Teachers

BHAVESH RAMJI

Unlike most yoga teachers Bhavesh’s first experience of yoga was not through the physical practice. As a child Bhavesh was introduced to the practice of meditation by his parents. He is a very active person who loves being outdoors in nature. In 2016 Bhavesh started his yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India. Wanting to learn from where yoga originated, he completed his 200hrs training in hatha yoga. Bhavesh has been teaching Yoga professionally since 2018. Going back to train further completing 300hrs course in Ashtanga in late 2019. He is committed to making Yoga available to all who wish to practice. His aim is to help people experience Yoga as a complete mind, body and spirit energy practice. As it helps to keep a calm, focused mind and a healthy body. Bhavesh has a warm and engaging personality and is super passionate to share both the physical and mental benefits of yoga helping students in developing their own practice to a level which meets their abilities and potential. Expect to flow beautifully with Bhavesh and experience an authentic style of teaching straight from India.

GENNA MAGNALL

Genna creator of Genna’s yoga sanctuary, a moveable regenerative space to unearth your authentic self, to relate and create. I am Genna, a spirited character raised in Greater Manchester, a science graduate, and a devoted yoga student offering 1-1 mentoring. My approach to yoga is an intricate weaving of movement, breath, and meditation, integrating wholesomeness and empowering somatic intuitive movement.

Having experienced burnout and mental health challenges and sourcing many alternative ways to get to know myself through various holistic and therapeutic modalities, yôga being the most regenerative practice. Inspired by wisdom traditions through Tirumalai Krishnamacharya and influenced by Hatha Yoga, inspired by the heart of yoga, Kriya Yoga, and Tantric wisdom traditions. Alongside this in training in trauma informed yoga and Mental Health First Aid alongside Integrated Mindful and Compassion in professional practice and neuroscientific lens. This influences the way I direct a yoga practice to empower everyone to enjoy getting to know themselves through the viniyoga of yoga.

I love to collaborate with like-minded creatives and holistic wellness practitioners to deliver workshops and events centred around breath, movement, meditation, and interactive exercises to enhance sustainable life changes.

While science can explain the benefits of yoga, I honour the roots of the practice and the wisdom within us. My classes combine contemporary delivery with science, spirituality, philosophy, and physiological exploration of the relationship between mind, body, and breath. This approach is designed to reduce stress, calm anxiety, and cultivate mental flexibility with the by-product of developing physical strength and flexibility that often complements other exercises and holistic practices. I enjoy working 1-1 and with small groups, so please reach out or join a group class to see how we can work together.

HANNAH COATES

Yoga plays an ever increasing role in Hannah’s life – what began as a hobby, soon became a passion, eventually developing into a lifestyle.  Hannah undertook her 200 hr Yoga Teacher training with Vikasa Yoga and aims to practise yoga both on and off of the mat, bringing a fresh sense of gratitude and acceptance to every day.

Alongside this passion she adores gardening and works as an Art Director – running campaigns and editorials for brands and magazines. She has come to discover and cherish the peace and creativity that both yoga, and gardening can bring, and loves to offer this to others in whatever form she can. Her classes are a blend of Hatha and Vinyasa – exploring challenging postures that test physical and mental strength, along with improving flexibility.  This effort is closed with a guided meditation, and a relaxing savasana, allowing you to return to your day with a peaceful state of mind. “I can’t wait to see you on the mat!”

HARRY HEWETSON

Harry worked in the trades as a bath-tub restorer for 15 years during which time he started practising hot yoga to help with back problems, obesity and poor overall fitness.

In the spring of 2013, Harry attended a 9 week, Bikram Yoga teacher-training course in Los Angeles and has since taught full-time at several hot-yoga studios around the country and is the first person to bring Hot Yoga to Market Harborough.

In 2018, Harry expanded his schedule of classes and qualified as an Inferno HIIT Pilates teacher, again being the first to bring this new fitness workout to the East Midlands.

Always excited for a challenge, he then qualified from The Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) to become a Nutritional Therapist and now owns Optimum You with his wife, Bex.

HOLLY LODGE

After finally taking the recommendation of a close friend, Holly stepped into her first yoga class 5 years ago. Over time, she began to notice increasing changes in herself not just physically but also mentally. Holly’s love for yoga grew quickly and deeply as she began immersing herself in all things yoga; attending yoga and breathwork workshops, retreat days and experiencing many different styles of yoga.  Holly’s passion for yoga and new found self-belief led her to pursue her dream and has recently completed a year-long 200 hr yoga teacher training in Vinyasa Flow with Yoga London.

Holly’s classes play emphasis on working the body physically through vinyasa flow whilst also creating a sense of relaxation. Holly believes the practise of yoga allows you to explore, connect and access a deep state of peace, clarity and calmness, reminding you of who you really are – your ‘true self’.  Holly especially enjoys ending her class with a guided meditation or visualisation, giving her students that extra little bit of relaxation. In her spare time, you can find Holly participating in a yoga class, or spending time with her many pets.

JOANNE MAROUN

Yoga has been present in my life since I was a teen. I trained professionally in Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, I have since worked professionally as a performer. Alongside my training as a performer I continued to attend weekly yoga classes, which were a welcome unwind.

I have 10 years of teaching experience in Singing/Acting working with young people and adults. In recent years I found myself getting more and more pulled to not only practising yoga asanas (poses) but yoga principles, I eventually found myself practising yoga & meditation daily. I completed my 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in ‘Ashtanga Vinyasa’ Himalaya Yoga Institute as well as gaining qualifications in Mindfulness and Yoga for children & teens. I have also completed my multi instrument sound healing training with The Sound Healing Academy which was pure bliss, I love incorporating sound healing into my shavasana with my students as well holding group & 1:1 sound baths. Yoga has since become a sanctuary for me personally and a key to living a lighter more happier life, these skills have been integral to my growth, enabling me to live with a real zest for life. My aim is to pass these skills onto my students.

KERRY FISHER

Kerry discovered yoga during professional dance training in the early 90s. With her first exposure to somatic-based systems, such as Feldenkrais and the Alexander technique, Kerry soon realised the connection between body and mind. Yoga became a transformative practice that changed the direction of her life, leading her to want to share her knowledge and yoga practice today. Kerry undertook a comprehensive two-year, 390-hour teacher training at Triyoga London, delving deep into yoga asana, anatomy and philosophy and more recently an in-depth Restorative Yoga training. As well as leading her own classes, Kerry mentors new yoga teachers for Triyoga’s 2019-2021 teacher training program.

It is Kerry’s belief that yoga can benefit everyone. Her aim is to provide safe, accessible classes for people to grow, heal and learn. Her classes are grounded in precision and clarity, using alignment as a framework to facilitate students’ understanding of the body’s anatomy. Kerry uses breath to explore the body/mind connection, holding a safe space for self-discovery and acceptance. Outside the yoga studio, Kerry loves being within nature. She is an animal lover and enjoys all outdoors adventures.

LEONIE LITTLEJOHN

10 years a yoga teacher, Leonie’s yogic repertoire includes: Sun Power Yoga, Yin Yoga Fundamentals, Pre and Post Natal Yoga, Aerial Yoga and also Reformer Pilates.

She has taught locally and consistently in Leicestershire at gyms and studios alike, but has also taught internationally in mystical locations such as Bali, Cambodia and Morocco.

With the aim of beautifying not only the body but predominantly the mind, her classes orientate around an equilibrium of strength, stamina and flexibility.

A passionate mother of two, you’ll find Leonie baking vegan cakes with her daughter or on dog walks with her son in the baby carrier.

LUCIE MEURA

Lucie started practicing yoga in 2012. Since then, she discovered various styles of yoga and decided to deepen her knowledge of the discipline by completing her 200 hrs Yoga Teacher Training in South Goa, India in 2018, specializing in Ashtanga-Vinyasa. Since then, she led Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin and meditation classes in Indonesia, Belgium and the United-Kingdom. As a teacher, she strives to provide a serene space in which anyone can safely explore and discover the spaciousness, strength and flexibility of one’s mind and body.

LUNA KENDALL-TORRY

When Yoga, meditation and Buddhism found Luna in 2003, she was in a place of utter disconnection from self and heart space with mental health problems and addictions. Taking the first steps back out into the world took courage and strength and regular yoga and meditation classes were the start of an holistic healing process.

The following 10 years a profound love for the mountains and snowboarding also emerged and here she fused her two main passions together. Whilst living in Canada in 2010, Luna discovered Yin yoga and experienced the potent and deep healing benefits of this meditative practice. Knowing how beneficial it was for herself, she felt she needed to bring Yin into her teaching. Enjoying the dynamic strengthening asana practice of Hatha to be balanced with the passive meditative discipline of Yin. And this is where she is today. Bringing a fusion of these two traditions into her practice to open to a deeper inner connection and awareness, while lengthening what is being strengthened.

Expect a warm and friendly welcome and relaxed atmosphere, with a focus on self-care, love and inner enquiry, with guided meditations and healing sounds.

We are thrilled to have Luna teaching Yin Yoga every Sunday.

OLIVIA MITCHELL

Olivia came to Pilates following an accident which required her to undergo spinal surgery. Pilates was suggested by her surgeon to support her rehabilitation.  After a few months of committed practice, Olivia started to notice positive changes to her body including less pain and more function, not only in her spine but in the rest of her body too. From a follow up scan 6 months later, she could see for herself that the results were real.  Her discs were all healthy and her spine health was that of someone considerably younger.  It was then Olivia decided she wanted to support others with their health and took the step to train as a Stott Pilates teacher. Olivia believes that movement is an integral part of wellbeing and focuses her practice around controlled, precise movement and breath work.  Pilates requires a mind to body connection, working together as a whole.  In Pilates a focus is core strength, and yes Pilates will certainly give you a stronger core  but it will also support your posture, help main mobility, flexibility and improve balance too.  The result is better health and functional movement.

PAUL HODGETTS

My name is Paul and when I’m not doing yoga, I enjoy playing golf, watching Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, and cooking. I have been married for 34 years to my wife Judy and we have two grown up children, Chris and Katie.

Professionally, I have worked most of my life in senior management positions within the computing industry. The pace and stress of this environment led me to search for an outlet that would provide calmness and stillness – I have found this, and more, with yoga.

I believe yoga is a great tool to deal with life’s stresses. I have been practising yoga for over 15 years and 5 years ago gained my yoga teaching qualification in India under the guidance of Oceanic Yoga. It would be great to see you at one of my classes.

Karmi Yogi Programme

Share Your Good Vibes and Get Free Yoga

Our Karmi Yogi Energy Exchange program gives students the opportunity to deepen their yoga practice, regardless of their financial situation.

Karmi Yogi’s are an integral part of our studio family – their passion and dedication is what makes our community special. In exchange for working 4 hours per week cleaning and supporting the studio, Karmi Yogi’s will receive unlimited yoga and lots of other perks!

Want to become a bigger part of our community in exchange for free yoga? Have 4 hours a week to spare? Our Karmi Yogi Energy Exchange program is for you!

To apply or if you know someone who would like to be considered, simply contact us at hello@optimumyouyoga.com