the shala teachers
The yoga teachers at the Shala (formerly the Sangam Yoga Centre) all share a deep love and respect for yoga and have a passion for sharing their knowledge with the students at the centre. They have spent years working on their own practices, traveled widely and come form all walks of life. Most have worked with Gingi Lee in his self practice mysore classes for years and have became strong and respected teachers in their own right. They have also grown with the centre making it the special hub and community it has become.gingi lee
Gingi is the founder and Director of the Shala,(formerly the Sangam Yoga Centre in Battersea), which has been a dedicated ashtanga yoga centre since 1998. He has been teaching yoga for over 15 years and been practising for more than 20 years. He began studying and teaching martial arts in the 1980s with his father, Sensei Richard Taibong Lee who currently lives and teaches in France. During an early trip to India, Gingi came into contact with yoga and spent many years returning to India to study and devote himself to the discipline. For two years he apprenticed with the late Derek Ireland, completing a final training course in Goa. He then went to Mysore to continue his studies with Sri Pattabhi Jois and then completed a two-year teacher training course with Graeme Northfield of Australia.
Gingi has hosted many yoga holidays and workshops in this country and abroad, including combined retreats with John and Lucy Scott, and Kristina Ireland. He continues to run regular workshops and retreats, which regularly include elements of pranayama, meditation and tai chi. He is a well-respected teacher who has remained at the forefront of the ashtanga yoga community. He has taught, trained and inspired many British ashtanga yoga teachers and has played a key role in popularizing ashtanga yoga in the UK. His teaching is characterised by sensitivity, warmth and a deep commitment to the practice.
ingrid lewis
While living in Congo (Central Africa) Ingrid Lewis was initiated by Aka hunter-gatherer women into their secret knowledge and ancestral rites. It is vital to reconsider ancient knowledge about the unique female power of reproduction & birth if we are to change the current trend towards intervention during pregnancy, labour and birth. Ingrid's aim is to enable women to be in charge of their own bodies, birth in dignity and rejoice in their femininity.
Ingrid has worked in Germany, the UK and Central Africa in both, allopathic and complementary medicine for over 15 years. She is a Physiotherapist, Public Health Professional, Reflexologist, Reiki-Teacher, Bach Flower Remedies Practitioner & Teacher, Doula, Birthlight Perinatal Yoga and Baby Yoga & Massage Teacher. Ingrid works in public health in developing countries and in complementary medicine specialising in perinatal and women's health. Visit Ingrid's website for more information. Or email her her.
Ori-Shemma Shombe
Ori-Shemma has been a practitioner of yoga for over 10 years. She first encountered pregnancy yoga whilst carrying her daughter, (now 7yrs) and was overwhelmed by the benefits. Feeling a heartfelt passion that all women should have the opportunity to be empowered physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually during pregnancy and childbirth, she trained with the world renowned Francoise Babira Freedman of Birthlight to become a perinatal yoga instructor in 2005.
After having her son in 2006, Ori-Shemma trained as a baby yoga instructor. Her classes are engaging, filled with vitality and joy but always leaving you with a feeling of serenity.
Ori-Shemma is also a holistic health therapist with disciplines including: homeopathy, nutrition and massage.
kath roberts
With over 20 years experience of yoga, Kath has incredible knowledge of the yoga practice; this combined with her lovely manner make her teaching particularly special. Her strong sense of alignment comes from years of studying Iyengar yoga. Her formal training includes Iyengar Teachers Training Course, Yoga Therapy Diploma and a three year Teacher Training course with Graeme Northfield. She has also worked with Dona Holleman, who has greatly influenced her yoga and style of teaching. Kath is now working on the third series in the ashtanga system.
nikos klironomos
Nikos has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga since 2003. He has studied the system with Hamish Hendry , Roberta Giannotti, Denise Christian and Anna Wise and through his ongoing apprenticeship at Astanga Yoga London he has gained invaluable knowledge and experience in teaching it. He is also a qualified Reiki Master and classical musician.graham stones
After practicing, teaching and competing in Kung-fu for many years Graham begun studying ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga with Derek Ireland in 1995. Since then Graham has continued his study with Gingi Lee at the Sangam and with John Scott.
Graham has dedicated many years of practice in martial arts, yoga and massage to bring together a natural, sensitive, thoughtful style to his teaching. His deep knowledge and understanding of therapeutic work allows him to offer helpful ways of exploring new openings to a more enriched and healthy life.
ANDY GILL
Andy has been practicing yoga since 1991, covering both the iyenger and ashtanga vinyasa yoga styles.
His studies have seen him practice with John Scott, David Williams, Danny Paradise, Rolf and Marci Naurojat, Dena Kingsberg, David and Doug Swenson and Gingi Lee with whom Andy has served a teaching apprenticeship.
Andy brings an informed and non-dogmatic approach to his teaching whilst remaining consistent and true to the ashtanga vinyasa yoga system. Students will find his approach to the practice of yoga both challenging and rewarding.
Andy strives to understand the individual needs of each of his students and is passionate about the healing power of yoga, something he has experienced himself in his recovery of two spinal injuries.
Andy's classes are full of joy which comes from his generosity as a teacher and his natural approach to teach from the heart.
susanne lahusen
Susanne teaches vinyasa flow yoga at the Shala; she also teaches Pilates, anatomy and somatics and works with dancers and acrobats at The Place, Laban and The Circus Space. Additionally, she is a mentor for Yogacampus. Important influences on Susanne's teaching include Derek Ireland with whom she began to practice Astanga yoga in 1991, the release based work of Vanda Scaravelli, Jivamukti yoga, her training as an Alexander teacher, and the rhythmic and energetic qualities of gyrotonic and dance. Whilst respecting the unique characteristics of each discipline, her approach to teaching has evolved from an awareness of the elements that are fundamental to all movement. Susanne holds a level 2 teaching qualification accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga.