Yogaprema teachers
Lila Conway
Lila was first introduced to yoga 15 years ago through a book, ‘The book of YOGA’ by Sivananda, this was her first teacher. Asana (posture) practice felt very natural, but it was the chanting, philosophy and ancient teachings that really fuelled an intense desire to learn more. Lila travelled to India in 2000 to continue her study and practice of yoga and naturally went on to complete a Yoga Teachers Training Course at the Sivananda Ashram, Kerala, India in 2001.
Following this intense training, Lila had a deep yearning to fully immerse herself in the integral approach of yoga that was practiced at the ashram - asana, pranayama, meditation, karma yoga (selfless service), chanting, devotional practice and the study of scriptures. What started as a 3 month commitment to become a staff member at the ashram in India 2001, went on to be a journey that has lasted the best part of 8 years. Lila lived and served within the monastic setting of the Sivananda ashrams & centres in India and Canada. It was during this time that yoga really transformed her and is now a way of life rather than just a practice. In 2004 Lila took her Advanced Teachers Training Course in India and regularly visits the ashrams to continue her journey of learning and to connect with her teachers. She has assisted on numerous Teachers Training and Advanced Teachers Training Courses and is fully trained to teach yoga teachers. Lila is very grateful for the continued opportunity to serve and teach on the Sivananda Teachers Training Courses in India.
Currently teaching Hatha yoga and Meditation in the Bristol area and beyond, her classes are deeply steeped in tradition and can be dynamic and challenging or soft, nurturing and meditative. As well as teaching yoga classes, Lila runs regular Satsangs (meditation and chanting), workshops, retreats and yoga holidays in the UK and abroad. Lila writes yoga articles for Inspired Times Magazine, an ethical living and lifestyle magazine. www.inspiredtimesmagazine.com.
With a profound gratitude for the gift of life and the time honoured knowledge and practices of yoga, Lila's inspiration comes from the service of others and the path of unconditional love and devotion. Lila believes that we can best serve others and heal ourselves when our hearts are open and pure.
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
In the Service of Love x
Lila was first introduced to yoga 15 years ago through a book, ‘The book of YOGA’ by Sivananda, this was her first teacher. Asana (posture) practice felt very natural, but it was the chanting, philosophy and ancient teachings that really fuelled an intense desire to learn more. Lila travelled to India in 2000 to continue her study and practice of yoga and naturally went on to complete a Yoga Teachers Training Course at the Sivananda Ashram, Kerala, India in 2001.
Following this intense training, Lila had a deep yearning to fully immerse herself in the integral approach of yoga that was practiced at the ashram - asana, pranayama, meditation, karma yoga (selfless service), chanting, devotional practice and the study of scriptures. What started as a 3 month commitment to become a staff member at the ashram in India 2001, went on to be a journey that has lasted the best part of 8 years. Lila lived and served within the monastic setting of the Sivananda ashrams & centres in India and Canada. It was during this time that yoga really transformed her and is now a way of life rather than just a practice. In 2004 Lila took her Advanced Teachers Training Course in India and regularly visits the ashrams to continue her journey of learning and to connect with her teachers. She has assisted on numerous Teachers Training and Advanced Teachers Training Courses and is fully trained to teach yoga teachers. Lila is very grateful for the continued opportunity to serve and teach on the Sivananda Teachers Training Courses in India.
Currently teaching Hatha yoga and Meditation in the Bristol area and beyond, her classes are deeply steeped in tradition and can be dynamic and challenging or soft, nurturing and meditative. As well as teaching yoga classes, Lila runs regular Satsangs (meditation and chanting), workshops, retreats and yoga holidays in the UK and abroad. Lila writes yoga articles for Inspired Times Magazine, an ethical living and lifestyle magazine. www.inspiredtimesmagazine.com.
With a profound gratitude for the gift of life and the time honoured knowledge and practices of yoga, Lila's inspiration comes from the service of others and the path of unconditional love and devotion. Lila believes that we can best serve others and heal ourselves when our hearts are open and pure.
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
In the Service of Love x
Simon Martin
Simon started practising yoga in 2001 when living in London. Soon after he visited Indiaand was introduced to yogic philosophy which unbeknown to him at that time was laying the foundations for a future of deeper yoga practice. During his second trip to Indiain 2007 he spent time at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram in Kerala where, immersed in the 5 points and 4 paths of yoga from teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda, he awakened to the profound healing effects of yoga. The following year his training took him to the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Californiawhere during a 3 month period he completed the Teacher Training Course under Swami Sitaramananda, Vidya Chaitanya and Mani Chaitanya.
Now living in Bristol, Simon regularly teaches Hatha Yoga classes and participates in Satsangs. He simply wishes bring to others the teachings he experiences from the many great and wonderful teachers before him. He is gratefully encouraged by family, friends and fellow yoga teachers who are profoundly appreciative of the transformational process of following yogic traditions.
Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate and Realise. Om Tat Sat.
Now living in Bristol, Simon regularly teaches Hatha Yoga classes and participates in Satsangs. He simply wishes bring to others the teachings he experiences from the many great and wonderful teachers before him. He is gratefully encouraged by family, friends and fellow yoga teachers who are profoundly appreciative of the transformational process of following yogic traditions.
Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate and Realise. Om Tat Sat.
Debbie Thomas
I previously trained as a professional dancer and worked for many years as a contemporary dancer and practiced and studied other forms of dance such as Asian, African, Jazz and Ballet. I qualified as a dance leader and taught workshops with dance companies such as English National ballet and CandoCo.
I have practiced yoga for over 15 years having first engaged with the Iyengar style in London and Bristol. I then discovered the Sivananda style suited me, my body and mind. I trained for 5 years with a small gap when I ruptured my achilles tendon dancing (not through yoga!)
In 2009, I qualified as a teacher at the Sivananda Vedanta School in the Himalaya, India. Since then, I have established a Health at work weekly yoga lunchtime session for Bristol City Council and have joined Yoga Prema as an occasional teacher.
I have practiced yoga for over 15 years having first engaged with the Iyengar style in London and Bristol. I then discovered the Sivananda style suited me, my body and mind. I trained for 5 years with a small gap when I ruptured my achilles tendon dancing (not through yoga!)
In 2009, I qualified as a teacher at the Sivananda Vedanta School in the Himalaya, India. Since then, I have established a Health at work weekly yoga lunchtime session for Bristol City Council and have joined Yoga Prema as an occasional teacher.
Dory Walker (Daya Devi)
Life is a journey. Finding herself on her first asana mat at 18, Dory has experienced the true spirit of yoga as transformational practice. She believes in the power of yoga to guide conscious evolution, individually and collectively. She brings the essence of the ancient teachings to her classes in fun and creative fusion of dynamic hatha flow, meditation, profound relaxation and chanting. A global adventurer Dory teaches regularly in Canada, New Zealand, Indiaand Egypt, teaching retreats and teacher training courses. She is an Advanced certified teacher and has practiced and studied many forms of Hatha Yoga (physical yoga) all of which influence and enrich her teaching. Her classes are fun and encourage students to discover their edge and use their practice as an art of transformation.Through her own practice she has discovered that regular practice promotes effective, positive and healthy living. Dory believes strongly in making the yoga (union) adventure joyful, keeping it light and remembering to laugh!! Dory is also a practicing therapist and Reiki Master. Her treatments are intuitive and draw on her wide ranging experience and knowledge from a broad spectrum of healing modalities. Through her own self-practice and study she continues to develop experience and knowledge gaining fresh inspiration for her teaching and treatments Living in beautiful Gloucestershire and travelling worldwide, Dory gets lots of Inspiration from Mother Nature!
Her motto: Expand the Heart; it’s all about the Love.. Don’t take yourself too seriously!
Love to all Beings, may Peace Prevail on Earth. Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu. Om Shanti xx
Her motto: Expand the Heart; it’s all about the Love.. Don’t take yourself too seriously!
Love to all Beings, may Peace Prevail on Earth. Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu. Om Shanti xx
