Twisted Yoga High Barnet Staff Bios, Barnet, | Yoga Studio near me in Barnet,

Jonny

My training was at Frog Lotus Yoga Suryalila, Spain, and then later in Rishikesh, North India. The training focused heavily on the Ashtanga Vinyasa system - so integrating a breathing system whilst moving through various poses, usually becoming part of a larger sequencing focus. The benefit being, working repetitively or layer-by-layer on a concentrated area of the body, like the hip or chest. Gradually warming the practitioner into deeper positioning. I resonate most with the Ashtanga style and method. It applies a fairly strict counting system - offering the practitioner concentration and obedience whilst moving. I'm big on travelling, visiting new places. I like to be everywhere and anywhere I can. I'm a Gemini (the air sign) and so i naturally move around a lot - moving with people and moving around on my own adventures. I enjoy the overall feeling of lightness and agility that yoga gives me. I find I need to cross-fit in the gym a lot - with weights and body resistance work. Yoga involves so much integration of strength along with growing flexible. I've been increasing my flexibility for years, and now starting to compound that with core strength. When teaching my intention is to offer students a space for concentration. Within that space, a balanced approach to the safe practice of breath and pose work.

Erin

Erin first stepped on to a yoga mat 17 years ago when joining a Hatha yoga class at a local leisure centre. Straight away Erin experienced the benefits of movement and breath work and was hooked. Over the years Erin has practiced different styles of yoga including Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin and Vinyasa Flow. Yoga has been the antidote to a busy corporate and family life and has become a practice to bring balance to the mind and body. In 2018, after a career change, Erin decided to pursue her love of yoga and signed up to a BWY foundation course, and in 2020 embarked on a 200 hour YTT with Nighean Hardie. Erin believes that everyone can enjoy the benefits of yoga and looks forward to sharing her carefully crafted sequences uniting breath, body and mind.

Emma

Emma qualified as a yoga teacher in 2016 following her one year training course with Yoga London. She teaches in the style of Vinyasa Flow and her classes work towards building strength, flexibility and cultivating a connection between mind, body and breath through movement. Emma’s classes are inclusive, for all abilities, and will work towards building the foundations of a regular yoga practice as well as incorporating a light hearted and playful element.

Emma’s own practice of yoga started in her early 20’s with the Bikram style of yoga which showed her the benefits of a hot and structured practice however it was after finding Twisted Yoga and witnessing the teaching on offer that her eyes were opened more fully to the many benefits of a varied flow class. This in turn ignited a deeper desire to further her knowledge & understanding of yoga as not just a physical practice, but to start to delve deeper into the philosophy and history of yoga and meditation.

Emma aims to encourage all students to enjoy the journey of yoga in a safe, trusting, non-competitive environment with the opportunity to build on mobility and focus while cultivating a sense of love & kindness to oneself & others.

Carmen

Carmen is about to complete her 200 hours YTT with Nighean Hardie and has been practicing yoga for 6 years. Initially, she was drawn to it to (re)connect with herself and conquer daily challenges during her early 20s in Berlin. Since then, she's been practicing with more than 20 teachers in multiple countries. These experiences have infused her yoga journey and style loving both a strong vinyasa flow and gentle yin yoga. As a modern mindfulness enthusiast, she encourages you to leave to-do lists, worries, and responsibilities by the door and explore your meditative movement practice with a beginner's mindset every time from anew.

Gosia

My name is Gosia, I’m certified Hatha and Vinyasa yoga teacher from Poland. I've practiced yoga for over 4 years now. Movement, and physical activity were always an important part of my life. As a pole dancer, paralegal, law student and generally active person, at some point I started feel really imbalanced in life. Constant rush and heavy trainings soon developed physical issues and anxiety. This was the point where yoga appeared in my life. At first, as an effective stretching classes, yoga became me something way farther than this, it became a way out from my busy mind, an art of letting go and connecting to what’s present. Amazed by the blessings that yoga gave me, I decided that I want to share it with other. In my classes you can find an active and challenging flow, as well as steady and deeper practise.

Coral

Coral has been practicing yoga for over 25 years, developing a home practice via video cassette - yes there was such a thing! Busy being a single mum and working full time she would practice first thing starting with just 10 minutes a day and this has built into the passion for yoga that she now enjoys. Still very much an early bird Coral often practices yoga very early in the day, sometimes when it is still pitch black outside and reaps its benefits all throughout the day.

She has been thinking about joining a yoga teacher training course for a few years to share her love of yoga and to offer accessible classes to everyone, especially with a prop or two (bolsters being a firm favourite (big smiley face)). This year she finally took the plunge and joined Nighean on the Twisted Yoga teacher training programme.

When joining her on the mat expect a nice well rounded practice using breath and flowing movements. Maybe a little sneaky core section might find its way into the flow but not for too long. Coral’s sequences will work all around the body, oiling the joints, and helping to keep our wonderful mind and bodies in tip top condition.

Katie

Katie has been practising yoga regularly since 2011 and has recently started teaching, after training with Yoga Campus. She originally tried yoga to combat insomnia, but soon discovered that the benefits went far beyond this and was drawn to teaching so that she could share the joy of yoga with as many people as possible. Katie's classes have a strong focus on alignment and mindful movement in order to build strength and connect the mind and body.

Shaka

I have been practicing yoga for over 11 years. My personal practice is Ashtanga and my training is in Hatha yoga and I also have completed an MA from SOAS in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation (with distinction). Alongside Ashtanga, I also practice Iyengar and all of these approaches influence and inform my own teaching style.

Outside of the Mysore setting, my led classes explore the fundamental principles of yoga through posture, breath, relaxation and meditation and will simultaneously build flexibility and strength, enhancing feelings of calm and a provide a sense of wellbeing. I'm passionate about sharing yoga and making it accessible to everyone. I teach mixed ability groups and individuals and tailor my teaching and classes to make sure they are both accessible and challenging. The most important thing is for my students to enjoy their yoga practice allowing it to ground and guide them in everyday life.

Yoga is an ancient practice and I believe a self-technology that allows us to reconnect to our natural state of bliss. Though it can be physically demanding, it is a holistic approach that recognises the importance and balance of the mind, the body and the soul. For me personally, yoga is freedom and self-knowledge and over the years the practice has had a transformative affect on my life, allowing me to find more peace and acceptance. This is in no small part to learning from great teachers and in this tradition I hope I can too share this practice with the same dedication, commitment, compassion and love.

Nicki

Nicki has been practising yoga for 8 years to help cope with the pressures of a busy London lifestyle. As yoga became her saviour, she decided to turn her passion into teaching with an aim to help others find a safe space where they can take a moment to escape from their busy lives. Following a life-changing trip to a yoga retreat India, she decided it was time to do her teacher training and enrolled on to the 200RYT course at Yoga London and is currently working towards her 500 hour qualification.

Nicki teaches a vinyasa flow practise that aims to release tension and clear the mind in a space that is welcoming and accepting of all.

Sally

Is a qualified Ayurvedic Diet & Lifestyle Consultant and Occupational Therapist with more than 20 years full-time professional clinical experience in healthcare. Her working time is split between a senior role within mental health NHS services and independent practice.

Sally provides Ayurvedic Diet & Lifestyle Consultations with tailor made healthcare plans, facilitates workshops as well as Mentorship and Coaching to other wellbeing practitioners. Always drawing from her wealth of therapeutic skills and knowledge to help her clients discover their unique selves, establish what is truly important to them and to overcome any barriers in leading happy, meaningful, vibrant lives.

Ayurveda has been an integral part of Sally’s life since 2011 when she was introduced to it in India whilst travelling. Experiencing its vast benefits, strongly resonating with its principles, she began studying informally and seeing an Ayurvedic Practitioner back in the UK. It naturally became part of her lifestyle.

After graduating in 2016 as an Ayurvedic Diet & Lifestyle Consultant from Ayurveda Pura Academy London, she wanted to share with others this holistic, empowering, ancient wisdom.

She continues to develop her knowledge, skills and experience in the UK and India by attending courses, shadowing and mentorship.

Stephen

Stephen has been practising yoga for over 20 years. His yoga story has taken him around the world and into many styles and schools. He did his teacher training with the Shamanic School of Yoga in the rainforests of Costa Rica and is further qualified as a meditation teacher and a yoga nidra teacher with the Yoga Nidra Network. He describes yoga nidra as the single most important contribution to yoga in the 21st century. He teaches classes in central london and also delivers workshops around the world. He can be found giving classes at many music festivals this summer.

Sarah

Sarah has been practicing yoga since 2008 and is about to complete her 200 YTT with Nighean Hardie. Originally drawn to yoga as a complement to running and cycling Sarah has explored all manner of styles over the years, moving from a simple Hatha practice into Bikram and now into vinyasa flow. Sarah believes yoga is for everybody, teaching a simple, steady and strong flow that can be modified to suit everyone. She encourages you to tap into the therapeutic benefits of your practice by leaving your wider life at the door and losing yourself in moving meditation. Come and join her!

Laura

Laura was first attracted to yoga through her running, seeing it as a good way to stretch. She soon realised that it provided so much more than just a stretch, building up strength and creating space physically and mentally. Having practiced yoga for over 10 years she has mainly practiced Hatha and now Vinyassa. She is currently completing her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Nighean Hardie at Twisted Yoga. Over the years she has loved exploring the power of the breath and movement, the benefits that both bring. As a mum of two little ones and working in the corporate world she understands some of the demands and challenges we can face in this fast paced world. She loves to lead practices that enable you to switch off to the outside world, in order to find some peace and space in your body and mind. She enjoys teaching wind down flows to the more dynamic, adapting practices to suit student’s needs. She can’t wait to share the benefits of yoga and believes it really is for any body. She hopes you can join her on the mat soon.

Alex

Emma

After training and working in dance/musical theatre Emma has been working in the fitness industry for 15 years. She teaches dance, bokwa, step and fitness yoga. More recently she has specialised in Les Mills programmes; particularly Body Balance, achieving Advanced Instructor level.

Emma teaches an exciting class called Balance Your Body, using Hatha Yoga and Pilates techniques, working on improving strength, flexibility and balance - all choreographed to an upbeat soundtrack! Finishing with a short relaxation to feel calm and centred.

Emma also teaches a great Yoga class for when we're in need of a cover teacher. She is a master in versatility!

Gabi

Gabi’s journey with Yoga began as a child, doing Yoga with her Dad before bed to help her sleep. At 16, after struggling for a year with a foot injury and as a recommendation from her Dance teacher, Gabi began a regular Bikram Hot Yoga practice. Within months there was a drastic difference in her body and the injury was completely healed, never to be seen again! After 2 years of a regular Hot Yoga practice Gabi began to diversify into other styles and went on what she calls her ‘Yoga Rampage’ doing 60 yoga classes in 60 days and trying as many different styles as she could get her hands on. Coming from a dance background Gabi loves working her body in a fun, creative and liberating way, whilst working safely with mindful alignment. More recently Gabi has found a connection to the spiritual side of yoga and tries to include this in her classes in a non-judgemental and accessible way. Gabi is really enjoying sharing her love and passion for the amazing transformational effect of yoga on a physical and mental level.

Laura

Lorna

Lorna was raised in North West London and became drawn to yoga as a young adult. She enjoyed a beginner's hatha class, slowly building a regular practice through a variety of yoga styles, chiefly, Ashtanga Vinyasa. After a complicated pregnancy and birth Lorna took a few months out from yoga and when she was able to begin healing, returned with a new vigour. In 2014, she completed a BWY Yoga Foundation course and in 2015 qualified as an Ashtanga Vinyasa and Rocket 1 teacher with The Yoga People. Lorna leans towards the Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition with a focus on breath, awareness and less traditionally, humour. She aims to promote the idea that yoga is for every “body”.

Nighean

Nighean has over 10,000 hours of teaching experience since qualifying in her 200 hours with Yoga Alliance under Paul Jerard of Aura Wellness in 2009.

Although her classes are constantly evolving, she continues to teach a challenging and dynamic practice that heals and detoxifies the body and mind. Emphasising awareness through precision and meditation in motion, her classes challenge the body, engage the mind and quicken the spirit, underpinned with motivational readings and traditional philosophy linking what is learnt on the mat to every day life.

In 2011, Nighean founded Twisted Yoga. From the humble beginnings of her garden studio, and with the help of her partner Alex, Twisted has grown into two studio locations in North London.

Nighean has continued her training with several internationally recognised teachers, including Melody Moore, Tiffany Cruikshank and Jason Crandell as well as completing two years of mentoring under renowned London teachers Naomi Absalom and Ana Muriel. She is now a recognised 500 hours Senior Teacher with Yoga Alliance and a certified facilitator trainer for the nonprofit US organisation, Embody Love Movement, guiding girls and women on a transformational journey towards self-acceptance.

Paula

Paula first discovered yoga in her 20s, but had to park her dreams of teaching due to work and child commitments. Working in the city, the pull of Yoga never left and she began practising regularly again six years ago, where the overwhelming need to share the mental and physical benefits of the practice with others returned. Having completed the BWY Foundation course under the guidance of Elizabeth Blaise, Paula continued on her teacher training journey under the expertise of Jeff Phenix and Susannah Hoffman at London's renowned Triyoga for her 500 hour BWY diploma. Paula enjoys all forms of yoga and practices various styles including Astanga, Forrest, Dharma Mittra and Core Power and she's also been known to enjoy a hip hop flow class in New York's Soho district. She brings a light hearted approach to her teaching which is mainly Hatha based with a focus on alignment, strength and relaxation.

Sharon

Coming from an Athletics background competing in the 100 metres for her local club as a teenager, training as an Aerobic Instructor and being a complete gym bunny for many years, using Kettlebell training, Spinning and practicing Hot Yoga. Sharon then fell into Inferno Hot Pilates and realised she could fit some of her training into one exercise programme, her core became stronger, glutes tighter and legs more toned, she loved the feeling of knowing that this workout was creating results.

She enjoyed it so much that she decided to attend teacher training with Gabriella Walters the founder of Inferno Hot Pilates in Las Vegas, so now she can train everyone with an open mind to becoming fitter, stronger and healthier.

This training programme really compliments all forms of yoga as the glute activation helps with core strength and stability, and Pilates principles create a strong, stable, flexible core.

Stephanie

Stephanie began her path with yoga in Australia at Bondi Bikram 2002, practising for five years until moving back to the UK and continuing for a further five years with various London based studios.

Following the news of a baby on the way she used her maternity leave to enrol on the FHY500 hour intensive training course and graduating in February 2014 certified by Yoga Alliance. In 2015 she continued her yoga journey in pregnancy yoga and after a second baby started to develop her love for Vinyasa flow and a stronger practice.

She aims to inspire positive change and new beginnings, by focusing her teaching on the importance of the relationship between body, breath and mind through a creative, fun and accessible style. Her classes draw on elements from her own varied practice in Hatha and Vinyasa flow with an aim to exploring and finding appropriate alignment for each individual within their own body, and allowing each person to celebrate what their bodies can do and find their own yoga practice in a relaxed, playful and safe environment.

Stephanie’s classes are suitable for anybody and she will always offer modifications to poses, the pace will vary between slow and dynamic depending on the class and the students attending.

She aims to leave students feeling balanced and relaxed.

Tianna

Twisted Yoga

This class is covered by a Twisted Yoga teacher not yet specified.

Sunnah

Sunnah has been teaching yoga since 2002. Originally trained in the Sivananda Ashram, she is now a BWY teacher and continues to work and train with various teachers and different styles to keep her classes fresh and challenging.

In 2006 she qualified as a Pregnancy Yoga Teacher and Child Birth Educator with YogaBirth, and has spent years specialising in this particular field. She has taught countless women over the years and rejoices and feels honoured in being able to share yoga with ladies at this special point in their lives.

Twisted Yoga High Barnet

Yoga Studio in Barnet