Norah Nelson
I have been practising yoga since 2003 and I completed the Teacher Training program in Vinyasa Krama Yoga with Harmony Yoga Academy in 2011.
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Qualifications
Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Diploma, Yoga Gro, 2016
Yoga Teacher (200 hour), Harmony Yoga Academy, 2011.
Thai Yoga Massage, 2008.
PhD, Physical Activity for Health, 2007.
BSc, Sport & Exercise Science, 2002.
Massage Therapy, 2001.
Teaching Experience
I have over a decade of teaching experience in physical activity and health subjects, working mostly with adults in further and higher education settings.
Harmony Yoga Academy (applied anatomy and physiology for yoga teacher training, 2014 – present)
University of Derby (Massage, sports massage, sports rehabilitation, 2010-2013)
Strathclyde University (Physical therapy for health, health related fitness, 2007-2009)
Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science (Massage therapy, 2001-2007)
Yoga Influences
I have been interested in the body since I had successful physical therapy for back pain and this inspired me to study massage therapy. My first yoga practice was a one off class in Thailand during a backpacking trip. I will never forget the unexpected feeling of peace and calm I discovered; I came out feeling reconnected with myself. Later I remembered this feeling when I was stressed, overworked, tired and low, and I sought out yoga again. I tried a few classes and stuck with one when it felt right. It was only years later that I discovered that my teacher had trained in the Krishnamacharya lineage.
I became interested in teacher training while I was studying Thai Yoga Massage and considering a career change. I read 'The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice’ by T.K.V. Desikachar (son of Sri T. Krishnamacharya) and I became convinced that I wanted to train in this tradition. I was lucky to find a teacher, Steve Brandon, who studied with one of Krishnamacharya’s long-standing students, Srivatsa Ramaswami, and now runs teacher training through Harmony Yoga Academy.
I was drawn to Vinyasa Krama Yoga because it made sense. It felt right in my body. There was a gradual and gentle release of tension, development of flexibility and opening of the body and mind. It worked. Later, I realised how the vinyasa krama method brought together the strands of knowledge I had gathered from my previous learning in sport and exercise science and remedial massage. My previous learning gave me an understanding of the intelligence of vinyasa krama yoga from a physical perspective. On this basis I now teach anatomy and physiology on the Harmony Yoga Academy Teacher Training Courses including elements such as applied anatomy of breath and movement.
I wish to teach the vinyasa krama yoga system as faithfully as I can. I believe that following the path of yoga can bring sustainable, optimal health and wellbeing across the lifespan. I am fascinated with the idea that vinyasa krama yoga allows anyone to start from where they are and make progress. Using a holistic and adaptive approach is an essential component of how I teach – I really believe yoga is for everybody.
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Vinyasa Krama Yoga during Pregnancy
This style of yoga is perfect for pregnancy. It connects breath and movement. It offers gradual progressions with many adaptations and modifications to suit the individual and the stage of pregnancy. The variety of asana, and the style of moving in and out of asana, rather than staying in pose statically is great for staying mobile in pregnancy. It opens the hips and pelvis to help you to stay active, upright and forward during birth - the best positions for a natural delviery.
Working with the breath throughout the asana practice means that you really learn to control and manage breath such that you can rely on this amazing resource to help cope with labour, regardless of the type of birth you have. There is a gradual and gentle release of tension, development of flexibility and opening of the body and mind.
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I used my experiences of yoga to help me through the births of my daughter and two sons. During labour I relied heavily on ujjayi breathing to manage contractions. I tried various active positions learned on an NCT antenatal course and through my yoga practice, trying to stay upright and forward. I have been blessed with three positive natural birth experiences, the first on the birthing stool and the next two in the birthing pool. I found the combination of the water and the hypnotic effect of focused breathing meant I was rather sleepy in between contractions, much more relaxed, in less pain, more aware and much less afraid.
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My experiences have taught me that yoga can be a fantastic preparation for labour from both physical and mental perspectives. However, all of the physical preparation and the conscious learning of mental approaches (e.g. breathing) must come before labour. The more yoga is practiced beforehand the more chance one has of these skills and practices becoming second nature. During labour the woman must be able to completely let go. The only focus should be on breathing, softening, relaxing and surrendering.
After my first son was born I was inspired to take a Teacher Training Diploma in Pregnancy Yoga because I wanted more women to have more positive experiences of birth, whatever kind of births they may have. I believe that vinyasa krama yoga can help women to do that.