I am a yoga teacher based in Jevington, East Sussex. I teach in Jevington, Wannock and East Dean and Friston villages. I have over 6000 hours teaching experience.

A little bit about my style of teaching......

I have over 20 years yoga experience. In that time, I have studied lots of different styles and have picked (what I think are) the best bits….

For me, yoga is about ownership and responsibility; mindfulness, acceptance and kindness.

It is about moving in a way that is helpful; being able to tune into your own body and mind and do what is right for you at that particular moment.

As a teacher my aim is to help people do just that. So that my students are empowered to listen to their bodies and move accordingly. Brilliantly, if we approach yoga properly, it is necessarily non-competitive. It just doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing or can do. We are all different so what we need to do will be different. Only you know what you are feeling and what feels ok and what doesn’t.

Mostly, people seem to think yoga is about flexibility, it is a bit I guess, but it’s so much more besides. It’s about giving yourself space, in mind and body. It’s about building strength and functional range of movement. It’s about excepting your body’s limits and working with kindness so that progression is steady and safe and useful. It is about working with the body’s nervous system responses and finding an easy path back to relaxation. Yoga encourages you to be present which decreases anxiety and stress.

All of these things help us to function better. They can translate into the real world so that we can remain calm, think clearly, improve decision making, be more efficient, sit & move comfortably, build positive relationships and frankly be more content.

Yoga is a way of life.

So, back to my teaching…..

I like movement that flows with the breath. I teach progressive movements so there is something for everyone and so students learn that it’s ok to stop. My classes are fun. We laugh. Imagination is encouraged. I like questions.

I work through the body so over the course of a few weeks we look at everything from backs and hips to fingers and toes. We have 360 joints in our bodies, they all need to move and they all need to be strong.

I look at what is going on for people and run my classes accordingly. So, if someone comes in with a shoulder issue and that’s appropriate for the rest of the class, we will look at shoulders.

Ultimately, I like to structure sequences that encourage a smooth transition through poses. The aim is to create an easy flowing rhythmic series of movements which stretch, heal, cleanse and give us space – in the body and in the mind. The breath plays a key role in this…..

Students are encouraged to develop an understanding and awareness of their own bodies. We work with strength, range of movement, flexibility and core stability, all to a backdrop of the breath. We look at how the body works & stress individual sensitivity, so people are directed towards a safe and fulfilling yoga practice.

My own practice is a mix these days. For years, it was Ashtanga but eventually my body needed a more considered approach with a variety of poses that could accommodate the change that comes with age and injury. I like my practice to flow, so I play. I pick postures and movements that feel right for that moment and still maintain a nice rhythm. Recently, I have studied with Cecily @yogadetour and Kathryn Bruni-young @mindfulness strength. I bring all these experiences and awareness to my teaching. Introducing practices to increase strength and functional range of movement. So that what you will learn will translate to what you need to do; day to day. Identifying areas of weakness and targeting them so that you stay mobile and strong.

I teach a range of classes from beginner’s up. I specialize in addressing specific problems and offer a safe, welcoming and jolly class environment…

A bit of other stuff....

Its all about the wildlife. I love wide open spaces, walking the downs with my dog Peg and riding-fast. Stars, the moon, the sea, dawn, sunset and waterfalls. I love watching monkeys and mountain gorillas; manta rays, sharks and dolphins. The wisdom of elephants and the stupidity of whale sharks. The chattering of swallows and the dance of fireflies…. Wild things on their terms, in their world. I believe in friendships that last a lifetime, in loyalty and laughter. I believe in accepting what is and smiling, if you can….