Founder Biography

 Yoga, for me, is a fun way of exercising and relaxing, through breath and movement, that I use to help me navigate my path through life’s ups and downs. I have throughout my life practiced all sorts of movement, flexibility and strength training programmes, from karate since age 6 to running,  swimming, aerobics, weight training, pilates, circuits, HIIT, horse riding, dance, and I still enjoy a good strength building gym workout. In my mature years I realise that I have always pursued activity and body movement.  So practicing and teaching yoga is for me an extension of this quest. None of the movement types I have practiced have been holistic. All have left areas of my physical body stiff, sore, underdeveloped, overdeveloped, over exerted, under exerted  or given me injuries through strain and repetitive movements. I have come to know that our bodies were designed to move in many ways and  and my business aims to signpost participants, not judging or preaching, to move in diverse ways with greater ease. 

As a yoga teacher I see myself as ‘a guide on the side, not a sage on the stage’. I have a mission to ensure my classes are accessible and inclusive. I aim to serve clients from diverse ages, cultures, ethnicities and a range of body sizes and abilities. I particularly welcome my curvy sisters and Black and Minority Ethnic persons, underrepresented in yoga classes generally.  I am mindful to avoid cultural appropriation and so I honour traditional yoga, use Sanskrit posture names, and talk briefly about yoga philosophy so that we can engage in the fullness of yoga, otherwise it isn't Yoga. I persist in offering variations and modifications to ensure accessibility and inclusivity,  with a chair based class and I encourage students to use chair, wall, block and strap options in other classes too. I offer optional postures and supports to ensure yoga is achievable, as I believe yoga is therapy for many health conditions. Yoga can support people towards an improved range of movement, pain relief, improved physical and mental health and enjoyment of life. 

Having had many injuries in my life: back pain, degenerative disc disease, broken leg, sprained ankles, broken wrists and abdominal surgery to name but some, I am a walking advert for what a dedicated program of self-help through yoga can do to benefit physical and mental health. I hope that with me, students can achieve a balanced attitude towards health and fitness. I am not about wearing expensive lycra and achieving a certain body image. I wish we could all be happy with what we see in the mirror. I am a great believer in honouring where we are at with our bodies at this moment in time, and working with that. I aim for my students to listen to their bodies and minds and respect what they are feeling. 

I teach students to tune into themselves and start from where they are. I can share the tools I have picked up along my life’s journey so fellow aspiring yogis can achieve what they have come to Yoga for. I love a good rest in Savasana and I hope you do too! Meditation really does help to curb the noisy chatter and negative self talk that goes on in our minds.

Education and training:

· Life and wisdom through the ups and downs of the journey

· Yoga Teacher (200 hours) accredited by Yoga Alliance Professionals (YAP)

40 hours Restorative Yoga (YAP)

· Mindfulness and meditation lead practitioner (primary school and community based)

· Experienced Primary School teacher of over 35 years

· School Improvement Service Consultant

Extensive leadership training

Coaching training

· Qualified Headteacher NPQH

· Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

· German and Art History Joint Honours Degree

Yoga Teaching Experience:

· Gym settings

· School settings

· Adult one to one yoga coach

· Small, large, or individual groups

Finally;

Yoga is a quest for union of body, mind, spirit and ‘feeling of at oneness’ with the universe and everything outside of you: all creation. This really resonates with me. ‘Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds,’ as the great man Bob Marley once said, is an iconic lyric I try to take with me on life’s journey. Yoga amongst other healthy pursuits helps me find freedom from the perpetual ups and downs of life!

I am of Anglo-Indian heritage. My father was born in India and came to the UK when he was two. My Anglo Indian grandma was from Bengaluru, South India. I am also of Spanish, Irish and English heritage. My mother is English. Yoga, for me, is a ‘going back to my roots’ journey of self-discovery.

I wish the whole world understood yoga and practiced it, taking yoga philosophy into all areas of their lives. However, I don’t over-complicate the yoga message and aim to not alienate anyone from the experience. I use Sanskrit and English posture (asana) names and follow yamas and niyamas as a code of ethics. Through my classes I hope for my students to achieve clarity of thought, full body strength, flexibility, integrity in  form and function and relaxation – creating for ourselves an oasis of tranquillity to carry through that day and into the next day. 

For my on-line customers, my home yoga ‘Calm Corner’ is a true safe space I have created to share with you. 

Namaste.

Welcome!