The yoga that I practice and teach explores the classical postures (or asanas) of traditional Hatha yoga through the natural movements of each individual body. This is yoga not for exercise, but for ‘innercise’ – reconnecting with our body, our nervous system and, ultimately, our sense of Self.
It is not about striving to attain and hold complex physical postures, but rather about learning to feel how your body needs to move today. In the memorable words of one of my students, my classes involve “less movement, but better movement”. The experience is at once both gentle and incredibly powerful. With time, this practice can have a profound effect on both physical and emotional wellbeing.
The approach is inspired by the work of Vanda Scaravelli who adapted the teachings of her teacher, Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, to address the impact of the modern, sedentary lifestyle on Western bodies and posture.
I owe a deep debt of gratitude to Jenny Beeken, co-founder of the Scaravelli-inspired Inner Yoga Trust, who helped guide my exhausted body and mind back to health through remedial yoga classes, retreats and, eventually a 3-year, 500 hour yoga teacher training course which I completed in 2018.
In addition to Jenny and other senior Inner Yoga teachers, my teaching is influenced by other Scaravelli-inspired teachers including Sandra Sabatini, Michal Havak and Bill Wood. I have undertaken additional training in the neuroscience of slow, mindful yoga (with Kristine Weber) and in yoga nidra (Uma Dinsmore-Tuli and Nirlipta Tuli). I am also inspired to learn more about the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education which I feel complements this gentle yet deep approach to yoga perfectly.
