About Paula

Want to know more about me as a person and my personal practice? About Me and My Practice: I first stepped onto a yoga mat at the age of 21. What began as a way to feel "good" and calm quickly became a quiet but powerful thread in my life—one I’ve followed for the past 27 years. For the first 16 of those years, I was purely a student, with no intention of teaching. I was fortunate to learn from inspiring teachers early on in my practice, teachers who wove deep philosophical teachings and skilful breath work into the physical practice of asana. These rich and thoughtful offerings gave me tools to navigate my young adult life with more clarity and connection. In those early days, it was the movement that spoke to me most. Flowing from posture to posture, exploring strength and stretch through arm balances, handstands, and tension-releasing sequences, it helped me build trust in my body at a time when many of us were caught in the 90s culture of “heroin chic”. Yoga gave me a quiet confidence, a feeling of strength and a presence to be comfortable in my own skin. As time passed and with the support of wise teachers, I slowly began to absorb the deeper layers of yoga: the philosophy, mindfulness, and meditation. What once began as a physical practice evolved into something more meaningful.....a way of living. After 16 years as a student, I finally undertook an 18-month teacher training. Teaching wasn’t a career choice, it unfolded naturally, step by step. Over the last 11 years, I’ve continued to learn and grow through ongoing trainings with a wide range of respected teachers. Their wisdom continues to inspire and influence the way I teach, share, and live my yoga. My Practice Today: Yoga, for me, is a lifelong path, not always easy, but always grounding. It helps me meet life’s stresses and challenges with steadiness, rather than avoidance. It’s a practice that strengthens both body and mind, offering tangible tools: breath work, movement, meditation, presence. It gives me independence of thought, a sense of curiosity, and the capacity to challenge cultural narratives. It offers calm and contentment—most of the time!—and a way to stay grounded in whatever is arising, whether it’s joy or discomfort. Physically, yoga now gives me tools to support my ageing body, to feel supple, strong, and balanced. Through movement, isometric holds, mobility work and stillness, I support my nervous system and stay attuned to how my body is shifting and evolving. Instead of fearing the changes of age, I can embrace them. Yoga, to me, is full-body living infused with depth and meaning, a practice that keeps me present to this one precious life. Creativity and Yoga: I’ve always been a creative at heart. I hold a first-class honours degree in fashion, art, and textiles, and spent over two decades designing for high street brands across the UK, Europe, and the US. Creativity, like yoga, lives in the unknown. It can be thrilling and terrifying in equal measure, the blank canvas, the empty mat. But in both, I’ve learned that if you show up with curiosity, something magical always happens. Art, design, movement, poetry, all of these inspire how I teach and how I live. My classes often carry that thread of creativity, fluidity, and story. My Beliefs: I believe in people, their kindness, their capacity for calm, connection, and contentment. Over the years, I’ve only ever met people who want to feel love, be seen, and feel part of something meaningful. That’s where I place my trust. In a world where conflict, misinformation, and fear fill the headlines, I still believe that most of us are seeking peace, stability, kindness, and love. And I believe it’s us, the people, who can make the difference.