Grokker Enthusiast Spotlight - Hello Kerry Hardy!
By Mark Luskus
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Kerry with her son Ed
The Grokker community is brimming with inspiring people that share a passion for cooking, yoga, and fitness. Today we are thrilled to continue our Enthusiast Spotlight series where each week we introduce an enthusiast to the Grokker community. Come join us to get to know your fellow enthusiasts!
This week I spent some quality time with Kerry Hardy, one of our most passionate yoga enthusiasts. Grab a delicious drink or tasty treat, find a relaxing place to sit, and come get to know Kerry.
1. Please introduce yourself Kerry!
Hi there, I'm Kerry. I'm a 38 year old mother of 2 fabulous young men, Oliver who is 12 and Ed (affectionately known as Eddie Bear) who is 6. I've been with my partner Paul since we met on holiday on the glorious Greek Island Zante way back in 1999.
These days, I'm what is known as Patient Experience Manager in a private dental practice in a beautiful little village in Cheshire, England. I am there to give our patients some personal attention and the time they need to discuss their dental options to make sure they are getting the right care and the right treatment for them as an individual.
I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up...except a yogi:)
2. When were you first introduced to yoga and what drew you to the practice?
The first time I ever heard of yoga was from my God Mother, Aunty Ann. She was and still is the calmest person I ever met. Softly spoken and wise... she did yoga!
It wasn't until my teenage years when we had a yoga workshop in college that I had a chance to try it. Being the impatient rapscallion that I was, I recall lying in shavasana thinking to myself "what a boring waste of time this is, I have papers to write, friends to hang out with, the pub to go to..someone let me out"
You can't put a wise head on young shoulders! At least not mine.
So I got on with my life, sporadically exercising in gyms and classes but never finding anything I loved. It was a chore.
I have always been an anxious person. A people pleaser and always the first to put myself down before anyone else could do it first. It wasn't until my eldest son was toddling that it occurred to me to give yoga another try. Well, it was actually a fusion of yoga and pilates, yogalates (do you see what they did there!).
3. How did you practice yoga before you found Grokker?
I would do the DVDs at home and this time it made some sense to me. I was older, maybe a bit wiser, but I knew that being healthy shouldn't feel like a chore and should come from the inside. It needed to be a lifestyle thing. I talked my Mum into attending a few classes with me too. We loved it.
Again, it slipped from my grasp though as Oliver started school and I needed to work more. I didn't have time to go to classes and the DVD' got a bit samey! I was adrift again. Life took over, we had our other son and I got sucked into the work, clean, iron, shop routine.
Its only this last 8 months that my eyes and heart have truly been opened. Until last summer, I had spent the previous 2 years working....hard. I had progressed from my dental nursing to working with one of the UK's leading dental implant surgeons in his new nationwide venture, providing full sets of fixed teeth for patients in just 1 day who had been living with dentures before.
I loved it. It was exciting and new, I had new levels of responsibility, and got to spend a lot of time talking to people in need who I could help...it was right up my street, But, it was also a new business. With new businesses come lots of teething problems (excuse the pun!) and I was dedicated to making it work. Sometimes I would work from home from 5am, only stopping to feed the family then carrying on until midnight. It was unhealthy and I knew it but I'd made a commitment and I stuck to it. Until we liquidated last summer.
4. I'm so sorry to hear that Kerry. How did you handle it?
To be honest, I breathed a sigh of relief. For about a week. Then reality hit home. My other half Paul was also out of work but for different reasons. He has suffered with his joints for a long time. A combo of too much football as a youngster, too many hours bent over kitchen worktops as a chef, and unlucky genetics had led to him needing his second spinal surgery.
He had already been off work for a year. He was pretty much housebound at the time and getting worse while on what seemed like the worlds longest hospital waiting list with zero idea of when the double disc replacement might take place.
So here we were, no jobs, and 2 children to take care of, but I needed to take care of Paul too.
I went into a panic. How could I please everyone, and get a new job and take care of my family and pay my way and the list goes on. I went into denial and dealt with the immediacies. I looked after Paul and the boys and I kept in touch with dental colleagues in case of any jobs but I knew I couldn't work with a housebound partner and 2 kids who needed me. Aaaargh. I took me a couple of months in "just survive the day" mode before I realised something had to change. And I knew that I already knew the answer.Yoga. I knew I needed some help to remain sane.
I googled. I found loads and loads of yoga online...Oh thank you internet! Yogi Nora was my first class. Then Esther Eckhart. In a few weeks, I found myself finding time everyday to do yoga! My mind relaxed, things became simpler, my body felt healed and rejuvenated. Something clicked.
When I found Grokker, it was like a gift for me. Having such a variety of wonderful classes and experts available at my fingertips any time.
I love how easy it is to access what I need when I need it, and the community aspect is great too. Its like a little private support network. Love it!
5. How does yoga affect your every day life? What long-term positive changes have come from it?
Now I'm back working in the same dental practice I started my dental career. My lovely boss practices yoga too so I don't get in trouble if I'm caught stretching in the surgery...he gets it! I can't always manage to fit a yoga in every day now, but I make sure its no less than 5 days each week and even Oliver has caught the yoga bug. Ed loves to copy me mid routine and knows loads of poses too! I run as well, 4 times a week and have been cajoled my 2 elder sisters into my first English Half Marathon in September. I find it to be quite meditative.
I find running and yoga hugely complimentary, the benefits are amazing. I am more positive and patient, less stressed and more accepting of what is. I have also become more interested in leading a "yogic" lifestyle and have embraced vegetarianism...still feeding the family meat though! I love that this is a journey. I'm not perfect, no where flippin near, but I'm practicing every day. Physically I've never been in better shape...but that's just a happy by-product of this wonderful journey...not the goal.
6. I feel so honored that you shared your story about finding yoga routines for your husband so that he can heal from his surgery. Has yoga helped him so far? Do you practice together?
At the moment, Paul is nearly 4 months post-op. The operation was successful, and he is recovering well. He has started a gentle exercise programme at the hospital and I'm grateful to the Grokker community for giving me hints and tips as to where he should start yoga-wise. My powers of persuasion are still trying to get him to actually do a class, but I'm working on him! I'd love to practice with him....I'll keep you posted!
By Mark Luskus
Kerry with her son Ed
The Grokker community is brimming with inspiring people that share a passion for cooking, yoga, and fitness. Today we are thrilled to continue our Enthusiast Spotlight series where each week we introduce an enthusiast to the Grokker community. Come join us to get to know your fellow enthusiasts!
This week I spent some quality time with Kerry Hardy, one of our most passionate yoga enthusiasts. Grab a delicious drink or tasty treat, find a relaxing place to sit, and come get to know Kerry.
1. Please introduce yourself Kerry!
Hi there, I'm Kerry. I'm a 38 year old mother of 2 fabulous young men, Oliver who is 12 and Ed (affectionately known as Eddie Bear) who is 6. I've been with my partner Paul since we met on holiday on the glorious Greek Island Zante way back in 1999.
These days, I'm what is known as Patient Experience Manager in a private dental practice in a beautiful little village in Cheshire, England. I am there to give our patients some personal attention and the time they need to discuss their dental options to make sure they are getting the right care and the right treatment for them as an individual.
I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up...except a yogi:)
2. When were you first introduced to yoga and what drew you to the practice?
The first time I ever heard of yoga was from my God Mother, Aunty Ann. She was and still is the calmest person I ever met. Softly spoken and wise... she did yoga! It wasn't until my teenage years when we had a yoga workshop in college that I had a chance to try it. Being the impatient rapscallion that I was, I recall lying in shavasana thinking to myself "what a boring waste of time this is, I have papers to write, friends to hang out with, the pub to go to..someone let me out" You can't put a wise head on young shoulders! At least not mine.
So I got on with my life, sporadically exercising in gyms and classes but never finding anything I loved. It was a chore.
I have always been an anxious person. A people pleaser and always the first to put myself down before anyone else could do it first. It wasn't until my eldest son was toddling that it occurred to me to give yoga another try. Well, it was actually a fusion of yoga and pilates, yogalates (do you see what they did there!).
3. How did you practice yoga before you found Grokker?
I would do the DVDs at home and this time it made some sense to me. I was older, maybe a bit wiser, but I knew that being healthy shouldn't feel like a chore and should come from the inside. It needed to be a lifestyle thing. I talked my Mum into attending a few classes with me too. We loved it.
Again, it slipped from my grasp though as Oliver started school and I needed to work more. I didn't have time to go to classes and the DVD' got a bit samey! I was adrift again. Life took over, we had our other son and I got sucked into the work, clean, iron, shop routine.
Its only this last 8 months that my eyes and heart have truly been opened. Until last summer, I had spent the previous 2 years working....hard. I had progressed from my dental nursing to working with one of the UK's leading dental implant surgeons in his new nationwide venture, providing full sets of fixed teeth for patients in just 1 day who had been living with dentures before.
I loved it. It was exciting and new, I had new levels of responsibility, and got to spend a lot of time talking to people in need who I could help...it was right up my street, But, it was also a new business. With new businesses come lots of teething problems (excuse the pun!) and I was dedicated to making it work. Sometimes I would work from home from 5am, only stopping to feed the family then carrying on until midnight. It was unhealthy and I knew it but I'd made a commitment and I stuck to it. Until we liquidated last summer.
4. I'm so sorry to hear that Kerry. How did you handle it?
To be honest, I breathed a sigh of relief. For about a week. Then reality hit home. My other half Paul was also out of work but for different reasons. He has suffered with his joints for a long time. A combo of too much football as a youngster, too many hours bent over kitchen worktops as a chef, and unlucky genetics had led to him needing his second spinal surgery.
He had already been off work for a year. He was pretty much housebound at the time and getting worse while on what seemed like the worlds longest hospital waiting list with zero idea of when the double disc replacement might take place.
So here we were, no jobs, and 2 children to take care of, but I needed to take care of Paul too.
I went into a panic. How could I please everyone, and get a new job and take care of my family and pay my way and the list goes on. I went into denial and dealt with the immediacies. I looked after Paul and the boys and I kept in touch with dental colleagues in case of any jobs but I knew I couldn't work with a housebound partner and 2 kids who needed me. Aaaargh. I took me a couple of months in "just survive the day" mode before I realised something had to change. And I knew that I already knew the answer.Yoga. I knew I needed some help to remain sane.
I googled. I found loads and loads of yoga online...Oh thank you internet! Yogi Nora was my first class. Then Esther Eckhart. In a few weeks, I found myself finding time everyday to do yoga! My mind relaxed, things became simpler, my body felt healed and rejuvenated. Something clicked.
When I found Grokker, it was like a gift for me. Having such a variety of wonderful classes and experts available at my fingertips any time.
I love how easy it is to access what I need when I need it, and the community aspect is great too. Its like a little private support network. Love it!
5. How does yoga affect your every day life? What long-term positive changes have come from it?
Now I'm back working in the same dental practice I started my dental career. My lovely boss practices yoga too so I don't get in trouble if I'm caught stretching in the surgery...he gets it! I can't always manage to fit a yoga in every day now, but I make sure its no less than 5 days each week and even Oliver has caught the yoga bug. Ed loves to copy me mid routine and knows loads of poses too! I run as well, 4 times a week and have been cajoled my 2 elder sisters into my first English Half Marathon in September. I find it to be quite meditative.
I find running and yoga hugely complimentary, the benefits are amazing. I am more positive and patient, less stressed and more accepting of what is. I have also become more interested in leading a "yogic" lifestyle and have embraced vegetarianism...still feeding the family meat though! I love that this is a journey. I'm not perfect, no where flippin near, but I'm practicing every day. Physically I've never been in better shape...but that's just a happy by-product of this wonderful journey...not the goal.
6. I feel so honored that you shared your story about finding yoga routines for your husband so that he can heal from his surgery. Has yoga helped him so far? Do you practice together?
At the moment, Paul is nearly 4 months post-op. The operation was successful, and he is recovering well. He has started a gentle exercise programme at the hospital and I'm grateful to the Grokker community for giving me hints and tips as to where he should start yoga-wise. My powers of persuasion are still trying to get him to actually do a class, but I'm working on him! I'd love to practice with him....I'll keep you posted!