For Rina, founder and fitness leader of the new and incredibly integrative, Yoganastics, the gentle power of yoga and yoga classes are more than just a daily routine or simple exercise; they are a consummate state of being. ‘Being introduced to Rina was a blessing’, reads one of her many recent, raving testimonials, ‘I have never practiced yoga quite like it. Her classes have taught me so much: awareness to my alignment, how to trust my own ability and living in the now’. Indeed, when Rina eagerly shared one of her favourite positions to teach the class with us – a pose which can easily be adopted for a long day in the city office – it reflected exactly this: “you can’t go wrong with ‘the tree pose” she beamed. “It really lifts the spine and releases your inner confidence and if you do it regularly enough, an overall sense of empowerment. I always tell my students, imagine a golden string is pulling you up, supporting you, no matter the situation, from above. Slouching too much, in turn, can induce the opposite effect.”
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Rina’s conviction about the long-term and positive effects of well-being training has profounder roots too. Before going into teaching, within the more mainstream world of yoga– now taking on students of all abilities and ages – Rina witnessed the transformative, almost religious, value of her art-form in a very pinnacle way : “my previous experiences include working at Healing through Yoga - yoga classes offered to children and children with special needs. I often worked with youngsters, who were in wheel chairs and physically handicapped, moving them myself onto the exercise mats and helping them to move into the postures. Over time, their parents or carers too, couldn’t believe what was happening: these children were actually starting to move and do the various stretches by themselves! By stabilising their breathing and focussing on the guidance of my voice, there was also an emotional opening breath-taking to behold! Over time their confidence just grew and grew, strengthening their muscles, and eventually I started family sessions too. This really was physiotherapy for the soul!” Now, just having opened her own private studio - the interior bathed in a cool mint blue - the pioneering yoganastic is making her holistic magic sustainably available to all: “it is my belief that the body and mind are intimately connected,” she aptly added. “Yoga helped me realise this and I have felt so much more grounded, focussed and fulfilled since. I’m excited to be expanding out as part of this journey, and cannot wait to see where it will go. I don’t just teach you, but help you grow and foster a vital life approach.”
Tell us more precisely about some of the long-term benefits of yoga?
Where do I begin? In terms of the body, over time your joints and limbs might get stiffer and you become more prone to injuries. It’s especially important to keep flexible and continue moving. It also helps with regulating diabetes and high-blood pressure, to which the Asian community are particularly susceptible. There are lots of poses that can strengthen your body and immune system; really open you up. Of course that yields mental benefits too. It relaxes the mind which is especially important as we live in such a stressful time. Sometimes you just need that one hour to stay still and focus on yourself. I know it’s made me a lot more patient. I actually come from a corporate background, having owned and sold my own travel agency before going onto to work for Hilton hotels, and since turning to the well-being sector I have found calmness in the body, spirit and mind.
Were you always interested in physical health?
Yes, I’ve always been into my fitness – I was a runner at school. But it tended to be more high impact fitness, such as going to the gym, running and doing weights. Now I’ve seen the broader benefit of doing gentler forms of exercise, and actually doing intensive training can damage your body more. For me, it’s all about the breathing; tapping into the soul and activating the mind, as well as the sportier aspect of it. There is more on that to do with chakras etc, but I’ll save that for another time!
Please share some more of your recommended yoga moves?
So I enjoy going into the ‘pigeon pose’, which goes really deep into your hip. In addition to the ‘tree pose’ (mentioned earlier), there’s also the ‘bow pose’, which opens up your chest and shoulders. If you’re getting that tight feeling, these are all good for your posture and personal well-being.
What have been some of the highlights of your career?
Definitely working with special needs children, and young people in schools to help them relax and succeed in exams. The work with Mencap has been especially rewarding: just being able to build the confidence of the children through simple movements.
Finally, what’s one notion that people may have about yoga that simply isn’t true?
Some men don’t want to do it because they think it’s too ‘girly’ so that’s rather bizarre. Also, some people have told me they think it’s people sitting around in a circle chanting! There’s certainly a soft, spiritual element to it, but it has a very useful and practical purpose. You can see that from the set up of my new studio and my teaching, which is very grounded and helpfully hands on!
