Finding balance: A Yogi Chef’s Journey from the Kitchen to the Teacher’s Mat
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By Natalie Smikle
By day I’m in chef whites, a pin striped blue apron, and can often be seen wielding a 12-inch chef knife at crates of unsuspecting fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. Or worse still, prepping canapés for a function for 800 or more! Then by night, and on some weekends, I transform into my yoga kit and lead a collective of yogis through several rounds of sun salutations, twists, stretches and back bending. I’ve been a chef for several years now, but only became a yoga teacher recently which has been quite a journey.
The Inspiration
I wanted to be a teacher for two reasons. Firstly, to help others find some reprieve or emotional release from any baggage they may be carrying in their mind and body whilst tapping into their own inner strength.
And secondly, I wanted to deepen and strengthen my own personal practice – from taking personal risks to developing the fearlessness to speak freely, openly and expressively in front of a class of yogis.
As a freelance chef I carry a knife wallet, which I have stripped down to only what I deem to be the most essential kitchen tools to make it lighter and more portable when travelling around London. It was like that on the teacher training course. We were stripped of any preconceived notions and given the most essential tools to be able to start teaching from day one!
The Reality
From the history of yoga to practicalities of teaching, each day of those first 9 days on the course built on the last one, which culminated in all the trainees teaching a public class on day 9 – a rarity in the yoga training world!
Now, with over fifty classes under my belt, I still get nervous every time I get on that mat at the front of the class. My fears about whether I’m good enough, slim enough, advanced enough or worthy enough, always kick in.
Ari once told me that I was learning to dance with my fears and that sums me up entirely. Sometimes my fears take the lead and sometimes I do, and together we dance to a rhythm that only I can hear in a style that I am learning to control. Ultimately, teaching is about being of service to others and I’ve learnt that my own real strength and power comes when I relax, let go of my ego and completely engage with those around me, whether they are a first time yogi or a regular practioner.
The balance
Being a chef and a yoga teacher is a balancing act that I constantly make changes to. As a freelancer, I recently left behind the safe and secure catering company I had been working for because the hours, days and demands were no longer sustainable or compatible with the person I am today. I work 10 hours in the kitchen rather than 16 and I no longer feel a sense of obligation to work evenings and weekends. The brilliant author Iyanla Vanzant put it best: “You cannot give what you do not have. Most of us spend time and energy giving to things and people when we haven’t given our own time and energy to ourselves.”
My journey as a new yoga teacher is still only just beginning. I’ve stumbled and made several mistakes along the way, but the highs have definitely outweighed the lows! Mine is a story of right time, right place and right circumstances.
Whether you’re on the fence or haven’t even considered Lumi Power Yoga’s teacher training, know that the transformational process you go through is enlightening, emotional, challenging and at times overwhelming. That said, because of the personal guidance and practical tools I received throughout, I’m now better able to manage my fears and anxieties as well as help others with every class – that for me is truly exceptional and my personal claim to the definition of transformation.
Natalie teachers regularly at Lumi Power Yoga studio. Check out the class schedule here to attend her next class.
The next teacher training session begins 7 March to 26 April 2015. Sign-up before 7th February and attend the Teacher Training Open House on 17th January to see what it’s all about.