from then to now

It seems a lifetime ago since my journey to teaching yoga started with Laura Gilmore and team at Bristol School of Yoga. At the time, the YogaTwins were only 1 year old. It was a huge commitment for me to do the course and YogaMum to be looking after the boys while I was studying in Stoke’s Croft, Bristol.

I remember us having many conversations about the point of me doing the course. Hand on heart, I honestly didn’t know. I just knew that my practice had become my bedrock during the early days with the boys where days and nights blurred into one. I wanted to delve deeper and Laura’s course instinctively felt like the right fit to me.

Practicing teaching was obviously a key part of the course. We would practice in small groups in the safe confines of the studio, before teaching ‘for real’ in public spaces. Thankfully, I had a receptive group at my forward thinking employers, Eunomia Research & Consulting on Queen Square in Bristol. When the weather was good we would head outdoors, amongst the throng of lunch breakers!

Fast forward almost 5 years…

I’m now teaching two Yoga for Men classes a week. I’ve run 100+ classes for colleagues from across the UK Civil Service and been nominated for a prestigious Civil Service Award. I organised a new well-being village at Keynsham Music Festival. I’ve been on Sky News, BBC Radio Bristol and interviewed by ITV News Presenter, Kylie Pentelow for her Yoga Stories podcast series. I’ve had published articles for global wellbeing brand, Wanderlust and raised £1000’s for local, national and international charities along the way.

The point of my ramble is…

When you’re starting out on a journey you may not necessarily know your destination. The most important thing is to follow your heart and take that first brave step. To embrace the opportunity, recognise that there will be stumbles along the way and above all else, enjoy the ride.

Thanks to the Yoga Fam and yoga teacher Mel Skinner for encouraging me to take that first brave step.