Yoga Teachers at Evolution Arts & Natural Health

Ady Griffiths
Unity Yoga (Hatha)
Unity Yoga is a wonderful flowing style, exploring and integrating the classical Hatha Yoga postures, with modern expressions. I trained to teach Unity Yoga - with Sevanti (www.being-in-unity.com) in 2005-2006. I began practicing Yoga and Meditation in 1991, beginning with Iyengar, then Scaravelli and Integral Hatha Yoga styles.

I aim to emphasize self awareness, cultivating a sensitive, explorative approach to Yoga practice, varying in intensity and pace from stillness, slow and meditative through to dynamic, fluid freestyle, moving from one pose organically into the next.
I hope you will come and explore the delights of your self and others through yoga practice.

Background: My practice is informed by Buddhist meditation (from The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order - (www.fwbo.org). I trained in Dance & Visual Arts (The University of Brighton 2001-2004), in Shiatsu at The Shiatsu College, (Brighton Natural Health Centre 1995-1998). and integrate insights from these trainings in my teaching.

I offer private tuition for individuals and groups, and occasionally teach at The Brighton Buddhist Centre (www.brightonbuddhistcentre.co.uk) where I work as one of the management team and co-ordinate yoga teachers, I also teach at Midnight Communications PR company.

I am currently developing Inspiring Arts and Health - a community arts and health company offering Yoga, Shiatsu, and Celebratory/Community Arts.
For more info contact: Ady - inspiringarts@yahoo.co.uk 07870 696942

Cara Bowen
Cara Bowen has been teaching yoga in Brighton since 2000 and has completed the British Wheel of Yoga teacher’s diploma with Peter Blackaby. Over the years, her interest in the more meditative aspects of yoga has increased, and she is currently studying with Sarah Ryan on the British Wheel’s meditation module.

Jenny Deadman
I started practising yoga in 1972 with Helena Thomas, an Iyengar teacher.
Three years later I began my teacher training with Silva Mehta and received
my introductory teaching certificate in 1977. I have visited Pune to train with Mr Iyengar in 1977, 2000 and 2003.
From 1978 I have taught extensively in the Brighton area and beyond. During
that time I have been part of the 'Iyengar Institute for yoga in Sussex'

Kevin Donovan
Kevin Donovan came to yoga with an established background in martial arts and meditation practice; a period which included living monastically for over two years. He was fortunate enough to be trained in yoga by very senior and distinguished teachers: Mira and Silva Mehyta in the Iyengar system and John Scott in Astanga Vinyasa. Apart from his regular Brighton-based classes, he also teaches and mentors on the Life Centre's teacher training programme accredited by both the British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance. His classes have a meditative, still quality ...with a dry, ironic humour.

Taravajra
My first memory of a yoga class at Bristol University is lying in savasana and feeling very different! My interest in body/mind disciplines led me to explore tai chi, karate, massage, Alexander technique and aikido.

I learned to meditate in 1983 and since 1994 I have been teaching others to meditate. Over the years I continued to practise yoga (mainly with Buddhist friends who were Iyengar teachers). When I came to live in Brighton, I started to go to classes with Ginny Dean and then Peter Blackaby. Peter originally trained in the Iyengar system, then became an osteopath and revised his approach to asana work to ensure safety and coherence. When I started going to his yoga classes I was struck by the mindful atmosphere. I was reminded of both meditation and Alexander technique. I was also very drawn to Pete¹s emphasis on body mechanics; the poses were a means to efficient functioning of the body. I had always imagined that I would train as an Alexander teacher but this was not to be: instead I was to become a yoga teacher. I signed up for a three year British Wheel of Yoga teachers diploma course. This was run by Pete and Ulla Allanson.
I do not consider myself a Scaravelli style teacher although Pete was strongly influenced by Mary Stewart, a senior Iyengar teacher who later worked with Vanda Scaravelli.

I teach at Evolution and the Brighton Buddhist Centre and also enjoy working with people one to one. I place my yoga practice more within a Buddhist context of mindfulness, rather than the Hindu texts which I studied on my BWY course. I like to help people become more 'present¹ and to calm the nervous system. This means my classes have more in common with meditating than, say, Astanga or Bhikram which are more aerobic. I do see the value of a workout. I practise aikido regularly and this is very active. I also see the value of helping people find a greater degree of calm in a hectic world. And that is why I practise and teach meditation and yoga.

For information about my classes and courses please see my Mindful Yoga website.

Jane Manze
With a background in martial arts and dance, Jane Manze has been teaching
bodywork and practising yoga for ten years. She trained in Hatha Yoga at
Natural Bodies in Brighton - the first centre to be dedicated to the work
and approach of Vanda Scaravelli. Jane continues her studies with teachers
in the UK and also spends time in India.

This Scaravelli inspired Hatha Yoga allows students time for their bodies to
come to postures by being attentive to the breath and movement of the spine.
Students are encouraged to find freedom and flexibility in their bodies as
well as developing a core strength.

Paz Perlman

In the early 1980s, Paz trained for three-years to become a dance teacher in Tel Aviv where she was introduced to Tai Chi. She moved to the United States and deepened her knowledge of Tai Chi with the known master Mary Chuw. During this period she also studied Shiatsu in Los Angeles before becoming a practitioner in this form of massage.

She moved to Amsterdam where she taught Tai Chi and Chi Gung for 16 years, as well as deepening her training with different teachers. During this time, she joined the Liu He Men Kung Fu school under the guidance of Sifu Eleonora and trained to be a teacher of Tao Yin Chinese Yoga.

As part of her work, Paz has worked for all the major orchestras in Holland as well as running workshops in Germany.

She moved to Brighton in 2006 and runs group classes as well as offering private one-to-one lessons.

Apart from her own daily practice, Paz is also passionate about art and sculptures in stone and clay.