Donna is a yoga practitioner of almost 20 years and a yoga teacher of more than 10 years. She co-owns and directs The Yoga Vine, a CBD based Yoga studio in Perth. The past 2 decades have been dedicated to learning (and some unlearning) to be strong, stress free and supple in both body and soul through the practice of yoga and meditation.
Donna is a yoga practitioner of almost 20 years and a yoga teacher of more than 10 years. She co-owns and directs The Yoga Vine, a CBD based Yoga studio in Perth. The past 2 decades have been dedicated to learning (and some unlearning) to be strong, stress free and supple in both body and soul through the practice of yoga and meditation. She leads yoga retreats and trainings both in Australia and overseas and has a special interest in anatomy and Meditation (and the anatomy of the brain!). She has 3 great kids and a Border collie called Cleo. Her aspirations are to meet Joe Dispenza, surf in Costa Rica and fall in love.
The Yoga Vine is Perth’s premier yoga studio. A boutique Yoga Studio in the Heart of Perth CBD offering yoga, teacher trainings and corporate wellness solutions. Since 2013 we have been bringing health and wellness solutions to the community of Perth. Through Yoga, mindfulness and stress reduction programs we seek to educate and inspire individuals and organisations to lead more vibrant, energised and emotionally aware lives.
Donna is leading her next retreat in STUNNING Sri Lanka, an all inclusive surf + Yoga retreat at Talalla Retreat on the south coast. This is a 7 night retreat in luscious Lanka, giving you the chance to de-stress and combine the benefits of yoga and surfing for a great sense of well-being and connection to yourself and nature! Visit this page for more information!
Find inspiration as we talk to Donna Buchanan in our #StrongHealthyWomen interview.
Hi Donna! Thank you for being part of the Health and Fitness Travel, Strong, Healthy Women Interview Series, where we are shining a light on the importance of self-care, not as an indulgence but a necessity to reduce stress and general health issues.
Is there such a thing as a typical day for you and what does that look like?
My days are not at all typical and never quite the same 🙂 although I usually start with a black coffee! that’s the only thing that’s a constant. Thank GOODNESS for coffee! Then I decide on some form of movement for the day. Obviously, yoga is a big part of my life but as I get older I feel like I need different types of exercise. Lately, I’ve been boxing twice a week. I love the cardio aspect but I also love the focus I find, like a dancing meditation! I teach at my studio THE YOGA VINE most days. Some days it’s Dynamic and other days its YIN or MYOFASCIAL RELEASE. I love the variety and that means I meet lots of different people every day! Dinner is whatever is in the fridge. I’ve been vegan for 11 years now and I’ve become a much better cook over that time. I love creating in the kitchen and cooking for friends who are curious about vegan food!
Can you share a time when you felt your well-being was challenged in the past and what did you overcome it?
Photo by Natalie Forrestal (@natalieforrestal)
I recently moved house for the first time in a very long time and I had forgotten how STRESSFUL it was. I consider myself a very even-keeled person but there were days I felt completely compromised in time, energy and mental strength! What could’ve gone wrong DID go wrong and I found myself highly stressed and battling the ability to stay calm under pressure. I caught myself time and time again getting revved up, reactionary, and so when I found myself behaving in a less than ideal way, I made a conscious decision to BREATHE 10 slow breaths. In those moments of mayhem, I could reconsider my reactions and choose HOW I was going to respond to the stressor. It really helped me! I also upped my meditation practice. IT can be hard to find time to meditate, but I found setting my alarm just 15 mins earlier than usual a good way to make that time. It became my non-negotiable activity to start every day during that period. You just don’t realise how mentally strong you can be with an INTENTION behind you
What does being healthy mean to you and how do you keep this at the forefront when life gets unavoidably busy?
As a business owner, a mother of 3 and a fur Mumma of 1 life can get very busy! My business is 7 days a week, not just teaching but account keeping, teacher training, social media and everything in between. My health is always my first consideration (even before the kids and pets!) because if I don’t function well, nothing else is going to function well. I use the analogy of the oxygen on the plane. God forbid that thing EVER falls down when I’m flying but they DO tell you to put your mask on first before you can then help others. I think that’s VERY good advice in life too. Look after yourself and you’ll be able to perform better in every aspect of your life. I try to get a good nights rest, lots of water and I always schedule ME time 🙂 whether that’s a walk in nature, a dinner with friends or Netflix at home. I put it in my diary and its there when I check on Monday to see how my week is looking. It’s VERY reassuring!
Have you ever taken a holiday specifically for your well-being? Can you share what the experience was like?
YES! For the past 4 years, I’ve made time to go away to reimburse myself some of the time I happily give to others in my job as a Yoga Teacher. Last trip I did was a surfing and yoga retreat in Sri Lanka. It was BY FAR one of the most amazing adventures I’ve had. Surfing and Yoga are symbiotic by nature so it made sense to try surfing while i was there. Being on my yoga mat for myself, not having to hold space of anyone else but me is a luxury and surfing had the same effect in a way. Just as the ground beneath me holds me as I turn and twist on my mat, the waves hold and support me on my board while I breathe and connect. It’s absolutely amazing! It made me realise I have a deeper affinity to nature than I thought.
Every woman’s idea of self-care is different, tell us about yours?
Photo by Natalie Forrestal (@natalieforrestal)
Self-care can be a physical care, like how much you need to refuel with sleep or a detox to feel light again. It can be a mental reorganisation too- how to make space, to find clarity or even find mental stimulation. You can also find self-care in inspiration, letting yourself feel a little vulnerable can create something new in your outlook. I think for me its a pinky toe-dip into all 3 – the body, mind and spirit. Making time for a yoga class even on YouTube is a way to give back to my body physically. I really love meditation and love to indulge in Dr Joe Dispenza’s tips for my mind. For my spirit, I love nature, usually the beach with my pooch – letting my feet near the water just soothes my soul. The key for me is to remember my worth. I do not compromise on that anymore. It’s taken a long time but I know the value of looking after myself now and the benefits mean I am mentally agile and fit, spiritually nurtured and physically well and strong!
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