YOGA WITH ANA

Welcome

Hello and thanks for dropping by. I'm a London based yoga teacher, teaching dynamic vinyasa, hatha, yin, kids and teen yoga. I also teach meditation and pranayama (breathing practice) and love to teach yoga to people who think they can't do yoga. This is a site in progress where you can contact me with any yoga related questions, but also where I hope to share some thoughts and practices to help you along the way. Check out my blog for the latest.

Public classes this week:

Tues 20 May 08:30 - 09:30 - Dynamic Vinyasa Yoga, open level at the Grafton Dance Centre, 7 Village Way, SE21 7AW.

Fri 23 May 08:30 - 09:30am - Dynamic Vinyasa Yoga at the South London Scout Centre in Dulwich, Grange Lane, SE21 7LH.

Sun 24 May 6 - 7pm - Flow to Restore at Mica Yoga, 16 - 18 Gibbon Road, SE15 2AS.

Please book Tuesday or Friday yoga via my booking tab above or, if this is your first class with me, email for a free taster class. For classes at Mica Yoga or Yogarise, please go to their websites to book: www.micayoga.co.uk and www.yogarise.london

*COMING SOON!*

Workshops:

Mon 16 June - Inversions for Beginners - 7 - 8:30pm at the Herne Hill Velodrome, 104 Burbage Road, SE24 9HE.

- Please book workshops via the 'Book a Class' tab above.

For anything else or to book a private, group or school session, please email me at ana@yogawithana.co.uk.

About Ana

Course info

About Ana

I came to Yoga in 1997 when I met Sri Swami Satchidananda who, first of all, taught me how to meditate. Bowled over by the experience, I travelled to Satchidananda's Ashram in the States to learn more about this thing called Yoga. By 1999 I had completed my first Hatha Yoga teacher training and soon delved into further trainings in Raja Yoga (philosophy and meditation) and Pranayama (breathing practices). It was just the beginning of a life-long practice.

Fast forward past a career in documentary film making, writing and kids, I returned to teaching yoga in 2019. I completed further trainings with Marcus Veda and Hannah Whittingham in Dynamic Vinyasa, Bryony Duckitt in Yoga for Kids and, more recently, Isabell Britsch in teaching Meditation. I have also trained with Aram Raffy, Austin Ince and Erin Pritchard, delving back into the yoga philosophy that first inspired me, while also maintaining an informed and dynamic physical practice that focuses on both strengthening and re-balancing the body, never forgetting the ultimate goal of coming back to peace.

In my classes you can expect to work hard, breathe deep and find stillness again.

When not practicing yoga, you'll find me working on my latest novel or in the water, training for another open water swim.

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Ardha Chandrasana - Half Moon pose. I think it’s a beautiful pose, here’s why:

- There is balance here in opposing forces: grounding through the standing leg, lifting through the arm, crown of the head in one direction, heel of the foot in the other. There is a lightness to be found in the centre of these opposing forces.
- The pose is active but there is an opening here through the chest, a lengthening of the waist and spine and a freedom to breathe deeply.
- There are lots of variations: lean on a chair to support your balance or take this down to the floor: one knee on the ground, hand on the ground, to feel this pose before you take it to standing. When you find balance in the standing pose, lift the supporting hand to your chest - there is a lovely connection here, or kick the lifted leg back for a bind. Have a play with it. Find your version.
- This pose takes a little patience and patience is also part of the practice. No rushing. The pose naturally leads you into focus. It’s an invitation to lean into balance and open up the body: feel its strength and force in all directions.
- Finally, my favourite bit: when you swim, there is an ardha chandrasana in every stroke and that keeps my mind focused through the long swims!
There is yoga everywhere. 🙏💙

What is it?
It’s a 45min open level flow into an extended deep relaxation, followed by a series of short fast writing prompts, designed to get the hand moving and connected to the subconscious mind. Each prompt takes us a little deeper, from the obvious to the more subtle, where the interesting stuff is. We take a short break with some light movement into a creative visualisation, before connecting up the dots with a creative writing exercise. You will leave with some new ideas, a fresh perspective and a shot of inspiration!

Can I come if I’m not a writer?
Yep. This workshop is great for writers, especially if you’re stuck, but it’s helpful for anyone interested in connecting to their creative voice, be it music, art, therapy or just for fun. No one is asked to share their work - this is just for you. If you’re thinking of writing but don’t know where to start, this could be an interesting spring board to get you started.

What should I bring?
Bring a cheap notebook and a pen you like writing with. I say cheap notebook so it’s no pressure writing - you can rip out pages if any secrets are revealed; you can throw the whole thing in the bin. The work remains in the mind.

Any other questions, let me know. ✏️👍

Lots of posts asking the question: is Yoga enough? Depends what the goal is. Is it enough to satisfy all physical needs, if physical needs include cardio, weight bearing, strengthening etc. I don’t think so. If yoga is about balance, that includes balance in yoga, nothing to the extreme, not even yoga.

These random shoulder shots are accidental but interesting (to me!😂). The first shot is me now - shoulders with swim training. The second is shoulders during lockdown - no swim training.

It’s not really about the preference in look but effects of different types of movement on the body. We say eat a colourful plate, I think move in a colourful way too: different types of movement will affect and change the body differently.

The question isn’t really is yoga enough, but what is the goal?

As always: balance in all things, even yoga. 💙

Why so many downward facing dogs?
I think it’s a beautiful pose, here’s why:
- It is even and balanced and that is all of Yoga in one pose.
- The gaze is inward facing, no distractions, no ego - no looking around. The pose brings you back to the breath.
- The diaphragm can release here, the breath can be broad and deep.
- There is a strength and a stillness to it, the pose is inviting you to listen in and if the body doesn’t want to be there, there are options: child’s pose, cat cow, rag doll.
- It is often a pause between flows and pauses are good.
- Kids love it.

Don’t be down on downward facing dog. Embrace the fundamentals, all of yoga is there. ❤️

#downwardfacingdog #downdog #adhomukhasvanasana

The goal of yoga is freedom: peace. Does it matter if you need a strap? Nope. Adjust the pose to meet the body, not the other way around. As the body changes, adjust again.
Adapt, adjust, accommodate. That is the practice.

I notice on instagram a lot of quick fixes, just take this powder or buy this course or drink this drink and all your problems will disappear. In the Yoga Sutras, there is just one secret: practice. For a long time. In all earnestness. Without break. And not just practice asana or hide in a cave and chant all day - practice the whole shebang. Yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana - all of it. If you don’t know what all these are - come to class!

But until then, work with your body, with your mind, not against them. There is a balance between discipline and ease. Balance balance balance. This is Yoga. ✅

My little man was having some trouble at school so he came home and wrote this and I love it. He’s just starting to free write and it’s brilliant. (Yoga for Young Writers coming soon!) ✏️❤️
Just love and find joy in even the dark times. 🌊

Sunshine and lido in the cold and all the emotions on every length! Been a couple years since I trained properly and yes, the body remembers but the stamina and speed are long gone. Let’s see how long it takes to build again … With meditation we observe “with curiosity” and today I observed how my swim watch was saying GO GO GO on sprints and my yoga brain was saying chiiiiiiillll ooooouuuut what’s the big rush? Just exhaaaaaaale … 🥴😂. So this is going to be interesting. 🏊‍♀️🦈🌊🐠🧘‍♀️

Here’s a little more on my Yoga for Writers workshops, plus a bit about my own writing background and some other thoughts.

I’ve got a few Yoga for Writers workshops coming up, hope to see you there!

Sat 8 Feb 2 - 4pm @oru_space East Dulwich
Sun 2 March 1:30 - 3:30pm @oru_space Sutton
Sat 12 April 2 - 4pm @micayogastudio
Sat 17 May 1:30 - 3:30pm @yogariselondon Peckham

It’s a fascinating process, would love to hear your thoughts or if any questions, fire away! ✏️💙

So excited about this. These workshops are so interesting, always different, always new words on the page and often not what you expected. Come drop down the well and see what you find!

We’ll start with an open level, short physical practice, followed by a deep relaxation and straight into some short fast writing prompts to free up the voice. From there we go a little deeper with some meditation and visualisation before more writing prompts that connect the dots, open up your creativity and see what comes up!

Bring a notebook you’re happy to throw in the bin for some no pressure free writing. For established writers, this is a chance to inject some fresh energy into your writing from a different perspective, for new writers it’s a springboard into a whole new world of ideas. Hope to see you there!

The pose is not the yoga. The pose is there to help you get to the yoga. Yoga is possible in everything. It is everywhere, always: balance balance balance.
Wishing you all a peaceful 31st and a 2025 of balance in all things. 💙

If you know a writer or someone who would like to start writing, gift them this for Christmas: Yoga for Writers 11 Jan 2025 1:30 - 3:30pm. It’s a great practice that really works, using yoga to get out of your own way, look at the writing from a different perspective and get a boost of energy and inspiration while you’re at it. Worse case, you get some writing done, best case, you unlock something you didn’t even know you had in you. Come join, it’s going to be good! @yogariselondon

Make yoga a daily habit.
Come practice with me:
Tuesdays 8:30 - 9:30am @graftondancecentre
Wednesdays 8:30 - 9:30am @hernehillvelodrome
Thursdays 12:45 - 13:15 meditation @yogariselondon
Fridays 8:30 - 9:30am @hernehillvelodrome

My teacher used to always say yoga is about learning to surf the waves, which I loved, until I tried to actually surf 😂. I still think he was right though: maintaining balance in all things, in all scenarios, is as challenging as learning to surf. And Samadhi - enlightenment - the ultimate goal of yoga, is all about balance.

Hello hello, a little intro post about me:

- I’m Ana, I’ve been practicing yoga since I was 16 years old.
- I’m from Gibraltar and I made a film about the place for the BBC, Gibraltar: My Rock.
- I used to produce and direct documentaries all over the world, then I had kids …
- These days I write and teach yoga, second novel on its way.
- I have two (very) active boys, age 8 and 10. They practice with me sometimes. 💙
- I have a channel swimming husband with gigantic shoulders who refuses to do yoga.
- I love the sea but I’ve always been petrified of sharks. I’m scared of a lot of things (cows) but figured I’d try not being scared anymore and swam Capri to Naples in a relay with my husband (35km). It was epic. Got my eyes on the channel …
- I speak Spanish and Italian (lived in Spain, went to Uni in Italy).
- I live in Nunhead in London and I love it.
- I teach yoga to adults but I also teach kids in schools and privately from age 10 - 18. They keep me honest.
- Everything I do, to me, is Yoga.
- My favourite advice: start now. Then start again. Whatever you do, don’t give up. 💙

My weekly schedule with some extras thrown in inbetween. Will update on here and on my website. Thanks for practicing with me, every class is a joy. 💙

Almost there! Yoga for Writers is happening this Sat 13 July 12 - 2pm @yogariselondon in Peckham, using yoga to connect to your story.

“None of it happened and yet every word of it is true.” - Grace Paley.

We’ll be doing some yoga combined with short fast writing exercises to get past the muck and into the good, true stuff. Bring a notebook you’re happy to throw in the bin and an easy pen for some free, no pressure writing. It’s going to be good!

Looking forward to this workshop I’m teaching on 13 July: Yoga for Writers @yogariselondon in Peckham.

I’ve been practicing and teaching yoga since 1999, writing professionally since 2006 and the cross over between both practices is endlessly fascinating and useful to me. Mostly, getting out of your own way but also approaching characters and story like you would the jumping mind: with curiosity and patience, a balance - like yoga - between discipline and flexibility.

In this workshop we’ll start with an open level vinyasa sequence, the goal being to let go, freeing up body and mind before moving into a deep relaxation and then, the writing. We’ll do a short series of writing exercises that will build on each other, offering up a shot of inspiration, a boost of energy and some ideas to keep you going in your writing life.

Everyone is welcome, no matter what stage you’re at. There will be no pressure to read out your work, but sharing ideas and coffee is welcome.

You can book in to join me via @yogariselondon 🤸‍♀️✍️🧘‍♀️

Looking forward to this, this Sunday. It’s a lovely peaceful space, always bit tricky to get out the door on a Sun eve, always feel better after. 🙏🧘‍♀️

I love this and it is also true of every style and aspect of yoga I have ever practiced: what works for one does not work for another. Some poses will be easy, others may be anatomically impossible for your body - it doesn’t matter. Some meditation practices will save you, others may leave you feeling frustrated or confused - it doesn’t matter. Finding your way is part of the beauty of the practice. I am definitely more tortoise (sea turtle) than hare, only took me 40 years to figure that out …

I can’t really say enough good things about this teacher training at @yogariselondon with @yogawithisabell . She is a wonderful teacher, yes, and a fountain of knowledge but also the training is clear, concise and eloquently put. Assignments are both informative and intuitive. Isabell is kind and encouraging but also disciplined. Everything you need in an excellent meditation training. Seek her out, she’s great. 🌸

New day new class, more practice. Open level, supportive environment, lovely view of the trees. 🌳❤️🧘‍♀️

I saw a post saying something along the lines of “It’s coming” which reminded me of that phase in yoga when teachers would say “Practice and all is coming.” What is coming? Once one thing is achieved, the goal posts move, right? Then it’s about the next thing that is coming. Always that next thing in the distance which will make everything good. When I achieve x y z I’ll be happy. When I get x y z I’ll be happy. But in the yoga practice it’s right here right now. Nothing is coming. You’re here. I like Thich Nhat Hanh’s meditation on this: Inhale “I have arrived”, exhale “I am home.”
As always, it’s not about the pose. The process is the fun part. 🧘‍♀️💙

Epic hike up Table Mountain with my boys. Nature always wins. #sohum

I love this poem by Mary Ann Hoberman. And I love whales. 💙🐋

I never buy anything but I liked this bracelet today, it reminded me of my Grandma and anything blue makes me think of the sea. I wouldn’t have got it except the shopkeeper was a yogi: I said I don’t wear anything on my wrists because I like to keep them free for yoga. She said she also practices and “you have to negotiate with life.” I loved that. Love my bracelet too. Thanks @calanit_sotogrande 💙

I like to think of yoga mostly off the mat, no good holding a handstand if you can’t maintain balance anywhere else (I say). This trip was my mega yoga off the mat recently. I went to Italy solo, no kids, to recharge and connect to everything I love (other than the kids) … while also writing novel number 2. Lots of interesting reactions to a mother flying the nest but I loved it and everything has felt so easy since.

Wishing you all luck and love (and discipline and practice!) for a happy healthy 2023! 💛💛💛

Read this to my yoga kids today, one of my favourites. ❤️ Look after your body, look after your mind: it all starts with a single thought.

Snapshot of my own personal practice here. As a swimmer, backbends are medicine for my shoulders and chest. As a yogi, doing the opposite of what I spend a lot of time doing (crouching forward), balances me out. Mostly, it’s the balance I’m interested in. Balance out the body and the mind follows.

In my kids yoga classes this week we’ve been talking about how the state of mind affects the body: we frown when worried, smile when happy. But it goes much deeper than that. What and how you think affects every cell in your body: a repeated thought turns to action, repeated action turns to habit and your habits determine your whole life path. Everything starts with a single thought. Be aware of what you’re thinking. This is why meditation is at the core of all yoga practice.

Moving the body, keeping it healthy is as much about mental well-being as physical. This is nothing new, just a reminder. #keepmoving #breathe #yogapractice #meditation 🙏

Token #pinchamayurasana #forearmstand shot, mostly because I loved the light here. I also forgot my yoga mat on this holiday, left in the boot of the car, so it was good to remember I don’t need the mat. Or the internet (wifi didn’t work). This pose has taken me years to get comfortable in and I still need the wall (and it still doesn’t matter).
#yogapractice

Practice yoga but also have fun. ❤️☀️ It doesn’t matter what the pose looks like, what matters is how it feels and how you feel practicing. Practice for you, not for anyone else.
#yogapractice
#kidsyoga

So proud of this. 💙 Capri to Naples 36km swim (split with my merman husband). So glad to raise funds for @doctorswithoutborders ❤️

It was an epic 10 hr swim in the end with the current pushing against us, but I felt so lucky to be there. No words for being immersed in the big blue. It was vast and beautiful and immense and I can’t wait to get back. Also - I didn’t get eaten! And the mantras and the breathing and the mental preparation all worked. Thanks @christineneillands and @redtopperformance for getting me ready. And my hulk of a man husband for powering through and keeping our pace up. Best swim of my life. 💙

Swim day is here, kick off 9am Italy time Fri. Lots of stuff buzzing through my brain but mostly I’m lucky to be here and proud to be swimming for @doctorswithoutborders . We’re expecting a 9 - 10hr swim time and I’ll be thinking of my yoga kids and how I’m always telling them that with proper breathing they can do anything … putting it to the test!
If you’d like to donate, my JustGiving link is in my bio, thank you. 🙏

I said I would share my fear management tactics and here’s a favourite visualisation from a friend: someone who inspires you walks up to you and taps you between the eyes, passing over their energy and bravery. For me that’s @nimsdai “Giving up is not in the blood.” 💪❤️

Fear of Open Water

If you know me you know I grew up by the sea in Gibraltar and I never swam out past the shore. Sharks spoke to me in my dreams and told me they were waiting to get me. A few things happened when I was young to trigger some serious fear of open water, as well as some other fears I picked up along the way just for fun. The problem with fear is it’s debilitating and persistent and, if left unattended, it grows. I decided a while ago I wasn’t going to do that anymore and next week I swim from Capri to Naples, a 36km swim across the Med. (If you’re not a swimmer, that’s like a little over three marathons back to back.) I’m excited to do it and I’ve trained pretty hard (thank you @redtopperformance ). I’ll also be sharing it with my husband who is incredibly strong in the water and I trust him to keep me safe (no pressure @miguelito_garnett 😘). I’m doing the swim for charity but I’m doing it for me too, because I want to show myself that I can.

Instagram is not really the place for a long essay on this but I know everyone is scared of something and I wanted to share some things that have helped me along the way. I’ll split them up into different posts and hope you find it useful.

1. The Visualisation
Imagine you’re in a library and there is a long table of open books. These are the books of your life, your stories of triumph and loss and dreams and regret. In these books too are your fears and their origins, the stories you’ve told yourself and maybe all the things you read about them too. Your research. Your work. Your preparation to do whatever it is that you are going to do. Start at the bottom of the table and start to close the books, one by one, close them all. You don’t need them anymore. When you’ve shut them all, pile them up high on a trolley and return them to their shelves. Then give the table a good wipe. That’s finished now. You’re ready to go.

I should say I learned the above visualisation from the wonder that is @christineneillands 🙏 She’s helped me enormously with this and I couldn’t recommend her highly enough. ❤️

I’ve not been on here for a while because I’ve been in paradise. Swimming solo, swimming with my boys, snorkelling, paddling, floating, sprinting. The fear is real for me, staring into the deep, trying very hard not to run screaming from the sea. I nearly crashed into a sting ray this time (most likely didn’t nearly crash but it felt like it), I went much further out than I would usually go, trying to face my demons and all that. I aspire to fearlessness but for now it’s just one arm after the other, one stroke at a time. #justkeepswimming is a good motto. Moving out of my comfort zone feels like brain yoga. #rajayoga It’s all #yoga
#yogapractice
#openwaterswimming
#nofilter
#ishvarapranidhana
(9 weeks until race day)

Being a kid is tough. Learning is tough, making mistakes all the time and being told not to worry about making mistakes - also tough. The playground is brutal. Hormones show no mercy. Kids are always fighting forward, climbing higher, pushing up. Which is awesome and part of growth. There is no childhood without struggle, but yoga - undoubtedly - helps. With a regular yoga practice kids learn:
- to breathe
- to use breath to maintain calm in any given scenario
- to sit quietly and watch how they think and feel. With practice, this awareness helps them to change the direction of those feelings (kids learn fast)
- to know and trust their bodies. With the physical postures they gain strength and flexibility, yes, but much more than that - they gain a greater awareness of their capabilities and this breeds confidence.

Yoga helps to balance out all the crazy highs and lows. In my class at least, I prioritise creating a safe space where kids can exhale and let go. Work hard, play hard, do yoga.
Come join, Saturdays 4pm @yogariselondon (Peckham) for age 7-12. 🙏
#kidsyoga
#yogaforkids
#tweensyoga
#kidsyogateacher
#peckham
#busseybuilding

The #swimtraining isn’t easy but I’m loving it. Lots of cross over with yoga and I approach it as #yogapractice : regular breath, rhythm and repetition. Like yoga, small adjustments make a big difference. For me my work is on the catch and also … always, irrational (and extreme) fear of sharks. Controlling the mind, or at least watching it, is also #yoga . Mostly, as always, it’s #practicepracticepractice .

I swim Capri to Naples on 24 June, partly because I’m petrified, partly because my husband is a pro and I didn’t want to be the one sitting in the boat chucking bananas at his head anymore. Anyways. It’s all #yoga . And I’ll let you know how it goes (if I don’t get eaten).
#openwaterswimming
#swimtraining
@budgysmuggler

Everyone should have one of these under their desk. Roll your feet while you work, use it for shoulders, back, legs etc against wall or floor, give it to your kids to roll their feet. Google spiky massage ball, easy to find. 🤸‍♂️

There are so many benefits to starting the yoga practice young, from the obvious increase in strength and flexibility, to the more subtle increase in self awareness, concentration and the ability to self regulate emotions and anxiety. Kids learn quickly that with practice, they can control their breath and when they breathe they feel better. It sounds simple but it’s a wonderful life tool to learn young! We’ll be practicing this eve @yogariselondon Peckham, 5 - 5:45pm for age 7-12. Come join! 🙏💫❤️
@peckhampeculiar
@camberwellnews
@lewishamledger
@dulwichdiverter
#kidsyoga
#yogaforkids
#tweenyogaclass

Token #headstand #shirshasana shot. If you’re breathing through the mouth though, it doesn’t count! My focus in 2022 is all breathing, it is the yoga super power, it’s all that really matters: breathe through your nose, keep the mouth shut. 👍 Skip poses, never skip #pranayama . 🙏

Kids yoga is fun and lovely, but tweens need a little more. It’s been a tough couple years and these (almost) grown up kids also have some unravelling to do.
In my experience, young yogis are more able, more open and far quicker to find that peace and balance that the practice brings. They’re also sharp and brave as hell which makes them awesome to teach! But it’s a funny age with a lot of pressure from all sides and learning to breathe, to move with breath and manage anxiety and stress with breath, is invaluable.
In my kids (tween) yoga class for age 7-12 we stretch out, build strength, breathe and meditate, with a few laughs thrown in inbetween. Come try it! Starts this Thursday @yogariselondon in Peckham 5pm. 🙏💫💪❤️
#kidsyoga
#tweenyogaclass
#kidsyogateacher
@peckhampeculiar

Happy 2022! Here’s wishing you a year of balance, consistent practice and sweet rewards. If you do one thing, make it 5 minutes breathing practice a day, same time every day. May the force be with you.
#2022goals
#yogapractice

Even elves do yoga! 😂 Don’t tell me there’s no such thing as magic. ❤️💫
#kidschristmas
#elfontheshelf

I love this by @holliepoetry
Mostly it’s get your jacket on do your homework brush your teeth stop hitting your brother WHY ARE YOU RUINING MY LIFE 😂😂😂 (kidding!), but sometimes it’s this and really, mostly, it’s wonderful. ❤️

This cheeky guy managed a temperature and a day off school yesterday, which he found - as he does most things - hilarious. “Any loss of appetite?” the doctor asked. Errrr … nope. Best croissant and smoothie in London though @ayresbakery 🥐☕️🍩❤️

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YOGA WITH ANA

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About Ana

Ana on Instagram

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YOGA WITH ANA

Welcome

About Ana

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Ana on Instagram

Get in touch