Judy

About to begin is my story that I’ve just realised I’m not used to telling, and that probably comes  from a place within me where I once  believed  ‘why would anyone care about my story?’  but I know we all have a story that once shared, can help us to relate and connect with  each  other more deeply  and  that  ‘story’  can  lead  us  to  the  path  we  take  in  life ,  how  we show  up  in  our  daily  lives  and  ultimately  what  we  feel  is  important  to  share  with  others  that we have learnt through  our  own  experiences.

 Since the age of 3 I’ve been entertaining others, training and performing classical ballet, many styles of dance, singing, putting on a show (quite literally) , until by my mid twenties I felt so lost & unfulfilled- full of self doubt in my abilities & talent due to the nature of the industry I was in, full of self loathing, never feeling good enough! Yet to others I was signed to a record company, leading a glamorous lifestyle, performing all over the world which had many ecstatic highlights  but I was at many times deeply unhappy. I wanted to find the middle ground of being more emotionally balanced and feeling content.

Whilst studying Performing Arts, aged 17,  I found yoga and touched upon what I can only explain as the 'magic of yoga', a sense and connection to something deeper than anything else I had experienced . Yoga from then on, had been my one constant go to throughout my career as a dancer & singer , I felt it was my safe space to come back to who I truly was, feeling at home. I realised I wanted out of the industry I was working in & desperately needed deeper fulfilment  &  explore the journey of loving myself. 

I discovered a Reiki master whilst teaching Dance in a London Gym, submerging myself in the study of Reiki and energetic healing to then qualify as a Reiki Master in 1999.  I definitely found methods to empower myself, find my truth and heal many unhelpful and untruthful beliefs I had about myself.

I had always taught dancing from the age of sixteen at times when musical theatre contracts  would end or alongside performing as an extra income, so it seemed a natural progression to study to teach Yoga and after 4 years of study, I qualified with the British Wheel of Yoga in 2012.  Throughout having two children and with  the  support  &  love  of  my  wonderful  husband, I  found my path of teaching Yoga to be an incredible journey of Self discovery, and joy to share the teachings I had learnt with others. The philosophy has helped me greatly in my outlook on life.  All of the above is my inspiration to pass on to others that challenging times can lead you to finding what matters most to you and being kind & loving to yourself is the most important thing of all, and that to me is the essence and heart of Yoga.

'Do yoga with no goal but to be in the moment. This breath, this stretch, this wave of emotion rolling in. watch it crest, and break, then dissipate.

Hold the body like a lover in a close embrace, listening with intimacy, touching with tenderness.

Yoga is a threshold into mystery; each pose an open doorway and an invitation to unfold.

sensations rise and fall, and through it all the deathless centre radiates the simple truth of union'

- By Danna Faulds

Testimonial

I  suffered  with  debilitating foot  pain  from  Plantar  Fasciitis  and  Tendonitis  for  many  months.  I  tried  various  treatments and spent hundreds on  physio before trying yoga.  A  friend  recommended Judy,  she  was  so  helpful  from  the  first  contact.  She  recommended one  to  one  sessions  because  I  had  a  specific medical need.  I  immediately felt  confident  and relaxed  in  her  company.  Almost  instantly  with  Judys  expert  advice  and  teaching  ,  i  started  to  make  a  recovery.  we  met  weekly  to start  with  and I did  the  daily  exercises  .  It  really didn’t take  too  many  sessions  to  notice  an  enormous  improvement.  I  later  transferred  on  to  her  group  lessons.  i  am  ever  so  grateful  to  Judy  as  she  really  listened  and  understood.  I  would  recommend her  one  to  one  lessons  to  anyone  suffering  with  pain  .

-Gina  Cashmore