Teachings & Philosophy
My Yoga practise began at the London Buddhist Centre, with Iyengar Yoga in 2000. After meeting Liz Warrington in 2003, I became enthralled by her intuitive playful Vanda Scaravelli inspired Yoga teachings and started to train with Liz, Gary Carter, Diane Long. and other Scaravelli students and followers.
I Graduated in 2017 as a Scaravelli-inspired yoga teacher with Dot Bowen’s Integrity School of Yoga (School registered with the Independent Yoga Network).
My classes are based on the healing principles of legendary Vanda Scaravelli (1908-1999), and the transforming, heart opening teachings of Dot Bowen, Diane Long and John Stirk. I regularly train with a group of Scravelli students and teachers.
Intuition and concentration
The intuitive, inward focus during class opens up a deeper connection with our breath. We become still and let go, we move gradually to feel more softness and potential for movement. Old tensions are gently released and we perceive a deeper connection with ourselves and others. Through movement we experience liberating moments of joy.
Vanda Scaravelli was born in Florence in 1908. In her mid-40s, she met the philosopher J.Krishnamurti and the highly regarded yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar at the invitation of the violinist Yehudi Menuhin. She was taught by Iyengar over many summers in Gstaad, Switzerland, T.K.V. Desikachar joined them later. This laid the foundation for Vanda's own path to unite the body through gravity and breath in yoga and thus free the spine.
Vanda Scaravelli
“Yoga must not be Practised to control the body: it is the opposite, it must bring freedom to the body, all the freedom it needs.” - Vanda Scaravelli
Vanda Scaravelli inspired Yoga – liberating the body and mind, to restore health and release the pressures of modern life. To find more freedom, intelligence and grace in our movements. Working with the ground and breath to free the spine, to gently awaken and move it, to experience more lightness and effortless movement within the body.
Further Reading & Inspiration
Awakening The Spine
“The definitive edition of one of yoga’s all-time classics”
In 2012 the revised edition of Vanda’s book was published with help of her daughter Paola who implemented an extensive amount of notes her mother had left behind.
The Original Body
A guide from someone who has been involved in teaching the practice of yoga for over forty years and feels almost commanded to ensure that the real essence of yoga, the ‘necessity’ to turn within, is not lost in the West.
Deeper Still
A groundbreaking body of work. Uniquely John yet his ideas are substantiated by modern philosophical and psychological thought. This work lies on the frontier of the evolution of yoga practice and teaching.