I am not one of those lucky few who is naturally flexible. After childhood (when flexibility usually comes easy!), I found sitting in crossed legs an endurance test but I remember loving the feeling of stretching and breathing from 'musical movement' classes in primary school. I still remember the day I did my first yoga class. I was inspired to take up yoga due to working in a stressful job in the media and suffering with neck and back tension due to stress, hunching over a computer and sandwiching the phone between my ear and shoulder! In a bid to relax and get some level of fitness back (i was used to working as a dancer) I tried many other forms of exercise such as running, aerobics and the gym but yoga was different - after that first class I would look forward to my yoga classes each week and now after many years I still enjoy each and every class. Yoga gave me something different than any other form of exercise, not only did it achieve my goal of good flexibility and release of stored tension in the muscles, it instilled in me a sense of well-being, relaxation and inspiration that I had not experienced through any other form of exercise. I was hooked!
I was practicing for almost 5 years before I became a yoga teacher. Although hugely inspired by my teacher and attending my weekly class regiously - I never thought beyond that, as at the time, i was embroiled in a burgeoning television career. However as the years went by I realised I really did not want to live a life of feeling stressed, worn out and unappreciated and wanted to do something more holistic with my life. After months of contemplation, I decided to take the plunge to becoming a yoga teacher, gave up my job, and enrolled on teacher training - the best move I ever made!
I have now been teaching yoga full time in Brixton, Leicester Square, Blackheath and on retreats in Andalucia, Portugal and Ibiza for seven years. I originally trained in the Sivanada style, and over the years have continually updated my knowledge and training in many types of yoga including Ashtanga, Iyengar, Yin, Vinyasa Flow and Acroyoga. I have also completed training in Sitaram pregnancy and post pregnancy yoga.
My philosophy is that yoga should be fun, challenging and relaxing all at the same time. My approach to teaching is intuitive and spontaneous, incorporating breathing and relaxation as well as the physical aspect of yoga. My knowledge of intuitive bodywork is supported by my background in dance and my style is both dynamic and relaxing and each class is varied, enjoyable and fun, improving and increasing strength, flexibility and well being.
For me Teaching yoga is a complete joy. I have called this website The Magic of Yoga because for me yoga IS magic and in each class I can see yoga working its magic on each student, each feels it in their own way. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my existing students for their continued presence in my classes. I can honestly say I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy teaching each and every one of you and I hope you will continue to enjoy and be inspired by yoga. For those of you who have not yet experienced the magic of yoga please feel free to contact me with any questions at helenknoxjohnston@yahoo.co.uk or call me on 07961 154 444 or 0208 318 2910.
Namaste.
