Renee Crocker
Yoga Teacher
I was dragged along to my first Bikram Class at the Wellington studio by a couch surfer whose name I can't remember. I was in my early 20's at the time and can't fathom how my exceptionally unhealthy body convinced me that going to a second class was a good idea. But it did, and I went back time and time again, and there began my journey back to health and mind/body connection. I've had long periods of obsessive and zero practice over those 17 years, but my connection to the sequence has remained strong.
Four years ago I decided to leave my job as a primary school teacher and drag my 3 year old to Bali to partake in a Hot 26+2 training with Evolation Yoga. I spent the first day crying on the beach wondering why I thought that was a good idea, it was years since I had last practised and I was overwhelmed with study/practice/mothering, a real life crisis... but day two was better and by the end of the month I was certified and convinced that it was one of the best decisions I had ever made! I never intended to teach as I didn't have a studio near, but I kept up my practice in the greenhouse by summer and by heating my tiny house too much in the winter.
My son and I relocated to Napier in December and I've loved being near a studio again, I dusted off my old dialogue and decided to accept the challenge when Meghann asked if I would be interested in teaching, so far is has felt very natural, if a little nerve wracking!
I love the repetition and focus on alignment, I love the meditative aspect of the bright lights and sweat, I love the self awareness (and confrontation) that the full body mirrors bring.
I love it.