Yoga found me almost 20 years ago. It started as a purely physical practice then slowly, slowly, bit by bit the more subtle aspects of yoga revealed themselves to me. My body became stronger, my breath deeper, my mind stiller and my attitude, or spirit, more positive. My once a week practice turned into twice a week, three times a week...every day. You get the picture!

I don't just mean standing like a tree or balancing on my head either. You can 'do' yoga walking down the street, interacting with others, doing your job or hobby, watching a sunset and yes, balancing on your head!

After yoga became integral to my being I journeyed to India to study for my 200hr Yoga Alliance Teaching Certification with Tribe Yoga, where ancient teachings were married with modern anatomical focus.

Through the years I have completed my 500hr+ Yoga Alliance certification during further studies in India and in the UK, studying with some of the worlds leading teachers including Richard Freeman, Shiva Rea, David Swenson, Jason Crandell, Max Strom, Rod Stryker, Anodea Judith, Manju Jois and Mimi Kuo Deemer amongst others. I have also completed my advanced Yin Yoga teacher training with the wonderful Norman Blair, have studied Buddhist meditation at Tushita in Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama and spent a month at Kopan Monastery in Nepal in Buddhist study and meditation.

After years of chanting mantras as an integral part of my practice and teaching I completed a transformational 200hr training with Nikki Slade in kirtan leadership and now lead regular community kirtan in London and at events and retreats across the country. It was a particular blessing to be invited to lead kirtan with all of the beautiful soles at the International Yoga Festival 2024 in the divine surroundings of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh. I'm already looking forward to returning in 2025.

As well as teaching studio classes and zoom classes I offer private tuition from my home and in the workplace, as well as leading 200 hr Yoga Teacher Traioning certified by Yoga Alliance Professionals.

I continue to be a diligent student of yoga and feel blessed to share my knowledge with others.

I'm so excited to invite you to my week long Elemental Retreat at beautiful Ashiyana - from all of my travels it is my favourite retreat centre in the world. A true home away from home, where the philosophies of yoga as a way of living are truly embodied and applied, from the natural environment, nourishing food and peaceful, friendly atmosphere. It is a true retreat in every sense of the word.

Our day will start together at 8am - if you are an early riser you could enjoy a swim in the Arabian Sea before your practice or simply enjoy a cup of tea before a 2hr elemental flow through for the body, mind and breath. I will teach you traditional pranayamas meditations and mantras and guide you through intelligent and healing asana sequences.

Each day will build from the grounding qualities of the earth, through the creative, flowing water element, the empowering and energising fire element, the heart opening air element and the liberating element of ether. There will be options for all bodies, from beginners to the more practiced. It's not unusual on my retreats to have all abilities and all ages ranging from those in their twenties to those in there seventies. Yoga, mindfulness and healing is for us all.

After the morning practice will be a delicious, nourishing expansive brunch buffet with everything you could wish for - the Ashiyana buffets are really something to behold.

The rest of the day is your time - to rest, renew, explore, relax, read, walk, swim or sleep! Ashiyana has so many cosy places to nest and of course the incredible Mandrem beach just steps away.

At 4pm we will meet for a cooling, relaxing 90 minute session with either yin yoga, mantra, meditation, poetry, and deep rest. After this there will be time to catch the amazing Goan sunset before another delicious all inclusive buffet for dinner.

The evenings are a special time at Ashiyana where you may relax on your veranda or join in one of the wonderful in house offerings like sound healing, kirtan, yoga nidra and meditation.

There wil be one afternoon off mid week to give you the option for a day trip in the surrounding countryside or markets or a full afternoon of free time.

For any questions about the retreat please contact me by email and we can have a chat.

Join myself, my musical friends and the wonderful community of Walthamstow and beyond for an evening of meditation through mantra, melody and rhythm

Kirtan means to 'sing the name' and is a celebration of Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of Devotion. Kirtan in essence is a meditation on bliss and love, through the vibrations of sound. James, with his harmonium and musical friends on percussion will lead you through traditional chants, in call and response, honouring the deities which represent the higher qualities within ourselves. No previous experience of yoga, chanting or singing is required, although if you enjoy any of these, you are sure to love Kirtan. You may experience deep stillness and peace, freedom of mind and joyful heart and you may find yourself clapping along or even getting up to move and dance. There are no rules and nothing to get right or be good at. Just a willingness to come together in community and open your heart. We will chant together for about 75 mins with breaks in between, to be still or stretch your legs, after which we will share chai and vegan sweet treats and enjoy the chance to have a relaxed chat together before the evening ends. This practice is for all bodies, all ages, all beliefs, all faiths and no faiths so spread the word and let's come together to sing to the higher power of the Self

Tanja and James bring their enthusiasm, compassion, joy and full hearts into offering this training. Between them they share 25 years of teaching experience and nearly four decades of practice.

At the core of this training sits the understanding that yoga is not just for the mat, but something which supports and enhances all aspects of our lives. The aim is to dive deeper into the full spectrum of what yoga offers, deepen the experience of the practices, with the opportunity to then be able to share this with others. The course in itself will be highly experiential, with the freedom to explore your own personal expression within a supportive community of like-minded yoga enthusiasts.

In a nurturing space co-created between teachers and students you will explore the many aspects of yoga and teaching, from asana labs and intelligent sequencing, to the subtle body (elements, chakras, prana vayus, koshas) and yogic philosophy in practice, as well as anatomy, biomechanics, mantras, mudras, teaching methodology and much more.

This training is not only for those who wish to teach yoga, but for all serious and curious practitioners who wish to further their understanding of the practices and the tradition of yoga.

Certified by Yoga Alliance Professionals

MORE INFORMATION ON THE TRAINING

PRACTICE

Approximately 30% of the training will be Sadhana, which will comprise of an
integrated practice of asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, Mudra and Bhakti.
Asana in itself will be approached through contemporary alignment principles,
biomechanics and intelligent sequencing to make the practice accessible to all
participants. Subtle body awareness will also be a foundation for understanding and
sequencing asana.

TEACHING PRACTICE & METHODS

Approximately 40% of the training will be teaching practice which will be rooted in
personal understanding of the practices. Importance will also be placed on
understanding how to accommodate the practices for different bodies and differing
needs. From the beginning of the training students will be encouraged to find and
use their own voice and expression; skills which go beyond simply teaching asana.

ANATOMY

The Anatomy segment of the training will be studied online with Andrew McGonigle (“Doctor Yogi”) and the learning integrated into the in-person sessions with Tanja and James.

This is what Andrew says about his course.

“In the anatomy course we will explore in detail the anatomy and physiology of our incredible bodies applied to practising and teaching yoga. Each topic we delve into will be related directly back to the yoga asana practice. There will be a strong focus on using this knowledge of anatomy and physiology to make asana practices as inclusive as possible. Time will be dedicated to exploring how to best communicate with and support students who come to class with common injuries and conditions. There are dedicated yoga practices throughout the course to ensure full integration of the knowledge.”

OVERALL AIM

Overall aim is for students to confidently teach beginner and open level classes,
incorporating different bodies and include all aspects of yoga, including asana,
pranayama, meditation, mantra & Mudra

WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO UPON COMPLETION

As well as being able to teach beginner and open level classes, graduates will be
able to sequence classes using various formats such as peak pose, overall arc and
theme (anatomical, subtle body, philosophical).

HOW WILL THE COURSE BE ASSESSED?

During the entire training students are under continuous mentorship and feedback,
with assessments scheduled as required. A final teaching assessment will be held
before graduation.

In addition to the weekends we will meet bi-weekly for a live evening Zoom class.

ACCREDITATION:

Recognised and accredited by Yoga Alliance Professionals at 200 hours level.

INVESTMENT

Price on request

Course Requirements: a minimum of 2 years consistent yoga practice.

We both bring our enthusiasm, compassion, joy and full hearts into offering this training. Between us we share 25 years of teaching experience and nearly four decades of practice.

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