Yoga has been such an important part of my life. I started practicing when I was 16 and have enjoyed trying different styles over the years. I still consider myself a beginner and am inspired by the constant challenges, both mentally and physically. I recently caught up with the lovely Cherie Lathey who shared her top 3 studios in the west.
Guest post by Cherie Lathey:
Yoga is catching on fast here in the UK and new studios are opening all over London. Some of these studios offer specific types of yoga (hot yoga, Iyengar, Ashtanga) and some will encompass all styles under one roof; including prenatal and children’s yoga.
Here are a few of my personal favourites located in the west London area.
The Special Yoga Centre
I could not compile a list of great yoga studios without mentioning this yoga centre. There are a wide range of classes including community payment classes. It is an all-encompassing studio with all ages and abilities welcome, with a strong focus on yoga therapy for children with special needs. Prenatal and children’s classes available.
Website: specialyoga.org.uk
Jivamukti Yoga London
Jivamukti Yoga has a beautiful yoga studio, which serves as a spiritual oasis in the the heart of Ladbroke Grove (Notting Hill). Jivamukti Yoga offers all aspects of yoga: chanting, kirtan readings from the yoga sutras and – of course – yoga classes and workshops from guest teachers. This is a dynamic school of yoga and all the teachers have trained under the guidance of US-based David Life and Sharon Gannon. Jivamukti do not currently offer specific children’s yoga classes.
Website: jivamuktiyoga.co.uk
The Life Centre
The Life Centre in Notting Hill Gate is one of London’s oldest yoga studios, established in 1993. This is a personal favourite of mine. It has a beautiful main studio with lots of natural light. There is a very calm feel to studio and a wide range of classes to choose from, suiting all styles. Prenatal, postnatal and children’s yoga classes available.
Website: thelifecentre.com
About yoga mama
Cherie Lathey has spent the past 20 years working in the fitness industry as a gym instructor and personal trainer. She has worked for the LTA at the Wimbledon qualifiers since 1993, providing warm-up exercises for the ball boys/girls.
Cherie first started practising yoga on a regular basis in 1994 after attending a workshop on a Greek island run by the international yoga teacher, David Swenson. The physical and spiritual nature of yoga enhanced her flexibility, strength and balance so much that she decided to train as a yoga teacher.
Cherie’s classes reflect her experience and background. She continues to teach in many leading clubs and her clients range from Hollywood actresses to care in the community classes. She also teaches mum and baby yoga, encouraging women to rediscover their bodies after having given birth, while – at the same time – bonding with their new babies. She is a qualified masseur, a Reiki II practitioner and is also joint director of the Putney Clinic in London. Over the past 18 months, she has been contributing articles for Om Magazine, Yoga Abode and the Elephant Journal.
Cherie teaches yoga classes and 1-2-1 yoga sessions in west and south-west London
For more information, please visit:
