Teachers

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  Simona Hernandez – Anusara Inspired Flow

  Simona’s professional background is in Psychology and she has also studied Classical ballet. Subsequent studies in Dance Movement Therapy increased her awareness of how inextricably the mind, body and inner spirit are linked. She initially trained as a Sivananda Yoga teacher in 1998, however, her love of yoga drew her to other styles of yoga including Iyengar, Ashtanga Vinyasa, and Vinyasa Flow. Over the last 5 years she has had the privilege of studying with Bridget Woods-Kramer and John Friend as an Anusara teacher and has gained Anusara Inspired Status and is now working towards full Anusara certification. Simona has been practising yoga for 13 years and teaching yoga for 11 years and has continued her yoga training and teaching while living in Sydney and the UK. She teaches at Yoga Bodhi, a dedicated yoga centre in Bath that she also runs. She is also responsible for teaching Subtle anatomy and children’s yoga on The Yoga Academy Teachers Training Course with Simon Low. Simona’s classes are both fun and challenging and encourage playful exploration of both the spiritual and physical aspects of yoga. Simona emphasises in her teaching that we may practice yoga in a group, but that the practice of yoga in itself is a very unique journey.

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  Angela Roberts

  Angela has been teaching yoga for 12 years, having qualified as a teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga. She is working increasingly with Sophy Hoare (Scaravelli) in order to work ‘from the inside out’ and look for ways to free old tension patterns, discover the body’s innate intelligence and unlock individual potential using both asana and breathwork. She sees yoga as a continuous journey of inquiry, discovery and learning and tries to pass this on in her teaching. Angela is also an aromatherapist and massage practitioner.

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  Sasha Markovic

  Sasha Markovic originally trained as an Iyengar teacher in 1992, since when she has studied intensively with Shandor Remete in Shadow yoga. She has a keen interest in yoga philosophy, and in particular tantra. Experienced in teaching remedial yoga, Sasha’s teaching is based on both the ancient yoga philosophies and on the movement of energy in the body.

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  Jennie Hillman

  Jennie has been studying yoga for over 12 years, having practiced in the schools of Hatha, Dru, Sivananda, Kundalini, Satyananda and Iyengar but finding her true passion in Astanga and Jivamukti. She has studied Astanga Vinyasa under the direct lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois through his son, Manju Jois, and a number of eminent teachers including Nancy Gilgoff, Lino Miele, Danny Paradise, John Scott, Elizabeth Connolly, Liz Lark and Richard Freeman.

  She has also been instructed in teaching Jivamukti by both David Life and Sharon Gannon, the founders of this system.

  Jennie teaches both Astanga Vinyasa yoga and Dynamic Vinyasa Flow yoga, co-ordinating postures with the rhythm of the breath, leading to a dynamic yet meditative practice. Her classes use creative sequencing to energize and uplift you, whilst individual hands-on adjustments help to deepen your practice.

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  Sophie Shenstone

  Sophie is a mother, gardener, yoga teacher, Shiatsu massage therapist, permaculturist, committed cyclist and earth activist (in no particular order). She has been a free spirited devotee of Yoga for about twenty years with a regular Hatha practice since teacher training in 2000 with the Integral Yoga Institute. She has been teaching regular classes and running workshops in the Bath area for over 9 years, including Prenatal and Postnatal since 2004.

  Her teaching style is meditative, focusing on the feel of the whole class, leading students into a deep state of inner listening, where they are encouraged to learn and discover for themselves. Having studied anatomy and physiology from both Western and Eastern perspectives, she shares useful information regarding musculature and alignment, yet at the same time draws students to move beyond the prescriptive to a deeply felt sense of subtle energy, and the dialogue between breath and gravity.

  Influences and extra studies include Wilderness and Nature, Sound, Rhythm and Dance, Chi Kung, Viniyoga, Scaravelli, Astanga Vinyasa, Structural Yoga Therapy, Buddhist Meditation and Psychology, Advaita Meditation, Insight Meditation, Yoga Philosophy and Integral Yoga Sangha.

  Sophie sees yoga as a spiritual path which takes the individual on a fascinating and exploratory journey through life; firmly rooted in the body yet fulfilling the needs of an inquiring mind – a way of health, balance and wonder. She finds that teaching fires up her own practice in a way that only sharing with others can do.

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  Harriet Symon

  Harriet has been practicing Yoga on and off since she was a child and started teaching in 2003. In 2001 Harriet graduated from professional dance school having completed a 3-year degree course which, in addition to dance, included comprehensive training in Body Conditioning, Anatomy and Physiology.

  After completing a first teacher-training course with the Sivananda school of Yoga, Harriet’s passion for Yoga was fully realized and she longed to share this joy in the classes that she began to teach. In what is still a life long journey, Harriet continues to study with a range of teachers and centers, drawing influence from teachers at the Satyananda centre, the Life centre and Triyoga, as well as completing courses and workshops with Shiva Rea, Brian Cooper, Alexa Harris and David Sye among others.

  Harriet now teaches a style of Yoga that incorporates elements of Hatha and Vinyasa flow, as well as meditative practices, sound work and breathing techniques. Harriet’s aim is to enable those who choose to come on this journey to enjoy the many benefits of Yoga, including the opportunity to relax the body and mind, to be present in the moment, to enjoy the gift of life, and to have some fun.

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  Kamala Purewall

  Stop seeking. Where is there to go?… Everything you seek is already inside of you.

  Kamala qualified as a Integral Yoga teacher in 2010 and is also a qualified Laughter Yoga Leader. She is currently training to become a Spiritual Coach and is in the process of setting up children’s yoga classes. Her approach to adult classes is meditative and being present in the Now. The approach to children’s classes is fun and dynamic incorporating games to explore breath, vibration and yoga postures, ending with a short relaxation.

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  Pam Leslie

  Pam began practicing yoga in 1982 and gradually it began to be more of a focus, leading her to study and practice with some renowned yoga teachers (Clive Sheridan, Pattabhi Jois, John Scott, Godfrey Devereux, Shandor) both in the UK and in India. A three year training with an Iyengar teacher (1998) and a teacher training with Erich Shiffmann (2002) then a Yogabugs training (2005) have all led her to be the teacher she is today.She has taught in a variety of venues including the Life Centre in London.(95-97)She is also a body therapist (using massage aromatherapy reflexology reiki) and counsellor (Dip Couns BCPC).

  The yoga that Pam teaches is suitable for beginners and improvers. It is an approach that brings awareness into connecting more deeply with all aspects of yourself (the physical, emotional and spiritual)

  The style is a combination of working with a variety poses, connecting the body with the breath, assimilating the stretch, and then bringing awareness into the quality and depth of movement. This is done in a meditative, sometimes challenging (and often fun) way, by exploring the edges of the stretch – not pushing but releasing into a place of stillness and relaxation.

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  Eve King

  Eve has been teaching yoga for about 9 years and practising for over 15 years. She originally trained as a Personal Trainer with Premier Training and went on to complete Diplomas in Sports Injury Rehabilitation and Massage Therapy, Optimum and Sports Nutrition. Coming from a sporting background she soon realised how valuable yoga was and her interest grew. Her studies took her to an Ashram in Kerala where she completed the Sivananda Teacher Training course. This authentic experience taught her a great deal about yoga and life which Eve cherishes dearly. She has taught throughout London and Essex for many years and has run workshops and retreats. Eve is also a qualified Yoga Bugs teacher for kids and Birthlight Prenatal and Postnatal teacher. She has had the pleasure of training with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli , Françoise Barbira Freedman, completed workshops with John Scott and many other renowned teachers from The Life Centre and Triyoga. Eve has worked in schools with little ones and teenagers sharing the benefits of yoga, along with adults with Learning Difficulties helping them physically, emotionally and mentally. Eve seeks to continue to learn as much as possible, wherever possible (tricky with two little ones!) and will be embarking on another teaching qualification later in the year. Her style of teaching integrates her own experiences from different styles of Hatha yoga. A sense of humour, fun and laughter are instrumental in making sure her classes are always light hearted, enjoyable and varied. You don’t have to be a pretzel to enjoy her classes, breath work, postures, learning to relax and let go are integral to Eves’ path of helping you find out who you really are.

  “Feeling tired. Not in the mood. Your body’s aching. Stiff. You’ve got other things to do. Can’t slow your mind down. Just get on the mat”. Eve is eternally grateful to her mum and first yoga teacher Vicki for setting her on her yoga path.

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  Liz Coleman

  Liz ’s iintial introduction of body- based work was through ballet as a young child, training to professional standard.She then followed the teaching route and taught creative and contemporary dance to GCSE level for many years. Her introduction to breath work begun 15 years ago through a back injury, her chiropractor suggesting Tai Chi which led to an exploration of other mind, body and breath work. Yoga then featured hugely and she went onto explore various styles, absorbing all the courses on offer-completing her BWY Diploma in 2007. She now teaches in various venues throughout Bath-it her her belief that everyone can benefit from Yoga if presented in the appropriate manner for each individual. Her teaching embraces the individuality of each body and their aspirations and capabilities.Liz teaches both adults and young people. As for style, that is always a difficult one…Hatha, but eclectic-and since she is now training with Simona getting more influenced by Anusara and hopefully beginning the first leg of an Anusara teachers course in the near future.

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  Katie White

  Katie has been practising yoga regularly for over ten years. She trained as a yoga teacher in 2009 with Reflections Yoga, New York in Vinyasa Flow and is a registeredteacher with Yoga Alliance UK. She has a background of experience in Integral and Anusara yoga as a student. She is also a Registered General Nurse (RGN) with over fifteen years clinical experience, which gives her a deeper understanding and compassion in her yoga teaching.

  Katie has recently completed a British Wheel of Yoga module course in teaching ‘Yoga for People Living with Cancer’, taught by Julie Friedeberger (author of “The Healing Power of Yoga”) who refers to her own experience of breast cancer in her teaching. Her teaching from this personal experience inspired Katie to start teaching women living with breast cancer. Katie also teaches students with other forms of cancer and life changing illnesses.

  Katie teaches a slow breath-led practice allowing a deeper connection to ourselves from within releasing the breath and allowing it to soften areas of tension within the body. Simple movements improve blood and lymph circulation, remove toxic waste, maintain the health and mobility of the joints, focus the mind, clear the energy pathways, raise the energy levels, restore confidence, develop physical and inner strength and renew the connection with and care for the body. Many of the yoga asanas in general classes may be too demanding physically for people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, but simple practices that Katie teaches will be effective, nurturing and suitable for all.

  People who have cancer come to yoga for emotional and spiritual support at a profoundly critical point in their lifes: the decision to come is their first conscious step toward healing. They may be physically fragile, emotionally distressed and low in energy when they start yoga. From these classes they will be calmed, strengthened, heartened and energised by simple practices they can perform without strain and with beneficial effects on all levels. Working together with students to rediscover the simple things and sharethe practice with others with confidence and support.

  Katie’s teaching is centred on acknowledging and accepting ourselves as perfect, just as we are, in the present moment.

  “You yourself as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.”

  – Buddha

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  Sushila Mahto

  Sushi began practising yoga whilst studying as an undergraduate physiotherapist 16 years ago. In 2004 she undertook a training with the Sivananda institute and have been teaching in and around Bath ever since. In the first class that Sushi ever taught, a woman attended in her late pregnancy. Sushi felt that yoga had lots to offer her but was unsure what so trained with Birthlight in pregnancy, post-natal, baby yoga and birth preparation for women and their partners. Sushi finds it deeply satisfying to work with women around this time and enjoy facilitating the supportive networks that they form when attending classes. Her desire to see women enjoy their experience of birth much as possible has also led her to train and work as a doula.

  Sushi also works as a Shiatsu practitioner and massage therapist and is mum to two children.

  Sushi mission statement, as it were, is to encourage people to heal themselves by raising their consciousness and stay well using ancient arts to balance busy modern lives.

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  Lindsay Renwick

  After higher education Lindsay began training as a massage therapist in 1997. She went on to obtain further qualifications in aromatherapy, reflexology, baby massage, baby shiatsu, developmental baby massage, specialist massage for pregnancy and the post natal period, Indian head massage, reproflexology ( reflexology for fertility ) and aromatherapy for pregnancy. She specialises and has a particular interest in a woman’s journey encompassing , fertility, pregnancy, birth and babies. At Yoga Bodhi Lindsay teaches baby massage on two different courses parts 1 and 2. Part 1 for young babies and part 2 for older babies ( or for those who have completed part 1) Baby massage is a wonderful way to enhance your relationship with your child. It encourages bonding and provides a time of mutual pleasure and togetherness. Studies show that massaging you baby improves their breathing, digestion, circulation and growth and provides a good source of sensory and muscle stimulation which is beneficial to all babies. It may be particularly good for babies with special needs such as; developmental delay, disabilities and downs syndrome. Baby massage can also help mums suffering from postnatal depression.

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  Judy Bowers

  “And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud, was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”

  Yoga offers an opportunity to open on a physical, emotional and energetic level. Through Judy’s teaching, she will guide you through a systematic approach to bring internal awareness as well as a physical sense of well being.

  Through a flowing Hatha practise, Judy invites you to experience the postures, exploring and awakening the body and mind through the union of breath and movement. Judy aims to share with you the many benefits that yoga has to offer, helping you to discover balance, harmony, strength and flexibility both on and off the mat. As you stretch our muscles deeply or build strength, you come closer to feeling a deep peacefulness within yourselve and an inner equanimity that can meet the challenges of life in a compassionate and skillful way.

  Judy has practised yoga for more than ten years and through various studies, workshops and teachers, and has deepened her knowledge and awareness.Yoga has become an important part of Judy’s life, giving her joy to share this gift with others.

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  Laura Beaumont

  Laura has been a Holistic Therapist for over 6 years. She first discovered her passion for massage whilst traveling in Asia in 2004. During this time Laura completed her first massage course on Thai Massage in Chang Mai, Thailand. On returning from her travels she went on to qualify in Reiki first & second degree & studied Holistic Therapy for two years at Bath College.

  She has been practicing her massage since then, firstly as a head therapist in a bath based health and beauty centre and now as a freelance therapist.

  Laura offers her treatments in the calm and beautiful space at Yoga Bodhi. She gives a firm massage, concentrating on your areas of stress and tension.

  Benefits of massage:

  • Eases muscle tension & promotes natural healing.

  • Improves circulation & enhances immunity by stimulating lymph flow.

  • Promotes tissue regeneration, which can help reduce scar tissue & stretch marks.

  • Can ease feelings of depression and anxiety.

  • Helps to reduce stress levels by relaxing the body and mind.

  Treatments available Monday to Friday. For more information or to book an appointment please call Laura direct on 07813697757 or contact Yoga Bodhi.