
The location: A local playground in Bangalore, India
The benefits: This challenging hip-opening pose is actually more about balance than it is about having open hamstrings, although that obviously helps! Once you master the above version of Standing Big Toe Extension, you will gain a real sense of connection to Mother Earth as well as inner strength and boosted confidence.
Where’s home?
I’m from Scotland originally although I lived in Dubai for 12 years before moving to Bangalore with my husband in March 2014. I suppose you could say I’m blessed to have many homes all over the world.
When did your yoga journey begin and what sparked it?
I dabbled in the physical practice of yoga on and off since I was 13 but I only seriously started practising in October 2013 when I found Ashtanga yoga. I was interested in spirituality for a few years and when I came across Ashtanga, it gave me the answers I was looking for.
And now you’re training to be an Ashtanga Yoga teacher…
Yes I’m lucky as I’m about to start an intense month-long study with Ajay Kumar at his shala (sthalam 8) in Mysore, the home of Ashtanga Yoga, attracting many students from all over the world.
How has yoga transformed your life?
Where do I start? Yoga has given me the gift of realizing my most authentic self that was clouded behind years of fear and frustration. Through every asana, I learn more about myself and for the first time in my life I like what I see. It helps me to discover a place of love and compassion inside me so that I may live more fully and freely.
In what ways does yoga challenge you?
If I’m honest, I have never found the physical side of Ashtanga easy and am often insecure about not having the typical yoga body. The discipline has not only pushed me to my physical limits and beyond but it has asked me to accept and appreciate my body for what it can do. This has been a difficult road and I have faced many self-degrading demons along the way. Learning to let go of my ego is one of the most painful but liberating things I have ever done. It is still an ongoing work in progress.
What’s your favourite pose?
Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana. For one it’s fun to say! When I first started I could barely take one foot off the ground without toppling over because my mind was too busy. The fact that I am now able to hold the posture with relative ease shows just how much the yoga has worked in calming my mind. It is further a great testament to the idea of ‘practise and all is coming’; I can physically see how much my body has opened up with daily practice.
Besides yoga, what are your passions in life?
I love to write so I am truly grateful that the Universe has conspired to make it possible for me to do this for a living.
What’s your healthy go-to snack?
Green smoothies! They are the easiest way to get loads of good things into your body all at once and you can have them on the go – my idea of fast food!
What 3 things make you smile?
Hugs, chanting and masala chai.
What 3 things get your upset?
The fear of not being good enough, poverty and toxic relationships.
Have you got a motivating mantra?
Faith over Fear.
What are your future dreams?
I hope to find ways that I can be an active source of healing in the world and I see that happening through writing my first book, beginning my path as a teacher of Ashtanga yoga and studying Ayurvedic nutrition and of course building a life with my new husband. I’d love to find Samadhi (divine consciousness) too – sounds easy enough right? Maybe I’ll need more than one lifetime!
To read more about Amy’s latest adventures go to www.yoginiinreallife.com
