Q and A with Bethan Walters, Yoga Coach at Bend it Like Bethan
1. How did you first get into Yoga? What is your background?
I started attending yoga classes at 13 and loved them. I had been dancing from ages 3 to 18 and when I left school, I wanted to keep that level of fitness, so I became an aerobic teacher after I finished sixth form. Then the following summer, in 2015, I trained as a yoga teacher in Yosemite, California, this involved 200-hour yoga teacher training. For me, yoga was exercise and moving your body that wasn’t driven by weight loss. I could enjoy yoga, especially the mental and physical benefits without thinking about how many calories I had burnt. I have fallen more and more in love and dependent on yoga, as I have recognised the psychological benefits it has brought to my life and to my clients’ lives.
2. What is the most rewarding part of the job?
The reason I love to teach yoga and not just practice it in my own time is down to the fact I love to share and watch how powerful yoga is. People of all ages shapes and sizes have come to my classes and after one class, they have recognised the power of switching off your thoughts for one hour. Then over time, they have become more confident both physically and mentally. Yoga is all about practicing mindfulness, and it really helps when your mind is full. The art of being present with your body and breath allows you to see how you feel rather than your mind racing about other things. Watching people experience that is priceless.
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me would be to wake up just before 7 am, roll out my mat and teach an hour’s yoga class. Without fail every single time I feel so awake and content after the class is done. I’ll then do my full-time job which is working as a human rights, communications, and media Officer with the Sikh Human Rights Group, liaising with the United Nations and other NGOs or government officials to push for a Declaration on Diversity. If I can then fit in a run or a workout I will and then I’ll teach my evening class which is such a nice way to end the day.
4. How has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted your yoga class demand?
Covid has changed the yoga game significantly, but for me - for the better. Pre-covid I was teaching at three studios in and around Cardiff and taping private lessons on the weekend - it started to feel a bit more like a job rather than a hobby. I would teach a class at 6:30am meaning I’d wake at 5:30am whilst doing my masters and cheer training at uni. When covid struck all the studios went online and I taught the same classes and by doing things virtually it allowed me to do more. There was a little bit of a dip in how many attended the classes but eventually, they picked up again when we realised studios wouldn’t be able to reopen for a while.
I have loved teaching online, but as my time in Cardiff was coming to an end and studios were opening up again in September I decided to start “Bend it like Bethan”. I recognised how much people enjoyed online classes and how they felt they were practicing yoga for themselves and not their egos. There was no comparison and you could roll out your mat do the class and get on with your day without having to commute to the studio.
5. Could you tell me what your goals are for the next 5 years?
The next 5 years are hard to envision, I love my job with the Sikh Human Rights Group and do want to continue working as a consultant for an organisation like that, but yoga will forever be a huge chunk of my life and I really hope I can continue teaching classes every day online to people all over the world.
I would love for Bend it like Bethan to get bigger and potentially hire another teacher but to not teach more than 8-10 classes a week would be perfect. If it stayed like this I would be more than content.
If you would like to speak to Bethan or chat more about how bringing Yoga to your home can boost your life, you can contact her in the following ways;
Mobile: 07891052860
Facebook page: Bend it like Bethan
Instagram: @benditlikebethan.zoomyoga
Website: https://goteamup.com/p/3638558-bend-it-like-bethan/