Explore Yoga: Teachers

"When the mind is free from the clouds that prevent perception, all is known."

The Yoga Sutra-s of Patanjali IV.31

Teachers

Scott

Every person’s journey into Yoga is an evolution on many levels. I have had a lot of influences over the years of my Yoga journey, and many good teachers to learn from. But it was only when I found my teacher, Kausthub Desikachar that I honestly began to evolve my practice and aspire to something much better – a holistic approach to Yoga without boundaries, a Yoga that could be applied to almost any challenge or situation, and effect change for the better.

The guidance of my teacher and his father, the great TKV Desikachar, has given me the confidence to explore the vast confines of this thing of ours, this practice we call Yoga. He encourages me to always seek out new ways to solve problems in the real world. This is not Yoga that might bring spiritual enlightenment to mountain ascetics and jungle hermits, but Yoga for real people with real lives. I have also been strongly influenced by many of the excellent teachers at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) and the Krishnamacharya Yoga and Healing Foundation (KHYF).

The key to this approach to Yoga is simple – tailor the practice to meet the needs of the individual; use what works, discard what doesn’t; and adopt a long-term approach, so that with the right attitude and a lot of effort, it cannot fail. My own teaching style has developed from this approach, being the tradition of my teacher's grandfather, the "Teacher of Teachers" Sri T Krishnmacharya. This approach is best suited in one-to-one practice, whether for development or for Healing.

In group classes I like to focus on simple methods that bring the greatest benefit, especially focusing on the mindfulness aspects of Yoga practice. My classes are slowly progressive, giving students time to actually get to know postures and practices, and be able to take them away for practice outwith the class. And all the while their efforts in class gradually take their body-breath-mind to new levels of wellbeing, improving their quality of life for those times that really matter.

As well as current public classes, I have also worked for East Ayrshire Council in providing group classes for the public and classes at various schools throughout Ayrshire, Ayrshire and Arran Health Trust (AAAHT) in teaching Yoga to their staff for stress management, and have taught weekly classes to staff at the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in East Kilbride.

But enough about me – what about you? Are you ready to change your life yet? Then what are you waiting for?

NOT a typical scene in one of Scott's classes, just a wee bit of fun!

"I can only exhale that which I have first inhaled."

TKV Desikachar

Explore Yoga: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living