Name: Nea Ferrier
Profession: Ashtanga yoga teacher
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Intrepid, Steady, Engaged
Other interests of yours (outside of yoga)?
Indian textiles, Indian history, India travel. Maybe all things India! I’m also a feminist and passionate about the menstrual cycle.
Tell us something that would surprise us about you.
Many people think that I’m very serious, which I am. But those who know me well find out that I am often quite silly.
What other jobs have you had in the past?
Telemarketer, Cleaner, Public Relations Account Director for Tech companies
What’s your favorite quote?
Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10
What 3 yogis would you invite for dinner together?
How about a nun, a judge and a movie star. Freda Bedi (English Buddhist nun & Indian Nationalist), Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Marilyn Monroe.
Profession: Restorative yoga teacher
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Gentle, Inventive & Passionate
Other interests of yours (outside of yoga)?
Arab Andalusian Music, history and traditions, solving riddles, puzzles, sewing and cooking.
Tell us something that would surprise us about you.
After graduating from the faculty of Law, I worked for two years as a Lawyer in a Law Firm where I had to wear a special black gown on the top of formal outfits and high heels.
What other jobs have you had in the past?
I’ve worked as a Manager of a Car Rental Company.
What’s your favorite quote?
الصبر مفتاح الفرج (Assabr Miftah Al Faraj ) meaning “Patience is key of Relief”
Name: Naseem Kapasi
Profession: Iyengar Yoga Teacher
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Happy , hardy and honest.
Other interests of yours (outside of yoga)?
Pottery and sculpture.
Tell us something that would surprise us about you
Mother of twins.
What other jobs have you had in the past?
Flight attendant
What’s your favorite quote?
Currently , “this too shall pass”
What 3 yogi’s would you invite for dinner together?
David Meloni, Djoeke Van Der werf and Azita Dadfar.
Name: Livin Chandrasekhar
Profession: Hatha Vinyasa Teacher
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Warm hearted, Passionate, and Eager to explore more about yoga and myself .
Other interests of yours (outside of yoga)?
Anything that allows me to be on my toes always appeals to me.
Tell us something that would surprise us about you
Nothing about me is ever surprising, I’m always in the search for opportunities where I can learn more about myself.
What other jobs have you had in the past?
The only place where I found myself is teaching and practicing yoga and all the other jobs where I got my hands dirty with were just a stepping stone to reach here.
What’s your favorite quote?
Atha yoga-anushasanam
Name: Basma Saimua
Profession: Yin yoga teacher
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Gritty, introspective, collected.
Other interests of yours (outside of yoga)?
Reading novels (fiction and nonfiction), clay sculpting, researching health and wellness, and more recently playing the piano.
Tell us something that would surprise us about you.
My gentle demeanor hides how strong I am.
What other jobs have you had in the past?
I am in HR
What’s your favorite quote?
“The truest test of a person’s character is what they do when no one is looking”
What 3 yogis would you invite for dinner together?
Sam Harris, Sadhguru, Ram Dass
Name: Aparajita Ghose
Profession: Iyengar yoga teacher
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Open, Learner, and Geeky
Other interests of yours (outside of yoga)?
Meditation, reading and learning Buddhist sutras and chants. Drawing, and listening to copius number of audio-books and pod-casts.
Tell us something that would surprise us about you.
Hmm, hard to say, as nothing surprises me about me.
What other jobs have you had in the past?
School teacher (very short stint in a special school for hearing impaired children), Graphic Designer.
What’s your favorite quote?
“I know this glass is already broken, so I enjoy it incredibly.” Ajahn Chah.
What 3 yogis would you invite for dinner together?
Azita Dadfar, Gabriella Giubilaro and Lois Steinberg .
Name: Amanda Smith
Profession: Yin yoga teacher
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Curious, adventurous & chocoholic
Other interests of yours (outside of yoga)?
Anything body-mind: anatomy, physiology, psychology, movement, also fashion!
Tell us something that would surprise us about you
I have walked a few catwalks in London and Brighton quite some time back!
What other jobs have you had in the past?
Travel Agency, Wait Staff, Personal Trainer
What’s your favorite quote?
“Nothing human is alien to me” – Maya Angelou
What 3 yogi’s would you invite for dinner together?
Maty Ezraty, Maya Angelou & Coco Chanel. Only one Yogi as variety is key in my life.
Name: Anastacia Ribas
Profession: Slow Flow Yoga Teacher
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Adventurous, Joyful and a Mom
Other interests of yours (outside of yoga)?
Hiking or walking in nature. Most of the time I like to go alone to connect with nature and with myself. I consider this my moving meditation. I also love cooking and when I travel one of my favourite things to do is to try the local cuisine.
Tell us something that would surprise us about you.
I love skydiving and I am afraid of rollercoasters.
What other jobs have you had in the past?
Communications/PR, Journalist, Flight Attendant
What’s your favorite quote?
“The practice makes you become more yourself” – Eric Shiffman
What 3 yogis would you invite for dinner together?
Julie Martin, Mark Stephans, Eric Shiffman
Name: Purva Kaushal
Profession: Hatha Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation Teacher
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Honest, Creative, Problem-solver
Other interests of yours (outside of yoga)?
Playing Guitar, painting, swimming and boxing
What other jobs have you had in the past?
Fitness instructor and creative director in an advertising firm
What’s your favorite quote?
Idam-na-mama {This is not mine}
What 3 yogi’s would you invite for dinner together?
Lord Shiva, Patanjali Maharishi and Swami Sivananda
Name: Sara Otto
Profession: Dharma Vinyasa yoga teacher
When did you take your first yoga class and what did you think?
n 2007, when I was 22 years old. I walked into my first Shala space. It was a warehouse space in the charming Primrose Hill, London- the original and first Triyoga. I felt a very strong warmth towards this space. After that first class, I knew something profound took place through those 75 minutes. I couldn’t put it into words, I just felt connected and knew it was remedy for my body, mind and soul. From then on it became a way of life for me. A continual journey of discovery…
What is your go to yoga technique/practice for managing stress?
Meditation practice, pranayama and a yoga asana session. Maybe only one of these. If I’m very stressed all three it is.
What keeps you returning to your yoga practice?
The internal peace
What advice do you have for new practitioners?
The biggest step has already been taken. Now the study of self begins. Take it easy, be kind, know when you need the drive & discipline – know when you need to rest. Understand that your inner world is the key. Keep the body healthy. Understand the eight limbs of yoga. Enjoy the actual journey.
