🌟🧘‍♀️STUDENT OF THE MONTH🧘‍♀️🌟

🌟October 2025 Student of the month is…… Ros Kanter!! Ros embodies what it means to show up — with heart, patience, and curiosity. Week after week in East Coker, she steps onto her mat with quiet dedication, allowing her practice to unfold naturally over time. It’s been beautiful to witness her confidence blossom — trying poses she once doubted she could do, and discovering new trust in her body’s wisdom.

Recently, Ros shared that she’d been practicing Viparita Karani (legs up the wall with a lift under the pelvis) at home after we spoke about its many benefits, including better sleep. I was really touched as she told me she’d slept more deeply that week than she had in years. These small, sincere moments are where yoga’s magic truly reveals itself — in the gentle ways it restores, uplifts, and reminds us of what’s possible.

❓Tell us a little about yourself….

🧘‍♀️My name is Ros Kanter, I am 73 and am retired. My husband and I and my adorable little Border Terrier, MiMi, moved to Dorset 5 years ago this month from South West France where we lived for 18 years.

❓How long have you practiced yoga?

🧘‍♀️This is a tricky question to answer as I have had several forays into yoga classes over the past 45 years, starting in my mid twenties. I have enjoyed many types of fitness activities, but yoga was never top of the list. Being totally honest, I found it quite boring and it did not inspire me sufficiently to continue.

However, that has all changed since a friend persuaded me to come along and give Iyengar yoga with Lisa a try. I have been coming to class for around 4 years now, the longest I have ever kept it up!

❓What’s your favourite pose?

🧘‍♀️I have a few which I enjoy, the inverted poses, shoulder stand and downward dog are amongst my favourites.

❓What’s your favourite prop?

🧘‍♀️It has to be my lovely supportive, comfortable hemp bolster.

❓How has yoga benefitted your life?

🧘‍♀️I have become increasingly aware of how important yoga is in keeping my core strong and in maintaining my flexibility, strength and balance. The restorative poses have been particularly helpful to me. I can experience facial pain and tension which leads to sleepless nights. Recently during a recuperative class we practiced Viparita Karani and Lisa explained that this could help with sleepless nights and headaches. Since then I have been experimenting with the pose and I am definitely finding it calming as the tension and pain ebb away, helping me to go back to bed and sleep better.

❓What makes you keep practicing?

🧘‍♀️I enjoy the challenge of this type of yoga and the way I have to focus and concentrate on what I am doing 100%. I also find Lisa’s style of teaching exceptional.

❓Anything else you’d like to add?

🧘‍♀️I am very pleased I gave Iyengar yoga a try.

Well done Ros! Thank you for sharing your yoga journey with us!❤️🙏

Student of the Month - October 2025 - Ros

Phil visits Bellur