Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

About Tony

I have been practicing Yoga for over 24 years and now entering my twelfth year of teaching. In addition to the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series my sadhana (personal practice) incorporates many other aspects of yoga including Japa, Mantra, Pranayama and Vipassana Meditation.

My interest in yoga started at an early age, I was strongly attracted to the disciplines and meditative aspects of the Martial Arts, Judo & Aikido. I always felt there was more to life than the obvious, something deeper more meaningful and less tangible. Yoga has allowed this to become apparent. I attended my first Hatha Yoga class in 1984 at the Dance Exchange, Birmingham and have practiced ever since!

After many years of attending classes and workshops I trained as a Yoga teacher with the British Wheel, gaining the Teaching Diploma in 2000. I went on to obtain an Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Teaching Certificate in Edinburgh, Scotland under the direction of David Swenson and ‘The Art of Adjustment’ Level One with Brian Cooper. In 2002 I attended Nancy GiIgoff’s Adjustment Clinic in Prague. Also attended a 5 day intensive practice with Manju Jois in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

I have been taught & inspired by some of the greatest teachers including John & Lucy Crawford Scott, Danny Paradise and David Swenson for several years I was taught by Jayne Orton, a Senior Iyengar teacher and the late Jane Degraaf (Pranayama Lotus & the Rose)

In 2005 I travelled to Mysore, India where I was blessed to have been able to practice under the instruction of Sri K Pattabhi Jois, his grandson Sharath Rangaswamy and daughter Saraswati. I also had a 5 day intensive practice with Manju Jois.

I have attended teachings with several other teachers over the years including Granville Cousins, Anne Pace, Katharina Ireland, Graham & Leonie Northfield, Lino Miele, Richard Freeman, Chuck Miller & Maty Ezraty, David Williams and Michael Gannon.

I am inspired by many but my great enthusiasm for sharing this practice stems from my teachers John & Lucy Scott, Danny Paradise, Granville Cousins, the late Jane Degraaf & Jayne Orton. I have learned much and continue to grow and develop through association with my peers, colleagues and students.  

Many schools of yoga influence my teaching. Increasingly Satyananda Yoga. Others include Iyengar Yoga, Dru Yoga and Lotus & the Rose. I am happy to say that my introduction to meditation was through my membership of The Birmingham Zen Group in 1997 where I studied the practice of Zen. Subsequently I attended numerous Vipassana 10 day Meditation retreats in the UK and in June 2005 I travelled to Dhamma Giri, India, the home-land of Goneka, where I embarked upon a 10 day Vipassana retreat. In December of the same year I travelled to Nepal where I stayed at the Kopan Buddhist Monastery, Kathmandu Valley and was introduced to the ‘Lam Rim’, (Stages to Enlightenment). The meditative practices I use in some of my classes involve simply ‘sitting’ and are influenced by Satyananda Yoga.

My experience covers teaching in schools, mental health and various Adult Education Centres, the corporate sector and increasingly one-to-ones. Ashtanga classes are taught in Stafford, Mere Green & at various venues in and around Birmingham City. Silent yoga weekends & days are organised from time to time. One-day workshops are conducted at various locations and I am available for corporate and one to one bookings.

 Hari Om Tat Sat