I have practised yoga most of my life. I have a childhood memory of watching yoga on TV and sitting in the lotus position. As an older child and young teenager, I used to dance – and ballet was my favourite. I started attending yoga classes when I came to Sheffield as a student in the late '80s and got hooked. I enjoyed the physical gracefulness, which reminded me of ballet, and I also enjoyed the 'sleep' at the end of the class! In the mid '90s, yoga helped me through the birth of both my children. I have had the opportunity to practise and explore yoga for many years now and It continues to be an essential part of my daily life.
My yoga experience and trainingI have been a yoga student in my adopted home of Sheffield for over 30 years. I have attended classes in Iyengar yoga, Ashtanga, Kundalini and Bikram. I continue to attend classes with Chris Noon and Hannah Penn at Sheffield Yoga School. They run workshops and retreats and teach in the satyananda style. You can find out more at www.sheffieldyogaschool.co.uk.
My yoga style and philosophyYoga is an ancient practice. It has been adapted over the centuries to become a number of distinct approaches; these days you will hear people talk of Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Hatha and so on. Having had training in many yoga disciplines, I do not claim to be a specific kind of yoga teacher; rather, I teach yoga that is accessible to all. Here in the West, yoga classes often focus solely on the physical aspects, but yoga is so much more than creating shapes with our bodies. My practice and teaching is about the body and the mind: how we tune in to what is happening in our bodies and what is happening in our minds. Yoga can help relieve suffering, whether that be pain in our bodies or distress in our minds, but first we have to make that enquiry by tuning in. The outcomes of a regular practice may improve your range of movement (often described as flexibility) and build strength. You may also find you feel less stressed.
For me, yoga is a way of being; it is a physical, emotional and a spiritual practice (a spiritual practice can mean many things; for me it includes aspects such as connecting with nature, mindfulness practices, or following the cycles of the moon). The eight limbs of yoga not only describe the asanas (postures), breathing practices and quietening of the mind, but also the ethical precepts of the yamas and niyamas. 
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What are my classes like?My classes focus on a simple principle: the union of the body and mind. The aim is for you to get to know your body and mind, Often people say they leave feeling relaxed and calm, too.
Last year I shared short practices on my Instagram page. These are suitable for all and will give you an idea of how I teach. Practices to quieten the mindI begin the class by taking a few moments to settle the body and observe the mind, allowing ourselves to be present and ready for the class. Many of us have busy minds: and being able to observe them can help us to feel less stressed and more at peace. In turn, this can help us to tune in to our inner wisdom. In class I use a variety of techniques to help us settle, including mindfulness practices, yoga nidra and relaxation techniques. At first, your mind may race away (it’s what our minds naturally do). During the practices, you may feel as though you are drifting off – but, in time, you can start to slow the mind down and find moments of stillness, peace and calm.
Posture work (asanas)Part of the class will focus on physical aspects of yoga: the asanas. I teach in an inclusive way so we can explore what works for our individual bodies. By tuning in and listening to our bodies, we can begin to be aware of tension and let it go, build strength, and possibly increase range of movement.
Relaxation/meditationThere are different techniques for relaxing the body and mind to find the quietness that exists in us all. Sometimes I'll use yoga nidra, sometimes a mindfulness practice, other times a simple progressive muscle relaxation technique or guided meditations.
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