Tell us a bit about yourself…
I have been teaching for 35 years and over this time I have endeavoured to develop accessible, restorative, revitalising and harmonising practices and teachings to support wellbeing in body, breath, mind and spirit for engaging in daily life within today’s challenging world.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Busy always as I do all my own admin and arrangements these days since my dear supportive sister retired, while making time for nature, practice, sports and my family of animals.
How did your yoga journey begin and what inspired you to become a yoga teacher?
My journey began when living in Los Angeles after a career in the music industry in London and New York. Debilitating lower-back and stress related conditions guided me to yoga, initially with my first teacher Larry Payne, and with many international teachers thereafter. I undertook teacher training simply to deepen my knowledge and understanding of yoga, but I was soon guided toward its teaching. I returned to London and began to teach full-time from 1993 to today.
How long have you been supporting the Hope Foundation?
I have been a patron of the Hope Foundation from a year after HOPE UK’s founding in 2007 by invitation from Julie-Kate Olivier and after a visit to the projects in Kolkata.
Tell us about the Yoga Academy and Santillán Retreat and how it all started?
After teaching in London and running retreats in the UK, Spain., Thailand & Turkey I co-founded Triyoga in February 2000. After moving on to be more independent again in 2004, to travel and teach more widely, I started the Yoga Academy to offer teacher trainings, and to host international teachers in the UK (Sarah Powers, Donna Farhi, Paul Grilley, Julie Gudmestad, A.G. Mohan to name a few).
In the back of my mind I had always planned to start and base myself from a yoga retreat in Spain. I have family connections to Spain while loving and eventually living in Andalucia. When I was invited to guide the Marchini family to convert their nearby beautiful countryside hotel, gardens and private valley to a yoga retreat my dream became reality, and I have been based here full-time since 2020.
Santillan offers everything a yoga teacher or student could possibly wish for to support their practice and well-being in a very peaceful and nature-abundant environment.
What is your favorite quote or life motto?
I have always reading the poetry of Rumi, Tagore, Kabir, L.R.Knost and many others but my favourite recently discovered poem is by Lemn Sissay:
“I am not defined by darkness
Confided the night.
Each dawn I am reminded
I am defined by light”
What’s coming up for you in 2026?
Retreats at Santillan in July, September and November, and at Huzur Vadisi in Turkey, which begins on Saturday……and of course much time still organising The Yoga Garden Party. See you there, it will be very special.
Find out more about the Yoga Garden Party here.
