Embedded Files
Laura:
"I've been practicing yoga since I was just sixteen years old. I was drawn to yoga because I wanted something spiritual but non religious - yoga gave me just that, and much more! I have practiced a wide range of yoga styles over the years, and find myself drawing on all of these in my own classes. I personally find that yoga works on so many levels, and the benefits for me over the years have been both physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. Over the years yoga has helped me cope through complex trauma and the resulting stress, anxiety, and depression. It's got me through university, work, pregnancy, and new motherhood, and all of life's ups and downs. Yoga helps to keep me grounded, balanced, positive, and relaxed (most of the time anyway!) In it's infinite wisdom, yoga helps me release tension from my body, calm my mind, and soothe my heart.
I did my first teacher training with the Integral Yoga Institute at their ashram in Virginia, USA. I spent a month at this wonderful place and it was an absolutely invaluable experience. Both in terms of truly immersing myself in ashram life and learning so much about yoga practice, history, and philosophy, but also in learning a great deal about myself and my own journey in yoga.
Later, I also completed the British Wheel of Yoga teacher training in Durham with the wonderful Terri Hilder and Maureen McCarthy. This course is a level 4 diploma and is very in depth, providing a really firm grounding in understanding all aspects of yoga, and I benefitted greatly from the shared wisdom and experience of two amazing teachers.
I also took further training in Pregnancy Yoga and Mother and Baby Yoga, with Wendy Teasdill and with Uma Dinsmore Tuli, which were both incredible courses led by, and attended by some truly inspirational women. Pregnancy, Birth and Babies have in the past been particular passions of mine, especially when having my own two boys. I now no longer teach regular pre or post natal classes as my interests have moved more towards nervous system regulation for all, especially those suffering with anxiety, chronic stress, and complex trauma.
And so I have additionally trained in Sound Healing, with the wonderful Ann of Guru Holistics, Durham. I now hold regular sound bath sessions which are a fantastic relaxation modality, especially for those who feel unable to dedicate time to mastering meditation, or who prefer a non movement based approach.
For me, yoga, and sound healing, provide a re-set button, bringing me back to myself, and helping me find balance throughout my life. And this is what I aim to bring to all of my classes, workshops, sound baths, and retreats - A sense of coming home to yourself, and learning how to find joy in movement, peace in stillness, and restfulness at any time you need it. I'd love for you to join me."
My Passion
My Passion
“Yoga releases tension from my body, calms my mind, and soothes my heart.
“Yoga releases tension from my body, calms my mind, and soothes my heart.
My Passion is sharing this with others.”
My Passion is sharing this with others.”
Qualifications:
Qualifications:
Foundation Course:
Foundation Course:
In 2006 I completed the British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course in Yoga taught by Linda Irving in Gateshead. The foundation course provides an opportunity to explore yoga practices in more depth. It also covers some of the underlying principles and philosophies of yoga. In addition it is a prerequisite for the British Wheel of Yoga Teacher Training Diploma.
Integral Yoga:
Integral Yoga:
In July 2007 I qualified as an Integral Yoga Teacher after a month-long intensive teacher training at the Satchidananda Ashram in Virginia, USA.
Integral Yoga was developed by Sri Swami Satchidananda, an Indian Spiritual Leader who advocated the acceptance of all religions and spiritual paths as equally valid, and dedicated his life to individual and universal peace. The style of yoga he developed integrates the various branches of yoga (postures, breathing exercises, meditation, self-discipline etc.) to help the practitioner work towards inner peace & joy. Yoga classes taught in the Integral style follow a set sequence of postures each lesson, and include breathing techniques, meditation, chanting & relaxation.
British Wheel of Yoga:
British Wheel of Yoga:
This qualification is a 2 year diploma in yoga teaching to Level 4 - equivalent to a first year degree. I was taught by Terri Hilder and Maureen McCarthy, both highly respected teachers in the North of England. I completed this course in December 2011, and feel very privileged to have been able to experience both this and the Ashram intensive course in the US as they both provided such amazing and varied opportunities for study and practice.
The general style of yoga taught within the British Wheel of Yoga is “Hatha” yoga, but teachers are encouraged to draw on their own experiences and personal practice. The course provides the background knowledge in anatomy & physiology, the main yogic practices, the ancient theories of yoga, yogic philosophy, and essential teaching methods and techniques, allowing teachers to develop a style of teaching that suits them and their students. For more information on my teaching style see "What to expect at class".
Pregnancy Yoga:
Pregnancy Yoga:
In 2012 I undertook further "post-graduate" training with the British Wheel of Yoga in Yoga for Pregnancy, taught by Wendy Teasdill (a highly respected Pregnancy Yoga teacher and Author of "Yoga for Pregnancy" one of the original and best books on the subject) and Denise Bottomley (Midwife), both of whom helped to inspire me in my teaching of women during this most special, and sometimes challenging, time in their life.
Mother and Baby Yoga:
Mother and Baby Yoga:
In 2013 I completed the Mother and Baby Yoga course with the Yoga Campus in Manchester with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli. This course focusses on Post-natal healing and recovery for mothers, as well as yoga for babies from birth to four years of age. Uma is an inspiring teacher, with a wealth of knowledge and experience, and this course was a fantastic introduction to the world of teaching yoga for mothers and their babies.
Intuitive Sound Healing:
Intuitive Sound Healing:
In 2023 I completed a course with Guru Holistics in Durham exploring Intuitive Sound Healing, learning how to share the many benefits of relaxation with sound vibration both on an individual and a group basis. I found myself deeply drawn to Crystal Singing Bowls, Himalayan Bowls, Koshi Chimes, and the Ocean Drum, which are some of the instruments I am currently using in my sound bath offerings, as I build my collection!
Insurance:
Insurance:
I am fully insured with BGI. I also carry out a full risk assessment before starting a course of classes, and obtain information from students relating to health before they commence class to allow me to assess if postures are safe for them on an on-going basis. I do not keep any medical records or personal information on file, but rely on verbal communication between myself and students to keep an ongoing open dialogue about the health and wellbeing needs.
First Aid:
First Aid:
I am a qualified (one-day) first aider, and I take a refresher course every three years.
Google Sites
Report abuse