My story 

I still remember attending my first yoga class at a large leisure centre in Walthamstow, East London, some 27 years ago. I have never been athletic or partiuclarly fit - in fact I was quite exercise-phobic! - and came to yoga seeking a way of keeping well that was uncompetitive and would help me manage the stresses of continual deadlines and long commutes. 

I had also begun to experience lower back pain and knew I needed to take better care of myself physically. Despite feeling a little intimidated and out of my depth, the feeling I experienced after that first yoga class had me completely hooked! 

Over time and with regular weekly practice I grew in confidence, strength and mobility and felt notably calmer. 

Leap of faith 

Some tens years later, after a decade working as a wellbeing and travel journalist in London and freelance, I took a leap of faith and signed up for a month's intensive yoga teacher training course at an ashram in California. 

It was a tough, life-changing experience and on arriving home I started tentatively teaching friends and family; then general sessions at a local church hall before finding a more permanent base in central Chelmsford (which later became our studio Yoga at the Mill) where we now lived.

Over the following years I have been fortunate to have taken further trainings, studies and retreats under many inspiring yoga and mindfulness meditation teachers, including Sarah Powers, Norman Blair, Jason Crandell, Michael Stone, Jon Kabat-Zinn Christina Feldman and Ed Halliwell. 

Shortly after setting up Yoga at the Mill and at a time when I was still working as a freelance journalist part time, my partner and I launched Satvada Retreats, offering nurturing small group retreats in Morocco and Norfolk. 

Over the years I am proud that Satvada Retreats gathered many press accolades and a loyal client following which is gradually re-emerging after a three-year pause instigated by the pandemic. 

Arriving in Frinton

In January 2021 the seven of us (including our four rescue cats and cockapoo Ella) moved from the bright lights of Chelmsford to the golden sands of Frinton-on-Sea, Essex. 

We relish the slower pace and big horizons that living here brings - and I am excited to be starting a sprinkling of local classes and Mini Retreats in Frinton. 

I love sharing these powerful practices - so incredibly helpful for sustaining our mind/body wellbeing in this challenging world of ours - and very much look forward to seeing you. Please see below for teacher trainings I have completed - so you know a bit more about my professional background! 

A summary of major relevant trainings 

The following list shows most recent/ongoing trainings I have completed first:

Counselling Levels 2 and 3, London School of Counselling - fully accredited by CPCAB; ongoing 

Michael Stone / The Life Centre : Foundations of teaching Mindfulenss Meditation

Breathworks: Teacher Training conversion / foundation in the Breathworks method

Charlotte Watts: Yoga and Somatics for Healing and Recovery

Norman Blair: Yin Teacher Training 

Postgraduate Certificate in Mindfulness Based Approaches, University of Bangor (two years)

Christina Feldman and John Peacock, Oxford Mindfulness Centre: Teacher Training retreat 

Sarah Powers: Yin/Yang Yoga Teacher Training, Triyoga

Ed Haliwell: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, London

Sivananda Yoga, California: 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training