I took my first yoga class in January 2001 and was hooked immediately. I began practising for a variety of reasons, including: to relieve the ever-increasing tension in my neck and shoulders that had formed into a permanent tight knot; to help with an on-going health condition; and to develop a greater spiritual awareness and deeper understanding of what life might be about.

My practice since then has indeed helped enormously with all of these things and much more. I have found that deeply connecting the body, breath and mind through yoga brings a sense of groundedness, and a physical, emotional and mental strength and stability that equips us to better face all of life’s challenges. I continue to be amazed by how much yoga has to offer to support our different needs and assist us through different stages of life.

From being an avid yoga student I went on to complete a four year Aurolab Yoga teacher training course (500 hour Independent Yoga Network registered), whilst continuing to build my own daily yoga practice. I have been teaching since 2008 and am now recognised as a Senior Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals UK

Sarah Burgess is a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals. This accreditation demonstrates excellent standards as set by Yoga Alliance Professionals

I do not have a background in dance or gymnastics and I am not a naturally supple person. Learning yoga postures has not come easily to me and I have had to work patiently over many years. The strength and flexibility that I now have come from a dedicated and regular yoga practice. I strongly believe that anyone, whatever their physical background, can gain great benefits from a regular yoga practice. I fully understand the challenges that people can face when first beginning a yoga practice as a result of my own experiences. And I am very well equipped to help people of all abilities to develop and improve their practice in a safe and careful manner.

There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
Albert Einstein

I have studied and practiced with many wonderful teachers over the years, and I continue to study with many inspiring teachers, as well as regularly attending new trainings, workshops and retreats to inform and improve my own self-practice and teaching. I am passionate about yoga and always looking to further deepen my knowledge and understanding of it.

I would particularly like to thank the following teachers for their help, encouragement, inspiration and guidance over the years: Angelika Grohmann for igniting my passion for yoga and continuing to be a guiding light; Sharon Matarazzo and Eileen Gauthier for developing my love of ashtanga yoga; Sama Fabian for guiding me in my teaching skills; and Charlie Taylor-Rugman for sharing his very great knowledge of both yoga asana and yoga philosophy with me. I also learned a great deal from my three month stay in India studying with certified ashtanga yoga teacher Rolf Naujokat, and from the late Sri K Pattabhi Jois, with whom I was fortunate enough to practice with on a number of occasions. Dharma Mittra has also been a true inspiration both in his mastery of yoga postures and his deep spirituality. And more recently Sarah Powers, who has guided me on my meditation journey and also taught me the very great benefits of a yin yoga practice, which have been further reinforced by the wonderful Norman Blair over many years of workshops and classes with him. Francoise Freedman inspired and guided me in learning about yoga for pregnancy, birth and beyond. More recently my gratitude goes to Judith Hanson Lasater and Lizzie Lasater have inspired and guided my restorative yoga journey, and to Lisa Kaley-Isley introduced me to the wonders of yoga therapy, starting me on a path that I am finding endlessly fascinating and beneficial, both personally and in my teaching.

And my biggest thank you goes to all of my students who inspire me on a daily basis and from whom I learn so much.

My yoga practice brings me great joy and many benefits. I feel truly blessed to be able to practice and even more fortunate to have the opportunity to share my passion for yoga with others through my teaching.

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With Sri K Pattabhi Jois in 2005