I started practising yoga at Henley College (then St James’) back in 1986.  Over the last 30-plus years I have practiced a range of different styles but, as a relatively stiff male, I have been particularly influenced by Iyengar yoga and its attention to subtle anatomical movements and its use of props and equipment for those who can’t naturally tie themselves up in knots.  As one of my teachers told me –

“Yoga isn’t just for flexible people – after all, you don’t wash your hair because it is already clean”

I began to take yoga much more seriously about a decade ago to help cope with stress and burnout from an academic career working in environmental policy.  Diving into it more deeply led me to conclude that the world would be a significantly better place if more people did more yoga!  So shortly after, I leaped at the chance when I had the opportunity to take time out to undertake a 200-hour teacher training course with American teacher Karen Miscall-Banon in 2018. After completing this, I began teaching local classes in Goring Village Hall and the Morell Room up until the pandemic hit.  

I have just completed my second major teacher training qualification, a 300-hour training course with the YogaMu school based in Rishikesh, India, and am now registered as a 500hr yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance.

As far as studies go, I have now signed up for the long haul, to do a part-time Masters in Yoga Studies, again with the YogaMu school and accredited by AYUSH (The Indian government Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy). I am also a student of yogic philosophy (Advaita Vedanta) with Newbury-based teacher Ram Banerjee, organiser of the wonderful World Yoga Festival held locally just outside Henley. 

Since Easter 2023, I have been back teaching a weekly Wednesday evening class in the Canterbury Room at St Thomas’ Church in Goring and now also teach there on Tuesday evenings.   Both classes are suitable for relative beginners and intermdiate level. Places are avaialble on a subscription or drop-in basis, dependent on availability.

If you would be interested in coming to either the Tuesday or Wednesday classes (especially as a beginner), please contact me.

Contact

Classes are usually £10 each, with a discount for block booking.  However, significant concessionary rates are always available as I firmly believe that nobody should be prevented from learning yoga due to lack of money, especially in these hard times.