The Journey thus far
With a background as a bookworm, horse trainer and fitness enthusiast, I have had to work through every asana pose with determination. I have experience with not reaching, not opening, with stumbling, slipping and falling flat on my face, experiences I can share with my students, helping them break through barriers of body and mind. I am not so concerned about what we can and cannot do on the mat; what matters is our intention, and the discipline and ability to love the practice no matter where it takes us; do that and the practice will take us to where we are supposed to be.
I first found my way to the mat in 2012 and started practicing with teachers from the Radiant Hand. Here the teachers were students of a Guruji in the traditional way, so I learned about this special teacher – student relationship from the outset. In addition to being trained in a strong, dynamic physical practice, I was quickly introduced to pranayama, japa mantra and meditation as an integral part of my practice. I was also brought into the philosophy of yoga at an early stage and allowed to participate in Satsang with my teacher’s Guruji. I spent about 5 years practicing and studying with the Radiant Hand and completed 2 of 5 levels of their traditional teacher training.
At some point I felt it was time to explore further, and at exactly the right time I met Stewart Gilchrist. I started practicing with him regularly, and in 2018 I started my first 200h YTT, and later completed 500h YTT with his East London School of Yoga. Since then, I continue to teach, assist, study and practice under Stewart’s guidance.
I have completed 30 hours Yin training with Norman Blair, and I teach the most chilled out Yin practice possible, think lots of bolsters, soulful music and not a whole lot of talking; sometimes, in a world that never stops, we just need to be instructed to be still…. I am also a student of the Vedanta under the tutelage of Ram Banerjee; never mind balancing on your hands or put you body into the shape of a pretzel… the Vedanta melts your brain (in most beautiful way).
I mainly teach at Indaba yoga studio in Marylebone, where I both have my own classes, and cover for others. It is is also where I practice the most, mostly with Stewiji, but I also indulge in the hearth opening, upside down, world of the Dharma practice under the scrutiny of Emi Tull. At times I explore Ashtanga under the guidance of Tom Norrington – Davies. But I don’t ‘throw the net too wide’, I believe in you find your teachers when you need them and there is lot to be said about having a real student – teacher relationship with someone who understands your practice and spiritual development.
Because, more than anything, Yoga is a spiritual practice and way of living for me, and I offer up what I have to give, and leave it to my students to absorb what they are ready for and need in their own sweet time. I feel teaching yoga comes naturally to me and I am comfortable teaching an absolute beginner as much as an experienced teacher.
I think one of the most important ways to be a good teacher is to continually develop and explore your own practice, the more you experience yourself the more you have to share and the more you are able to understand your students, what they are experiencing and what they need to develop in their own practice.
I ponder over concepts of Dharma and Karma, and me teaching yoga to others at the best of my ability clearly fits in there somewhere.
You can also see my profile on the Yoga Alliance Professionals website
Tiril Yoga 