Jody’s Yoga Journey

I first discovered Yoga in 1991, when I was nearly 30. I had no idea then where it would lead me! It has been an important part of my life ever since.
My first experience of āsana was Ashtanga Yoga with Raphael David DeBora (Raffi), who was the first teacher to bring the Ashtanga series to Forest Row, near where I live. He taught in Forest Row and Oxford for 14 years, and I am very grateful to him for introducing me to the practice.

In 2001 I travelled to Mysore, India, to study Ashtanga Yoga with BNS Iyengar, and Hatha Yoga with Acharya Venkatesha and Acharye Hema. I have returned to India many times since, continuing to study Hatha Yoga with the teachers who have most influenced and shaped my understanding of Yoga.

Over the years I have explored many different approaches to Yoga, including Kundalini, Yin, Prenatal, Restorative, Yoga for Trauma, Yoga Therapy and KundaDance. I have also trained in Thai Yoga massage and other holistic therapies.

Before becoming a full-time Yoga teacher, much of my working life was spent in the care sector, supporting children and adults in community and residential settings. I also provided live-in respite and end-of-life care for people living with disability, illness, frailty or recovering from difficult circumstances.
These experiences have had a huge influence on the way I teach.

My approach to Yoga

My classes are relaxed, friendly and non-competitive. You don’t need to be flexible, fit or experienced – and you certainly don’t need to be able to touch your toes!
Many of my students are older adults and I understand that starting something new can feel rather daunting, especially as we get older.
For me, Yoga isn’t about achieving impressive postures. It is about learning to feel more comfortable in your own body, wherever you happen to be today.
Sometimes progress is something very simple: turning your head a little further, sleeping better, or discovering that you can put your socks on without struggling. Those are the things that make me happy as a teacher.
My classes focus on the breath, calming the mind, releasing unnecessary tension and becoming more aware of how we are feeling. I am less interested in where you are in a posture than in how you are while you are there.
Ultimately, I think Yoga can help us find a little more ease, contentment and stillness in our lives.

Is my class right for you?

If you’re looking for advanced poses, impressive flexibility or challenging hand balances, I’m probably not the teacher for you!
If you’d like to reduce stress, release tension, improve mobility, ease tight muscles, have some quiet time to yourself, or simply feel a little better in your body, then you may find my classes a good fit.
I also work with people who have particular physical or personal challenges, and I offer one-to-one sessions where we can take the time to work out what is right for you.
You are very welcome to come along to a class and see how it feels. If you’d prefer a little more individual attention to begin with, one-to-one sessions can be a lovely way to start.

Yoga beyond the physical practice

I have always enjoyed travelling to India to study, and over the years my own practice has moved increasingly towards meditation, Yoga philosophy and the quieter aspects of Yoga. My studies in Mysore introduced me to Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras, and I continue to find that the more I learn, the more I realise there is still to learn!
I also have a connection with a Buddhist community in Brighton, which has become an important part of my life. I don’t see Yoga simply as exercise. For me, the practices of Yoga and meditation offer ways of becoming a little more aware, a little less reactive and perhaps a little more at peace with ourselves.
That is what I hope to bring into my teaching.

Yoga holidays and retreats

Since 2002 I have been teaching on Yoga holidays and retreats in some wonderful places around the world.
I particularly enjoy combining Yoga with travel, culture and the opportunity to experience somewhere very different from home. My retreats aren’t about spending a week doing nothing but Yoga. There is plenty of time to explore, eat good food, meet local people and enjoy the place we are visiting.
I now organise and lead my own retreats, including trips to Crete, Morocco, India, Nepal, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Yoga from home

In 2023 I started my Yoga YouTube channel.
I wanted to make Yoga available to people who can’t get to a class, don’t feel comfortable going to a studio, or simply prefer to practise at home. There are practices for complete beginners, older adults, chair Yoga, gentle Yoga, Yin and shorter sessions for those days when you don’t have much time.
You can find my YouTube channel here.

Teacher Training

Since 2019 I have run Yoga Teacher Training courses for people who want to deepen their own understanding of Yoga or go on to teach.
Teaching Yoga isn’t simply about learning how to demonstrate postures. It involves understanding the body, the breath, the mind and the traditions from which Yoga comes — and, importantly, learning how to work with real people rather than idealised bodies in yoga books!
I particularly enjoy helping students develop confidence in finding their own way of teaching rather than trying to copy someone else.
Details of the teacher training course here

A little about me

Away from Yoga, I’m a mum of three, grandmother of six and great-grandmother to one very precious little girl.
I’ve been practising Yoga for more than 35 years and teaching for more than 27. And despite all those years, I certainly don’t feel that I’ve “finished” learning about Yoga. Quite the opposite.
Perhaps that’s one of the things I love about it. There is always something more to discover.
If you’d like to come to a class, arrange a one-to-one session, or find out more about my retreats or teacher training, please get in touch at jody@jody-yoga.com 

I hope to see you on the mat.
Jody