MY APPROACH TO TEACHING

 

 

'We will forever be students of yoga, as each step we take, the path grows longer'

 

Yoga is for the mind. By ‘tuning in’ to body and breath, students develop their ‘muscle’ of conscious awareness. Yoga is a great tool for focusing thoughts and promoting a healthy body, for taking a little ‘time out’ from our high-octane modern lives in order to take a little ‘time in’.

 

'Yoga is for everyone'

 

My classes are open to all students, including beginners, intermediate and advanced practitioners. Numbers are limited to ensure personal attention and a sensitive approach to individual needs.

 

The focus is on enhancing mental and physical well-being, and in building stamina, strength and flexibility along the way, in a friendly, supportive and relaxed environment.

 

The class usually starts with breathing (pranayama), then moves into asana (postures) and ends in deep relaxation as we journey towards a place of inner stillness, clarity and calm.

 

I encourage students to work to their own capabilities. The aim of my classes is to learn more about ourselves, to improve our health and fitness and to have fun in the process!

 

Pranayama is a practice very close to my heart. I have been fortunate to have studied under my teacher and mentor Sri O.P. Tiwari of the Kaivalyadhama Institute in India for over twenty years.  Sri Tiwari is considered one of the few remaining masters of Pranayama in the world today.  A contemporary and friend of Iyengar, Iyengar once joked with Tiwari as they sat side beside each other, “come to me for asana but go to Tiwari for pranayama.”

 

I will forever be a student of pranayama – alongside the myriad of traditional yoga practices. I am inspirted by yoga philosophy and the original yoga texts – and by how each step I take, the path grows longer.  I look forward to being with you.

 

 

MY CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

 

I run weekly classes, including Hatha Yoga for all levels, Restorative, Gentle and Active Flow Pregnancy Yoga, Postnatal Yoga with Baby and Mellow Chair Yoga and Meditation.

 

I lead monthly Weekend Workshops from my home studio in north-west London, and further afield  in Valencia and Venice on asana, pranayama and meditataion . I have taken students to the  the Kaivalyadhama Instute in India where I have led with  Sri O.P Tiwari .

 

 I have a diverse and specialist teaching portfolio. I am a highly skilled teacher, working privately both one-to-one and with small groups, each session tailored to personal needs. I also work in the community, teaching in organisations that support mental health (JAMI House) and Yoga for Cancer at Cancerkin, (The Royal Free Hospital). In addition, I teach kids and teens in a number of schools and privately.

 

 I am passionate about teaching hatha yoga and breathing techniques as practical tools for mental and physical well being. Young or old, in good health or otherwise, I can create a bespoke practice which works for you.

 

The real gift of teaching has been in sharing effective ways to develop strength and stamina and managing life’s stresses. Being able to support people in this way has brought real joy to my teaching.

 

 

 

 

 Testimonials

 

 

MY BACKGROUND

 

The great thing about yoga, like life itself, is that it is an experience rather than a theory.

 

I am passionate about how yoga can be used to enhance our well-being and adapted to everyone's needs, regardless of age or fitness level. Yoga offers great tools for managing everyday life – on and off the mat.

 

I came to yoga after recovering from serious illness. This enabled me to appreciate what it means to be in good health, both in body and mind. Before dedicating myself to teaching, and setting up MaxineYoga, I worked as a curator in the international contemporary art world and as a producer in documentary television.

 

A highly qualified teacher, I have more than 25 years of yoga practice and experience.

I was fortunate to first meet my teacher and mentor, yoga and pranayama master  Sri O.P Tiwari, the head of the Kaivalyadhama Institute, 20 years ago, who has guided me on my path and, I am fortunate to say, still continues to do so.

 

I originally qualified with the British Wheel, through Simon Lowe’s teacher training (Triyoga, London). Since then, I continue to follow a journey inspired by my teacher and the teachings of  Kaivalyadhama , which includes traditional practice, yoga therapy training and philosophy, using the original yoga texts (Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Gherada Samitha, Hatha Pradipika and the Bhagavad Gita) alongside modern scientific research into the medical benefits of the practices. I have completed the Kaivalyadhama teacher training, and pranayama training certification.   For over a decade  I have studied with Dr Ananda Balayogi, benefitting from his wisdom as a distinguished yogi, medical doctor, visionary yoga therapist and inspirational guide. Head of Gitananda Ashram in Pondicherry of CYTER. The Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education and Research and other national and international bodies promoting Yoga and Yoga therapy worldwide, he bridges the 'gap' between modern science, traditional yoga, spirituality and modern living in the here and now.

 

Many other great yoga teachers who I have studied with have inspired me including Tias Little and Donna Farhi. I certified in pregnancy, postnatal and baby yoga with Franciose Barbira Freedman of Birthlight and Uma Dinsmore-Tuli of Womb Yoga. I  also greatly enjoy and pass on the insights my trainings with Sarah Powers in yin yoga, and  Mukunda Stiles in structural yoga therapy, – have brought me.

 

I am grateful to all my teachers for their wisdom and knowledge.

 

Alongside my classes and workshops I work in the local community, teaching in organisations that support mental health (JAMI House), I have also taught Chair Yoga in Care Homes and Yoga for Cancer at The Royal Free Hospital.  In addition, I teach kids and teens in a number of schools and privately.

 

 

LIFE OFF THE MAT

La dolce vita!

 

I am married, with a beautiful teenage daughter. I continue to maintain my interests in the international art world. My passions include learning, writing, spending time with family, friends, artists, film, food, travel and having lived in Italy for a number of years, many things Italian.

 

It is only through the practice of living life consciously that we truly learn. And using our ‘selves’ as our playground in yoga – our mind, breath and our bodies as spaces for reflection –so with that premiss in mind, I tend to think that life does not get any more creative, authentic, or enjoyable than that.

 

 

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