Meet a Yogi: Andrew
M E E T A Y O G I
andrew
What inspired you to start Yoga?
I had intended on trying out Yoga for several years back in the UK, but unfortunately I never had the drive or the self motivation to seek it out. Also, suffering from social anxiety meant I felt very uncomfortable with the idea of joining a group of strangers to do something that I have never done before. It wasn't until moving to Sydney, that I felt happy to pursue it fully. I guess it was the idea of starting a new life in a new city and country that spurred me on to finally give it a go. It also helped that I knew Madison through her partner Jamie, who I worked with back in the UK and found myself working with again in Australia. The knowledge that the class would be relatively small group of people and knowing at least one other person really put my mind at ease.
What surprised you most about practicing Yoga?
I didn't know what to expect at all when I decided to pop along to my first class, so I was open to any experiences I could get out of it. I'd heard that Yoga is a great form of meditation and really helps to centre you. Although this seemed to be a common theme with others that I spoke to about Yoga, I never really knew what it meant how it felt. I guess I was a bit sceptical that I would feel the same way, so for me to actually experience that feeling and understand what everyone meant was surprised me the most (and pleasantly so).
What is your favourite pose and why?
I can't remember the name of it unfortunately, but there is a pose where you lie on your back with one knee raised, you cross the other leg over and rest your ankle just below the raised knee. You then grab the leg and use your weight to pull it back towards you. I find that the stretch that you get in when doing this pose is incredible. It feels like you are releasing all the tension that sitting at a desk all day causes.
What is the pose you find most challenging, and why?
Again, unfortunately I can't name any of them (I'm terrible at remembering names of anything), however it definitely would be any of the poses where you balance on one leg. I struggle to stay balanced on the flattest ground with two feet, so to reduce this by half is never going to end well.
How does Yoga compliment or enhance other aspects of your life?
It is incredibly easy to get swept away in the day to day, whether it be work life, travel, home life etc. Yoga I find is a great way just to give you a bit of perspective on things and help to get you 'out of your own head'. I feel that it helps to bring a bit of positivity and optimism into your life that can quite easily be lost when you are absorbed by the world around you.
What do you do in your free time?
My free time consists mainly of music. If I'm not playing my drums or rehearsing with my band, then I will most likely either be found playing guitar, singing, recording or programming something on my laptop. One of my favourite things to do is to put on one of my records and just sit or lie back on the sofa and get swept away with an album.
Tell us about your band and where we can listen to your songs?
My band is called 'Bouquet Of Dead Crows', of which I have been the drummer on and off for about 4 or so years. We are an alternative rock band based in Cambridge in the UK. Our debut album was released in 2015, and is called 'Of The Night'. It is available on iTunes, Spotify and can be found on YouTube as well I believe. We are within the next few months starting recording a new album too, so keep your eyes peeled.
Check out Andrew's band on Spotify.