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Information on the Teachers leading Weekend Workshops

David Sye, listed as one of the top ten Yoga teachers in the UK and a Yoga Elder, has developed over many years "Yogabeats", his own brand of Yoga.
Yogabeats has now been touring in various festivals, cities and countries, gaining international success and recognition.

He has been practising yoga for over 20 years in International locations such as America, India and Israel. His “gentle power” yoga fuses Hatha, Astanga, Mridu and Vini. Gentle at the beginning and end but with dynamic and powerful periods at the core.

A regular teacher with Free Spirit Travel, David will take you on a journey to touch all your senses. The Yoga class is for all levels and is driven by music that matches the pace and the flow of the Yoga

Jilly in the Free Spirit Office regularly attends David's holidays and is happy to chat and answer questions.

It is an enjoyable and fun class, the ages of yoga students attending David's yoga holidays range from 20 to over 70, including beginners and yoga teachers.

It really is yoga for everybody!

www.yogabeats.com
 

Liz has been teaching yoga through the 1990's, training first with the British Wheel of Yoga. She has an outstanding reputation and has written many books about yoga - she also has a great sense of fun and yoga students love to travel with her.

Absorbed in the creative wellbeing and balance of the through physical alignment, breathing, sequencing and relaxation, her inspiration comes from the tradition of Astanga Vinyasa Yoga, where postures are threaded together in a breath-linked flow, and other Hatha yoga practices including yoga nidra (guided relaxation). Liz adapts yoga postures for individuals to help sculpt each body.

She is a board member for The Life Centre Teachers Training Course, and runs her yoga retreats in places of unspoilt, outstanding natural beauty.

Liz holds BA & MA degrees in 3d design & Performing arts, producing figurative drawing and sculpture, elements of which she draws into her teaching.

Liz Lark and Jean Hall have known each other since university and often run retreats and holidays together.

Jean has been practicing yoga for over 19 years and has been teaching yoga for 12 years. She teaches open yoga classes in London, mentors yoga teachers in training & leads yoga retreats in the U.K and throughout the world.

She is the author of several books including:
Yoga, a practical guide to yoga postures - Abbeydale Press
Astanga Yoga, a in-depth guide to the primary series - Anness Books

After working as a professional dancer she qualified as a Iyengar yoga teacher in 1995 & since has continued to study different forms of yoga, namely Sivananda Yoga in Trivanadram and Astanga Yoga in Mysore with Sri K Pattahbi Jois.


Her teaching focuses on developing healthy body mechanics, awareness and flow of breath, energy and alignment to balance & strengthen the body, while deep stretching and relaxation helps to release tension from within.

Jean Hall and Liz Lark have known each other since university and often run retreats and holidays together.
 

Yoga with Simona Hernndez

Simona’s professional background is in Psychology and she has also studied Classical ballet. Subsequent studies in Dance Movement Therapy increased her awareness of how inextricably the mind, body and inner spirit are linked.

She initially trained as a Sivananda Yoga teacher in 1998, however, her love of yoga drew her to other styles of yoga including Iyengar, Ashtanga Vinyasa, and Vinyasa Flow.

Over the last 4 years she has had the privilege of studying with Bridget Woods-Kramer and John Friend as an Anusara teacher and has gained Anusara Inspired Status.

Simona has been practising yoga for 12 years and teaching yoga for 10 years and has continued her yoga training and teaching while living in Sydney and the UK. She teaches at Yoga Bodhi, a dedicated yoga centre in Bath that she also runs.

Simona is also responsible for teaching Subtle anatomy and children's yoga on The Yoga Academy Teachers Training Course with Simon Low.

Simona’s classes are both fun and challenging and encourage playful exploration of both the spiritual and physical aspects of yoga. Simona emphasises in her teaching that we may practice yoga in a group, but that the practice of yoga in itself is a very unique journey.

This intimate weekend break in beautiful Italy will offer 6 yogamonks* sessions that invite you to explore your mind, body and spirit. The practice leads to physical release, emotional expansion and mental clarity.

The Yogamonks method introduces a loving and holistic way in which to move, making your yoga practice inspiring, effective, fulfilling and transformative. Therapeutic massage, accupressure and reiki are available at special retreat-discounted rates

Expect Dynamic Vinyasa that will challenge you to your very core and involve your entire being.

Learn how to practice with precision, move with fluidity and grace as you discover your own path to effortless and expansive living.

"I use the Yogamonks method to stimulate the muscle of awareness as its this awareness that reveals our attachments to our conditionality.

Beneath this however our awareness strengthens our connection to our heart and our true, authentic nature"

Mary Niker is a highly experienced Iyengar Yoga teacher. She teaches classes and weekend courses throughout the Thames Valley and has recently completed an extensive course in India.

Mary has studied yoga for over 19 years and been trained by many of senior teachers in the UK, she is dedicated to teaching Yoga with care and respect.

Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcomed on this yoga week. Growth and learning is encouraged at the pace you feel you are most comfortable with.

As Mary quotes

" Through the practice of Iyengar Yoga we can not only combat stress, but achieve positive mental, spiritual and physical growth."

Sue Lovell teaches Iyengar yoga as a unique process capable of transforming our lives by giving us a deeper awareness of our body , mind and spirit as well as increasing strength and flexibility.

She has been practicing yoga for 15 years and teaching for 8 years in Derbyshire where she runs with partner Peak Yoga Centre. She holds is a Junior Intermediate level Teaching certificate

Sue’s approach to teaching on yoga holidays and workshops is to introduce a sense of serious fun generating an eagerness to learn, adding layers of understanding and clarity to students practise helping them to realise their full potential.

Her open and accessible style is geared to building confidence and poise in asana practice and deepening understanding of ourselves through pranayama (yogic breathing techniques).
 

Tyrone Duff  first discovered the path of Hatha yoga in India where he studied in the foothills with his teacher.

Following this he studied Hatha yoga in London with Fausto Maria at the Innergy Yoga Centre and completed a Sivananda teacher training course at the Vendanta Yoga Centre in New York, U.S.A.

Tyrone's classes are filled with humour and expertise, he has a loyal following and is a regular teacher with Free Spirit Travel. He currently teaches regular classes throughout London an is also a practitioner of Shiatsu.

left: Tyrone on his yoga holiday in Dahab

Tyrone's approach is gentle and fluid, focusing on the breath, gravity and a 'mindful witness' to the sensations within the body
 

Simon Low is a director of yoga and co-founder at triyoga, one of London’s premier yoga centres. His teaching is informed by the study of Astanga, Iyengar, Okido and other forms of Hatha yoga, and is suitable for all levels including beginners.

Simon’s teaching reflects his training and ongoing studies with international teachers in many forms of Hatha and Classical yoga.

Since becoming certified in Teacher Training and Advanced Yoga Therapy with Dr. Larry Payne at Samata International in Los Angeles, California, Simon has developed a unique and personal teaching style.

While the classical teachings of Sri T Krishnamacharya and his primary students inform the foundations of Simon’s ‘yin and yang’ style yoga experience, his own teachings are augmented by a keen interest in Okido Yoga, and a wide and varied journey through many other systems and schools of Hatha Yoga, bodywork, psychology and disciplines such as The Alexander Technique, Pilates, and Chi Kung.

While keeping classes and study educational, diverse, focused and fun, Simon encourages the individual to remain mindfully focused toward internal exploration as a guide to experiencing yoga as it is meant to be practiced – a personal journey toward freedom, clarity, centeredness and the revealing and nurturing of the True Self-your Essence
 

Fiona Agombar, is an experienced yoga teacher who had chronic fatigue for 15 years but made a full recovery thanks to following a yoga lifestyle and with the help of her mentors Angela Stevens and Bill Feeney. She originally trained with the Yoga for Health Foundation and also in India. 

In 1997 Fiona wrote the definitive book on yoga, fatigue and M.E: Beat Fatigue with Yoga (Cherry Red Books).

Our Energy Yoga weekend in the peaceful setting of the Domus Mariea convent. The cost has deliberately been kept low and is only £160 full board and yoga for single room and shared bathroom

The weekend will include gentle yoga, breathing, relaxation and chanting together with a session with special guest Tim Francis -see below for more details on Fiona's teaching style.

For more information on Fiona's work please visit her website http://www.fionaagombar.co.uk

The weekend is suitable for everyone including those with health challenges. The focus is on Hatha yoga, some philosophy and lots of laughter.

Fiona originally studied with the Yoga for Health Foundation from 1993 and she now spends much time in India studying Patanjali’s yoga in depth at ashrams such as VYASA in Bangalore. She is a regular contributor to Yoga and Health magazine and has also made a DVD with Sue Delf of TriYoga. She is currently studying yoga in the Krishnamacharya tradition under Sarah Ryan. Her mentor is Gill Lloyd, a student of Desikachar.

Fiona teaches Energy Yoga, which has been developed to increase vitality and health in the physical body whilst also working with the psycho-spiritual connection to quieten the mind.

Energy Yoga is gentle classical Hatha yoga that focuses on the breath, chakras and the energetic body (koshers) to bring about profound changes by increasing prana – the universal life force energy flow. Prana is present in all things but may become depleted as a consequence of stress and illness.

Energy yoga is suitable for anyone of any age and every level of fitness and brings about a deep state of relaxation, physical vitality and well-being and works towards transformation and healing.

Nigel Gilderson, founder and director of the Brockwell Lido Yoga Centre, has been teaching yoga internationally for the past 15 years.

Originally trained as a physical education teacher, his fascination by the mechanics of movement, led him to study with Derek and Radha Ireland, Naryani Rabinovich, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Shandor Remete amongst others.

He has developed a unique style of mindful flowing yoga, enabling students to appreciate the internal flow of subtle energy, building strength around an central core. His teaching is informed by his practice of Tai Chi and bodywork and a keen interest in expression through movement.
 

He has a wide understanding of yoga that he applies uniquely to each group. You will explore both dynamic and soft practices including some pranayama and meditation. Carl's interpretation of Classical Yoga is unique and eclectic, it is mainly derived from the work of Krishnamacharia and his primary students: T.K.V Desikachar (Viniyoga), B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Joyce (Astanga Vinyasa) and from the work of Vanda Scaravelli. 

He  has studied yoga for over eleven years, beginning with Iyengar classes, he then went on to study intensively with the lineage of teachers taught by Vanda Scaravelli and Mary Stewart; particularly Giovanni Felicioni, who encouraged Carl to start teaching in 1998. Since then he has studied other styles in-depth: Dynamic yoga ( a variant of Astanga Vinyasa) with Godfrey Devereux; Sivananda yoga with Nirayni; and Viniyoga with Sylviane Gianina, who is Carl's current teacher. 

Carl's yoga training was built on a strong foundation of bodywork experience in professional dance, martial arts and athletic sports amounting to over ten years spent in full-time physical training. He also teaches a yoga based dance class, choreographs and makes films. 

Neville has studied Yoga and related arts for 15 years and been teaching for 10.

In recent years his primary inspiration has been with the teaching and work of Dona Holleman and Donna Farhi whose approaches offer intelligent, modern and realistic approaches to Yoga without losing the rich timeless wisdom of the tradition.

His other Yoga related interests have been in Structural Fitness, Holistic Health and the History, Philosophy and Literature of Yoga which he teaches on Yoga Teacher Training courses.

He has taught in a wide range of settings including Yoga Centres, Health Clubs, Retreat Centres and the more specialised contexts of Mental Health institutions and Day Centres for learning disabled adults. He is also a practitioner of Thai Massage and Reflexology.

His Asana (Yoga Postures) teaching style encourages a slow build up towards a dynamic flowing practice; it is slower than some of the dynamic forms, however, and there is plenty of time to find your way within each pose during the flow. His belief is that Yoga practice needs to fit into the practitioner, and wherever they are at, rather than the other way round.

During this holiday we will practice a wide range of poses and explore our personal limitations in a safe and enjoyable way with adaptations for individuals as required; there will be some exploration of Pranayama (breathing Practices) and simple Meditation.

The course is suitable for beginners and more experienced practitioners alike as the core principles are the same for everyone; all being well we will deepen our experience of Yoga on many levels and have fun!