Keita Burrell

In my early 20’s my physical body was so tight that the first time I ever had a massage the therapist said my muscles felt like bone. I could not bend forward very far. I was extremely unfit and would go red in the face after only a few minutes of exercise. I was getting migraines, hives, acne, irregular periods, and had mild hypothyroidism. I worried about everything and had anxiety and depression. My mind would have a million thoughts a minute and I struggled to focus. I had very low self-esteem and self-worth. I was in a bad state of being.

The journey to self-awareness and self-improvement started with my entry into the world of cycling. With cycling came additional muscle tightness so, like many others in the same situation, I joined a yoga class to stretch. Little did I know that stretching was going to be the least valuable outcome of those classes!

My physical body slowly got more flexible and stronger, and two decades later I have almost none of the existing health problems. However, the biggest outcome from yoga was reducing my stress, worry and anxiety. I felt like I floated out of the classes with a calm I had never before known. I started to invest in myself and made a resolve that I was going to get healthier with age.

I started to move away from the childhood habits that no longer served me and change my life for the better. I transformed my life – body, mind, emotions and soul, and was inspired to help others do the same.

I was so impressed with what yoga had done for me that I wanted to share it with as many people as possible and in 2008 I completed my first yoga teacher training. I have since done additional training in different styles, including pregnancy yoga. I love learning and incorporating what I have learnt into my classes to share with others. I know the value of having access to easier options and permission to rest.

I am so grateful to all of the teachers who inspired and supported me during this journey, both in yoga and in life. I continue to be amazed at the complexity and regenerative ability of the human body and mind and constantly strive to optimise my life. Yoga helps me do this.