Yogi # 5 Sam
YOGI: Sam Bradder
AGE: 33
RESIDE: COMO, WA
Ethnic background: First generation Australian, parents are both English.
STUDENT: How long have you been practising?
I was first introduced to yoga 5-6 years ago, but I don’t believe I started practicing yoga until I joined the Yogi Hunter/Care More Community in approximately March 2020 onwards.
(2 years)
YOUR STUDIO: Where you teach or practise yoga
I practice at Yogi Hunter/Care More Community in East Vic Park.
What did you think of yoga before you tried it for yourself?
Prior to my practice of yoga with Yogi Hunter I had thought yoga was about removing all distractions, thoughts and that it was about stillness. Now I understand that its not about this, but about accepting, letting go and being, not about the absence of thoughts or movements.
Why do you LOVE practicing yoga now?
I now LOVE yoga because I have accepted that it is a practice and a whole philosophy, not simply what happens on the mat. Yoga encourages you to be vulnerable, to see yourself and to accept yourself. The practice of yoga helps you to see that you can change and that each day presents you with different learnings, feelings and challenges, it asks you to move through things.
Do you think yoga has changed you in any way (yes or no) if yes ... WHY?
Yes, I do. Yoga has had a big impact on how I view, process and experience my life. Through learning the philosophy and teachings of yoga I feel more present, kinder to myself and open to possibilities. I believe this was always within me, however the regular practice of yoga has allowed me to access parts of myself that I wasn’t connected with.
As a people pleaser, goal orientated and type A personality (that I wasn’t aware of) yoga and the community has invited me to learn how to be slower and more present, less about doing and achieving. This of course I am still learning, but the practice itself helps to drop into this mindset.
What do you believe are the long-term benefits of practicing yoga?
I think the biggest long-term benefits for me are around my mental health and managing the stresses of life. I believe that practicing yoga and its teaching will help me to accept the challenges that life throws my way.
I can also see it continuing to improve my physical body with flexibility, strength and overall body awareness.
Do you recommend yoga to people, your friends, family? If so, what is their response?
I absolutely recommend yoga to my friends and family. I have a mixture of people in my life, some are open and engaged with yoga, whilst others may have limited understanding on what yoga is. Those who aren’t engaged with yoga or haven’t tried seem to believe that yoga is about being slow and that their thoughts or busyness means that they are suited to yoga, that it isn’t for them. The other people that wouldn’t engage in yoga believe that you must be flexible and/or fit for yoga, which isn’t true at all, you just need to be willing to start.
Anything else you would like to share about yoga that you feel would help inspire others to start practising yoga?
Yoga is such a diverse practice and ranges from high intensity to slow and meditative options. I would encourage people to try the full spectrum of yoga in order to discover whether you connect with yoga. It is also important to understand that it is a practice and not something that you are instantly good at or can sink deeply into, it is about showing up and being in the practice. I don’t believe I understood this until I found the tent and really connected with myself and the practice of yoga itself.
I truly believe that yoga is a lifelong practice for body, mind and spirit. I am excited to see where my practice takes me.