Prompted by ongoing backpain since teenagehood, I took up yoga some 20 years ago (my mum took me to my first class taught by a lovely 60+ Scottish lady in a church hall!) I discovered a positive shift not only on a physical level but also on the mental & emotional plane: like a bubble of oxygen rising up though turbulent waters (which often manifested as depression), yoga helped me gain clarity to take the next best step forward - sometimes immediate clarity, sometimes not so immediate! But with regular practice, it always delivered.
I have studied & practiced across a rage of traditions including Sivananda Vedanta (TTC, Jan 04 & ATTC, March 04), Iyengar, Scaravelli & Ashtanga Vinyasa which I discovered with John Scott in 1996. During the next 7/8 years, my journey of self-practice emerged, complimented by regular classes, workshops & residentials with amonst others John Scott, Danny Paradise, Dena Kingsberg & regular practice in London with Sabel Thiam, co-founder of Surya Yoga where I have also taught.
Having since moved away from the Astanga system to a softer, flowing Hatha practice which inspires my teaching, my journey of self-practice & discovery continues supported by various teachers & training courses including Faustomaria at Innergy, where I also enjoy Kirtan chanting.
Further teacher training : Antenatal yoga with Sitaram Partnership (Oct 05); Foundation to Teaching Prana Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Siva Rea (June 08); Yoga Therapy Foundation Course with the Yoga Biomedical Trust/The life Centre (Sept-Nov 08). Most recently, I have just completed a Yoga Nidra teacher training (Jan-June 09) with the Satyanada Yoga Centre in London.
From a career as a professional singer, my shift into teaching has increased in the past few years, teaching regular classes & workshops in London & organising yogabelle retreats & holidays in the UK (since 05) & in The Gambia (07 & 08). Alongside this, I have also led retreats & holidays for other organizations since 2005 : Moonbeach Retreats, Egypt (05 & 06) where I ran an all aspects of yoga & massage therapies; Yogaonashoestring (Dahab/Egypt 07, 08, 09; Morocco 09); alongside other retreat centers both in the UK & abroad (Italy 08). Further info click Retreats & Yoga Holidays.
As a massage therapist, I am qualified in Holistic Body Massage (ITEC), Indian Head Massage (ITEC) and Facial Rejuvenation Massage (LCICI), also known as Natural Face Lift Massage (it works!). I especially enjoy combining massage & teaching whilst running retreats.
An ongoing yoga practice has played an essential part in helping me explore my singing. Having gigged & sessioned
internationally, I am continuing my musical journey developing songwriting, studying guitar & recording in London. I am also enjoying Kirtan chanting these days !
…and underpinning everything on this page & my life, is my daily practice of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism within the Soka Gakkai International (means 'Buddhist Society for Creation of Value' in Japanese) - peace, belle x :)
