Hi, my name is Adam and I am the founder of The Yoga Studio. I have lived in Thailand for more than 7 years now and love the gentle sweetness of the people, unmatched anywhere that I'd found in 30 years of travelling.

I started practicing Yoga in 1984 during a six year stay in India. I attended daily classes for two years with Rajiv Chanchani, a senior Iyengar teacher, the second year on a one-to-one basis. After my first class I realized that I had found my passion that would remain with me for life. Rajiv gave me a deep appreciation and understanding of Hatha Yoga and Iyengar Yoga, as well as a firm foundation on which my later studies were grounded. I have continued studies with both him and his wife Swati, also a very senior Iyengar teacher, attending 3 week yoga retreats in both 2000 and 2001.

On returning to England in '86 I took the 2 year UK Iyengar Yoga Teachers Association training that led to becoming a Certified teacher, and have since taught in several countries in Asia and Europe.

I've practiced other styles and approaches to Yoga over the years, drawing from them what seemed helpful, as well as studying at the Royal Homeopathic Hospital in London in Yoga for back pain. Among the teachers I value and have studied with are Mira Mehta, Pixie Lilas, Mary Dunn and Richard Ward (Iyengar Yoga); Rolf Naujokat (Ashtanga); Kisan; and most especially I am deeply grateful to Clive Sheridan for his loving teaching of Pranayama and yoga philosophy. I have attended several longer yoga retreats with him, once as assistant/adjuster, another for 30 days. Most recently in April 2007.


To widen my understanding in body/mind energetics I've trained in Reichian massage forms, taken a 3 year training in Shiatsu and 5 Element Chinese Medicine, 2 years of Gestalt-based counselling work and had a 13 year involvement with the study and practice of
Hakomi mindfulness practices, (including "embodied psychotherapy" -- a term that does not do justice to the depth and compassion of this approach), which I continue to practice with a passion that grows with each deepening appreciation of the great liberation self-awareness can bring. (For further information about this work please look at: www.hakomi.com or emal me:  live_at_ease@yahoo.com) I have completed full, 3 year trainings in Hakomi in both England and Australia, and would like to acknowledge my deep appreciation to my Hakomi teachers in both countries, and most especially Ron Kurtz (www.ronkurtz.com), the founder of the method, with whom I have studied intensively for 3 consecutive years. A true master, whose work has profoundly affected my way of being with myself, others, and the world.

MY APPROACH TO TEACHING YOGA weaves together mindfulness, breath awareness, anatomical understanding and precision, as well as a deep trust in the natural pace and rhythm of our unfolding. In a spirit of non-violence and self-compassion that is infused with joyfulness and a sense of fun.
As Pema Chodron has so beautifully said it: “Watering the seed of Practice with playfulness."

It is my pleasure and delight to teach Yoga.

 

Sandra has now left Chiang Mai, and can be contacted via her website www.tara-yoga-now.com