Simon Low
YOGA ACADEMY PRINCIPAL, COURSE DIRECTOR & RETREAT TEACHER

BWY-accredited, E-RYT 500 and YAP SYT 

Following a career in the music industry in London and New York, I began teaching yoga in 1992 after studying with Dr Larry Payne, the distinguished yoga teacher, therapist and author, at Samata Garden in Los Angeles.  

Having previously qualified as a macrobiotic chef, I have continued to deepen my understanding of the human body and mind through studies in bodywork, chi kung, somatics and psycho-spiritual enquiry.  

My foundational approach was initially informed by the teachings of Sri T. Krishnamacharya and his principal students, notably T.K.V. Desikachar, B.K.S. Iyengar, and carefully selected teachers and teachings from around the world since those formative years. 

My current practice reflects ongoing research and training in various forms of Hatha and Classical yoga, Hanna Somatics, traditional Chinese and Eastern medicine, chi kung, ancient and contemporary healing methodologies, centred movement, psychology, physical therapy and nutrition.  

Since 2020, I have integrated Feldenkrais and Thomas Hanna-inspired Somatics into my teaching and teacher training. Somatics has assisted many students in addressing pain and movement restrictions and is now a standard element of my instruction.  

I have studied at A.H. Almaas’ Ridhwan School and explored A Course in Miracles with Marianne Williamson. My principal teacher resides within me, a relationship I continue to cultivate with the support of my current teachers and practice. I aim to inspire others to develop a similar connection within their own yoga practice. 

After many years of teaching in the UK, I co-founded Triyoga in Primrose Hill, London, serving as Director of Yoga until 2003. Since then, I have focused on teacher training at The Yoga Academy and the Somatics Academy, leading study immersions, workshops and restorative retreats internationally. 

Over the years, I have cultivated a distinctive pedagogical approach, now teaching a balanced synthesis of Yin and Yang Yoga. Rather than a rigid system, this integration informs and enriches diverse yoga traditions, introducing renewed vitality to practice, respect for the human form, transformative breathwork, and mental space conducive to peace and tranquillity.  

I am also a patron of The Hope Foundation, a commendable charity providing support, healthcare, education, and shelter for abandoned street and slum children in Kolkata, India.  

I deliver foundational and continuing education to yoga teachers and practitioners in the UK and internationally, while I especially enjoy the environment, community, energy and education within the format of residential retreats. I always carefully select destinations, studios and retreat venues where I feel that students will most benefit from the symbiotic experience of the location and the teachings shared and practiced.

I look forward to sharing these experiences with you. 

Annie Sullivan
FACULTY teacher, student mentor & course coach

I first met Simon Low by chance in 1995 when my husband and I were married at the hotel in St Lucia where Simon was teaching.  I loved yoga from my first class.  It became a vital part of my life, keeping me sane and healthy ever since; through careers as a lawyer, a senior manager in the BBC, and an executive coach, as well as being mother to two lively daughters.

I trained as a yoga teacher with The Yoga Academy and have worked with Simon as a course planning director, assistant teacher and student mentor on teacher training courses in Thailand, the UK and Spain since 2015. I also offer group and individual coaching to trainee teachers to support them in their studies and development. 

I teach 1-2-1s and tailor-made small group courses in my private studio in south west London, where I focus on helping my students to integrate the physical and mental health benefits of yoga into their everyday lives. I am also a partner in an executive coaching business working with leaders in a range of primarily London-based businesses.

I continue my lifelong studies of yoga, mindfulness, psychology and coaching and feel lucky to work and to learn in areas that are endlessly interesting, enjoyable and valuable.

BWY-accredited teacher, RYT200 

Jane Stirzaker
Faculty teacher and internal quality assurance

I have a great love and passion for yoga and have been practising for over 40 years. I really feel something is amiss if my day doesn’t include some practice, no matter how short. Over the years my love of yoga philosophy has deepened, and the teachings have enriched my life and relationships. The one I have with myself is much more loving and compassionate.

I first studied yoga with the British wheel of Yoga and then qualified as a Yoga Academy teacher in the UK and in Thailand. My thirst for yoga grew and grew, so I undertook yoga therapy training with Doug Keller and have continued my studies with him. I have also been fortunate to further my studies, and practice, with Gill Lloyd, Gary Carter, Peter Blackaby, Donna Farhi and Julie Gudmestad, amongst others.

An extensive background in education, developing quality assurance and policy writing, in large organisations, as well as assessing and verifying standards have also helped me on this path.

Working therapeutically with individuals, including sports people interested in improving their performance, to enable full function in range of movement, increase strength and mobility and to find ease within their bodies, is of particular interest. Yoga brought me back to full mobility after a hip replacement for which I am ever grateful.

I enjoy teaching workshops in Worthing, West Sussex, and abroad.

My personal experience, of how yoga supports my well-being, physically, mentally and emotionally, brings me joy and motivates me to continue sharing with others. I’m a huge fan of how restorative yoga can reduce the impact of stress in busy lives, counterbalance the impact of sporting activities and support the aging process!

During the intensive weeks, I teach lesson planning and work 1-1 with students, tailored to support their individual practice needs.

BWY-Accredited Teacher, RYT 500

For further information about Jane:

www.yogaworthing.co.uk

BINDIE EDWARDS
Faculty teacher

Throughout the last 40 years, Yoga has helped me physically, mentally and emotionally.  After 30 years of running my own business offering event organisation, management and administration in the international motorsport arena, I decided to train with The Yoga Academy in order to teach.

On graduation I became student mentor for the 200 hour trainings and began working as a course tutor and administrative manager following completion of my 500 hour training.  I have also been responsible for the administration of the Yoga Academy’s YA(US) 500 hour course and assisted Simon Low on these workshops.

During the past decade I have trained with the British Wheel of Yoga to teach Yoga to those living with cancer and with the Minded Institute to offer yoga for addiction recovery and eating disorders.  My passion for anatomy has been instrumental to my long-term study with Gary Carter, Doug Keller and Julie Gudmestad and I continue to attend trainings with these teachers.

Currently I am taking sabbatical from much of my teaching and Yoga Academy work in order to continue my studies and research on how Yoga can help women with all kinds of hormonal issues, including those created by cancer treatments.  My research into female pelvic health generally is very helpful to my group classes for those living with cancer.

Yoga is a wonderful gift and I passionately believe that those of us who are lucky enough to have incorporated it into our lives have a duty to share the knowledge and benefits that it offers.

Julie Gudmestad
Applied Anatomy

Julie Gudmestad has been active in Portland, Oregon, as a yoga teacher and licensed physical therapist for over 30 years. Her yoga teaching is primarily informed by the Iyengar method, with modifications to the traditional approach that have significantly enhanced its effectiveness, safety and clarity. Julie has integrated Western medical knowledge with yoga training into a unique teaching style, and has taught workshops in Europe, Canada and throughout the U.S. She is a certified Iyengar yoga teacher and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and was the author of the Yoga Journal column “Anatomy of a Yogi” for over seven years

Julie presents her teachings in a very clear and accessible manner. You will learn materials and skills that will be highly user friendly in both teaching and practice. Julie addresses areas of the anatomy which are common areas of injury, acute and chronic pain and poor postural awareness, and shares knowledge and guidance to help you become more aware and skilled in the effective teaching and practice of yoga in a therapeutic context.

For further information about Julie, please visit www.gudmestadyoga.com

Sue Delf
Pregnancy Yoga

Sue qualified with the British Wheel of Yoga in 1993 and has been teaching and studying yoga for over 20 years. She has post graduate qualifications in the Krishnamacharya tradition and has studied several times with TKV Desikachar at the KYM in Chennai. She is trained in Pregnancy Yoga (Birthlight) and has studied Post Natal and Well Woman Yoga with Francoise Freedman. Over the years she has been fortunate to study with many inspirational teachers in different styles but in particular with Baron Baptiste, Francoise Freedman, Simon Low and her primary teacher Gill Lloyd. She continues to study regularly with Gill. Sue teaches weekly at Triyoga Primrose Hill, Chelsea and at various venues in Surrey. She offers one to one tuition, teaches workshops and takes small groups on yoga weekends and holidays. She is co-presenter of the DVD "Beat Fatigue with Yoga".

For further details about Sue, please visit: www.suedelfyoga.co.uk