TEACHERS
Sophie (Director)
Functional Movement – Yoga – Women’s Health
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES
Explorative, challenging, lighthearted
WHY YOU LOVE BEING PART OF THE YOGA READING FAMILY?
I started YR 11 years ago, just me teaching 1 class a week. It’s so wonderful that it has grown into a supportive and exciting local community of teachers and amazing people who join us. I also love that we bring industry leaders to our community too!
QUALIFICATIONS
- The Yoga Academy YTT
- Triyoga Pregnancy Yoga
- Authorised KPJAYI
- Women’s Yoga
- Red School Women’s Quest Apprenticeship
- IIN Health Coach
- FRC (functional range conditioning)
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO UNWIND?
Laying on Brighton beach in the sunshine. Or a Sauna!
WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?
Listening, thinking of creative ideas to bring new exciting teachers to YR
TELL US A COOL FACT ABOUT YOURSELF
I learnt to swim 2 years ago. I used to hate swimming but decided to learn and now it’s one of my favourite things to do!
I’m an avid year round sea swimmer
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO MOVE YOUR BODY?
I love dancing, swimming and free movement (I can’t choose one sorry!)
KATIA MAJOR
Ashtanga – Yin – Massage
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES
Light hearted, Reset, Anatomy informed
WHY YOU LOVE BEING PART OF THE YOGA READING FAMILY?
The team of teachers are supportive, professional and experienced in so many ways. It’s great to know you can put a call out and someone will have a suggestion, answer or just some kind words. It means a lot to me as working in this area can be quite individualistic and fragmented. I love the feeling that we all bring something different to build a bigger offer to Reading.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 300 hour YTT Ashtanga and Yin Yoga
- Assisted a 300 hour YTT
- Advanced Yin Yoga
- Various anatomy and fascia workshops
- Yoga Nidra trained
- Level 2 ETM
- Indoor cycling and Keiser trained
- Level 5 Soft Tissue Therapy (Sports & Injury Massage)
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO UNWIND?
A circuits class or Ashtanga practice (I do have yang tendencies)…
WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?
Connecting and being interested in people. I love connection.
TELL US A COOL FACT ABOUT YOURSELF
In my previous career I worked on international education projects and was posted to Abu Dhabi and Qatar several times – I still went to the gym even though it was BOILING out there!
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO MOVE YOUR BODY?
It depends on the day! But I really like to do something everyday even if it’s a dog walk.
Yulia
Functional Flow – Osteopathy – Yin
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES
Mindful, Practical, Reflective
WHY YOU LOVE BEING PART OF THE YOGA READING FAMILY?
I love being part of Yoga Reading because it is a community of diverse and amazing people that are nurturing each other, with genuine support and care.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 2007 Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Teacher Training 200 H
- Short trainings on Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Jivamukti yoga
- 2010 Insight Yoga Teacher Training 60 H (Yin and Yang yoga and mindfulness meditation) with Sarah Powers
- 2012- 2014 STOTT PILATES® Mat, Reformer, CC&B, full certification
- Further training in Stott Pilates
- Tripsochore Yoga Training
- 2019 Animal flow Level 1
- Lots of workshops and immersion, in addition to my degree in Osteopathy, Sports massage L5 and Lymphoedema therapy.
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO UNWIND?
Dancing to my favourite music by the fire under the starry sky and eating cake.
WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?
Cooking in general, particularly baking ….and making friends
TELL US A COOL FACT ABOUT YOURSELF
I’ve moved 15 times in the past 20 years and lived in 5 counties.
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO MOVE YOUR BODY?
Impromptu dancing and mixing up different styles while combining them with yoga
Helen Gevaux
Vinyasa – Animal Flow – Acro Yoga
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES
Expansive, Vitalising, Flow
WHY YOU LOVE BEING PART OF THE YOGA READING FAMILY?
Getting to know the community of members and teachers and share in different styles and approaches to yoga and movement.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Power, vinyasa and mandala yoga
- L1 certified Animal Flow instructor
- Further yoga-based trainings in Meditation and Mindfulness and Fascia
- 4th degree blackbelt in Taekwon-Do and 15+years teaching
- Plus 100s of hours of yoga and acroyoga retreats, intensives, immersions & workshops
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO UNWIND?
Lying on grass in the sunshine listening to tunes or chatting to friends
WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?
Trying new and different things, wanting to learn.
TELL US A COOL FACT ABOUT YOURSELF
I appeared as a guest instructor on Channel 5’s Combat Club – think The Voice Kids for Martial Arts – in about 2003
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO MOVE YOUR BODY?
As a self-confessed eternal movement student that’s a tricky one. Probably just finding a bit of space and seeing where the flow takes me on the day, whether that’s yoga, animal flow, dance or TKD pattern.
GEMMA
Vinyasa – Ashtanga
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES
Strong, Powerful, Sweaty
WHY YOU LOVE BEING PART OF THE YOGA READING FAMILY?
Feeling part of a supportive community of teachers and students
QUALIFICATIONS
- 200YT
- Many hours of self practice
- Numerous workshops
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO UNWIND?
Relaxing in my hammock and reading a book.
WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?
Juggling life!
TELL US A COOL FACT ABOUT YOURSELF
I can veganise anything
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO MOVE YOUR BODY?
I love to dance!
EMMA
Strength for Yoga and Vinyasa Flow
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES
Energetic, Playful, Inclusive
WHY YOU LOVE BEING PART OF THE YOGA READING FAMILY?
Yoga Reading is a supportive family in which we lift each other up and celebrate each other’s successes; and support and guide each other through difficult times. It’s everything you want from a family, especially when your biological family are far away.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 200hr Vinyasa Yoga with Yoga London
- 20hr Yoga Nidra
- Certificate to teach Yoga for Children
- Level 3 Personal Trainer
- Level 1 and 2 SUP Yoga Teacher
- Level 1 British Olympic Weightlifting coach
- Level 4 Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Sports Nutrition certified
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO UNWIND?
Going for a run along the river or in the woods.
WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?
Being a team player and supporting others. (And I’m also a pretty awesome football player!)
TELL US A COOL FACT ABOUT YOURSELF
I trained as a pilot with the RAF during University to join the RAF when I graduated. I decided teaching Maths was a better career. Then I decided teaching yoga was even better (20 years later!)
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO MOVE YOUR BODY?
Jumping on my Peloton any time of night or day!
LORENA
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES:
Nurturing, Caring, Embodied movement
WHY YOU LOVE BEING PART OF THE YOGA READING FAMILY?
I love the community side of it and the real kula (family) feeling that YR offers to all their teachers. YR is an encouraging, deeply supportive studio and I am proud to be part of it.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 200h Ashtanga Vinyasa with Yoga London,
- 108h Anusara Immersion with Susana Garcia Blanco,
- 100h Depth Yoga & Psychology with Lisa Sanfilippo,
- 45h Yoga for Cancer with Amy Dara Hochberg & Tari Prinster,
- 40h Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli & Lisa White,
- 20h Jivamukti Immersion with Gabriela Bozic.
- Reiki Master & Teacher with Michael Kaufmann
- Sound Therapist with Anne Malone, Don Conreaux & Vikrampal Singh (Gong Master)
- Certified Aromatherapist
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO UNWIND?
Taking long mindful medicine ritual baths, applying aromatherapy, candles and crystals.
WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?
Creating safe spaces for people to relax and connect deeply with their bodies through yoga asana and meditation.
TELL US A COOL FACT ABOUT YOURSELF:
My uncle is the President of the Spanish Naturist Association and my degree dissertation was about Naturism as a niche market (my tutor wasn’t amazed by it).
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO MOVE YOUR BODY?
I love to dance and simply let my mind and body follow,
especially when I am cooking in my kitchen :0)
JOY
Ashtanga – Kundalini
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES
Rejuvenating, Energizing, Deep.
WHY YOU LOVE BEING PART OF THE YOGA READING FAMILY?
I love being a part of the Yoga Reading family because we are all so open and supportive of one another. We are all so different and unique as teachers, yet we respect each other and work together as a whole.
QUALIFICATIONS
- YTT with Bryan Kest in California(Power Yoga)
- YTT with Manju Jois in Florida(Ashtanga Yoga)
- YTT Kundalini Yoga.
- And 1,000’s of hours of practice and teaching…endless workshops.
YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO UNWIND?
a good movie watched in bed.
WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?
I am great at cooking! Mainly Vegan delights
TELL US A COOL FACT ABOUT YOURSELF
I was on the Radio in the US for 15 years as a DJ…rock n roll stations only!
WHATS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO MOVE YOUR BODY?
Fave way to move my body…a really good morning stretch and Surya Namaskar.