I began as a lecturer in Acting, Dance and Movement Studies and branched out as a Boxercise tutor. Twelve years ago I became a Yoga teacher. I trained at a Yoga Alliance School in India. It was there that all the pieces of my life in movement came together. I found learning more about the breath and yoga philosophy opened my mind to vast possibilities.
Initially the revelation of the benefits of breathwork came during a long period of sleep deprivation after a new baby, coinciding with moving house and a new job with a lot of responsibility. It was the rescue remedy for me then and still is.
As a young person, the intense discipline of ballet and performing had nailed in the qualities of toughness and resilience. In many ways this was a great resource yet that same discipline meant that I didn’t pay attention to the little injuries or notice my bad habits. I ignored the need to soften and rest.
Being a yoga practitioner is not a replacement of anything I enjoy such as dancing and boxercise which have a powerful energetic connection. Yoga is the intelligent connector of space, movement and stillness and I prefer to weave the philosophical themes and breath into compassionate, varied and accessible classes. I see it now as a treasure box of possibilities and finding the space and words to guide a class is a huge privilege.
Yoga teaching has brought me students of all ages and abilities from UK schools to retreats in Africa. I now train people for Yoga Alliance to be yoga teachers themselves. May all of this continue to be my life’s work.
