Tori Lewis grew up in an alternative family and became hooked on yoga at the age of 17. She now teaches Hatha Flow at studios including London's Alchemy yoga centre, and on retreats worldwide.
What led you along the yoga path? How long ago was this?
I was born in Japan and grew up in Hong Kong and had many 'alternative' influences in my life from birth.
My mother has been a practising yogini since before I was born and my 'second mother' discovered her Guruji when I was 14 years old which had a big impact on me.
When I was 22 my heart burst open and I woke up to Reality.
My imagined perception of myself totally broke down in a crash. It was seven days that changed my life completely.
Throughout those days I didn't sleep, yet was awake. I learnt more than I can ever speak about during that time and fortunately in the time since then yoga in its true form and Zen have found me.
This provides a supportive structure into the Self that tells you about all the hurdles and barriers on the way and how to trust in the Guru (the Inner light!).
During that time a huge compassion for suffering arose and I wanted to help so I trained as a Special Needs teacher and worked in inner city schools for nine years. Though I did also teach yoga and meditation to the students and teachers, there isn't an emphasis on the Self within education so I left to train as a yoga teacher.
How long were you practising before you trained as a teacher?
I took my first real class at the age of 17. I trained as a yoga teacher in 2006, so 15 years later!
Which training course did you do and why?
I did the Sivananda TTC to qualify and then stayed on to do the Advanced TTC and then became staff. I did that course because my Ashtanga teacher told me to, and I didn't ask any questions, I just did it.
What type of yoga do you teach and what drew you to this style?
I teach Hatha Flow, because of studies within the Ashtanga tradition, Sivananda tradition and influences from BKS Iyengar, Jiva Mukti, Kundalini and many other teachers along the way.
Hatha Flow just means that there is no definition by a particular brand of yoga. It is confusing to people that there are brands as yoga is just one.
How do you fit your own practice around your teaching?
I practice every day rain or shine. I take a rest from practising asana's on the first three days of my period, as the body is already cleansing on a cellular level.
What do you enjoy about teaching?
It makes me practice! I am also constantly amazed by how lovely people are, I love teaching and am just following my bliss!
What makes a good yoga teacher?
Someone who practises rather than preaches; someone who practises yoga (the philosophy, the psychology, the union with the Divine Self) off the mat as well as on the mat.
To you, what are the most important elements of yoga - and what are the challenging elements?
Working with the mind and working with the mind's desire to separate all the time. The ego is the illusion of separateness and sometimes yoga can actually exacerbate this ego through 'observing the observer' or observing breath or body.
In that observation there becomes Two and therefore separation. This is very challenging.
Do you think we in 'the West' give enough time and attention to meditation?
No. A mind is much more able to be manipulated when there is no meditation. Meditation gives tremendous power to the Self and creates inspirational leaders. Materialism, fundamentalism, sexism, violence, fear, hatred, jealousy are manipulations of the base 'lower mind' which are transcended through meditation.
Meditation creates internal peace and a strengthening of intuition. Imagine a society where intuition was so strong that people knew the very purpose for which they were born! Society would be very different!
How is yoga perceived in the UK now? Do you think it will continue to grow in popularity?
It is still perceived as physical exercise/calming exercise. It is will no doubt grow in popularity, human beings are very intelligent and the hunger for happiness, contentment and peace is so strong.
Is it feasible to earn a reasonable salary as a yoga teacher in the UK?
Absolutely.
What advice do you have for someone currently training, or considering it as a future career?
The more yoga teachers in the world the better, so enjoy it and welcome! You will love it!
Be sincere, always be a beginner, follow your bliss. You are the Guru and so are your students and everyone and everything else! It is a wonderful vocation, a way of life, it isn't separate from you or even life itself. Know that it's an amazing, profound and sometimes painful journey.
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