My Yoga Journey
Jacqui Smith
Jacqui Smith is a certified level 2 yoga teacher conducting individual and group yoga classes in both indoor and outdoor settings catering for all fitness levels from beginners to seasoned yogis. Jacqui's business "Flow with Jacqui" also offers tailored yoga classes for schools, corporate businesses, elite athletes and sporting teams wanting to cultivate wellness, s
upplement fitness or enhance performance. Spanning three decades, Jacqui's experience in the fitness industry includes instructing aerobics, Pilates, boxing and athletics (Level 2 Accredited Coach), Certified Animal Flow Instructor, as well as personal training and gym management. Jacqui is also an avid runner who has competed in many races up to marathon distance. Jacqui turned to yoga when her passion for life was challenged by the loss of loved ones and a period working in the stressful corporate world. Yoga has been a journey that has healed Jacqui physically, mentally and spiritually and led her to inner peace. This journey of healing has inspired Jacqui to share her learning and love of yoga with others. Qualified to teach all forms of yoga, Jacqui specializes in the practice and teaching of Vinyasa Flow - a form of yoga that develops cardiovascular strength, muscular endurance, strength and flexibility in a rhythmic flow. Inspired by the teaching of Shiva Rea, Jacqui's classes offer her unique interpretation of the rejuvenating Trance Dance meditation which promotes mindfulness, breaks through physical and energetic blockages and creates a more positive relationship with your body. Flow with Jacqui is more than a series of poses to stretch and tone your muscles - it is a celebration of the flow and energy of life!
~ LIFE LIES IN MOVEMENT – FLOW WITH JACQUI ~
“Our bodies are designed to move, our minds are designed to move, that’s why I am passionate about encouraging daily movement for health, development, and learning. “
As an Exercise and Yoga Teacher I strongly believe in movement to improve development, physical health and coordination. Through the work that I do in the Health and Fitness sector, I focus on movement being important for four main areas. FOR OUR:
PHYSICAL HEALTH - For our physical health, movement helps our muscles to become stronger, our joints to move more smoothly, our balance to be more stable, our heart and lungs to work more efficiently. Movement and physical activity reduces our body’s risk from chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke, arthritis, dementia. MOTOR - balance crossing the midline, spatial awareness, core strength, muscular strength and bilateral coordination. EMOTIONAL - our emotional regulation can be improved by adding movement into our day because when we move our muscles and joints, an increase of oxygen gets pumped around the body by our heart. That increased amount of blood flow being pumped by our heart transports oxygen and energy to our organs and our brain. LEARNING - Our prefrontal cortex (part of the brain located at the front of the frontal lobe) is also involved in our ability to pay attention when learning. When our prefrontal cortex has an increase of oxygen and energy, we are more able to pay attention and focus on a task.
