When Hannah joined our 200 Hour MerryBody Yoga Teacher Training, she wasn’t looking to become a Yoga teacher right away. As a high school English educator, a love for words and philosophy, and a full life… she was searching for something more subtle… a reconnection with breath, a softening of intensity and something to balance out the fast pace of work and life.
Throughout the training, we watched her experience unfold in the most beautiful way. From exploring the Eight Limbs and pranayama to reflecting deeply through journaling and practice teaching, Hannah embraced every aspect of the training.
Since she’s an English teacher, it’s no surprise that her written reflections were a joy to read. Her journal entries were filled with insight, and powerful, poetic storytelling… we simply had to share a short excerpt with you.
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.”
— Thích Nhất Hạnh
At points in my life, when I have learned to regulate my breath, I have also learnt to trust it.
Doubt restricts breath; trust expands it.
Imagine this. It’s 1am—dark, cold, and unfamiliar. You are 4,900 metres above sea level. You and eight others are tethered together by climbing ropes and harnesses. You wear spiky crampons and hold an ice axe.
You are ready to climb Mt Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the Southern Hemisphere, in Ecuador. You have six hours to make it to 5,900 metres—1,000 metres of vertical elevation—before the sun rises and the ice bridges over the deep, dark crevasses start to melt and descent becomes dangerous.
There’s a time limit, but also a warning in broken Spanish from the guide: “Respirar.”
Breathe.
Only three out of nine mountaineers will make it to the top. The other six will suffer from altitude sickness and be forced to descend.
This is no Everest. It’s not a multimillion-dollar experience. There are no oxygen tanks. Everest is, after all, much higher.
But the connection between breath and movement is crucial. It’s the bridge connecting body to consciousness. It’s not just about oxygen levels; it’s also about summoning the life force to persevere, to stay focused, and to keep a steady head when the legs and throat burn. It’s also the way to contain the fear of stepping off course and plummeting downward.
Fear constricts breath. Pranayama releases it.
Did you imagine that? It was my experience when I was 18 years old.
I did make it to the summit—me and two others. You know what I attribute that to, in retrospect?
My breathing. It was slow. Metronomically slow.
The ‘harmonious rhythm’ from Sutra 2.49.
This connection to breath became a theme in Hannah’s training experience. As she explored pranayama, the Yoga Sutras and the deeper layers of Yogic philosophy, her passion for sharing these tools grew. It’s no surprise that now, through her Yoga business Tawny Yoga (and yes, she’s already teaching!), Hannah is integrating breathwork into the classes she offers—and even into her high school classroom. She’s currently teaching weekly Sunday sessions and sharing her journey over on Instagram. It’s been such a joy for us to witness, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
“Every class I teach will have pranayama as one of the many yoga tools my students can take off the mat and into the real world.” — Hannah
Hannah’s approach to teaching is grounded in authenticity, curiosity and care. Whether she’s guiding Year 12 students through breathwork before an exam or crafting a Yoga class infused with storytelling, mantra and mindfulness, her intention is clear. To help others reconnect with themselves, one breath at a time.
A big thank you to Hannah! Thank you for choosing MerryBody and for letting us share your story.
If Hannah’s story resonates with you, if it’s made you feel curious about Yoga Teacher Training, whether you feel called to teach or want to deepen your practice, you can learn more here.
Always merrymaking,
Emma + Carla