I am a passionate teacher who has always loved to move my body. I began my love of movement from an early age and was involved with amateur dancing and singing/ performing to audiences around the South of England.
During my adult life I worked as a Fitness Instructor for well known Health Clubs and the community as a Group Exercise to Music Teacher in the 90's. I have taught all the latest trends from Aerobics to stretch classes. I've even been a Hip Hop/street dance teacher performing with a local dance troupe. I even taught to underprivileged children in my local area. This gave me a sense of real connection, excitement, pride and self-esteem, not to mention experience.
I discovered Yoga during my time as a fitness teacher, and so i trained in the style 'Freestyle Fitness Yoga' in 2003. This style is a hybrid group exercise/yoga programme incorporating yoga postures and sequences within a group exercise format. This was perfect for me at the time where I was looking for something a little more holistic to use my existing skills as a fitness teacher. This was also a perfect opportunity for exercise enthusiasts to have a 'taste' of yoga that was very modern, accepting in health clubs and non-intimidating.
In 2004 I became an Exercise Specialist/Heath and Fitness Coach within a blue chip company in Canary Wharf, UK. Here i learnt a huge amount about the corporate world and the stress and rush culture that came with it. This was a real eye opener!! I became very involved with teaching many classes, the smooth running of the centre, health/fitness assessments and one2ones. This was a very high pressured culture of rush and stress! My job was equally stressful meeting clients demands in a banking environment!
After a long break from the Health and Fitness world whilst bringing up two boys, I needed something that would be kinder on my body AND still ignite my passion of movement. This is when i decided to embark on a full Yoga qualification to enhance my skills as an already existing teacher of movement. But to also learn Yoga asana more in depth and learn the routes and lineage of Yoga and philosophy. I completed my 350 hrs Yoga qualification in 2019 with Jayne Nicholls UK Fitness and Yoga entrepreneur and creator of Freestyle Fitness Yoga ® via her Group X Training organisation.
My yoga style is very freestyle and i am influenced via anatomy/fitness/group exercise, dance and a massage background. I update my skills on a regular basis and I have just completed an extra 40hrs in Core Strength Vinyasa® Teachers Revolution Training certification with Sadie Nardini (US) and 40 hours Restorative Training through Anya Hawkes Core Revolution UK.
My current yoga reflects everything I have learnt over the years and I use an holistic approach to create a modern flow vinyasa yoga. I enjoy injecting passion and freedom of movement to all my students. My classes are playful and fun and I use anatomy cues to help my students really understand the importance of 'finding their own way' and to take ownership of their own body via self-adjustment under my expert guidance. Space and freedom of expression in class is very important. Everyone is very much supported on their own unique journey.
I use meditation and a little philosophy from Western and Eastern influences into my classes. I use very little Sanskrit as I feel that this is an area where many of my students just prefer just to move. Although we have some rather interesting and quirky names for some poses! ;0)
I can work with individuals on a one to one from beginners to the more experienced. My interest is anatomy and physiology, holistic health, and helping those to find freedom and space in their body to get the very best out of the postures.
I don't teach poses such as headstands that could potentially lead to injury AND needing more specialist instruction. My classes are 'doable' and modern from the outset. I move away from a traditional linear way of teaching and instead adopt a less rigid/dogmatic approach to classes. My intention is for everyone to feel fitter, mobile, confident, calmer and more in tune with their mind and body. To literally just 'enjoy' that feeling of spaciousness and energy! And live a life that brings a connection to yourself and the world around you...bringing more health benefits and joy.
I ALWAYS encourage everyone to go at a pace that brings them freedom. In class we soften down and chill, re-set the body whenever anything becomes overwhelming. But i equally encourage a fierceness to help all my students feel more confident about their body, release negative energy and step into their power!!
All my classes offer the opportunity to progress and challenge yourself further. For those with less experience or who don't want to choose the more challenging options, modifications/adaptations are always available! It is all about a healthy BALANCE...on and off the mat!
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