Inform us a bit about your self…
I stay round 20km west of Lisbon in Portugal, and have been a yoga instructor since 2001. Earlier than that, I spent a few years working as a lawyer in a big business lawfirm. Pre-pandemic, I lived in London and taught common lessons at The Life Centre (Notting Hill and Islington), and at Triyoga in Camden.
In 2008, I went again to high school to review at London College’s College of Oriental and African Research (SOAS), specialising in historical Indian religions. I acquired my MA in 2010, then launched into analysis on the Upanisads which led to me receiving a PhD in early 2019. I additionally lectured and supervised dissertations on the SOAS MA course in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation, and taught undergraduate Hinduism at SOAS from 2014 to 2020.
Now, I train common lessons and Sanskrit programs stay on-line. I’ve additionally taught yoga historical past and philosophy, Sanskrit, and meditation on the Yogacampus yoga instructor coaching programme for a few years, co-teach the Yogacampus meditation instructor coaching, and am the yoga philosophy tutor for Yoga Scotland.
My yoga instructing displays the various types which I’ve encountered over time. I consider my asana model as relaxed, however fluid, and attempt to hold lessons creatively sequenced, with an eye fixed on their energetic in addition to bodily results. Prāṇāyāma and meditation are integral components of my observe and most of my lessons embrace these in addition to āsana. A few years in the past, I used to be recognised by the London Night Customary as a high instructor of yoga nidrā.
Outdoors yoga, I’m a little bit of a foodie, a cricket lover, and a eager traveller.
What does a typical day appear to be for you?
I don’t assume there may be such a factor! However they in all probability all contain an excessive amount of time in entrance of a pc…
How did your yoga journey start and what impressed you to grow to be a yoga instructor?
I used to be bribed to attend a category at The Life Centre in Notting Hill by my associate within the late Nineteen Nineties. Regardless of my preliminary misgivings, with a physique stiff from years of sitting behind a desk and enjoying sport, I quickly grew to become an everyday, at school two or thrice every week, and began occurring yoga holidays and to yoga workshops. I used to be fascinated not simply by the bodily advantages, but in addition the psychological impression – yoga made me really feel so a lot better in myself in any respect kinds of ranges. I fairly rapidly felt deep down that I might train, so, once I had the possibility of a sabbatical from my job in 2000, I spent a number of months in India, and in addition went to the US the place I met such wonderful lecturers as Richard Freeman, Erich Schiffmann, and Shiva Rea. Throughout that 12 months I additionally took the quick instructor coaching course at White Lotus Basis in California, and realised that I actually might train. After I acquired again to the UK in 2001, I acquired into instructing frequently, initially alongside my day job, and, from 2004, full time, whereas persevering with to coach, primarily with Rod Stryker.
What impressed you to focus on your observe?
I’m not positive how a lot I do specialise! However I’ve been eager on historical past since faculty days, and have been very drawn over time to learning the complicated historic and philosophical background to yoga. That is what led me again to college in 2008, and these are the areas I mainly give attention to in instructor coaching.
How have you ever seen yoga profit your college students?
I believe that that’s extra for them to say than me. However I wish to consider an elevated consciousness of themselves and of the world round them, in addition to a number of apparent well being advantages.
What’s your favourite quote or life motto?
Considered one of my lecturers, Richard Freeman, as soon as mentioned ‘The world is a yoga studio.’, and that has caught with me ever since. Yoga is not only one thing we do on our mat, however ought to affect the entire of our life.o Tom
What’s arising for you in 2024?
All being properly, a brand new consumption of scholars on the Yoga Scotland instructor coaching course within the autumn, my annual yoga weekend in Sussex, extra meditation instructor coaching, and a few extra time for me, together with a visit to São Tomé e Principe… although I do have an concept for a ebook, which I wish to pitch to a writer at some stage.
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