Ella Milroy

Our new student offer just got sweeter

Our modern life is so full of stresses and demands that it is common to exist in a permanent state of disharmony. Overwork, poor diet, emotional strains, overthinking, over-stimulation and poor breathing all take their toll and weaken the body. The mind-body practices and holistic treatments we offer at the Shala all work to restore […]

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 […]

Teen cobras

We help each other to stretch… we connect and have fun. Teens yoga – nurturing the body’s flexibility and releasing feelings of negativity. Teens Classes

New flyer designs

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 […]

qigong at the apple mac store

This weekend we hosted the lovely Mimi Kuo-Deemer for the first of her five yoga and qigong seasonal (five elements) workshops. A naturally gifted teacher, Mimi has a captivating, joyful presence and a deep understanding of yoga and Daiost philosophy. Her workshops are uplifting, informed and full of laughter and her teachings are profound and […]

Post-natal pilates

This six week postnatal Pilates course is the safest and most effective way to get back into physical activity after having your baby. During the sessions we will check for any abdominal muscle separation, learn and practice exercises that are specifically designed to; strengthen the Pelvic floor, strengthen the abdominal muscles, reduce back pain and […]

Mark kan and dharma yoga

We welcome Senior Dharma Mittra teacher, Mark Kan to our team. Mark brings his challenging yoga practices to Sunday mornings at the Shala in South London. Dharma Yoga, developed by New York’s eminent yogi Sri Dharma Mittra, challenges the individual on both physical and mental levels. Strong yet graceful, this physically absorbing yoga practice encourages […]

Yoga beginnings – start your journey

Begin your yoga journey with Gingi Lee in an inspiring Yoga Beginnings workshop for those with limited or no experience of yoga. Experience yoga as a moving meditation that can bring about profound changes in physical, emotional and mental well-being. The workshop will look at the key foundations of the practice and encourage and motivate you to make […]

New face front of house

Welcome to Kirsty Arnold, who has joined our team front of house and helping us behind the scenes with an ever-mounting pile of administration. Kirsty first began practising yoga as part of her studies as a professional dancer, ten years ago. Yoga has played a valuable role in developing her body awareness and complimenting her […]

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 […]

Spring detox workshop

Under the expert guidance of Claudia Jones, director of The Wellness Source, you can make significant changes in your life through a Spring detox workshop which will teach you how to safely detox and reap the rewards of a spring clean. This highly informative, in-depth and motivational workshop will give you the knowledge and tools to transform […]

Yoga in utero

Even in utero yoga can have powerful benefits and effects. One of our pregnant mother’s was recently admitted to the labour ward at King’s Hospital and after various complications was told that her baby needed to be delivered by C-section. She reluctantly signed the consent form and had just 20 minutes until the theatre was […]

Little yogi in meditation

Little yogis in meditation. Yoga helps us to feel peace, calm and happiness inside. Find out more about Kids Yoga.

Yoga & qigong spring workshop with mimi

The first in a series of five not-to-be-missed Yoga and Qigong Workshops starts at the Shala on Saturday 25 April with a Spring practice to foster clear vision, resourcefulness and flexibility. Integrating the wellbeing practices of yoga and qigong has long been a deep interest with us at the Shala and we are delighted to be hosting […]

Spring shala open day

A few times a year, we host an open house for new students to come along, see our beautiful space, meet some of our teachers and therapists and try out a free class. Our next open house will be on Sunday 19 April. Book in online from our schedule if you would like to join […]

Why pilates?

One year on and we are really feeling the benefits of having incorporated Pilates in to our schedule at the Shala. We frequently recommend that students start their Shala journey with Pilates, especially if they are experiencing injuries that are causing pain. With an emphasis on breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and concentration on […]

Yogis – why detox?

By Claudia Jones, founder of The Wellness Source, who runs our Wellness Programmes Sometimes when we’ve been hard at it on our yoga mats, sweating and stretching for a couple of hours, just the challenge of having completed the physical practice makes us feel like we deserve a medal. I know when I first started Ashtanga yoga many […]

The art of visceral manipulation

Although relatively under utilised in modern physical therapy (though that is starting to change), the art of Visceral Manipulation has been a part of medicinal cultures since pre-recorded times. The word “visceral” refers to the internal organs of the body such as the stomach, liver and kidneys. Visceral Manipulation (VM for short) is therefore a hands-on-therapy that […]

Hear the silence

Life in the city doesn’t get a whole lot calmer than this. Monthly Relaxation and Meditation Workshop will bring a quietness, stillness and deep inner calm to our practices with a combination of pranayama (breath work), guided meditation, chanting and yoga philosophy. The workshop will run once a month starting from Saturday 9 May at the Shala in […]

Feasting roman style

A highlight of the Shala yoga retreats has always been the hours spent lingering and chatting over amazing meals – and a few bottles of wine. This picture pretty much sums up how students spend their retreats when off the mat. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.

Life in the slow lane

Here the group is led by Gingi in an afternoon tai chi session at InSabina as the sun goes down. After a beautiful practice, the aperitifs are beckoning… Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.

Flying yogis

Not sure if it was the coffee, the wine or the intense practices that fired up all the yogis to make daredevil jumps in to icy October waters during this South of France retreat. The waterfall here was the pinnacle of adventure. Kudos went to Emily Pitts for taking the waterfall leap in her underwear.

High in the hills on meditation

This outdoor platform overlooking the Insabina Hills has to be one of the most glorious spots to still the mind. Here Gingi is leading a meditation to a group of Shala students during a retreat. The dog is in the higher levels of consciousness. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.

Balancing act

Holding each other to balance… or to fall? Kids and teens yoga, balancing the body’s chemistry and physiology.

Shala wildlife

Mice and turtles in our homes. A moment of silence and stillness in kids yoga: we feel safe and protected in our little homes.

Beautiful swans

We are beautiful swans enjoying the sunshine on our faces. Kids yoga – nurturing flexibility and freedom of movement and helping to build healthy bodies and minds.

Boats floating on the river

Boats floating on the river. Holding each others we can travel everywhere using our imagination. Teens yoga – giving children the chance to explore being in their bodies and discovering the spectrum of amazing things we can do.

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 […]

2014 relaxing in the french manner

Aperitif o’clock on our yoga retreat in the Cevennes, South of France with Isobel, two Helenas, two Emilies and others yogis. Find out which retreats we currently have coming up here.

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.

Just chilling

Elija our resident baby has been coming to the Shala since before he was born for pregnancy classes, and now he’s here on almost a daily basis for the crêche while his Mum does yoga. Here he snoozes in blissful yogic energy.

2014 kristina ireland at the shala

In May, Kristina Ireland (wife of Derek Ireland) visits the Shala to run our first weekend workshop. It is very fitting that she is our first visiting teacher at the new Shala. In Crete in the early 90s Kristina and Gingi practiced side by side for many years under the guidance of their teacher Derek.

Open day

For our May open day we lay out a spread of homemade cakes to welcome newcomers to the Shala and reward them after their first yoga or Pilates class.

2014 the dream team

The Shala has always endeavoured to offer the highest quality of teaching and has hand picked an experienced and talented team who each bring a different quality and approach to the centre. Some of our team up against the brick wall at the new Shala.

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 […]

Author: Ella Milroy