Donna Farhi

"Our breath, like our heartbeat, is the most reliable rhythm in our lives. When we become attuned to this constant rhythm, our breath can gradually teach us to come back to the original silence of the mind."

Donna Farhi

21st June 19

It's the international day of yoga and I am spending it with Donna Farhi. How cool is that?!

Of all the teachers from whom I have learned and been inspired, in all of my decades of yoga practice, Donna is my absolute hands down favourite and my “go to” authority. Her teaching is located within the Indian tradition yet successfully combined with contemporary understanding of physiology, bio-mechanics, somatics and psychology. Coming from a background in dance and a dynamic physical yoga practice her work has evolved into a style that honours the individual body, and it's capabilities, limits and idiosyncracies. Author of numerous books her message is clear, simple, practical and accessible to new and seasoned yogis alike and practising with Donna is a journey into self inquiry. Her depth of knowledge is impressive yet she teaches with both humility and humour. Studying with Donna, I have learned as much about myself as I have about yoga and I’ve had great fun along the way.

There are many new “takes” on yoga but Donna Farhi has successfully walked the tightrope between modernity and heritage and is respected around the world. I believe that her work will take yoga in the direction in which it needs to go, in order to meet the needs of modern, westernised practitioners, whilst remaining true to its essential nature. I’m not quite speechless (that would be a rare thing indeed); but I genuinely am lost for precisely the right words to convey the value that I believe Donna has brought, and continues to bring to yoga, and to yoga teachers and practitioners. This is the 4th consecutive year that I have attended one of Donna's 5 day intensives in the UK and I notice it's my 2nd consecutive blog on extraordinary women. Interesting...

Donna Farhi