At Home is a portrait series by photographer Chloe Paul, documenting BodyMindLife’s teachers in the spaces they have created to play and practice. We take a glimpse into their lives, explore their relationship with the practice, and investigate how they hold space for their community in the studios.
Join us as we tune in with Yoga Teacher and Teacher Training Facilitator, Sarah Routhier.
Who are you and what do you teach?
Hi there, I'm Sarah Routhier. I teach a variety of yoga classes at BodyMindLife. My open and essential classes incorporate a combination of yoga styles from Tantra, Vinyasa, Bhakti or Iyengar depending on what is needed to teach a concept or create a particular state/feeling post class. My Yin classes aim to incorporate traditional Chinese medicine and relaxation techniques as well as yoga nidra to bring people to deep restoration.
Why were you originally drawn to yoga?
A couple friends and I started to practice yoga in college to help with stress. I loved how I felt after classes and was hooked. I found myself pulled to yoga so much that I opened a massage clinic inside a yoga studio which worked out perfectly. I decided to do my first 200-hour yoga training when I was hooked on studying the body's energetic system, feeling that people had things happening to them energetically but only came to me (for massage therapy) when the physical side was present.
What do you love about what you do?
I love working with people, I love seeing people have breakthroughs or aha moments in their practices. To create space for people to move through what they need to and be seen as the beautiful individual they are.
What can you tell us about your role as a senior yoga teacher training facilitator?
One of my favourite things is facilitating yoga teacher training, I love the content and am maybe a little too excited about sharing it. I get to teach something I am so passionate about in a way that helps people learn more about themselves through the powerful teachings. It's an incredible feeling to know the ripple effect it has on the world around them that they will be sharing yoga, if they become teachers or if they don't, they will share it through living yoga.
What are the sessions you teach during teacher training like?
I facilitate yoga classes, asana break down sessions, pranayama and practice teaching sessions. What's great about a team that has more than one or two facilitators is that each person is bringing years of study from multiple teachers combined with their unique expertise, giving an all encompassing learning experience.
Tell us about your 50 hour module 'The Art of Assisting' and what makes this offering so unique?
One of the most special parts of this course is the very practical experience students get to walk away with. They can begin to use what they learn in this training straight away. I have also really loved the lasting connection with students who take this course. Some still come and assist me in my classes continuing their learning, getting to practice the art of assisting as a practice itself. This is beneficial for all parties involved, the student being assisted learns more through personal assists, the student assisting gets to refine their skills and I get to help those looking for more guidance on their teaching journey (this always fills my cup!).
What’s the best piece of advice you can give a student looking to do a yoga teacher training?
Look to study with teachers who you enjoy their teaching style. Do some research on the teachers and see if you feel connected to their passion. If you want to do some reading before you begin, try the Yamas and Niyamas or Bhagavad Gita, they are great places to start!
Can you tell us about any workshops or courses you have coming up in 2023?
Next year I will have the 50 hour Art of Assisting training. I love focusing on how people leave feeling, all workshops and retreats will have this in mind. I will be running yoga retreats both local and international aimed at deep healing and learning. I will be running breathwork workshops that combine my unique blend of rebirthing breathwork & yoga nidra — these are not to be missed!
What does your home/personal practice mean to you?
Setting up my home practice space has been quite special, I have an altar with live flowers set up like a home garden and candles. When I walk into my space I feel instantly grounded. I light the candles, burn some incense and take a seat on my cushion or set up for a supported guided yoga nidra. This practice is for me to recharge, to cleanse and to feel what needs to be felt. It's important to me to create space for myself just as I create space for others.
How has your relationship to the practice changed?
I don't think your practice should be the same, like our own evolution our practice will evolve with us.
How do you feel when you’re in your flow?
When I am in flow I am present and open to wisdom and guidance as well as feeling completely connected to my words and each person I spend time with.
What are you reading and listening to at the moment?
I'm reading Wise love & listening to Leon Bridges.
BodyMindLife runs full-time and part-time Yoga Teacher Training courses in Surry Hills, Sydney and Byron Bay. Read more on the details and line-up of 2022 and 2023 course dates here.
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