Featured Yogi: Courtney Kennett
Thank you to Laurie Jensen Photography for the beautiful photos featured in this piece. www.lauriekjensen.com
We are incredibly grateful to have Courtney on the team at Yogalife Studios. Read on to learn about this YEG yogi and be sure to check out one her classes!
Featured Yogi: Courtney Kennett
This month Yogalife has decided to focus on the topic of Self-Love & how to incorporate Yoga as a Healing Practise. I feel honoured to contribute to such a near & dear topic to my heart, and I will do my best to present my thoughts in a truthful and sincere manner.
For years (and even to this day) I struggle with that constant battle of negative self talk & the never ending strive for "perfection". Although it is a positive thing to set goals & to be productive, this can also be a very slippery slope that can result in a damaging outcome. But how do we draw the line? And how do we Love ourselves even if we aren't quite where we want to be? These were questions I asked myself for years & after submersing myself in the true roots of Yoga I have finally been able to show gratitude, love & positivity towards myself!
Below are a few things I have learnt that have helped transform my perspective on practising Yoga.
1. Rather than thinking of Yoga as a way to "burn calories & workout" I started looking at it as a healing modality... It's became a time for me to disconnect from my worldly commitments/distractions & an opportunity for me to focus on my journey towards becoming a calmer, kinder, patient individual.
2. Instead of letting my mind wander towards envy of the girl with the "flat abs & perfect head stand", I've learnt to set a personal intention & create an individual Mantra every time I step onto my mat. If my thoughts start to shift in a negative direction I gently remind myself of my Mantra " I AM BEAUTIFUL & I AM ON MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING MY BEST SELF".
3. Speaking of Journey, I often tell my students "It is called Yoga PRACTISE, not Yoga PERFECT". As a result, we must realize that teachers do not expect us to be perfect or to never fall out of a pose... And if they do, then please find another instructor lol ;) I purposely try to fall in class & make a fool of myself when I teach, just to show my students that it's ok to slip up & struggle at times (it makes us human).
4. Lastly, I encourage everyone on their Journey to take what they've learnt in class & start applying it throughout their day. For instance, if I learn about a new Pranyama (breathing technique) to calm my mind, then I try to use it when I feel agitated, nervous or hard on myself.
Yoga is an amazing tool we can all use on our "Journey To Self-Healing".
Here's a little bit more about Courtney
Q: What's your favourite music to practice to (or do you prefer silence!?)
A: Music plays an integral part in my yoga practise & the mantras chanted or sung truly affect my soul. I connect a lot to Deva Premal & Nirijan Kaur.
Q: Where's the next place you want to travel?
A: My husband & I are going on one more "just us trip" before our little Yogi baby arrives. It is one of my FAVOURITE places... Waikiki in Oahu!!!
Q: Share one of your life goals.
A: My life goal is to be a "Supermom"... To inspire, motivate, encourage & support my children in any stage of their lives. I know there will be days when I fall & fail, but I truly believe that all mother's plays a divine role in the nurturing, rearing & shaping their children's lives for the better. I acknowledge any mother that has been and that is yet to come... You are all "supermom's" in my eyes!
Namaste Courtney