Mark Davies

Ashtanga
/
Hatha
/

I think yoga is the most extraordinary and worthwhile practise anyone can develop themselves through. I lead my classes with a physical objective, something I would like my students to experience within their body, in order to move their body mindfully, skilfully and safely through our practise together.

Everyone who does yoga, may have a body and mind, but no two people are same physically, mentally or emotionally. The instructions I give in class are really questions. I have spent a lot of time studying anatomy and the science of stretching from the world’s best teachers, and the more I learn, the more it gives me different opportunities to help my students into the same ‘neighbourhood’ which isn’t easy when all students, come from different directions.

I believe yoga is about balance. Balance between body, mind and breath. A balance of strength and flexibility. A balance of challenge, repetition and novelty. A balance of effort and surrender. I focus on giving my students options offering some guidance why I am asking them to whatever it is they are doing. They make choices in class which are right for them. I hope my students feel stillness in class. A break from their inner chatter. There are many ways to get there.

There are also many ways to do a yoga pose in my opinion, it all depends on what you are wanting to achieve in that moment. I can teach you a yoga pose 10 different ways depending on what our intentions are. I care about safety through alignment and biomechanics. I teach yoga to many levels of society, from the homeless to high profile elite athletes in sport, to other yoga teachers to beginner men who first believe yoga isn’t for them.

But going full circle, the physical objective for each class is only a gateway to something far more meaningful than better backbends or longer hamstrings. The poses are just a trick to access the deeper levels of who we are, and maybe from there with consistent practise over time, we can use yoga to give us the confidence to be who we really are, and move forwards knowing we are enough. To develop some characteristics and personal qualities that aid for a greater quality of life. The poses we do are just vehicles for that, not just for social media. Although my Instagram would have you think otherwise ;)


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"Anyone can practice. Young man can practice. Old man can practice. Very old man can practice. Man who is sick, he can practice. Man who doesn't have strength can practice. Except lazy people; lazy people can't practice Ashtanga yoga."
- Sri Pattabhi Jois

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