I'm a scholar-practitioner of Indic traditions, offering a unique blend of hands-on experience and academic knowledge.
I'm a certified yoga teacher and a mindfulness practitioner, holding a master's degree in the historical development of yoga and meditation from SOAS University of London.
My passion lies in exploring the profound wisdom of these ancient and modern practices and principles. I aim to share their transformative potential with others, empowering them towards physical and mental health and personal growth. I achieve that by incorporating meditation and mindfulness into my body-affirming yoga lessons and a nurturing environment where each individual can safely explore their mind, body, and spirit. By creating a space that welcomes and supports everyone, I aim to spread the benefits of yoga and meditation far and wide, helping others to thrive and reach their fullest potential.
Ethics
Nutrition
Exercise
Breathwork
Meditation
Mindfulness
Counselling
Academic Research
MY KEY EXPERIENCES FOR YOU
From revitalising yoga retreats in captivating holiday destinations to nourishing culinary offerings, I provide a comprehensive range of services that support my clients in attaining optimal health and wellbeing.
CASE STUDY
Yoga-Sailing Retreats
Collaboration with Naleia Yachting International, 2015-2018.
A map showcasing daily yoga practice locations during our yoga-sailing trip in Northern Dalmatia, Croatia 2018.
TOP BENEFITS
as reported by my students.
Feeling joyful & energised
Enhanced health & wellbeing
Better stress management
Clearer thinking & mental focus
Increased sense of calm
Better work-life balance
Greater compassion & empathy
Improved sleep quality
Boosted stamina & endurance
Increased strength & flexibility
Corrected posture & alignment
Great addition to other sports
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“What a great yoga class. Paula is an amazing teacher – I love the way she explains things so well, not just what we do but why we do it – like why hands in a certain position is good for the back, or the wrists, or how certain postures are good for blood flow to the heart – this is such great information as well as the teaching and the demonstrations of positions which are perfect. Highly recommended.”Mark Barnwell
“Paula is a great Yoga Teacher. We are working proudly with Paula to deliver our Yoga Sailing Retreat trips through Naleia Yachting company. I have only received positive feedback from our participants and we think of Paula as our long term Yoga Teacher partner. Highly recommendable!”Dominik Sarapata
“Thank you for today's session. The lower back exercises really helped me! I’ve always had lower back issues because I have quite a pronounced lumbar curve. Today was the first session where when I laid down for the relaxation at the end I didn’t have to put a pillow under my back or give myself a bit of a massage to alleviate tightness and discomfort. Feeling very loose and relaxed after!”Anonymous
“Paula has a remarkable talent at creating a safe and peaceful environment for attendees to relax in, suitable for a mixed ability group. We look forward to many more yoga sessions.”Samantha Chidley
You instantly warm to Paula. She has a natural calmness and bubbly charm that makes you want to find out more. A talented yoga teacher introducing a diverse range of skills and techniques to cater for all abilities and tastes. I’ve been practicing yoga for a while and found this still reached quite deep. I left feeling refreshed and inspired with a natural curiosity for more. Paula is a delight.”Lynne Sander
“Thank you for this incredible experience and your generous gift of your time. Exceeded all expectations. I loved this yoga session and look forward to more.”Tanya Harris
“Paula is an excellent yoga teacher – so relaxing and calming. I have really enjoyed working with her and the classes she has facilitated have been well received by our team.”Beth Rogers
“My flexibility is terrible from years of heavy weight training. Yoga has totally loosened me up and corrected my caveman posture!”Sam Wrigglesworth
“Love your classes! It is not something I had ever thought about doing before, but am hooked now. I think it really complements the other activities I do and makes me feel great.”Andrew Rowe
“Paula has definitely changed my life for the better through her passion for yoga and our yoga practice!”Maureen Gori de Murden
“Paula's passion for yoga comes across in all her teaching. She is dedicated to her own learning, development and growth and is creative and clear in her yoga instruction.”Annie Metcalfe
“It is mentally light and airy – the class teacher keeps it very open. Whilst the movements can be difficult the whole experience is one of a feeling of strength and openness.”Anonymous
THE YOGA CLASSES
I create a nurturing environment in my body-affirming yoga lessons, allowing everyone to safely delve into their mind, body, and spirit.
Each session is designed to enhance physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, and promotes strength, flexibility, energy, balance, clarity, and peace, across various levels of one's being.
The structure of a class is based on the standard eight auxiliaries of Rāja Yoga (Pātañjala Yoga), traditional Haṭha Yoga, dr Pillai's system of breathing & purification techniques, and Buddhist teachings, with a spiritual blessing from Svāmī Śivānanda Paramahaṃsa (of Kerala, India). In other words, the classes combine physical exercises (āsana) with meditation and mindfulness (dhyāna and smṛti), breathwork (kriyā and prāṇāyāma), and deep relaxation (śavāsana & nidrā), as well as lifestyle guidance (yamas & niyamas), in such a way that participants feel restored and rejuvenated after each session.
THE MOBILE STUDIO
Driven by my passion for holistic health & personal growth, I founded an award-winning wellness blog and mobile studio in 2015.
The studio promotes holistic philosophy in which all aspects of an individual are intimately interconnected and only understood within the context of the whole. In line with this approach, individuals receive tools to nourish and balance their entire being by integrating their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development.
With the right intention, it's a way of life that anyone can put into practice!
My deep interest in personal growth surfaced in my early years, nurtured by a love for martial arts. I was drawn by recurring themes of spiritual and philosophical development, attainable through individual meditation and training, with particular recognition of self-consciousness, intent, inner peace, breathing techniques, and medicinal practices.
MY BACKGROUND
I am a registered, insured and fully qualified Haṭha Yoga Teacher trained by the Devon School of Yoga (500 hours), following on from successful completion of the DSY's Foundation Yoga program.
"The word 'Mahatma' it means great soul
and it's inside of us just waiting to unfold."
MC Yogi, singer
In 2008, I completed my first yoga-based program with the Art of Living Foundation, sparking a desire to join the community of teachers. Since then, I have been seeking out my path through various schools of yoga, Buddhism, meditation, mindfulness, relaxation, psychology, and personal development, as well as academia.
My yoga lineage traces back to Svāmī Śivānanda Paramahaṃsa, the founder of the Siddha Samaj path, whose teachings greatly influenced Dr. B. Padmanabha Pillai. Dr Pillai, proficient in both yoga and martial arts, assumed the directorship of the Institute of Yogic Culture in Kerala, India, in 1949.
Duncan Hulin, the principal teacher, founder, and director of the Devon School of Yoga, dedicated three consecutive winters in South India to study under Dr Pillai. Duncan's profound insights into yoga inspired my relocation to the South West of England in 2013, where I've been immersed in his teachings ever since.
Svāmī Śivānanda Paramahaṃsa
India
Dr B. Padmanabha Pillai
India
Duncan Hulin
United Kingdom
PRACTISE WITH ME ONLINE
INDIC STUDIES & WELLNESS BLOG
Contact Paula
Let's start by discussing your goals & needs