My Yoga Journey

My first love was dance, particularly ballet. As a young child I attended regular classes, and also gymnastics & horse riding. 

​

At one point, it was being planned, by my dance teacher to begin the application for a stage school in London.

​

My life would have taken a whole different trajectory had I pursued this course of action!

​

I married young, happily, and after our first son was born, I discovered Pilates to help regain, or should I say reclaim, my body!

​

Then with two sons, I returned to adult dance classes, including ballet, and was involved in some major local shows.

​

I share this part of my life story as an example of my passion in the human body; the grace, the form, the possibilities, the freedom, the expression and looking back now, and knowing what I know, the transcendence from the mundane world of matter.

​

I have always 'known' of a world beyond our physical eyes, beyond the limitations of our 5 sense perception.

​

“...you realize that all along there was something tremendous within you, and you did not know it.” — Paramahansa Yogananda

I began a spiritual journey to make sense of it all - I now understand this to be Self-Realisation - A lifetimes work. There was a yearning deep within me, that no amount of materiality would quell. I now know this to be a spiritual awakening and I had to respond to my soul call. I could just say it was Yoga and end it here, as this one word would explain it all but I will give more of my story.

​

When I left school, as a young teenager I was sure I wanted to be a Hairdresser; I loved the world of fashion and I could express my creativity.

After many years of this I would come to realise that I wanted to work on a deeper level with my clients. I returned to adult education and trained in Anatomy & physiology, Holistic Massage, Reflexology & Aromatherapy.

I was reading many books from the spirituality and healing categories at this time and after one particular book on Reiki Healing, I decided to meet the author and so I became a student, all the way and following years of practice, to Reiki Master teacher.

​

Reiki Healing was my introduction to the subtle anatomy, to energy work and spirituality. I was 'in deep', I was finding my way.

​

I built a private practice, working from a log cabin in the Garden of England, working around prioritising family life. As a newly qualified therapist, I volunteered at a local hospice; there is an innate desire to share this work and to be of service to others. Here I met a fellow volunteer, much more experienced at life than me. He would be a constant inspiration, a client and friend. You know when you have that someone in your life who quietly gives you gifts and insights, that you realise later, how profound and meaningful they were. A deeper awakening happens.

​

One particular gift was a book called 'Autobiography of a Yogi; By the great Indian Guru: Paramahansa Yogananda. This would be life-changing;

"I keep stacks of autobiography of a Yogi around the house, and I give it out constantly to people. When people need regrooving I say read this, because it cuts to the heart of every religion." - George Harrison

​

I did not read this book 'properly' straight away, I had a flick through some of it's pages; it would take me years to read it. And re-read and refer to.

​

I was in my thirties around this time, I now had been blessed with 3 sons. I felt a 'calling' and began to research local Yoga classes, which I attended for about a year, once a week.

​

I liked the physical postures; some were challenging, I was particularly struck with some of the teachers cues; parallel the feet, flex the foot; this was completely contrary to the 'turn out' and 'point' of ballet! It felt rather ugly to me. But the movement in the body felt good, beneficial, healing. It wasn't 'it' though.

​

I journeyed in, deeper on my own, using books & DVD's (YouTube had not been born yet). One book in particular 'Light on Yoga' by BKS Iyengar gave weekly courses to build your practice on, and a deeper delve into Yogic philosophy.

​

This lit me up, I needed to hear the wisdom in the philosophy; I was a truth-seeker, who had found a glimpse into the ancient science and philosophy of Yoga. I was (and still am) a spiritual aspirant finding access to India's perennial promise of God-realisation.

This once kept hidden, underground, and on the most lofty level, Yoga, the spiritual legacy of India, is now accessible as practice and experience to all who aspire to know God - the Divine, the Source of all things, (or whatever name resonates with you), not in the beyond but in the here & now...

​​

Making Yoga from it's ancient roots, relevant for our lives now, today.

​

Once you 'know' something you cannot unknow, you do not return to being naïve. You naturally desire to want more. And although I was constantly pursuing my spiritual evolution through many modalities, the beauty of Yoga is that it must be experienced - not merely a philosophy to be studied academically; a practice for life.

​

Yoga was answering my questions, in a way like never before; bringing light in the darkness, confirming Truth to me in a form I could understand and resonate with - it was making sense of the chaos and madness of our world. And maybe ironically, I was learning more about religion and Christianity and the relationship between religion & science. Which are the core of Yoga.

​​

I have previously written about how a spiritual practice (Yoga) will transform your life;

​

                                                   - from darkness to light

                                                   - from loneliness to connection

                                                   - from suffering to liberation

                                                   - from spiritual ignorance to wisdom and understanding.

These are not my words and come from a higher source - but I can honestly say are my experience - of course it is a daily lifetime's work & discipline.

Life is constantly; dramatic, challenging, suffering, relentless, cruel, unjust... I was being guided to peace and joy as my natural state of being, I was learning how to cultivate a calm equanimous mind, how to respond as opposed to react, how to understand emotions and connect to my soul, that is always whole, perfect and complete, no matter what life was throwing my way, no matter what was going on externally, I can control my internal world/landscape. All I have to do is not allow the human-ness (ego) to get in the way! You see why it is called a practice and a lifetimes work!

​

To touch upon some of life's challenges; not even a year into our marriage, my husband was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - Over the many years this has brought detrimental, life-changing consequences. In 2013, he suffered a significant heart attack - He was rejected for a heart transplant, for being 'unstable', it nearly took his life. He survived, but is left with, to add to his suffering, heart failure.

​

Over the years, as is part of all our lives, I have experienced death and loss. Too many times to suicide. I have witnessed great suffering.

However, in 2016, my beloved Dad passed, the most profound and painful loss for me. I hadn't ever known a world without him.

Thank God I had established a regular, daily meditation practice (from a primordial sound meditation course with the Chopra centre). Thank God I had found Yoga. Nothing could have supported and comforted me better.

​

Earlier this same year my husband had a defibrillator fitted - in case he goes into cardiac arrest.

My journey with Yoga,and it's philosophy, has explained death to me.

​

All my life experience,and studying, including bereavement counselling training, has led to this point in my life, where there is a strong desire and calling to share this spiritual work more widely - to guide others into themselves, through the wisdom of Yoga.

​

In 2017, I took a leap of faith and began adventuring farther a field into the big wide world. I attended my first Yoga retreat in Thailand with Cole Chance. I was reluctant to return home so soon, but it prompted me to sign up for a 500 hour teacher-training in Yoga with Alanna Kaivalya - to deepen my knowledge and experience, and  be better able to share the teachings with others.

​

I added on a Yin Yoga teacher training with Kassandra Reinhardt and a few other courses.  

​

In 2019, after years of a great longing, I made it to India! The joy is indescribable, this magical sacred place; birthplace of Yoga, surpassed, infinitely, any dreams or imaginings I had previously had.

​

Then during the pandemic of 2020, I studied Inner Engineering with Sadhguru.

I was recording classes & sharing them with my students on YouTube, as they could no longer attend in person.

​

After the pandemic, my one to one private in-person Yoga classes resumed and I was able to offer my therapies again.

​

During all of this time, and after completely reading,  Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, I wanted to deepen my Yogic philosophy studies and had become a student of The Self-Realisation Fellowship - Founded in 1920 by Paramahansa Yogananda, whose mission to bring Yoga from India to the West was being realised. He introduced truth-seekers to the ancient science and philosophy of Yoga and its universally applicable methods of meditation.

​

Paramahansa Yogananda's spiritual and humanitarian work is now widespread worldwide.

​

"...Paramahansa Yogananda has placed within the reach of all, the most exalted methods of contemplation."

​

After taking a sacred pledge, my years of study, and being accepted, I am now a disciple of the Self-Realisation Fellowship; whilst maintaining family life and being a 'house-holder', as is described and recommended in the Bhagavad -Gita, by Krishna to Arjuna.

​

To my very best ability, this is my life-style. I am intuitively guided by God and Guru each and every day.

​

My intention is to bring true Yoga and Meditation; there is a missing element and understanding in much of today's Yoga - the true spiritual aspect; union with Spirit - communion with God.

​

I continue offering my services to my clients and students.

​

I am also in the midst of taking my offerings online; to be of service in the wider world.

​

It is my honour and joy to share the sacred, healing, transformative Yoga with you all...

​

                                                                Aum. Shanti. Peace. Amen.

​

I bow down to all my teachers, with reverence, humility and deepest gratitude.

​

If I can help you to navigate your life journey, or whether in times of grief and loss, with more comfort, more clarity, compassion and grace - please reach out - I am here for you.

​

​

​

​

​