Tranquility

BCY Teacher Training - Teacher Biographies

Gill Hurst is a qualified Yoga teacher whose roots are in the hatha and ashtanga traditions. She gained her teaching certificate with Richard Freeman in Colorado and has studied under Sharath Rangaswamy and Sri K Pattahbi Jois in Mysore, India. She teaches all levels of yoga practice in Bristol and around the UK.

Gill is also a Chartered Physiotherapist and since 1998 has specialised in musculoskeletal medicine. She teaches Biomechanics and injury prevention on yoga teacher training modules in London and in various performing arts schools for the promotion of musculoskeletal health awareness. She is qualified in Acupuncture and both her clinical and Yoga work is inspired by the Science and Philosophy of both East and West.

Nirlipta Tuli is a registered clinical hypnotherapist who trained at the London College of Clinical Hypnotherapy and is a full member of the British Society for Clinical Hypnotherapy. He is also an associate member of the British Association of Clinical Psychotherapy. He has specialist training in perinatal hypnotherapy (clinical hypnotherapy for childbirth, and for the pre and post natal period). The heart of his unique hypnotherapy practice is a specialised approach to perinatal hypnotherapy, including work with birth trauma resolution and the release of fears and anxieties around childbirth.

He has been practicing yoga for sixteen years and teaching yoga since 1990. He has yoga teaching diplomas from three different yoga teacher training organisations (Bihar School of Yoga, British Wheel of Yoga and Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres). Nirlipta has completed the British Wheel of Yoga Module in pregnancy yoga, and has undertaken further training in yoga therapy (including management of lower back pain, and yoga for women's health) and the health and safety aspects of yoga teaching. He has particular expertise in teaching yoga practices for positive mental health, stress relief and relaxation. Nirlipta also holds an MA in Indian Religion and Philosophy from the School of Oriental and African Studies.

Nirlipta is teaching the yoga philosophy for the certificate and diploma level courses alongside Uma Dinsmore Tuli.

Uma Dinsmore-Tuli has been teaching yoga and meditation since 1986 and training yoga teachers and therapists since 2001. She has a PhD in Communications from London University, a diploma in Yoga Therapy from the Yoga Biomedical Trust and is a recognised teacher of the British Wheel of Yoga.

Uma teaches the British Wheel of Yoga Module in Pregnancy Yoga, designed the British Wheel Module in Postnatal Yoga and is a member of the British Wheel of Yoga's Child Protection Steering Group. Uma also designed and leads the Yogacampus early years yoga training course, covering family yoga sessions for parents and children from birth to four years. Uma is a tutor on the Yoga Biomedical Trust/Yogacampus Yoga Therapy Foundation Course, and the Well Woman Yoga Therapy module. She has also worked as a tutor and assessor for Birthlight and British Wheel of Yoga training courses in pregnancy yoga, postnatal yoga and baby yoga.

Uma is teaching the pregnancy yoga module as well as part teaching the level 1 course.

Laura Gilmore has practiced yoga since 1991 with many of the world’s most respected teachers: Shri K Pattabhi Jois, Sharath Rangaswamy, John Scott, Nancy Gilgoff, Rudra Dev and studied meditation with Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh. She holds teaching qualifications from Yoga Alliance, Rishikul Ashram and Birthlight and has taken further teaching studies through the Life Centre, Sitaram Partnership and with Nancy Gilgoff.

Laura is a natural teacher who shares her understanding and knowledge of yoga with warmth & humour. As Director of Bristol City Yoga Laura is co-ordinating the full teacher training programme and part-teaching the course.

Fiona Smith combines her work as a yoga teacher (Yoga Alliance certified) and Thai Massage therapist. Her journey in massage, yoga, meditation and a generally healthier lifestyle began in 2001. During this time Fiona has developed her own meditative and approach to yoga. Her Yoga Teacher Training was with Louisa Sear (Yoga Arts) and she has been influenced in my practice and teaching through my work with Clive Sheridan, Donna Farhi & Rudra (Iyengar) and most recently by the wonderful, unfolding and inspiring teaching of Angela Farmer and Victor Van Kooten.

She is a fully qualified and registered Traditional Thai Massage therapist and teacher (RTT, ITEC, CThA), an experienced trainer of massage therapists. Having trained and worked with a number of different Thai Massage teachers and Masters including Asokananda (author of The Art of Traditional Thai Massage) who authorised Fiona to teach for The Sunshine Network in 2004; Nicky Smith (Co-Director of Bodywisdom and author of Thai Massage) and Thai Master Pichet Boonthume. Fiona currently studying to become a personal coach in order to work with individuals and businesses towards greater success, fulfillment and well-being.

Fiona is teaching asana, meditation and pranayama on the teacher training course.

Alexandra Pope
We are delighted to welcome Alexandra this year to share her work into women's wisdom and health in her "wisdom of menstruation" workshop in Feb 2011. Do read her website for a flavour of what is to come!
http://www.wildgenie.com/

Aki Omori
Aki brings a distinct flavour to the course with her incredible powers of perception and intuitive touch and movement. Aki will share her understanding of the body from within...and much more!
http://akiomori.blogspot.com/

Modules:

Ashtanga- Melanie Cooper has been practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga for fifteen years and teaching for nine. She has a background in massage and healing and brings this experience and knowledge to her adjustments and teaching. She has also studied with Shri K Pattabhi Jois in Mysore and Nancy Gilgoff.

Melanie is an apprentice to Hamish Hendry in London and has studied and assisted with him for five years. During the winter Melanie teaches on the Brahmani Yoga teacher Training course in Goa and alongside Laura Gilmore she is now developing the Ashtanga teacher training at BCY.

Ayurveda- Joanna Johnston (BSc (Hons) Ayu. MAPA) is a British trained Ayurvedic practitioner.  She studied with Manipal University in London.  After completing 750 hours of clinical training in hospitals and clinics in India, she is a full member of the UK’s Ayurvedic Practitioner’s Association (APA).  She is founder of AyurvedicYogi, set up to make Ayurvedic and Yogic wisdom easily accessible.  She offers Ayurvedic consultations, treatments, workshops and retreats in the UK.  She has also completed the Advanced Sivananda Yoga teacher training, and enjoys bringing the two sciences together.  For more information www.ayurvedicyogi.com

Pregnancy- Uma Dinsmore Tuli (see above)

Apprenticeship- During the apprenticeship module (Diploma level) you will have the opportunity to observe and work alongside other BCY teachers including those practicing and teaching Iyengar, Anusara, Pregnancy Yoga, Mum-Baby Yoga etc. This apprenticeship can be shaped to suit your needs.

Other modules will be confirmed during the coming year.