TEACHERS

Laurence Mitchell www.laurencefm.co.uk
A senior teacher with the Yoga Alliance Professionals, my journey in yoga was almost accidental. It all started in 2008 on a trip to India with some friends who wanted to go and try out a class. I was initially not so keen on the idea, but let my friends talk me into going. It took just two hours of bending, stretching, and breathing on a wicker mat crawling with ants with some crazy Indian guy (who would become my first teacher), and just like that my fate was sealed & I was in love with the practice. I had for the first time in his life tapped into something special: the present moment. There was an immediate change in my awareness of the world, and I wanted more. This simple experience that I had glimpsed on the yoga mat was a perfect match for my academic studies, in eastern religious philosophy, and it wasn’t very long before I was a dedicated yogi on a mission to learn all that I could about this ancient mystical practice (I’ll let you know once Im finished).

Since then, I have returned to India many times, & I continue to train and learn from teachers in various locations. I have exposure to various styles of yoga, I learnt alignment based Hatha Yoga in the Himalayas in North India. I spent time living in ashrams learning various meditation techniques. I travelled to Mysore in the south of India to experience Ashtanga. Most recently, I studied Ayurvedic Yoga massage techniques. I still remain open to learning and continue to expand my knowledge and practice by experiencing new styles of yoga. This varied background of yoga ‘lineages’ that I have practised has given me a rounded practice and a deep understanding of the subtleties of yoga.

I came to yoga by chance, and it was a life changing experience for me. I continue to explore the potential that yoga has & it still amazes me every time I practise. My body has become stronger and more flexible and still continues to do so. It helped me find confidence, health, and generally become happier within my own skin and life. I want to share this with everyone. Whilst, of course, I cannot and would not guarantee that practising yoga will have the same results for everybody, I do believe that the tools that we have in yoga are very powerful. It is my passion and joy to share these tools so that everyone can have the same opportunity to make lasting positive changes in their life.

I hope to see you on the mat sometime soon.

Brenda Louw www.BrendaLouw.co.uk
I started yoga by accident in the year 2000 while working on a cruise ship, attending classes in Florida and the occasional class at the Sivananda Ashram in Nassau, but back then I was mainly self-taught from books and an Ashtanga DVD. Between then and now I have tried and enjoy a range of classes and styles.

I ran yoga classes and ChillOut Yoga Teacher Training in Aberfoyle, Scotland for 10 years. I moved to Suffolk in 2013, where I set up the Long Melford Yoga Studio, and continued with the Teacher Training, now run by Laurence as East of England Yoga School. I am a senior teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals, UK, having taught over 6000 hours of yoga since 2007.

I appreciate the diversity of movement and insight yoga offers - and like everything else, my practice and teaching is constantly evolving. My practice and teaching incorporate an understanding of how the body is put together and moves, with the soft, light and stable approach of Scaravelli-inspired Yoga, which can be applied in everyday movement and also any yoga practice - whether that be Ashtanga, Kundalini or a gentler pace.

Meditation is something I cannot describe - it's profound and now I don't think life will be as good without it - perhaps life is this good because of it!

I love everything about nature, gardening, the outdoors, travelling and life in general.

Kerry Francis
My love of yoga began in my 20s and I am convinced that the practice of yoga back then helped me to have 2 very healthy pregnancies and deliveries.
I dipped in and out of yoga from that point and have always returned to practice during life's challenges.

I started working as a lymphoedema therapist 7 years ago and was interested to learn that yoga was one of the exercises recommended for patients with lymphoedema. The breath and movement of yoga has a direct effect on the lymphatic system and can prevent toxic accumulation and illness.
I decided to start teaching yoga, as I was very keen to learn about the practice and culture of yoga and explore it's hidden depths. I can honestly say that the training with Brenda has given me so much and has helped me to understand myself so much more.

I see yoga as a gift and an opportunity to help others. The current state of physical, spiritual and mental well-being is at an all time low and if we can just allow someone to take time out of their day to focus on themselves and let go I consider that a job well done.

Charlotte Bingham-Wallis www.flex-physio.co.uk
Since 2012 I have been working as a physiotherapist, specialising in rehabilitation. Movement fascinates me and I love to problem solve how to make my clients move better. I have worked with a wide range of movement disorders including but not limited to neurological conditions, sports rehab, orthopaedic surgery, arthritic joints, cardiac and respiratory conditions. During my physiotherapist career, I always found Pilates a great tool to help maintain both my physical health but also to help my clients get back to fitness. I believe in small classes that are designed for my client’s needs so we truly work towards achieving their goals.

Helen Deering
I began practicing yoga back in 2010, when I was living and working in London and looking for something to compliment my love of running and dancing. I soon realized that yoga is much more than stretching and came to appreciate how different I felt mentally leaving a class, from arriving in a post-work fluster to floating out in a sea of calm. I experimented with different styles and teachers, trying hatha, kundalini, vinyasa and hot yoga and enjoyed going on several yoga retreats in India. I then jumped at the chance to work in the wellbeing travel industry for a decade, travelling in Europe and South-East Asia contracting wellness hotels and retreats and, after completing a College of Naturopathic Nutrition course, creating bespoke wellness programmes at these properties. During this time, I was very fortunate to sample a range of different yoga classes, wellness treatments and meet a lot of holistic experts in their field. This experience furthered my awareness of the link between the mind and the body. Being open to the concept of applying breathing techniques to calm and regulate the body and brain, I learnt and applied hypnobirthing techniques when birthing our children and now have an ongoing fascination and respect for the extraordinary power of the breath. All of this guided my decision to undertake yoga teacher training with the brilliant East of England Yoga School in Long Melford and I completed a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Professional training in December 2023.

My aim is to help people relax, restore and reset through yoga, poetry and breathwork. I believe practise makes progress, that yoga is for anyone and everyone and I understand the importance of keeping mental health in as much balance as possible. I invite you to join a class to try it for yourself.

Clare Turner
Yoga is one of the most welcoming things in my life. I attended my first class when I was 17 and fell in love, I dipped in and out of Yoga for years, attending aerobics, pilates, running, the gym and came back to Yoga.

I have also trained in Children’s yoga and teach students at a local secondary school.

I enjoy connecting with different people, ages and abilities and helping them along their path. It’s so lovely to see their progress and it’s really rewarding to help them get a little more peace in their lives, even if it’s just for one hour a week.

One of the beautiful things about yoga is that anyone could walk through the door, and you would be able to teach them. No matter their level or background, you would be able to teach them a great class.

Katherine Banks www.FunktionalYoga.com
I began my Yoga life with the British Wheel of Yoga foundation course after discovering the wonderful benefits Yoga had on my life, mentally and physically. This inspired me to go onto teacher training.

Once qualified in 2006, I have taught a variety of classes and people over the years. In and around Bury-St-Edmunds and surrounding areas.

My aim and focus for students is to work with their breath and movement combined during my sessions, like a form of moving meditation, helping them become mindfully aware of themselves to undo tension and encourage a greater sense of well-being on a holistic level. This is applied to all my classes from my roots in Hatha yoga and inspired by Vanda Scaravelli. To work with compassion in an effortless way and listening to ourselves!

My chair yoga classes have been a popular new addition to my timetable. These classes are a valuable source for those who want to continue practicing yoga but find a traditional class doesn't support their needs. Using the chair instead of the mat.

Sophia Howard

I've been practising yoga and meditation since my late teens but fell in love with the practice 10 years later when pregnant with my first child. When both our children were small I began sharing my practice with them and went on to train as a children's yoga teacher, launching Caterpillar Toes Yoga. I have been teaching children's yoga within schools since 2010. Discovering a love of sharing yoga and a desire to learn more, I went on to train with the British Wheel of Yoga (Paul Fox & Carol Price) gaining my (500hr) Level 4 qualification. I have been running Paper Kite (Hatha) Yoga classes since 2014. Since then I have continued to expand my knowledge and training, now offering Restorative Yoga (Joyce McMiken & Ali Mastermann), Menopause Yoga (Petra Coveney), Ayurveda Lifestyle (Emma Newlyn) and Nature Connection - Shinrin Yoku (Stefan Batorijs).

I have always attended regular weekly classes with local teachers as I highly value the opportunity to practice as a student. I have been fortunate enough to have practiced with a number of great local teachers who have all taught me a great deal about how to be a student and how to evolve as a teacher. Gratitude to Jan Mather, Catherine Le Tue, Daphne McCartney-Williams, Paul Fox, Carol Price, Faye Riches, Aine McGovernaine & Brenda Louw (chronological order) I have been fortunate enough to dive deep into my practices on retreat with Faye Riches (yoga) and The Sharpham Trust (meditation), both of which were profound experiences which shifted the course of my life and I am indebted to those who held space for me.

With 30 years of yoga and meditation experience, my practice continues to evolve as I remain an eternal student. My home practice is a beautiful mix of all my training and varies each day depending on what I feel I need. Seasonally guided I practice a mix of Hatha & Restorative yoga, Shinrin Yoku practices and meditation, whilst also attending weekly Vinyasa classes. The breathing and meditation practices have played an important role over the years to deal with life’s challenges and for emotional and mental well-being.

By integrating body, breath, movement, meditative awareness and our connection to nature, I strive to promote an understanding of the interdependency of all these aspects in our health and well-being.

Zoe Connor
I have been practicing Gentle Flow and Hatha Yoga regularly since 2017. Previously, I had dipped in and out of yoga while pursuing competitive sports such as tennis and netball.

Following an injury, Yoga was my pathway back to movement and strengthening. Yoga really helped me build strength and stamina and regain flexibility, following surgery. It has become a way of life for me now. Even if I only have 20 minutes, it’s so beneficial to practice regularly.

I also enjoy and participate in Mat Pilates. Combined with my Yoga practice, they provide an holistic practice. I really feel the benefits of movement and mindfulness.

In 2024 I enrolled with the East of England Yoga School and decided to turn my passion into a career path. I have qualified as an instructor and hope that I can help others returning from injury and those wanting to develop a practice that will benefit their mobility, flexibility and strength. Additionally with the opportunity at the end of class for relaxation, I hope participants will enjoy both the physical and emotional benefits of Yoga.