I’ve been involved with the study and practice of Yoga since 1971. In 1979 I was among the first yoga teachers in N.Ireland trained in the Satyananda tradition. As a Satyananda Teacher, I had opportunities to live and teach in India, Singapore and the UK.
Deepening
By 2000, drawn to the teachings of TKV Desikachar, I started individual tuition with Hanne Gillespie, Director of Clonlea Yoga Studio in Blackrock, Dublin. Supported by Hanne, I embarked on a new phase of training with Paul Harvey at the Centre for Yoga Studies in Bristol (www.yogastudies.org) and became a registered Association for Yoga Studies practitioner in 2006 ( www.ays.org.uk).
To nourish my personal practice and support my teaching, I started to work with Danish teacher Peter Hersnack ( www.art-of-yoga.fr) in 2008. For 8 wonderful years I enjoyed regular one-to-one sessions with Peter and had the privilege of joining a group of senior teachers who worked with him in Denmark, France and UK.
Sadly Peter passed away in 2016, and Hanne in 2020: they both live on in my daily practice and I continue to feel their support, guidance and inspiration.
Distilling, integrating, making new connections
Against the backdrop of a well established Yoga practice and a secure base in Viniyoga, I have studied many, many related approaches. Endlessly fascinated and committed to deepening my grasp of body-mind approaches my trainings have included Stress Management Therapy, Gestalt Practice, Reflexology, Sacred Dance, Psychosynthesis, Mindfulness Meditation (MBSR), Feldenkrais, and Somatic Experiencing. All of these modalities have informed and enrich what I offer – I have delighted in the constant process of distillation, integration and making new connections.
Alongside my studies, there has always been a keen personal search – indeed I’ve managed to be both a Yoga Swami (1979 – 88) and a Catholic nun (1990 – 97) – I guess you could call me a seeker!
Breathing Space 