Debbie Hanisch
Yoga was something that was largely ‘learned’ from a book quite a few years back when I was in college but over the years I found myself married, raising children and working. The busy life became too busy and I left the workforce to raise my then teenaged children. I started to study classical piano and dove into community work, it was in that role when I mentioned to a colleague that I would like to start doing yoga the correct way; with an instructor. She gave me Karen Major’s name. Early in 2004 I started my first introductory class with Cathie Smith at Yoga Centre London. It was noted that I was on medication for anxiety, Cathie told me then Iyengar Yoga would be very beneficial for me, she couldn’t have been more correct. I went along my path to study with Karen and found Iyengar Yoga to be the answer in my desire to bring balance and stability to an aging body and a busy mind. The two were at separate poles and Yoga has taught me, and continues to teach me how to come back to my equator; the union of body, mind and spirit. The detail, pace and support of the practice really spoke to my spirit, which is the added gift I found from studying Iyengar’s lifelong work.
Karen is a compassionate and inspiring teacher and her teaching has been instrumental in my realization and decision to become a Yoga teacher. After starting my teacher training in 2008 with Marlene Mawhinney, Senior Teacher at Yoga Centre Toronto, I became a Nationally Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher in January 2012. I sincerely feel privileged to be able to undergo this journey of self study. When we know the Self then we are in a place where we can best help others.
