Pete Gill - Ashtanga Yoga

Pete took his first yoga class in 1988. At the time his main focus was martial arts, initally Aikido then Capoeira, however he continued to practice yoga as an adjunct to his martial arts training. He was introduced to ashtanga yoga in 1996 whilst running a Capoeira workshop and was immediately drawn to the dynamic, flowing nature of the practice. When a knee injury curtailed his Capoeira practice ashtanga yoga became his main focus.

Pete's growing passion for ashtanga yoga was obvious to his friends who were eager to share his discovery of the practice. This led him to start teaching yoga and eventually to undertake a teacher training course with Liz at the Yoga Farm. After teaching at Simunye Cafe, which he cofounded, for several years Pete was able to realise his dream of a dedicated yoga centre in Sheffield when he set up Yoga Shala Sheffield in 2006.

Nicola has been teaching Yoga in the UK for the last 3 years and became a partner at Yoga Shala Sheffield in 2007. She has been practising yoga for 6 years and was initially mentored by Lesley Sheridan in South London before formalising her Ashtanga Teacher Training with Brain Cooper and Nawajoyti of Union Yoga, Edinburgh. Nicola has also been fortunate enough to train with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli in Pregnancy Yoga and Post Natal Yoga at the Life Centre London and with YogaBugs.
 
Nicola is looking at ways to expand her teacher skills and has recently completed Brian Cooper's Thai Massage training course, as well as embarking on Brian’s 500 hour Yoga Alliance Diploma that will involve assisting Brian at his workshops to be held at the Shala.

Nicola is passionate about making yoga accessible for everyone and looks to every new student for inspiration as well as to the diverse styles of yoga in the world today.

Richard came to yoga in 1997 after a chance conversation during a blizzard on a Welsh mountain. He initally practised Sivanada yoga but since 2001 he has mainly practised ashtanga yoga. The growing importance of yoga in his own life and a desire to share the benefits of yoga with others led him to undertake teacher training with Union Yoga in 2005.

Since completing his teacher training Richard has been teaching yoga to beginners and intermediate students, both in groups and individually, in Sheffield. In 2006 he became a partner at Yoga Shala Sheffield and is committed to developing the Shala. His teaching is in the ashtanga tradition and is informed by his own practice. He has a particular interest in the flowing nature of the practice and how this can transform physical exercise into a moving meditation.

According to Matt, “Ashtanga Yoga has brought me poise, control and calmness of mind while developing my strength, stamina and flexibility in ways I never thought possible. I feel the benefits in every aspect of my life, from keeping a calm head in challenging situations at work to getting bigger air on my snowboard. Apart from the internal aspects of the practice, it has connected me with an amazing worldwide community of Ashtangis whose inspiration I feel every day.”

After studying various types of yoga, Matt first practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in 2004. From the first class he knew that this would become his regular practice. Shortly after this first class, Matt was banished to one of the coldest corners of Japan, where he continued to self-teach himself the Ashtanga Vinyasa system, mostly thanks to David Swenson’s excellent Practice Manual and DVDs. After three years as an autodidact Matt was finally able to realise his dream of visiting India. In India he spent a significant amount of time with Rolf and Marci Naujokat, who he now considers to be his teachers and returns whenever possible to study with them. He also spent time in an ashram, where he trained to teach Bihar Yoga.

Since returning to the UK, Matt has completed the Yoga Alliance Teacher Training Certificate with Brian Cooper and Nawajyoti and has practised with international teachers such as Prem Carlisi, David Swenson, Richard Freeman and Michael Gannon.

Jo has been a student of yoga for 16 years and has been teaching yoga for 5 years. She is on the professional register of Dru Yoga Teachers and is MRDY qualified (registered with Yoga Alliance and Independent Yoga Network). She has completed the “YogiYou” Dru Yoga teaching qualification to teach yoga to kids and teenagers (aged 3/4-18) and has been CRB checked.

Jo grew up bare foot, playing in beautiful scrub land, semi tropical rainforests and body surfing The Great Pacific Ocean. She completed her BA/Sc in Australia and decided to come to Sheffield to complete her MSc in Environmental Archaeology and loved Sheffield so much she decided to settle here. When Jo started her yogic journey 16 years ago it seemed that everything she had learned over the years was brought together in this one doctrine but took it further. Yoga reinforces her studies but also the values, ethics and spirituality her family and her experiences in life have taught her.