I never appreciated the name my mother gave me until I found yoga. Ananda means bliss in Sanskrit; my name fits the sentiment of the path that became central to my life in the year 2000. In the pursuit of liberation, I continually deconstruct and reconstruct myself through the practices of yoga.

In 1999, I began my Ashtanga yoga journey with scholar/practitioner Alexander Medin (certified by Pattabhis Jois), who taught me the primary series. From 2009 to present, I have been studying under the guidance of Philippa Asher (certified by Sharath Jois). Having completed the Intermediate and Advanced A sequences, I am currently working through the latter stages of advanced B. I received level II authorisation to teach the Ashtanga Yoga method by Sharath Jois in Mysore India in 2014. Since then, much has happened in the world, within me, and within the ashtanga yoga community. Whilst I am mindful of respecting and honouring the lineage of ashtanga yoga and the so called ‘correct method’, I am not endorsed by anyone’s ‘list’, nor do I represent anyone who has a list. I stand for the integrity of the teachings, and I hold myself accountable to that integrity.

My teaching approach is inclusive and evolutionary, focused on the individual. I am intrigued by the connections between the physical/psychological/emotional body and yoga as somatic therapy. If a yoga practice is to be illuminating and transformative it requires discipline and a container - I walk the line between maintaining the container whilst being considerate of the unique entry point, and building blocks, for each individual practitioner. Accessibility, healthy movement patterns, and listening to one’s body is essential to cultivating a practice that can be sustained through different life stages. Ashtanga Yoga is a self-practice, taught one to one in a group setting, in a quiet space. The quietness of the practice encourages personal connection within community, as well as a connection to the mysterious and the unknown within the ordinariness of everyday.

I give thanks to all my teachers, mentors and guides (both on and off the mat); and to the seekers who have come before me for sharing their wisdom traditions. I am forever a student, and it is an honour for me to share this deeply transformative practice with you.