The Rock and Roll Yogi: Lisa Foster

Lisa Foster is a smiling and vibrant 45 year old woman who frankly states:

"From the neck down I have the body of a 17 year old. Forget plastic surgery!"

But it wasn't always this way.

A former press and television music journalist, Lisa revelled in her rock and roll lifestyle but kept experiencing reoccurring health problems. Her health had been a problem even as a teenager, in particular around her menstrual cycle. At 19 she was involved in a car accident which smashed part of her spine. Her rehabilitation involved several months of therapy in order just to get some movement back. It was after this accident, that Lisa first chose yoga as a way to improve her spine and pain levels.

"I had known about Andrzej Gospodarczyk, (a leading teacher of yoga and proponent of Chinese medicine), and I had heard how brilliant he was with injury."

Lisa found that by practising certain yoga exercises, just twice a week, assisted her to make a full recovery.

At 28, still suffering from extreme menstrual pain and hormonal imbalances, and believing like many women "that was just how it was," Lisa had one last consultation with a medical doctor, who promptly told her she was 'infertile from endometriosis and should have a full hysterectomy because of the pain level'.

Lisa was furious. She says: " I changed my diet considerably but not into anything that cut out everything I liked. I did however stop drinking huge amounts of alcohol and started doing specific yoga exercises to assist with the problem. That was it. I knew within 3 weeks I FELT BETTER. Quite simply years and years of pain, 80% better in just three months proved to me that if I could do it, other women could too."

Soon after Lisa made the decision to became a full time yoga teacher and after studying Ryoho yoga is now one of Australia's top teachers.

Lisa had her daughter, Kirri, naturally at 40, after conceiving quickly. She specialises in women's health, teaches children about physiology in schools and is a qualified nutritionist, based in Manly.

" I want women to know that you don't have to suffer, and you don't have to make huge changes to get amazing results. I still love rock and roll, and I'm the laziest person on earth, so if I can do it, they can too."

Lisa Foster will be leading the Nudie Juices Australia's Largest Yoga Session on September 18 at Martin Place. Everyone is welcome to come and try a Nudie and some great yoga moves at 12.30pm.