I began practising yoga (of a sort!) in London 10 years ago, mainly to compliment my passion for long distance running and triathlons. I used to practice from various videos of Vinyasa Flow yoga in my cramped little flat and was surprised initially at how challenging it was, despite considering myself to be reasonably fit. I was increasingly intrigued  by what I was watching and the physical challenge spurred me on to do more – to “persevere”. Little did I know at that stage that yoga was going to have such a profound impact on my life. 

I relocated to Tokyo in 2002 and continued my hectic career as a corporate lawyer, but the move there and my chance meeting with  Leza Lowitz , Director of a soon to be opened yoga studio (Sun and Moon Yoga Tokyo) changed my life for good. I began practicing with Leza, and was her first and sometimes only student at the new studio in the beginning, I quickly began fitting in classes whenever I could, often four or five times a week. I adored the practice, finding an oasis in the hubbub of Tokyo and a peace unlike anything I had experienced before. From my first class with Leza, I knew I wanted to teach  - I felt it deeply and from that moment was dedicated to learning everything I could in all aspects of yoga - the physical, the theoretical and spiritual.

 The growth of Leza’s studio exposed me to the dynamic practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. It felt like a natural progression and I absolutely loved it. I began a regular Mysore style practice under the guidance of Tarik Thami (Mysore-Tokyo).

 In 2006 I relocated to Sydney, Australia. As fate would have it, I was forced to make a career decision and decided to leave my legal career behind for good. I gained my Yoga Alliance Certification with Yoga Arts in Byron Bay (Louisa Sear), and then moved back to Sydney to immediately take up an Ashtanga teaching apprenticeship with North Sydney Yoga and begin teaching. I travelled to Mysore, India, the source of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in early 2008 to study with Sri K Patthabi Jois (the founder) and his grandson Sharath Rangaswamy. I have been fortunate to continue my studies under the Ashtanga lineage with many amazing teachers. In particular I study regularly with Graeme and Leonie Northfield, both of whom have had a tremendous influence on my practice and teaching. I have also attended numerous inspiring workshops with Dena Kingsberg, John Scott, Louise Ellis, Natalia Paisano, Petri Raisinen, and in particular, David Swenson’s Teacher’s Intensive. Other major influences have also been drawn from workshops with Duncan Wong, Claire Missingham, Simon Bourg- Olivier and pranayama and meditation with Clive Sheriden.

 I returned to the UK and moved to Leamington Spa in December 2009. I am very excited to  come “home” (I’m originally from Balsall Common) and share my passion for yoga.

Through yoga, my belief is to cultivate awareness and emulate nature in finding peace and balance in life - an equilibrium, the natural state. This applies to all aspects,  be it asana, pranayama or meditation. For strength there has to be softness, for energy there has to be relaxation, for direction there has to be reflection. The subtleties of the practice translate into all areas of life, in all its states, and in all its changes, as they ebb and flow.

 Aside from yoga, I am also a Certified Personal Trainer and Advanced Fitness Instructor (Level III) registered in the UK with the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and recognised internationally (equivalent to the Australian PT Level IV). I have certification in Pre and Post-natal Exercise, Exercise for Older Adults, Health Screening and Fitness Testing, Functional and Sport Specific Training, Core Stability Training and Diet, Nutrition and Weight Management. In particular I have a keen interest in injury rehabilitation and also applying the benefits of yoga in the training programmes for specific sports, particularly running, swimming, cycling, golf, tennis, rugby, football and athletics.