Yoga is a very personal thing, despite being something that unites us; everyone comes to yoga for different reasons and can take or leave whatever they want from it. Amongst other things, Yoga is a tool to promote health both in the body and in the mind by giving us the ability to understand how we work and choose what is good for us.
From an early age, I studied dance and performance and later went on to study Fine Art at University, where I specialised in the mind-body connection through the medium of performance art. I believe that by tapping into our individual creativity – aided and channelled by the practice of yoga – we learn (or relearn) to integrate the body, mind and spirit. Through movement, and specifically yoga, one can dissolve layers of doubt and untruths, can bring about a sense of freedom and melt away resistance that keeps you from the life you want to lead and the goals you want to achieve.
The main style of yoga that I teach is Vinyasa Flow, which focuses on moving in and out of asanas (postures) with the breath. I have been practising yoga since 2003 and qualified as an RYT200 Teacher in 2009 with Vinyasa Flow teacher Ellen De Jonge at Yoga By The Way, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
I spent nearly two years living in Mexico, where she trained and harvested the benefits of the local and visiting teachers such as Michael Gannon, Bryan Kest, Darma Mitra and more.
Now back in England I continues to further her studies and deepen her understanding of Yoga as a Therapy. More specifically, she has completed: Fiona Agombar‘s training – ‘Yoga for ME and Chronic Fatigue’; 4 days with Uma Dinsmore–Tuli on ‘Well Woman Yoga Therapy’; two modules of Siva Rae’s teacher training, Rod Stryker’s course on ‘Yoga of Fulfillment: yoga and the path of destiny ‘; Tias Little‘s ‘Lymphatic Yoga’ and Judith Lasater’s ‘ Practicing and teaching from the organs. Total Yoga Nidra Teacher Training with Uma Dinsmore-Yuli and Nirlipta Tuli
Although I am dedicated to teaching Vinyasa Flow, I am becoming more and more interested in the therapeutic benefits of Yoga on a gentler level for those who are unable to practice more vigorous styles of asana but whose lives are greatly enhanced by a more tailored practice. I have experience in teaching Yoga to male residents of a psychiatric recovery unit, as well as to resident women on an acute psychiatric unit, both within the NHS Mental Health Trust and to adults living with HIV and AIDS with the charity Body and Soul.
Every body is different and there can be a whole variety of things going on emotionally and physically at any given moment, therefore, everybody’s practice is different and can also change daily. I suggests that you challenge yourself in class but listen to your body. As ‘Yogis’ we strive to be truthful with ourselves and avoid trying to mould ourselves to social or external expectations. Our bodies are complex and intelligent; we have to trust the signals that they give us and “listen to the body’s whispers before they become shouts.”
If you are interested in Psychotherapy with Claudia Smith click this link →
Claudia is fully insured with Yoga Alliance.
