Dreamyoga began ten years ago, in 1999 with the inception of St Leonardgate Yoga Studio, 98 St Leonardgate Lancaster, U.K.
Over the previous years to 1999 the combination of Ashtanga Yoga, Yoga Nidra and the separate Yoga for Pregnancy Classes became extremely popular at Lancaster University, St Martin’s College, The Folly Café, The Gregson Community Center and various other Lancaster venues. I realised a designated yoga studio for these practices would be beneficial for my yoga students and myself.
At its beginning the yoga studio had two hundred students per week, the books were full and hard work and wonderful times were ahead. After the initial couple of years the work involved in running the yoga studio became overwhelming- to teach, clean the space, organize and advertise courses, print and send handouts, manage a website and take emails and phonecalls became a gargantuan task. I could find no-one reliable to teach.
After running my seven year tenancy I was pleased to walk away and teach in other venues again.
Three months later on October 6th 2007 a fabulous, loyal and very popular student and friend of mine Andrew Stockford committed suicide not long after his 40th birthday, his death turned my world around, uprooted me and threw me into the uncertain world of travel.
I went to Thailand and New Zealand and eventually arrived at Great Barrier Island off New Zealand’s north east coast, here was Paradise, a place of healing, a rest from the tumult.
Now each year I’m in the U.K from May to November and Great Barrier Island from December to April.
It’s summer in both places. The heat keeps my many-fractured spine in shape and the welcome of friends, reflexology clients and yoga students on both sides of the world keeps my heart warm.