NATURE OF YOGA

I have been practicing Yoga and meditation for almost 20 years - lying about my age to get into my first Yoga class... and sleeping through the entire thing... I was sold from that day onwards!  I came to Yoga initially to find support for the physical demands and injuries of training as a competitive swimmer and long-distance runner.  After a couple of years of practicing I became far more excited about what Yoga was doing for my overall health, mood, contentment levels, energy, resilience, enthusiasm for life, strength and general wellbeing - emotionally, mentally and physiologically.

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Having studied Sports Science and worked as a personal trainer I went on to do a degree training as an Actor for three years with the Italia Conti Academy in London.  During this time I also began studying Yoga more deeply and began to see it through a prism of storytelling and my two worlds began complimenting one another so I  dipped my toes into teacher training. 

Whilst studying Hatha Yoga I also took a deep dive into Raja Yoga meditation for two years and immersed myself in experiential learning and practice working for The Life Centre /Yogacampus in London learning from and practicing with some of the most exciting and experienced teachers from all around the world. In 2014 I became a registered Yoga Alliance Vinyasa teacher through Yoga London. 

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Whilst living in LA I studied Vedic Meditation with Emily Fletcher (founder of Ziva meditation) and continue to endorse a twice daily meditation practice and the incredible benefits this has brought to my life.

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I have learned that whatever the reason behind our initial pull towards Yoga it is a lifelong practice with no end goal. After a while of consistent practice we all receive exactly what we need at any given time - be it stress reduction, improved resilience, strength, flexibility (body and mind) or increased connection with Nature.  

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My increasing passion for neuroscience and how the brain and body interact has become a large component in my teaching today, as well as learning from the natural world and ecosystem all around us, which I believe offers us a mirror to our own inner ecosystem (microcosm /macrocosm).

 

My passion for storytelling and continued work in Film and as an Actor and Producer provides ongoing inspiration, from the notion of unravelling our own stories to better understanding ourselves and our relationship to community and the environment around us.

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Whatever free time is available to me I will spend out in nature, up a tree, wild swimming, watching movies, up a mountain or in the woods alone, with friends or my partner and our dog. 

I believe that the reasons for practicing Yoga and Meditation are to become more effective and more resilient, creative and connected in 'life' (not to become 'better' at Yoga or Meditation). It is truly an experiential and non-competitive practice and it is my life support system.

The more we can effectively look after ourselves, cultivate contentment and deepen our own self awareness and childlike curiosity to explore and learn, the more effective we will be at looking after the planet, our relationships and our communities.

 

Home for me is in Fife, Scotland where I also run www.smellytrees.co.uk - a small artisan natural fragrance company dedicated to re-wilding, restoring our ecosystem and falling in love with nature to become better custodians.