Tiffany is a yoga and motion instructor, author, poet and non secular seeker. She is a devoted scholar of the energetics of yoga – particularly studying how this modality can create soul-expanding change in our trendy lives. Tiffany’s courses use inventive flows, with a robust deal with embodiment to problem, uplift and empower the practitioner of their follow.
Inform us about your yoga journey
I’ll provide the cliff notes model…
My yoga journey began about 13 years in the past. I danced up till I used to be 20 years previous after I gave up pursuing it professionally. Throughout the next 4 years I moved to London, acquired a 9-5 and prevented any class that passed off within the studio. Finally, I had this calling to deliver motion again into my life, however I used to be in search of one thing that wasn’t dance, and I assumed, why not attempt yoga?
I discovered this little hidden studio simply across the nook from my flat referred to as Yoga Place. I walked right into a random class on a Thursday evening with a instructor referred to as Leila Sadeghee; effervescent, humorous, an unbelievable storyteller. Her speak in the beginning of the category had me instantly enthralled – then the motion a part of the category began. I didn’t know the phrases, however I may sort of comply with alongside after which my first savasana was an absolute journey! I felt a way of stillness and calm that I’d by no means felt earlier than and in that second I assumed ‘I would like extra of this’. So I went the following week, and the following week and the week after that.
And that’s sort of the way it began.
I had been practising with Leila for a number of years when she requested me if I used to be going to take their YTT. I instantly mentioned no – who was I to be a instructor of this factor I loved a lot and felt I knew so little about. I used to be reluctant to say the least, however to her credit score she noticed one thing in me that I didn’t. Leila requested me sporadically over the following 2 years after I was going to dive in and at some point I shocked myself and mentioned ‘sure, I’m in!’
I look again now on how scared I used to be, the way in which I questioned my capacity and the way possibly I wasn’t prepared, however the stage of help, spaceholding and high quality of the coaching was phenomenal and utterly reworked my life in a approach that I can’t even start to explain. I discovered a lot about myself, how I present up, how clever my physique is, a thirst for data that I hadn’t had since I used to be in school, this need to essentially get to know what it means to domesticate a non secular follow and the way infinitely huge this life is.. And so yeah, right here I’m now. It feels as if these 13 years have gone in a flash, however there’s a lot that has occurred and unfolded I would wish a number of extra pages to essentially dive in. In the end, I’m full of an amazing gratitude, it’s actually an honour to proceed strolling this path.
What sort of yoga instructor would you say you’re?
I’m closely influenced by my dance background and the academics that I’ve had the possibility to be taught from have proven me the quite a few methods and depths wherein I can inhabit and transfer my physique. So, if I have been to explain myself as a instructor I might say that; I encourage the motion to be an exploration into the numerous layers of consciousness (delicate and gross) that we are able to entry. Right into a remembrance of the capability of the physique to open up and create spaciousness, not solely in our bodily, but in addition in our emotional and energetic our bodies – you might say a information into uncovering the distinctive topography of you. And thru all of that, within the centre of all of it, is a deep properly of fierce freedom that if we are able to start to crack open even just a little bit has the ability to rework our life.
How has your yoga advanced?
I believe as a dancer the bodily facet of yoga was what initially referred to as to me – the work, the sweat, the bodily tiredness, the capability to sculpt my muscular tissues, to check my energy, to extend my flexibility – I used to be actually drawn to that because it felt acquainted.
However at that time I didn’t realise I used to be simply scratching on the floor of what was potential. By way of my instructor Leila and different unbelievable academics (Tara Judelle, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Paula Andreewitch and Adriana Rizzolo, amongst others) I used to be launched to integrative, somatic and experiential embodiment practices that moved past conventional asana and gave me so many new pathways to discover.
So for some time my bodily follow grew to become softer, extra delicate; It was much less about poses and that bodily excessive of an intense class and extra about refining my interior attunement to the intelligence of my physique. Exploring completely different pathways into consciousness and inevitably growth; by the organs, bones and house, for instance, whereas actually deeply listening to what my physique wanted. Alongside that I started to construct a gentle each day follow of mediation, mantra, prayer and the contemplative points of the follow.
And now I’ve come full circle in some methods. I’m discovering a variety of pleasure within the artwork of pose craft and exploring the number of asana obtainable, however I’ve a brand new appreciation for it. The embodiment through-line runs by all of it and I believe in the end the query I’m at all times asking myself is ‘how am I orienting myself in direction of a deeper embodied consciousness whereas doing this or that?’. And there may be undoubtedly much less of the striving (although it nonetheless occurs!) to attain a sure aim or to fulfill a sure aesthetic and extra of a constant training and deep appreciation of what my physique is able to.
Has your individual follow modified because of any further instructor coaching?
I’ve had the chance to be guided by some wonderful academics who’ve proven me new methods of being, shifting and have impressed me no finish, however three honourable mentions…
I’ll without end be grateful to Leila Sadeghee and her continued steering over the previous 13 years. When you’ve got the chance to expertise a category, workshop or retreat along with her, DO IT! I can assure it is going to be an expertise that may shift your perspective.
Additionally, by numerous academics I used to be launched to the work of Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and Physique Thoughts Centering and wow – it’s simply so wealthy and a completely completely different approach of experiencing this physique we reside in.
And lastly Physique Temple Dance created by Adriana Rizolo – not strictly a yoga coaching – however a deep dive into the ability of somatic motion and devotion as a therapeutic artwork.
However, I personally want to lengthen the lens past formal instructor coaching and simply recognise that there are academics whose courses, whether or not I am going diligently each week or sporadically, have knowledgeable a side of my follow and I’m grateful to them for exhibiting up in the way in which that they do for me and all of their college students
What has been your largest problem as a yoga instructor?
I imply are we solely allowed one?!
One of many challenges that’s current for me proper now’s comparability. And I believe it’s knowledgeable by the competitiveness of the yoga business, particularly in London because it’s extraordinarily saturated and likewise the yoga panorama as depicted on social media.
It’s nuanced and has many sides to it after all, however in a world the place you appear to be required to have an “spectacular” asana follow, look a sure approach, be a social media professional, copywriter, an occasion producer, a journey agent, photographer/videographer and an important instructor it may be overwhelming. And a few individuals appear to be doing all of it so effortlessly.
After which that may change into tied to ‘properly, if that’s the panorama that we’re working with, how do I be certain I do all of that so I could make a residing and likewise really feel fulfilled in what I’m educating and help college students in the way in which that I need to help them?’
So, when that voice will get actually loud I’ve to dig for the reality – my reality – which is remembering why I educate. There’s a function to what I’m doing and I’ve this inner guiding mild which informs why I present up day after day after day in deep service to the folks that come to class, whether or not they simply attend as soon as or week after week. That’s the golden nugget which silences the doubt.
How do you go about recommending yoga?
Clearly, I inform everybody who will hear how wonderful yoga is and that they need to attempt it IMMEDIATELY, ha!
But when individuals have already made it into the studio and are simply beginning out I provide individuals a few choices.
Relying on their motion expertise, I could counsel that attempt a novices course to construct the foundations and get targeted consideration as they be taught the frequent yoga poses – it’s such a great way to get further help and construct the arrogance to take a daily studio class (a wider dialog however I want individuals discovered it much less intimidating to take a daily studio class irrespective of their expertise).
Generally the thought of a novices course places individuals off, so then I encourage them to discover what’s on the market. I like to recommend academics that I take pleasure in as a result of I worth their steering and suppose different individuals would profit as properly. However, I perceive that everybody’s distinctive, everybody has completely different motivations/targets/needs, so I inform individuals to search out the instructor that finest serves them and what they’re in search of from their follow – attempt completely different kinds, completely different academics, completely different studios – see what you want and what you don’t like till one thing sticks.
There are such a lot of choices on the market and I consider that discovering your group is essential to making a sustained follow (as a result of that’s what occurred for me. Thursday nights on the Yoga Place have been the spotlight of my week and I nonetheless have a few of these individuals in my life right this moment)
What does a day within the lifetime of Tiffany seem like?
I discover this a tough query as a result of these at all times learn like the best day after I know there’s a messiness and a humanness to it that isn’t at all times conveyed.
Really day-after-day is completely different, whereas my weekly schedule has a circulate as a result of I’ve scheduled courses it might be extra correct to say what does your typical week seem like
Get up. Espresso. Mediate or journal (although generally both could be changed by scrolling on my telephone – I’m undoubtedly a human who most likely has extra screentime than I ought to). Studio courses and shoppers interspersed with publication writing, invoicing, emails, conferences and sophistication planning. My very own coaching, both some self-guided motion, a category or the health club and generally I sit on the couch and do completely nothing and watch escapist television. The evenings are valuable and I typically spend them catching up with pals over scrumptious meals and a glass of wine or at dwelling alone delving right into a e-book or dancing round in my kitchen to 90’s pop, 00’s r&b and naturally musicals.
And but, all of that ceases to convey the methods wherein I maintain my inventive spirit – Speaking to pals, going to the theatre, listening to music that stirs my soul, writing poetry, studying poetry, mantra, studying the harmonium briefly bursts, strolling or sitting within the park.
I assume all of that to say that my days can really feel extremely extraordinary however are sometimes punctuated with lovely shiny spots
What’s your favorite quote or life motto?
One in every of my favorite quotes come from Martha Graham by way of Agnes De Mille
“There’s a vitality, a life power, an vitality, a quickening that’s translated by you into motion, and since there is just one of you in all of time, this expression is exclusive. And in the event you block it, it can by no means exist by some other medium and it is going to be misplaced. The world is not going to have it. It’s not your online business to find out how good it’s nor how invaluable nor the way it compares with different expressions. It’s your enterprise to maintain it yours clearly and instantly, to maintain the channel open. You don’t even need to consider in your self or your work. You need to preserve your self open and conscious to the urges that encourage you. Preserve the channel open.”
It jogs my memory of the chance and the utter necessity of following your coronary heart and the passions that transfer by you.
What’s arising for you in 2023 / 24?
2023 has been an enormous yr for me with a number of adjustments, so I’m going to lean into this transition into autumn and winter and harvest all the things I learnt from this yr and take a while to show inward and mirror.
There are many issues brewing for 2024, and I can not wait to share them with you as quickly as they’re prepared! It’ll embody day retreats, Physique Temple Dance courses, motion and writing workshops and some different surprises. I’m additionally going to be sharing extra of my writing and poetry subsequent yr, because it’s about time. So yeah, there’ll be a number of enjoyable issues taking place in 2024, all but to be introduced, however I’m enthusiastic about what that new yr goes to deliver
Discover Tiffany
Web site: www.tiffanysabrina.com
Instagram: @tiffanysabrina_
Teaches at: Tripspace, Indaba, Blok, Waking Desires and The Rogue Room
