Hamilton Yoga Blog

A Weekend Well Spent — My Immersion with Peter Scott in Newcastle

The weekend from 20^th to 22^nd of June I found myself in Warners Bay, Verve Yoga studio, for what turned out to be a truly inspiring immersion weekend with Senior Iyengar yoga teacher Peter Scott - and coincidentally, it was appropriately the weekend of International Yoga Day (21/6).

It is always a treat as a yoga teacher and studio owner to be able to visit elsewhere, to forget the running of a business for a moment, and become a student again.

From the moment I stepped into the studio, settling for my Supta Baddha Konasana, I felt the special, warm and welcoming energy of a room full of keen Iyengar yoga practitioners, ready to receive the sparks of some yoga wisdom and new insights.

Peter brought his signature clarity and depth to the practice in each of the sessions. It wasn’t just our hamstrings getting stretched, but our minds, hearts, and maybe even our sense of time - because honestly, it flew.

Selfies were taken — and while I maintain I’m never that photogenic, apparently the post-savasana glow does wonders.

There was something uniquely joyful about this weekend - no matter how long one has practised Iyengar yoga, for me it's been over 30 years, teaching and learning. There is always something new, something exciting, something deeper to add to the backpack of one's yoga experience. But maybe it was also the winter sunlight streaming into the space, maybe the collective spirit of the group.

The immersion wasn’t just about asana and alignment. It was about connection. Between backbends and pranayama, there were quiet coffee breaks, spontaneous chats in the reception area, shared treats, and a lot of laughter.

I was happy to contribute to the communal share-fruit basket with some home-picked mandarins. Nothing bonds a yoga community quite like backyard citrus ;)

By Sunday afternoon, we were all a little sore, a little tired — but also completely alive. That kind of aliveness that only comes from being fully present, body and breath aligned, surrounded by kindred spirits.

I left with tired shoulders, a full heart - and honestly, I can’t think of a more fitting way to mark International Yoga Day.

Until the next immersion workshop, I’ll be holding onto the spirit of that weekend, generous and lingering like the smell of citrus on my fingertips - there are still more to pick on my neighbour's tree ;)

Namaste,
David