Suzanne first came across a yoga class at university and then thirty years ago began practising Iyengar yoga inspired by her mother and under the guidance of her first teachers, Ursula Schoonraad, John Shirbon and John Claxton.
While working in international policy and juggling work with her young family, it was yoga which helped keep the balance. Qualifying as an Iyengar yoga teacher in 2009 deepened her practice further and she currently enjoys teaching a variety of classes, now qualified as a Level 3 teacher, from children aged 7 upwards to adults up to their 80s. Yoga is for everyone and the props used in Iyengar make it all the more accessible.
As a student and teacher Suzanne continues to be challenged on the vast subject of yoga. She regularly attends classes with senior teachers: Julie Hodges, Sheila Haswell, Julie Brown and Uday Bhosale; their wisdom, patience and in depth teaching have been all inspiring and they provide invaluable guidance and support in her practice and teaching. Suzanne attends additional workshops, exchange of learning days and conventions across the UK, led by senior teachers including from India and the Institute in Pune, including the all inspiring Abhijata Iyengar, granddaughter of BKS Iyengar and Mr Iyengar’s late daughter Geeta. Suzanne feels grateful to have been a recipient of Geeta’s last days of devoted teaching and wisdom in Pune in 2018, including being taught by Mr Iyengar’s son Prashant and Abhijata.
Suzanne believes yoga brings only benefits: to our health and well-being, to our attitude to life and dealing with its challenges, on a personal level and in the wider world. The teaching and sharing of yoga is always rewarding, even more as Suzanne continues to learn and develop in her own practice and understanding.