Simon Low
YOGA ACADEMY PRINCIPAL, COURSE DIRECTOR & RETREAT TEACHER

BWY-accredited, E-RYT 500 and YAP SYT 

After a career in the music industry based out of London and New York, I undertook training as A yoga teacher and therapist 30 years ago with renowned yoga teacher, therapist and author Dr Larry Payne at Samata International in Los Angeles, California. These studies were augmented by my studies and training in macrobiotics, bodywork, chi kung and psycho-spiritual enquiry. As principal of The Yoga Academy, I offer foundational and continuing education to yoga teachers and students in the UK and internationally.

My foundational teachings are informed by those of Sri T Krishnamacharya and his primary students, in particular TKV Desikachar and BKS Iyengar. My current teachings reflect my continued enquiry, training and on-going studies in many forms of Hatha and Classical yoga, traditional Chinese and eastern medicine, Chi Kung, ancient and contemporary healing methodologies, centred-movement, psychology, physical therapy and nutrition. I also studied in A.H. Almaas’ Ridhwan School, and have also studied The Course in Miracles. My primary teacher lives within myself, a relationship I continue to cultivate with the help and guidance of my current teachers and practice. I hope to inspire others to cultivate the same relationship within themselves and their own yoga practices.

Following many years of teaching in the UK, I was co-founder of Triyoga in London, where I was Director of Yoga until 2003, since which time I have concentrated on teacher training at The Yoga Academy and on leading study immersions, workshops and rejuvenating yoga retreats around the world. Over the years, I believe that I have developed a unique and personal teaching style and now practice and teach a harmonious combination of Yin and Yang Yoga. Not a set system but a balanced approach that can inform and enrich all styles of yoga, Yin and Yang Yoga offers fresh vitality to yoga practice, kindness and respect to the human form, transformative breathing practices, and for the mind – the space for peace and tranquillity.

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

In 2007, Simon released his now very popular DVD “Yin and Yang Yoga” and in spring 2015, Yin Yoga App for iPhone.
Click here for more information

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