Sometimes I wonder if, when I moved from London to Cambridge last September, I was on the brink of wonderful things that I left behind. Don’t get me wrong. Moving away from London was the best thing we could have done, all the signs were there. But I do wonder about the yoga business I sold and left behind. I had ideas for that business bubbling underneath the surface that I could never quite catch. Plans slipped through my fingers unformed. I guess it wasn’t the right time. Or the right place.
But now, nine months later, all those ideas are spilling out. I have notes, to-do lists, journal entries, planners filled with stuff. I don’t know where to begin. But that in itself brings a smile to my face. 
And I’m trying to put fear of failure to one side, because I can do this. I have the skills, the enthusiasm and most of all the inspiration. Which brings me onto my yoga heroes. Those yogis and yoginis who have inspired me to the point where I am today and continue to inspire me every single day in my writing, my practice, my teaching, my thoughts. Who are these wonderful people? In no particular order…
1. Darren Main. If I had to read just one book on yoga in a lifetime Darren’s “Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic” would be it. It is the single most practical and down to earth book on yoga I have ever read. It doesn’t have a single yoga pose or sequence in it. Instead it just focuses on living your life well without beating yourself up. I turn to this (and his “Spiritual Journeys along the Yellow Brick Road“) again and again.
2. My teachers. I am so privileged to have learned from world renowned teachers but those that stand out the most are my first regular teacher, Tara Fraser (co-director of Yoga Junction), who showed me that even people with bad backs can be yoga teachers, James Bradford who taught me to be a badass teacher mixing discipline with a very British sense of humour (and introduced me to Darren Main) and Fiona Agombar who taught me everything I needed to know about Yoga and Chronic Fatigue.
3. Kimberly Wilson. When I first read “Hip Tranquil Chick” I had just set up my own business whilst working full time in law. If you’ve read Kimberly’s blog you’ll know she used to do the same. She gave me hope that I could still do this, and wear glitter and kitten heels, drink cocktails and have fun. When I read her take on Asteya (the “non-stealing” Yama):-
Staying in a job that you know is a dead end when you dream of launching an online baby boutique is a form of stealing from yourself.
I knew what I had to do! I’ve just started reading her latest book “Tranquilista” and am already filled with inspiration. If you don’t read her blog, why not? Plus have you seen her range of TranquiliT clothing? Now if only I didn’t have to pay US customs tax when I ordered….
4. Mama and Papa Yogini for being awesome, for introducing me to yoga in the first place, for always being willing to discuss bizarre Yogic philosophy when nobody else will and for never being disappointed in my lack of “career”!
5. Yoga bloggers the world over. You guys know who you are, and you inspire me every day. (A special shout out to Emma who, I have to admit, in a pinch I do steal class sequences off when I’ve run out of ideas! Thanks Emma!)
There is inspiration everywhere we turn if only we look for it with open eyes and open hearts. And that is why, dear readers, there will be lots of new stuff happening on The Suburban Yogini and its sister teaching site Exploring Yoga over the next few months.
I just need to cultivate some patience.
Who are your heroes (yoga and otherwise)? Who or what inspires your days?
I am still very much taking comments as to things you’d like to see more or less of on the blog. Leave a comment here or drop me an email at suburbanyogini@gmail.com today and you will still be eligible for two weeks free membership of My Yoga Online!
Finally, I have listened to your comments thus far and some of you want a Q&A section so I’ve set up a Formspring account. Click the link and ask me anything anonymously and I’ll put the best ones up on the blog over the next few weeks!
Have wonderful weekends
Oh my, how I am looking forward to seeing those plans unveiled, Rachel!
You are pretty good as yoga heroes go. You keep it real, I like that. Bon weekend xo
I took up yoga exactly 11 days ago as part of Bindu Wiles’ 21.5.800 challenge, so I’m yet to find out who my yoga heroes are. Is it ok if I borrow yours for now? *scurries off to Amazon to buy books by Darren Main & Kimberley Wilson*
Oh and I love your blog – have subscribed
Amy
xx
ohhh- that book sounds amazing…. perhaps it’s time to check it out!
I’m also excited for your plans and cannot wait to hear more about them!
My yoga heroes? Seane Corn for her ‘Yoga off the Mat’, my bloggy friends for all they inspire me, and a local teacher Helen Fong who is the epitome of what Yoga is about
Like Amy, I’m on the #215800 challenge and I came across your blog the other day – I had just had a meeting with a girl who suffered from scoliosis and she was exploring options, so I sent her the link to your page, it’s lovely to be able to inspire someone – thank you.
What a fantastic posting. It energized me and made me want to jump out of bed and begin twirling with excitement. I guess that makes you one of my heroes dear Rachel!
About to get started reading those books and blogs…
Thanks!
Best of luck in your coming adventures! Love the attitude.
Wow! What a great post Rachel, filled with inspiration & excitement. I’m looking forward to reading more as your plans unfold, and will be buying that Darren Main book. I need some inspiration!
My yoga hero is my teacher, Art Boorman, who lost 180lbs and learned to walk again through practicing YRG power yoga. (He did change his diet, btw.) His classes kick my ass and he is a total inspiration, always willing to share yoga philosophy and Buddhism even though neither is a standard part of YRG.
Good luck with all your blossoming plans, and namaste!
Great book recommendatons, thanks Rachel!
My most personal yoga hero is my friend Maureen, a great friend who is a Bikram and now ashtanga/vinyasa instructor. She introduced me to my current favorite studio and motivated my desire to someday teach yoga. She is a gorgeous (inside and out), generous woman, a cancer survivor, and someone I am proud and lucky to call my friend. I just took her short form ashtanga class last night and it was such a gift. And she said I’m a strong yogini, which was another beautiful gift!
Other yoga (and related) heroes include Beryl Bender Birch (attended a fantastic 3-day workshop with her in April at aforementioned studio), Michael J. Fox (his outlook on life, his acceptance of his illness, and his ability to see the gifts/good even in tragic, difficult circumstances all inspire me), and the Dalai Lama. To name just a few!
Also excited to hear what you’re cooking up, Rachel. Peace!
Thank you for this post. Kimberly has also been an inspiration to me and I was grateful to be able to take some classes at her studio when I lived in DC. And yes, her clothing designs are amazing!!!
Just ordered my first batch of of TranquiliT clothes. I decided it was worth the import tax!!
Hi lovely Rachel!
I love reading about people who have been inspirational. I’m definitely one of those people who needs inspiration to thrive (or maybe we all even if we don’t realise it). I’m grateful for the blogging world because through it I have “met” so many inspiring people, including yourself. I’m not sure if there’s one person in particular who has really inspired me more than any other…
Can’t wait for the changes on your blog. Have a great Sunday!
P.S. I’d love to have the free 2 week membership to yoga online
Rachel,
Thank you for sharing your resources, I’ve been wanting to read the Darren Main book, I now have a reliable recommendation! Also I’ve never visited a few of the blogs you mentioned, they sound great. Thanks as always!
I too love Darren Main and also loved Hip Tranquil Chick – I’ll have to get her new one as well. Please let us know how you like the clothes!
Your inspiration sounds exciting, and I look forward to hearing more. Best wishes with it all!
[...] too much junk. Slowly seeping back into an apathetic existence. The other day, as I was reading this blog post on The Suburban Yogini I realized that I’ve been stealing from myself. By not taking [...]