Teacher Feature: Frances Homewood
How long have you been doing Iyengar Yoga?
I “ found “ Iyengar yoga- or it found me- back in 1973 when I was on a gap year in Brighton. My friend happened to say that her mother was a Yoga teacher. She turned out to be Raynor Curtis, one of Mr Iyengar’s very first students in London so I got the direct lineage from him from the start. I consider it one of the greatest blessings of my life as I have had yoga to support me through all the challenges of adult life.
How long have you been teaching yoga?
I qualified as a teacher in September 1983 when I was quite young. My friend Maggie Norton and I used to trek up to Bradford once or twice a week for teacher training with Lillian Biggs. I was In a very pressurised job in local government at that time, working for the Council Leader David Blunkett. Despite the journeys, the yoga kept me sane and balanced to deal with the pressures of the job.
What drew you to this style of yoga?
My Mum went to Yoga classes and I always noticed how calm she seemed afterwards. So I went looking and, having found Iyengar Yoga, it felt so right that I have never practised any other form. In Yogic language we would say that it was my karma or destiny to do this because it felt like coming home.
What do you love most about it?
It’s the fact that it’s so accessible to everyone – no matter how naturally flexible or stiff you are, whether fat, young, old or whatever injuries, aches and pains you have, there is always a way you can practice and benefit from it. I love how we can adapt poses for people using different methods and equipment. It is very satisfying as a teacher.
What do you do to motivate yourself to do a regular home practice?
I just know the day is not complete without yoga so, if I feel a bit lazy, I try and project forward and know I will feel so much better, have more energy and be centred in myself if I get myself onto that mat! These days my practice starts with chanting some of the Yoga Sutras followed by quiet time. I really miss it if I don’t make time for that meditative part.
What is your ‘go to’ posture when you need to relax? when you need to energise?
When very tired, I love to take a bolster to the wall and do Viparita Karanai, legs up the wall, pelvis on a bolster, trunk on the floor. In recent years, the chanting has been one of the most soothing things to do, especially through my husband’s long illness.
When I want to energise myself, it has to be Adho Mukha Vrksasana., full arm balance, which I love
What is special for you about teaching at Sheffield Yoga Centre?
Well I am biased since I set it up (!) but it really is one of the most beautiful spaces I know for Yoga. I was delighted recently when In India I met with Zubin, one of the Mumbai teachers who came here a few years ago and he said the same thing. Most of our visiting teachers and students comment on how welcoming it is . I feel very proud of how our community of students and teachers came together to help Mike ( my husband) and I renovate the building after we bought it. And now everyone takes care of it.
The sense of community at Sheffield Yoga Centre is very special. Everyone is really supportive and we have a fantastic team of admin, cleaners, teachers and of course the students whom we love.
What other kind of work have you done?
I have worked in the Voluntary sector, the Arts, Local Government and Adult Education. I feel very lucky to have had such interesting jobs which have given me many skills that I was able to use in setting up and running the Centre.
For breakfast this morning I had…….
Eggs and avocado- I follow a diet recommended by my Ayurvedic doctor
My most enjoyable holiday in the last few years has been……
In California where I stayed with old friends who live in beautiful places, travelled down the stunning Big Sur coast, and spent time near San Francisco- doing Yoga of course!
When I am not teaching yoga , I enjoy…
Walking, dancing, singing, sitting by our open fire
A book I would recommend is....
The Bone People
If I ruled the world, I would……
Too many things to list here but one would be;
Get the NHS to give yoga on prescription so that everyone could do it.