Jacqui is a Hatha Yoga Teacher based in North Hampshire. She started practising Yoga in 1999, whilst living in North Devon as she was a keen runner, and was becoming stiff and sore after long training sessions, and started to get injuries. Having been involved in working and teaching in the Health and Fitness Industry formany years, Yoga provided a new dimension for her to explore, initially to improve flexibility. It did not take long for her to realise that Yoga was providing far more than a flexible body, and the connection between the mind and body had been lacking in her exercise routine.

After a difficult move back to Hampshire in 2006, Jacqui started training and attending courses related to Yoga, but it was not until she met Swami Ambikananda and other members of the Traditional Yoga Association, did she feel she had found the right course, and environment to suit her.

“The pace of the world is fast and more people are suffering from burnout, anxiety and depression. One in four adults are now being diagnosed with mental health issues related to stress, and after my move back to Hampshire I became unwell with anxiety caused by stress in the workplace and the trauma of a move. I knew that general exercise was a great mood booster, but had no idea of the importance of relaxation techniques, or how Yoga can benefit the entire body from the inside out. Yoga helps to keep us grounded, allows us to explore our bodies at a slower pace, and focus our awareness inwards. The postures help to strengthen and mobilise joints and muscles as well as improving the functions of all internal organs. The impact on our mental health can be truly amazing, just by learning how to relax and be still can bring about a true feeling of peace”.

“I love teaching Yoga and meeting new people. I aim to make every student feel welcome and part of the group, that is very important to me as I believe a Yoga class gives us an opportunity to connect not only with ourselves, but each other. I
try to bring some fun and light heartedness to each lesson, as laughter is such a wonderful thing. My students are amazing, and they trust me to teach them, they also teach me many things, and especially humour. Although my training has completed with the Traditional Yoga Association, I have every intention of carrying on learning, as there is no end to this Yoga journey and it’s wonderful, I am blessed”.