My yoga & PILATES journey
The early days
I have been practicing yoga for 20+ years, training in lots of different styles all across the world.
Using yoga to recover from long covid
After an initially mild illness in early March 2020, I soon went on to develop many of the symptoms of long covid: crushing fatigue, brain fog, restlessness, insomnia, headaches, body aches, nausea, digestive issues - any many more.
It was an incredible stressful time, with days - or even weeks - spent in bed or on the sofa, totally unable to maintain any kind of normal activities.
After a while, I was able to come back to what I knew had helped my before at various points in my life: yoga. First I used yoga to find relaxation and to reset my nervous system, going from a state of profound flight-or-flight to a calmer state through Yoga Nidra and Restorative yoga. Then I moved to find gentle yoga, with a focus on somatic movement to reconnect to my body and find movement. Then as my health started to recover, I used more movement through Slow Flow and found a deeper meditation practice to maintain a sense of clam, especially as I returned to work.
(Read more here about how yoga can support long covid and what I found worked for me - coming soon.)
Becoming a yoga teacher to share the benefits of yoga
Inspired by my personal experience, I started teacher training so that I can share yoga with others. I graduated from Yogacampus' 16-month 200-hour course in April 2023.
Using Pilates to regain strength, tone & vitality
In 2021 my long covid physio turned me onto Pilates — and I was hooked: after only 5 sessions, I felt an inch taller, stronger and had more energy.
To share the benefits of Pilates, I am training as a STOTT PILATES Trained Instructor. I love seeing my clients get fitter, stronger and more aware of their bodies.
My teaching style
I teach welcoming and beginner-friendly yoga but with plenty of detail to challenge and interest more advanced students.
My focus is on effective and simple (but not always easy!) poses, sequences, and practices.
The style and intensity of yoga that I teach depends according to the needs of the students, ranging from Vinyasa to Hatha to Restorative. I am especially passionate about Restorative and Slow Flow yoga, in part because they helped kickstart my recovery and bring my mind and body into more balance. I also assist senior teacher, Adelene Cheong, during her weekly Restorative class at triyoga Shoreditch.
My well-rounded classes incorporate all aspects of yoga -- movement, breath, mindfulness/meditation -- but to varying degrees depending on the class or student.
My goals as a yoga teacher
I offer students an antidote to modern life; its stresses and busyness, its striving and pushing. Students can tune inwards, and build strength and flexibility in body and mind. Students leave class feeling stronger and more empowered, calmer, and more centered.
If this sounds interesting to you, I hope we can work together to bring yoga into your life in a way that supports your goals in life.
Contact me here to talk about how yoga might help you or look at my classes here.