I began practicing yoga in 1998 at the age of 28 and for around six years I took a weekly Hatha class - what ever was available and fitted my work schedule. Then life threw up some of its tricky times and I found that my yoga practice helped me so much. I began practicing ashtanga yoga and began practicing at home as well as taking classes.
As my practice deepened and became more central to my life I decided that I needed to take time out of my daily schedule and travel to India to study for several months in Mysore with Sri K Patabi Jois. During that time I also took courses in Sanskrit, Chanting and Yoga Philosophy.
This trip was a life changing experience for me and when I returned to the UK I made changes to my working life so I could have more time for yoga.
At first I began teaching family and friends at their request. Then I took two teacher trainings in 2008 with David Swenson and in 2014 with John Scott, both senior ashtanga practitioners. I return regularly to India for periods of practice there. I also practice Vipasana meditation in the Burmese Theravada tradition.
I have found that over the years my practice has become more gentle and more meditative. My ashtanga practice is extremely useful for maintaining my physical strength / stamina and preventing deterioration of the slight scoliosis in my back. But most fundamentally, yoga balances my mind.
To me, it is endlessly fascinating how subtlety of movement within the physical body can be used to release habitual movement patterns, break down physical and psychological tension and allow our life force to flow with more ease. I absolutely love teaching and having the opportunity to pass on some of the teaching that I have been lucky enough to receive.
