I first came to yoga at university and then thirty years ago discovered Iyengar yoga through my mother and under the guidance of my first teachers, Ursula Schoonraad, John Shirbon and John Claxton, all who inspired me individually.
While working in international policy and juggling work and travel with my young family, it was yoga which helped keep the balance. I began teacher training with Ursula and subsequently Sheila Haswell which deepened my practice further and I have enjoyed teaching a variety of classes since I qualified in 2009 and ten years later I qualified as a Level 3 teacher. I continue to study regularly with Sheila, Julie Hodges, Julie Brown and Uday Bhosale; their wisdom, patience and in depth teaching have been all inspiring and they provide invaluable guidance and support in my practice and teaching.
As a student and teacher I continue to be challenged on the vast subject of yoga. I continue to study yoga philosophy, studying the meanings and Sanskrit of the Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and applying them to my practice and everyday life. I attend workshops, exchange of learning days and conventions across the UK, led by senior teachers including teachers from India and the Institute in Pune, including the all inspiring Abhijata Iyengar, granddaughter of BKS Iyengar and Mr Iyengar’s late daughter Geeta. I feel forever grateful to have been a recipient of her last days of devoted teaching and wisdom during my visit to Pune in 2018, including being taught by his son Prashant and Abhijata at the Centenary celebrations of Mr Iyengar’s birth.
Yoga brings only benefits: to my health and well-being, to my attitude to life and dealing with its challenges, on a personal level and in the wider world. The teaching and sharing of yoga is so rewarding, even more as I continue to learn and develop through my students.