The Traditional Yoga Association

A political activist for many years in the women's and peace movements, Penny was forced to rethink her lifestyle when she was struck down by arthritis in her early thirties. In her search for help she discovered Yoga and T'ai Chi Chuan. Together these began to return her to an ease of movement and she now uses them to maintain her flexibility. Penny offers classes that remain focussed on restoring mobility and flexibility, while maintaining awareness of the inner self and flow of vitality that take us through the barriers of resistance.

I am generally interested in alternative and complementary therapies and have been practising Yoga for many years. I find the practice essential to maintain my own flexibility which is being affected by arthritis. My experience with the Traditional Yoga Association, and what drew me to this style of Yoga, is that it turns asana into a connecting and integrating form of movement and bodywork. My aim in the class is for participants to feel more in touch with themselves, whatever their level of ability. As I am also a massage therapist and practice T'ai Chi, both of these inform and enrich my own practice and my teaching. I therefore find Swami Venkatesananda's view, that any movement done with awareness constitutes asana, incredibly liberating.