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About

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I love sharing what I have learned: teaching people evidence-based approaches to reduce stress and feel better. I have become the teacher that I was looking for years ago, when I was trying various yoga and meditation classes and self-help approaches that were useful, but didn't quite help in the way I needed at the time.  I have experience and understanding of stress and anxiety, having worked for 12 years in demanding desk-based jobs; including in an NHS hospital.  I have been teaching yoga since 2013, a massage therapist since 2014, and mindfulness teacher since 2015.

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As well as teaching mat-based yoga, I specialise in chair yoga for adults, and teach regular private chair yoga classes locally in care home and retirement village settings.

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My approach to teaching is caring, personal, interactive and fun.  I am passionate about functional movement training that enhances our ability to feel comfortable in our bodies amidst the demands of daily life.  I engage in continuous learning and exploration of what it means to be human, how to ease suffering, grow compassionate action and increase joy and love.  I am passionate about understanding how neuroscience, trauma and psychology connect with the practices of yoga and mindfulness, rooted in the deep wisdom of ancient Indian cultures.  I make use of my gift of sensitivity to hold warm and encouraging spaces for other humans to connect, play and heal.

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Aside from all that, I enjoy strength training, playing the ukulele and singing in a choir, and roaming the beautiful countryside around Stonehouse with my husband.

Yoga and Mindfulness

​There is a reason why the NHS prescribes courses in Mindfulness: a large body of research proves that it helps people reduce stress and anxiety, and feel happier.

 

For me the joy of yoga is as a mindfulness practice, connecting with sensations of body and breath in the present moment, and exploring strength and flexibility while practising acceptance and kindness towards the body and mind.

 

“Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding, the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as birdwings.” – Rumi

 

I have been practising yoga since 2006, and discovered benefits of a daily practice of yoga and meditation for maintaining physical and mental balance and counteracting stress.  I love travelling, and have worked and studied at yoga retreat centres in various countries.  I attend regular teacher-led silent meditation retreats (with teachers such as Kirsten Kratz, Chris Cullen, Christina Feldman, John Peacock, Martine Batchelor, Jaya Rudgard and Jenny Wilkes), and weave mindfulness into my life as a continual practice.

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Certification / professional development (CPD):

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2013

  • 200 Hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher training in Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Frog Lotus Yoga

 

2014

  • 'Intelligent sequencing' CPD with Whitespace Yoga

  • CPD on Anatomy and Physiology with Sam Rao Yoga

  • MBSR 8 week Mindfulness course with Mindfulness West

  • Teacher training on Mindful Chair Yoga with Whitecloud Wellness

  • City and Guilds level 3 qualifications in Massage Therapy and Anatomy and Physiology

 

2015

  • Yoga mentoring workshops with Claire Murphy

  • Meditation mentoring sessions with Marianne Brady of Mindfulness West

  • 'Yoga for Adults with Special Needs' with Special Yoga

  • 'Therapeutic Gentle Yoga' with Special Yoga

 

2016

  • 'Integrating Trauma and Anxiety' with Claire Murphy and Jane Evans

  • Mindfulness Teacher Training Level 1 with Bangor University

  • Specialist Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teacher Training with Bangor University

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2017

  • Mindful Inquiry workshop with Bangor University

  • 'Moving from the Core' yoga workshop with Donna Farhi

  • 'Sequencing for Multi-Level Classes' with Dawn Wright

  • 'Working with Injuries' with Deborah Berryman

  • Completion of Part 1 Mindfulness Teacher Training Pathway with Bangor University

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2018

  • Mindfulness Group Process workshop with Bangor University

  • CPD workshops with Cecily Milne of Yoga Detour

  • 'Move Your DNA' workshop with Jeanette Loram

  • Inspire and Evolve teacher training retreat with Dawn Wright

  • Mindful Strength training with Kathryn Bruni-Young

  • Alexander Technique lessons with Joanna Greaves

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2020

  • Yoga Reloaded teacher training with Hannah Stewart and Emma Epton

  • Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness training with David Treleaven

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Ongoing participation and learning from Kathryn Bruni-Young's online programmes, including:

Bone Builders, Strong Mobility, Strong to the Core.

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