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MEET JO
" Yoga is a gift that I am eternally grateful to have found during this lifetime."
Jo's journey so far......
Jo has been practicing Yoga for over 30 years, and teaching for 15 years. Training extensively in India with her teacher Rolf Naujokat since 2012. She has taught yoga with students from all over the world. During lock down 2020, a burst of inspiration called Jo to embark on creating a space for everyone to experience the amazing benefits that Yoga brings. Onespace Yoga Studio was birthed and become another mile stone in her career and a personal dream come true.
I stumbled across yoga in my late teens. Unemployed and in-between studies i felt lost and was searching for some sort of direction. I discovered yoga in a rather strange way. For as long as i can remember i was always naturally drawn to the mystical. It wasn't unusual for me to consult my pendulum in decision making. Whilst standing at the entrance of a large library I asked the pendulum to swing in the direction of the ' mind body & soul ' section. I followed its movements and stood infront of the books. Disappointment, i found myself gazing at the ' Cookery ' section.
However, around the other side of the bookcase and there clearly labelled in-front of me was the section i was looking for! The first book that caught my attention was ' The Yoga Book ' by Maxine Tobias and Mary Stewart. This was a hugely significant find and it was in those moments the course of my life had found direction.
I remember feeling absolutely astonished that yoga offered everything i was looking for, all in one package. I understood the benefits of connecting the body with the mind as i loved to dance and i was also a keen gymnast at school. Moving my body mindfully was a life saver, it was medicine. I also craved spiritual guidance and a practice that would support my inquisitive mind regarding bigger, unanswered philosophical and spiritual questions that i craved an understanding of.
My exploration of yoga began with a towel on the floor a timer and ' The Yoga Book ' I had found in the library. I practiced the postures attentively and meticulously. Instantly I could feel the benefits and it was love at first breath. Yoga positively enhanced every aspect of my life.
A couple of years passed and i arrived at a London art school to study fine art as a painter. It was at around this time i entered my first Ashtanga Yoga class, i was 24 years old. I loved the practice as much as i needed it. I did as much as i could as often as time and money would allow.
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I practiced anything that was available to me at the time, Iyengar, Vinyasa Flow, Yin, restorative, Hatha and Bikram. It was really when i came into contact with Ashtanga yoga that my practice took a turn and i developed a more serious and self disciplined practice. The set sequence and regular daily practice that ashtanga Yoga offers was where i recognised the long term benefits of integrating a practice into my life.
In 2009 i gained my first formal 250hr yoga teacher training at The Life Centre in London. Since then I have continued to train with many, inspirational teachers through out my career.
The most extensive training i have gathered is thousands of ours training with one of Ashtanga Yoga's finest and recognised worldwide teachers Rolf Naujokat in Goa, India. He has always been a guiding light and main source of my inspiration as a self practitioner/student and as a guide for others. Rolf has shared his incredible knowledge of pranayama practices and meditations over the years as well as a robust knowledge of yoga asana practice. His wife Marci has also been a huge influence who has shared so much of her insight and knowledge of the physical and subtle aspects of the practice. Having practiced with them since 2012, i am eternally grateful.
I live in Suffolk, UK with my husband John and our daughter Isla who both also love and practice yoga. We have three lovely fur baby dogs Ruby, Reggie and Archie who show no signs of taking up Yoga as yet.
Images from left to right: Isla our daughter, John my husband, Rolf and myself, 2012. Middle image: Rolf and one of his teachers Matagi. Right: Rolf, myself and Marci, 2024. That same year he journeyed on, always.
MEET Chris
Chris studied the body, form and movement, through his professional dance career spanning over twenty years. This, led him into the Yoga and fitness industries.
A typical class with Chris is meticulously put together with attention and simple, concise direction. His lessons are fun, challenging and are carefully considered every step of the way. He intelligently crafts slow, steady flows together. He has a keen eye, and pays attention to everybody in equal measure.
Chris retrained to become a yoga teacher after his dance career came to an. He has an extensive knowledge of the body, anatomy and movement and has a natural ability to teach and share with others what comes naturally to him. He brings out the best in everyone who practices with him. You will often leave his class feeling surprised and inspired by what you have achieved and excited about what is possible, next time.
Chris teaches Pilates and Hatha flow, he is a keen cyclist, movie buff, pianist and lover of all of the arts.
Chris teaches our Pilates classes and Gentle flows on a Wednesday and Thursday.
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