I am a Certified Yoga Teacher living and working in Weobley, Herefordshire. My husband, Ian, and I have two Spanish rescue dogs; Sprockett, a Portuguese Podengo, who's six (hairy boy) and Spud, a Podenco Canario (mix), who's three. Sprockett likes going on long country walks, Spud loves exploring new places and Ian and I enjoy being outside in the sunshine.

Yoga & me

My yoga practice has developed over the last ten plus years, inspired by caring, dedicated teachers. I have tried various yogic disciplines including Iyengar, Vinyasa and Yin, yet I find myself repeatedly drawn back to Hatha Flow and Restorative. My favourite classes are those that bring a sense of calm and relaxation to otherwise busy days. In all my classes I ask students to listen to their bodies and practise mindfully, keeping awareness of their current physical state. Everyone can practise in a safe, fun and supportive environment.

After enjoying two Restorative Yoga Teacher Trainings I decided that I wanted to pursue my own style of teaching. I became a Certified Yoga Teacher with Yandara Yoga in Bali, where I gained a deeper understanding of myself and the teacher I wanted to be. My Teachers have included Adelene Cheong, Andrew McGonigle, Morven Hamilton, Anna Ashby and Laura Gilmore.

Why I started practicing yoga

I started practising yoga at University, when I was 20. Around my 18th birthday I got glandular fever, I was really unwell for quite a while, but I made it to University. Then, in the Summer after my first year ended I caught a virus off a friend and ended up with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As part of my recovery I joined a yoga class in January 2010.

The class was made up of middle aged women (including the teacher) who were so kind and so welcoming. I immediately felt accepted. Initially I spent a lot of the classes resting and learning, physically I wasn’t able to do as much as I wanted too. I never felt judged in these yoga classes, never felt ‘less than’ despite being so tired I could barely do anything. These early experiences of yoga still shape my own practice and how I like to teach and hold space for my students.

My experience with chronic illness

Since 2015 I have struggled with undiagnosed bleeding in my left kidney and ureter. I have spent years having doctors appointments, hospital appointments, invasive procedures and been repeatedly dismissed. I lose blood so quickly that I need iron infusions every 4 weeks to keep me from becoming anaemic. In the last 7 years yoga has helped me to cope with the uncertainties and the fatigue I regularly suffer with due to my condition.

In February of 2022 I was diagnosed with adenomyosis and stage IV endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue, similar to that of the lining of the womb, grows in other places throughout the body. For me, this includes most of the organs in my lower body. It’s an inflammatory condition with multiple side effects including pain and fatigue.

I had excision surgery in October 2022 to try and deal with the endometriosis. After the surgery, my symptoms have improved a lot, however, by one year later they had all returned and it's pretty clear the surgery was not effective. I'm still awaiting further appointments to decide on my next steps.

In April 2023 I had an operation on my right knee after 9 months of extreme pain, swelling and reduced mobility. It's not clear what caused this, but it seems to have been some kind of extreme immune response. I'll e having a follow up surgery in 2025 where they didn't remove all the calcified lumps the first time!

Thankfully, in July 2023 I had a ureteric stent fitted for 6 months to try and stop the kidney bleeding. I'm pleased to say that it was successful and my kidney problems have completely resolved.

I am affected by my chronic illnesses every day. I love yoga because there are so many different ways to practise, no matter what state my body or mind are in I can always find a style of yoga that will suit me.

• Masters Degree in Electronic & Electrical Engineering

  • Loughborough University 2008-2012

• 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training

  • Yandara Yoga Institute July 2018

  • Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Chanting, Anatomy & Physiology, Yogic Philosophy, Ethics & Life-style and Teaching Practicum

• Pilates: Level 3 Diploma in Mat Pilates

  • HFE November 2024

• Reiki I & II

  • Nicky Heath, The Yeleni Centre 2024

• 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training

  • Bristol School of Yoga March 2019-Present

  • Myofascial Release through Touch, Movement & Yoga

  • The Subtle Body II: Balancing the Chakras

  • The Web of Life, Prana, Pranayama & Fascia

  • The Art of Sequencing

  • Unlocking the Secrets of the Bandhas

• Yoga & Mindfulness for Cancer on the Healing the Whole Person Yoga for Cancer Course

  • Morven Hamilton, Yoga by Nature 2023

• Yoga for Parkinson's Disease

  • Theresa Conroy 2023

• Applied Anatomy Workshops: Supporting Injured Students

  • Andrew McGonigle (Dr Yogi) March 2019

• Anatomy + Physiology Applied to Yoga: Using Anatomy to Refine & Empower Your Teaching

  • Andrew McGonigle (Dr Yogi) April 2019

• Restorative Yoga Teacher Training

  • Anna Ashby March 2016

• Relax & Restore Level 1 Teacher Training

  • Adelene Cheong September-October 2015