My mum has more confidence than ever thanks to Dru yoga..Read her story

As promised I have started collecting inspiring yoga stories this year and my first meeting was with a lovely lady by the name of Trish Slack-Smith. Trish signed up for the Dru Teacher training course to learn about how yoga could reduce the aches and pains she was starting to experience in her body. 3 ½ years later Trish is running 4 wonderful yoga classes in Cronulla on top of her full time job and is feeling flexible, confident, healthy and pain free. This wonderful lady happens to be my mum and we participated in the training together in Sydney.

I have no hesitation in saying that Mum has reversed the aging process. There is no slippery slide into arthritis, reduced balance, memory loss, reduced mobility, inflexibility and injury. Mum is heading in the opposite direction, looking and feeling young, fit, self assured and motivated.

On a Monday morning around 30 students turn up to her Dru yoga classes over two time slots and more throughout the week. It seems that the word is spreading and the attitudes towards aging are being transformed.  There is so much that can be done to reinvigorate our lifestyle at any stage and Mums classes are an expression of this.  Who would have thought this quiet country girl would wind up coaching others toward a retirement that is full of fun, enthusiasm and laughter.

If I look a little closer at my childhood there were little clues that a coach was in the making. I have 2 brothers and our childhood was spent playing every sport you can imagine. Mum and Dad where always involved in sport themselves. Dad was a Rugby League coach for 7 years. Their first date was at Mums basketball grand final. The story goes that she showed off all game and achieved one goal after the next. Mum was sure he would never want to date her again as this was no quiet romantic dinner but she was wrong. Most of their 45-year relationship has been spent on the side of a sporting field with mum quietly offering words of encouragement followed by, ‘Get a goal for me.’ Sport was going to remain center stage their whole married life.

Today this gentle and kind lady is inspiring me, my daughters, her whole family and many friends on top of the students who are experiencing Dru Yoga first hand. She has embraced her ability to inspire others and it makes me so happy to meet with Mum and chat on the front verandah about what Dru Yoga means to her. More than anything she has a level of self-confidence that is stable, strong and going places!

I admire Mums commitment to teaching and her clarity in sharing with others what she has found to be so beneficial for herself. It has been a natural progression from learning to teaching, combined with an attitude of abundance, mindfulness, faith and gratitude. Mum had no doubt that her classes would fill to the brim!

When I tell you about the story of my mother I am also sharing the story of what is possible with Yoga. It is the most delightful way to heal the body, thought patterns, emotions and energy levels. I hope that through the people I meet this year we can somehow express how truly incredible yoga and meditation can be. 

A note from Trish – You are all welcome–come join in, meet some new friends & improve your health. Email Narelle for more information at nelhunter69@gmail.com