Five Unexpected Reasons to do a Yoga Teacher Training
Five Reasons to do a Yoga Teacher Training transformation Over and over, graduates from our teacher training course describe their experience as transformational. If you are looking for transformation and personal growth, a yoga teacher training is an opportunity to find just that and so much more. “I have learnt so much, felt so much […]
What is nidra and how can it help me?
What is Yoga Nidra and how can it help me? By Rina Modi teacher training Manager at the Shala Over the last few years I have heard more and more yogi’s talk about Yoga Nidra, with an increasing number of teachers offering this practice as well as the demand for teacher trainings in this area. […]
Yoga adjusts & assists
By Gingi Lee When Derek Ireland started teaching me the art of yoga adjustments in the early 90s I was overly confident. I had nearly finished the 3rd ashtanga series, had made up my mind that yoga was my whole life, had no family obligations, no job to get back to, no strings attached. I […]
What is yoga nidra?
This November we will be running a 3-day Yoga Nidra Teacher Training course with international teachers Melanie Cooper and Jennie Wadsten. In the article below, Melanie defines the rich and ancient practice of Yoga Nidra and how it allows us to access different states of consciousness. Like Yoga itself, Yoga Nidra is a process and a state. You […]
Yoga philosophy at the shala
Yoga philosophy teacher, Dr Matthew Clark gives truly brilliant down to earth, insightful talks on the origins of yoga. Matthew’s wealth of knowledge is remarkable but more remarkable still is how he makes his subject so accessible, interesting and relevant to modern day practitioners. In his lectures he pulls together many threads not only of this […]
10 reasons to come back to in studio classes
After this period of isolation and solo yoga practices, here are 10 Reasons to come back to the studio for in person yoga classes: Dedicated yoga space – Get away from the 4 walls of our homes Social – Tea and chats in the lounge area Physical Contact – Hands on teacher assists and adjustments […]
Yoga nidra & the art of relaxation
The inability to rest and sleep is a common disorder of our modern day age and many of us feel that we must be switched on and available 24/7. We spend more and more time concentrating on the many channels of digital communication on top of everyday pressures, and it can easily be the case […]
Exploring the yamas & niyamas
On our 200-hour yoga teacher training, our module on Yoga Ethics is without doubt the most important part of the training. These ten guidelines lay the foundations for the course and set the expectations to take yoga beyond the mat. This thought provoking essay by one of our graduates explores these simple, yet infinitely complex […]
Men do yoga
When did you start yoga? About 15 years ago I think. I really should be a lot bendier than I am! What is your profession? “Manager”. So I spend most of my time either at a desk in front of a screen or in a conference room. Age bracket? I’m 56. Deal with it. What is your favourite […]
What is the brains most important job?
What is the brain’s most important job? Thinking? Feeling. Making us feel happy or sad, In fact it’s not any of the jobs you may associate with the brain. The brain’s most important job is running a budget for your body. Every thought we have, every action we take, every move we make is ultimately […]
How yoga saved my life
I have been suffering from various mental illnesses (Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder) since my teenage years but in 2017, I reached crisis point. I found myself in the deepest, darkest pit of existence and was plagued with self-hatred. I had stopped getting out of bed, showering and eating. I couldn’t leave the house […]
Yoga in 2021 and beyond…
Yoga as a practise is on the rise – there is no doubt about that. In 2016 a Yoga Journal report found that people practising yoga in the US had gone from 20.4 million in 2012 to 36.7 million in 2016. Imagine what the numbers are now! In the UK, yoga was one of the […]
How to support your home restore (yin) classes
In these strange times of imposed isolation, an accessible yoga practice can help ground the body and calm the mind. The Restore classes at the Shala often encompass poses from several styles that range from the prop-heavy Restorative Yoga style to the traditionally prop-free Yin Yoga. Over the few weeks I have been teaching online, […]
Reflections on becoming a yoga teacher
By Lesley Collinson Reflecting on yoga and how it has become my life leads me back to when I was 10 years old; following a sequence from a series of 1960’s black and white photos from a landscaped yoga book. I would question the universe in plough, thinking about the possibilities of my future; one […]
21 years & counting…
This year we are celebrating the 21st birthday of our yoga studio. 21 years, 252 months, 13,104 weeks, 91,728 days of yoga for the yogis of South London. So many moments, so many connections, so many vinyasas, so many ujjayi breaths!!! Here is some of our story from those two decades. 21 years: Connections The […]
21 years – thank you
By Gingi Lee, Founder of the Shala Twenty one years ago I climbed the stairs in an old Victorian brewery in Battersea, opened a small door into a light filled room. It was like no other space I had been in, a room with energy, nurturing, exciting, full of potential. I had spent most of […]
Practice while you can
This is a mantra I’ve repeated hundreds of thousands of times over the years when I was too hungover, depressed, heartbroken, anxious, sad or just couldn’t be arsed to get to the yoga studio. It’s also what I’ve told many people I’ve taught. Not just the able-bodied ones, but especially the less able, older people, […]
Derek Ireland
Derek was larger than life. He was the sort of person who walked into a crowded room and everyone there would turn to notice and gravitate towards him. Of course he understood this. He held court like any royalty or rockstar. Unabashed and loving the attention like a child. He would have everyone joining him, […]
Yoga nidra as a journey through the brain waves
Yoga Nidra as a journey through the brain waves by Melanie Cooper . Like yoga itself, Yoga Nidra is both a process and state. It is a set of techniques to help people get into the state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. Yoga Nidra literally means “Yogic Sleep”, but it’s not really about sleeping, it’s […]
Yoga in early pregnancy
Should We Stop Doing Yoga in the First Trimester? As a long-time ashtangi, a yoga studio owner and a mother twice over, this is a question I have agonised over during both my pregnancies and in subsequent years when advising students. It is a complex issue. During the first trimester of my first pregnancy, I […]
The beginners journey
Yoga is such a rich tradition that in many ways we all remain beginners. Those with the most advanced yoga practice may well not be the ones who can even touch their toes. Yoga is about how we live our lives and not just the shapes that we make on our mat. It is much […]
More than one type of warrior
by Gingi Lee There is a photograph of a Karate Master prominently hanging in the reception area of the Shala Yoga Centre in London. He is garbed in traditional Karate clothing (Gi). He is in a fighting stance wielding an Okinawan martial art weapon that is shaped like an old fashioned fishing oar. He looks […]
Wavemaker ~ trailblazer
Commemorating Derek Ireland Tribute Weekend | 17 & 18 Nov | with Gingi Lee and Kristina Ireland | Donations to Children with Cancer UK Have you ever flowed from upward to downward dog? Then your yoga practice has been touched by Derek Ireland’s legacy. Derek was a charismatic yogi pioneer, central in bringing Ashtanga Vinyasa […]
“A beautiful beginning”
This weekend we heard the group’s reflections on the start of their teacher training journey and how they had tried to take the teachings from the course and assimilate them in day to day life – and the challenges that that inevitably brought up for each of them. There was much talk of leaving the […]
Through the lens of a teacher trainee
Here we share the objectives, expectations and personal challenges of Ana Miranda who has just begun her teacher training at the Shala School of Yoga. “After my very first yoga class more than thirteen years ago, I have now make a conscious decision to not be guided by fear, not to regret life, to take on […]
Maintain a healthy back with bodyrolling
Bring peace, space, and strength to your body and acquire a deep relationship to your self. Your back is beautiful… The spine gives us form and function. Energy flows through our spine. When the spine is healthy, upright and free our vital energy brings us to our mental and physical optimum. In fact every cell […]
How can the breath help with so many conditions?
How can the breath help with so many conditions? Last week we received this query by email….it’s a great question…why would there be so many different ways of breathing! Well the simple answer is that the breath is involved in every condition. If you think about it for a second, oxygen is the primary need […]
Breathwork for cancer
Inspired by The Shala’s Breath for Life series, a pilot study at St James Hospital, Leeds took place monitoring the benefits of simple yoga and breathing techniques for people post surgery for lung cancer. The patients specifically wanted to learn tools/techniques to improve breathing, control emotions, manage panic attacks and improve fitness and flexibility. The […]
My body rolling journey
In 1998 I was completely immersed in Ashtanga Vinyasa third series. Life was pretty much eating, sleeping and lots and lots of intense Yoga. The postures didn’t come easy for me and at times it was pure willpower to get on the mat. I was pushing the limits with my body. My body ached right […]
The gift of mindfulness
‘The precious gift of Mindfulness; like putting on a shade of brightness and clarity, mindfulness works in its simplicity. Years ago, I remember being in Moscow on a prestigious acting course and the teacher asking us pupils: “When are we truly happy?”. There was a lot of silence and thinking, followed by talking about what […]
What is body rolling?
Yamuna Zake is a master body worker, teacher and a visionary healer who has dedicated her life to understanding how the body works, helping thousands of people around the world to create positive change in their bodies through the system she created, Yamuna Body Rolling. Yamuna Body Rolling (YBR) is a powerful therapeutic fitness technique […]
Exploring mysore classes
A common misconception about Mysore “self-practice” classes is that they are for advanced practitioners only, but this is not the case. In fact we regularly encourage students who are newer to the practice to join our Mysore classes, especially if they have specific needs due to injury, health conditions etc. The only real prerequisite to […]
Open your voice, open your heart
Mantras are a powerful tool to calm the mind, reduce incessant thinking, and create focus and empowerment in our lives. They work on the principle of sound vibrations affecting our subtle, spiritual and physical bodies in a specific way. Mantras originate not only from India but also from cultures and traditions all around the world. […]
Harness the energy of the full moon
By Amy Bisazza The first full moon of the year in Cancer offers us an opportunity to create a strong foundation for the direction we wish to move in during 2017. The new and full moon have long been recognised and celebrated as auspicious times of the month in Yogic, Buddhist, farming and gardening traditions. Every […]
Brightening our inner skies
By Norman Blair I have been planning to write Brightening Our Inner Skies for more than ten years. There are notes that I made in April 2005. In 2008, I was writing down possible titles such as Opening Doors. Brightening Our Inner Skies seeks to help the reader to have a better understanding of Yin yoga. And […]
Top 5 reasons to do yoga in pregnancy
Pregnancy yoga classes not only provide a nurturing and supportive environment to guide you safely through pregnancy and birth, they also connect you with a community of pregnant women who you can share that journey with. The benefits expectant mothers and their babies receive from yoga are well documented. Here are just five reasons why […]
The incredible health benefits of turmeric
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, antiseptic, immune boosting, digestive, shown to help reduce tumours, risk of Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart attack, stroke and may even assist in weight loss and managing diabetes. That’s some list. Try adding 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder to your daily vegetable juice or smoothie or add to soups and curries for colour […]
Rolling your way to a happier body
By Nichi Green The instant I started body rolling, my body felt more relaxed, more balanced, I felt better alignment in my joints, I felt my weight differently in my feet. My legs felt more alive and more toned. It was like the best massage I’d ever had but I was able to give this to […]
What can mindfulness do for you?
by Susie Ball Mindfulness seems to be having its moment right now. Everyone from Ruby Wax, to Google, to the UK parliament is singing its praises. Is mindfulness a fad, or can it bring sustainable and meaningful benefits to our lives? For me, mindfulness is far from a flash in the pan – it’s a way […]
Establishing an ashtanga self practice
On Saturday 27 February, Gingi Lee will be teaching “Transition to Mysore” workshop aimed at guiding students towards an ashtanga Mysore self practice. For some students, the thought of making the transition in to Mysore classes is daunting, but once students fully experience and understand the Mysore classes, they rarely look back. The quietness and […]
On the ball
When someone gives you a ball, the first thing that comes into your mind is to drop kick it, or head it into a goal – it certainly isn’t to spend a Sunday afternoon rolling your body around it. “Breath into the ball” Nichi says pushing my hip down as the ball meets a deep […]
Being flexible about flexibility
These are my modest and provisional notes on the subject of hypermobility, the issues of flexibility in yoga, being able to sustain a yoga practice and specifically practicing Yin yoga. When I first taught yoga in 2001, I did not know what hypermobility or being too flexible meant. I remember Richard Freeman saying in June […]
Yamuna body rolling
By Nichi Green The moment I started body rolling I loved it. Instantly my body felt more relaxed, more balanced. I felt better alignment in my joints. I felt my weight differently in my feet. My legs felt more alive and more toned. It was like the best massage I’d ever had but I was […]
Zen uncut with brad warner
On Sunday September 20th we had a Soto Priest grace the yoga centre to give a talk on Zen Meditation practice. It’s not often that you have a priest drop by, but Brad Warner is not your average priest. In fact you wouldn’t know this at first glance. He looks a bit like the nerd […]
The body – by norman blair
Titles can be tricky, especially in this society of speed, sound-bites and stimulants. Other options included ‘What happened in the summer holidays’ and ‘My appendix, the NHS, sangha and sustainability’. It began on the first Saturday of August. A busy day with many commitments. In the afternoon I was feeling a bit unwell – nothing […]
Sri lanka yoga retreat
We may have taken a break from running retreats this year but our next retreat offering should (hopefully) make up for the gap year! This March we will be returning to our all-time favourite retreat venue – Ulpotha, a sustainable eco-village/retreat centre in the heart of Sri Lanka, which has laid claim to being “the best […]
Introduction to zen meditation with brad warner
The Zen Art of Sitting Down and Shutting Up 2–5pm Sunday 20th September 2015 Cost: £25 Brad Warner is widely regarded as one of the most exciting new voices in Buddhism, bringing an informal, witty and down-to-earth approach to meditation and life in general. Brad is certainly not your typical Zen Buddhist monk, so if your […]
Guiding, mentoring & supervision for yoga teachers
MINDING WHAT MATTERS… Guiding, mentoring, supervising – supporting each other By Norman Blair There’s a story called The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. Of course, aloneness is very much part of human life – and working on our own (as we often are doing as yoga teachers) can accentuate these lonely feelings. I set up the […]
Slowing down with yin yoga
Beneath our busy and hectic modern lives, can lie oceans of exhaustion. In this world of speed where the senses are intensely stimulated, in our culture of distractions and instant gratification, what we often most deeply require is…slowing down. Come and experience yin yoga this Saturday afternoon with Norman Blair one of the most experienced […]
Yin becoming in
By Norman Blair who teaches Yin Yoga at the Shala | South London Fifteen years ago and yin yoga was an unknown form. A few might have heard of it and there were classes and workshops in America – but that was that. Nowadays it is becoming increasingly popular: there are several books about the practice and […]
Springtime practices
By Mimi Kuo-Deemer Ahhh, springtime. This is an expansive, strong yang time of year, where we can begin to experience a significant, energetic shift. After the quiet, cold winter months, everything is starting to transform and expand: trees are budding, flowers are blooming, the days are growing longer and (a bit) warmer. Soon, Nature will reveal a magnificent […]
2014 bienvenu au cevennes
As gorgeous retreat settings go, the Cevennes is a hard act to follow… No matter how exotic or idyllic a location we choose for our Shala yoga retreats, the Cevennes is always voted the number one favourite by our regulars. The summer of 2014 takes us to a new Cevennes venue tucked away in the foothills of […]
Yoga & walking in the cevennes
After our morning yoga practice our gung ho group of yogis took to the mountain footpaths to get a real sense of the spectacular Cevennes. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.
2014 in memory of derek
The new Shala is dedicated to Gingi’s extraordinary yoga teacher, Derek Ireland (1949–1998). He started out as a semi-professional football player, moved on to become a punk rock promoter and then found his true calling as a yoga teacher. He was an inspiring and charismatic man who could have you laughing until tears rolled down your […]
2013 all systems go
It is all systems go from the moment we take ownership. Builders who have been on standby for over half a year, steam in and start tearing the place apart. It is an amazing sight to see all 250 square meters as one complete void. And a terrifying one to see the vast pile of […]
Bureaucratic boredom
We never imagined the amount of bureaucracy and red tape involved in taking on a project like this. Here, some of our teacher team (Cheney, Paola, Inna, Kath, Elinore, Gingi) are subjected to an enthralling afternoon of fire regulation training.
2014 stretching into west norwood
On the 1st February 2014, with toilet doors hung just a few hours earlier and builders hot-footing out the door in the early hours, we start laying down yoga mats for a full-house opening weekend. It is wonderful seeing so many old-timers who make the trek from all over London, and to meet the many […]
2014 in need of tlc
537 Norwood Road had a faded grandeur but was in dire need of some TLC with peeling paint and crumbling plaster. It was bringing West Norwood high street down and we are grateful to Lambeth for the grant they awarded us to restore the façade. We like to think it is now the prettiest girl […]
2013 derelict dreams
A vast 250 square meter cavity of a space – is ours. For a year the dream of the West Norwood Shala is continuously under threat. There are so many obstacles and so many hoops to jump through but finally we secure funding, planning and the purchase of the lease. At the end of October […]
2013 catching some italian rays
After a steamy yoga practice the crystal clear beaches of Puglia were beckoning. Oh life as a yogi on retreat…. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.
the italian job
There are some retreats where the chemistry is just right. And this one at an eco farm in Puglia (Yoga in Salento) is one. The Southern Italian sun, crystal clear waters, welcoming staff, the jamming and the singing and some of our loveliest old-timer students make this one of the retreats to remember. Admittedly there are too […]
2013 under-floor heating, insulation and jaccuzzis
It is with great relief that we escape lawyers and bank managers and estate agents and the stresses of setting up the new centre, to head to the Scottish lochs at Eco Yoga. Blissfully removed from internet (mostly) and mobiles (completely) we spend days walking and yogaing and bathing on our third retreat here. One evening […]
Wide open scottish skies
We return to Eco Yoga for our third retreat. More yoga, hot tubs, forest bathing, lochs and wide open skies on the stunning West Coast of Scotland. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.
2012 the dream space
After yet another rent increase and more issues with our Clapham premises, we put it out to the universe to find a new space. That very same evening by the wonder of Google, we discover a vast warehouse for sale, 10 minutes from our house. We are blown away by the size of it. It […]
2012 garden of eden
Returning to the Finca in La Gomera without the 20 kids this time means we can fully appreciate the serenity of this idyllic Garden of Eden. This particular trip brings together a lovely group of ashtangis including Simon and Jude. It is a great honour to share this retreat with Simon who is an inspiration. […]
2011 moroccan adventures
Venturing beyond the European borders we take the Shala students to the Moroccan coast in 2011. Shacked up in an exquisitely designed riad with a to-to-die for rooftop Shala, we have a week of practicing, feasting, surfing, shopping and lazing under the African sky. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.
Wild bathing
Winding right down to a soporific state is the main agenda at Eco Yoga in Scotland. A retreat here involves ashtanga yoga practice to the sound of the waterfall, high-quality vegetarian food, massages, star-lit hot tubs and wild bathing al fresco in the glorious Scottish countryside. The healing and rejuvenating water therapies (Jacuzzi, sauna, outdoor baths) are a cure-all for […]
Yogis hanging ten
Game Shala yogis take to the surf in Morocco…One thing we can say about our retreat regulars is that they are always game. Here seven of our group take to their surf boards to catch some waves. It is hysterically funny. They are looking deceptively like pros in this picture here. Find out which retreats […]
2010 la gomera family yoga retreat
Now whose brainwave was it exactly to take 35 people (including 20 kids) to the island of La Gomera? It seems like a fine plan at the time but we soon understand why noone offers family yoga retreats. It works. But the logistics are mindboggling. We turn the place upside down. It is certainly the most […]
2010 off the rails
The search for another permanent home was a long one. With sky high London rents and very few large commercial spaces we despaired at ever finding somewhere. And so it was that we eventually made this railroad unit in Clapham our home for a few years. The “Shack” as Gingi calls it had it’s intimate […]
2009 italy retreat
Returning to InSabina for a second year running, with many of our regular students, this retreat is filled with laughter and music. This is the first of many when Rob Davis brings his guitar and acts as our personal dukebox, heroically enduring our best singing efforts. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.
Care to dance
It’s not often we get to teach in a ballroom. We love this space in Streatham for it’s lofty, ornate ceilings, parquet floor and infinite grandeur.
2008 flirtation with chelsea
The Shala is invited to run yoga classes from a somewhat exclusive riverside holistic health centre. It is the closest the Shala ever ventures to leaving South London. Here Bella Galt and Gingi Lee are running a workshop at the newly built Riverside Très.
2008 the search continues
The Shala branches out to Streatham (whilst still running in Balham and Chelsea) and starts running classes in this gorgeous Georgian Stately home. We would have loved to make this magical spot our permanent abode but it wasn’t to be.
2008 institutionalised
Bursting at the seams in our tiny mews house in Balham, the Shala overflows into the the Balham library hall on the weekends where we are able to host larger classes. The space had Edwardian grandeur but it takes much energy to infuse it with yogic prana and rid it of its institutional feel. Needless […]
2007 marriage vows in the south of france
The yoga glitterati are out in numbers for Gingi and Ella marriage in a small town registry office in the Cevennes south of France. The three-day celebration kicks off with a beautiful yoga practice where even the non-yogis roll out a mat. Memorable.
2007 the short but sweet balham era
2007 jungle magic
Teaching yoga and tai chi at Ulpotha in Sri Lanka is one of life’s richest experiences. So close to nature. So removed from civilisation. Living simply but breathing in nature’s prana. The jungle doctor cures all. This place fills the senses, elevates the heart and gives renewed perspective on life. Find out which retreats we currently have […]
A tight squeeze
In homage to Sri K Pattabhi Jois’s original Lakshmipuram yoga centre, which had space for just 12 mats, the Balham mews house is a similarly tight squeeze with a maximum of 14 students. The energy is always great but we needed to grow and soon it is time to move on again.
2006 one little tai chi student
Having children really advances us to the “seventh series”. They are our greatest gurus. Here Kaya, aged 3 months, is practicing the “grand ultimate”. She goes from being wide awake and alert to comatosed in a matter of just a few tai chi moves. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.
2006 a new shala era
At the eleventh hour just before leaving the Sangam, we manage to find a sweet muse house in Balham, which we make our home for the next couple of years. Practices are cramped but the energy is always charged. It feels right to change our name for a new era and the simplicity of The Shala […]
2006 meeting of the rivers
Between 1997 and 2006 the Sangam (meaning Meeting of the Rivers) is the epicentre of the South London yoga scene. A strong and lasting community evolves in this bohemian warehouse space just off Battersea Rise. During 2006, it is with great sadness that the centre has to move on to new premises. It is the end […]
2005 rolf & marci’s thai shala
Gingi & Ella visit Rolf Naujokat and Marci at their Thai Shala on Koh Phangan, after a few months on the South East Asia travelling trail. It was a wonderful feeling for them to fully roll their mats out and practice in a group energy again with the sound of the sea crashing on the rocks […]
2005 chateau shala
A haven in the foothills of the Massif Central. Times of river bathing, gourmet vegetarian food, steamy practices and lazing in the Cevennolle sunrays. Each retreat we hold here has it’s own special moments and special people. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.
2005 crouching tigers
One of the most memorable Shala retreats is this early one in 2005 when Gingi Lee’s English yogis join forces with his father’s martial artists for a week of study in the Cevennes, South of France. The cards are turned when the karate kas find themselves in challenging yoga postures on the mat. And they thought […]
2005 sitting buddhas
There is a lot of yoga…. along with hours of laughter, a few bottles of wine, table-top dancing, late night swimming and much cheese. Thank you to Sharon, Jeremie, Debbie, James, Emily, Big & Small Dave, Sasha, Alli, Caroline and all for this and many other great retreats.
2000 the london crew
During the four months Gingi is in Mysore studying with Pattabhi Jois, he lives with a group of London yogis at the famous Post Office guesthouse in Lakshmipuram, near the Mysore Institute. Among them: Cathy Louise, Shayna, Jennifer and Sabel (above).
1999 pattabhi jois and the new millenium
In 2000 Gingi returns to Mysore in the new millennium to practice with Pattabhi Jois. The old shala can only hold 12 people and on the first day of practice, he finds himself facing a wall with no room to manoeuvre. Gingi feels a great sense of history and excitement of being at the ashtanga […]
1997 yoga ambassador
It is the Healing Arts Festival in the mid 1990s that really boosts the awareness of ashtanga yoga in the UK. For a few years Derek Ireland and Gingi Lee (above), and Kristina Ireland do demonstrations at the festival to promote the Practice Place in Greece. “We would switch on an album by Deep Forest, move […]
1997 sangam yoga centre opens
In 1997 Gingi Lee sets up his first yoga centre in a warehouse in Battersea, South London. Named the Sangam, the centre is one of the first yoga studios in London and the only dedicated ashtanga centre. Yoga at this time in London is still pretty underground and word starts to spread about the ashtanga […]
1995 early blistering practices
“There is nothing quite like the practices in the old days with Derek. Intense. Exhilarating. Full of humour and it always feels like you were going to the breaking point, and laughing all the way.”
1995 baga beach is the place
Gingi’s main yoga teacher training with Derek Ireland takes place in a beach hut on Baga Beach, Goa. Three intense practices a day: Gingi is living, eating, dreaming and breathing yoga during the winter of 1995-96. At the end of the training, Derek grants Gingi permission to teach ashtanga yoga and he goes on to apprentice […]
1994 yoga oasis in crete
It is at the Practice Place in Crete that Gingi fully immerses himself in the ashtanga practice, studying under the inspirational and inimitable Derek Ireland and Radha Warrell. This is a time of challenging practices and the beginning of longstanding friendships with Hamish Hendry, John Scott, Kristina Ireland and Michaela Clarke. During this time Gingi […]
1993 mysore no money
Fired up to meet Sri K Pattabhi Jois and search out the holy grail, Gingi heads for Mysore. No money. No practice. Alas. He returns to London determined to save and return to Mysore to study with Guruji. It is not until 2000 that he manages to return.
1992 seduced by ashtanga yoga
Gingi continues his trips to India on a pilgrimage seeking out ashrams and yoga centres wherever he travels. This leads him to meet many sadhus and swamis and fascinating characters – some enlightened and some most unenlightened! Along the way in Hampi, Karnataka, he comes across an Australian student of Sri K Pattabi Jois who invites […]
1991 beckoned by a swami
While teaching tai chi students in Pushkar, India in 1991, Gingi Lee is summoned to meet Swami Shyam Yogi whose students have told him of Gingi’s teachings. Gingi has no inclination to study yoga but is curious to see what it is that this swami wants with him. That first meeting at 5am in a mud […]
1990 india calls
In 1989 Gingi Lee makes his first trip to India where he travels extensively, painting and teaching tai chi. While teaching in Pushkar he paints this watercolour – and has his first encounter with yoga.
1987 the warrior path
1985 karate kid
Aged 12, Gingi Lee begins his study of the Martial Arts with his Father’s original Master, Sensei Richard Kim in San Francisco. There are no children’s classes, so Gingi practices with the adults. He follows Sensei Kim in his Tai Chi forms with not a word spoken for what seemed like hours. Aged 18, Gingi […]