About Me

Before I started teaching yoga, I regularly attended yoga classes (as most people do), to relax and keep fit. As I continued, Yoga became an important part of my daily life: it created a space where I could find focus, peace and a sense of balance at the end of a hectic day at work. After more then five years of developing my personal practice, the time finally came to turn my pastime into a profession – and I have never looked back.

I attained my professional Yoga teaching qualification with the Yoga Academy: a British Wheel of Yoga accredited course. My passion for Yoga has led me from the UK to India, where I make regular annual trips to study with some of the world’s leading teachers.

I am continually developing my personal practice, I also assist at Astanga Yoga London, one of the country’s foremost Ashtanga Yoga Studios. I am also a qualified pregnancy Yoga teacher.

-Sophie Cleere

Yoga Stops Traffick Event 2012

About Yoga

There are many types of Yoga. In the west, Hatha Yoga is mainly practised. Hatha in Sanskrit (spoken in greater India) translates to ‘force’, and defines all Yoga movement, therefore any physical Yoga class you may take will be a ‘Hatha’ Yoga class, including Astanga Yoga. Hatha comprises of postures, breathing techniques and relaxation, however includes no set sequences.

Astanga Yoga is a dynamic, flowing practice, characterized by its use of the ‘Vinyasa’, or a ‘special link’, where each set posture transitions from one to the next in synchronisation with your breathing.

This marriage of breath and movement is the essence of Astanga. Your body’s heat generated during these movements detoxifies your body and gives a great all-round cardiovascular exercise; building strength, stamina, flexibility and tone.

While Astanga is often seen as a more dynamic, challenging form of Yoga, in reality anybody with an average level of fitness can do it. Your strength and flexibility will improve as you practise.

Benefits of Yoga

  • Improves fitness, strength and flexibility
  • Improves posture and muscle tone
  • Can aid weight loss
  • Develops suppleness of the spine and joints
  • Releases tension in the body and mind
  • Improves circulation and breathing
  • Increase calmness and concentration
  • Improves wellbeing
  • Aids recuperation from illness/injury

Look after your body its the only place you have to live

- Jim Rohn