Yoga is a complete system for body, mind and spirit. The physical postures (asana) were designed long ago, with the intention of making the body strong and light, meaning that it would be liberated from its' restrictions and ailments. This bodily "freedom" allows the mind to focus on what truly matters-achieving inner peace and calm. Yoga is rooted in the spiritual traditions of India, but it may be practised by people of all religions or none.

The therapeutic applications of yoga are almost endless: You may practice it to help you deal with stress, grief, depression, insomnia, and anxiety. You might want to boost your strength, stamina, and energy levels. You may be interested in improving your flexibility, muscle tone, and in maintaining your vitality, as you get older.

I came to yoga when I was twenty, with a vaguely spiritual curiousity, and a simple desire to be able to touch my toes! (I was a man with simple goals...and a very inflexible back, for one so young!) Twice that age now, yoga has become my primary spiritual tradition. And I can definately touch my toes!

Over the years, I have been drawn to many different styles of yoga at different times in my life, from gentle, adaptive vini and scaravelli yoga, to precise iyengar, and vigourous astanga. My belief is that yoga takes many forms for a reason, it's there for us when we need to feel nutured, rested, and lovingly "held" by our own bodies, and it's there for us when we need to build up some strength and inner fire.

 My classes reflect this interest in contrasting yoga styles. Work on the breath, lung capacity, and prana (energy), are components of my classes, as is guided relaxation, concentration, and meditation. The wider philosophy and ethics of yoga, such as ahimsa (non-harming), influence my style of teaching.