I came to yoga in my late 20’s after taking some classes with a dear friend, an Iyengar teacher. Like many people who are drawn to yoga, this quickly developed into a passion, occupying precious space in my increasingly busy life as a mother of 3, a place to re-gather energies, to refresh and unwind.

I took regular classes at the Iyengar Institute in Maida Vale, London, just down the road from where we lived, and attended workshops and weekends up and down the country when time allowed. As my understanding and practice grew, I began a teacher-training programme, finishing in 2000, the year after we moved back to Devon.

My health had been problematic for a while, and I began to seek a different approach to practice, something perhaps less structured, or at least more spacious. I had been given ‘Awakening the Spine’ by Vanda Scaravelli, again by my friend, but hadn’t realised there were teachers inspired by these teachings.

The rest of the story is my own awakening to this lovely practice, through the wisdom and guidance of many wonderful yoga teachers, which gradually I found drawing me ever deeper. Over time the old ways of practicing and teaching fell away and I found myself wholly inspired by this new way of working.

At its heart there is a simple integrity and listening in this yoga practice, a call to work with the body, not to impose upon the body.

As one student recently reflected ‘It is a very healing practice’, which takes time and patience to absorb.

I have been teaching for 20 years spanning my time back in Devon, whilst also working with children in the Early Years at Park School, Dartington, particularly with music and song.

All threads of my life, my teaching and practice, motherhood and my work with young children, are woven together – interconnected, indivisible parts of the whole tapestry.

Sharing this practice through teaching feels always relevant, always expansive.