Liz Derow’s Yoga Bio

In 1997 I found myself in my first astanga yoga class, taught by Danny Paradise. This was a very powerful experience, and, inspired by a week of classes with Danny, I started a regular practice of ashtanga yoga.

In July 2000 I met Guruji, Saraswati and Sharath for the first time in Lille, France. Six months later I was on my way to India for the first of what would be many long trips. Since then I have spent more than half of the year in India.

Living in India has given me the time and space to study to devote long periods of time to study at the shala in Mysore, as well as studying yoga philosophy with Acarya Sankaranarayana Jois in Mysore, and also to maintain a vipassana meditation practice. All of these have influenced my own practice and teaching.

In 2002 I was very lucky to spend some time assisting Hamish Hendry at Ashtanga Yoga London, and I am grateful to Hamish for this opportunity. In April 2004 I received Sri K Pattabhi Jois’s blessing and authorization to teach.

In June 2010 I attended the Level 2  Training in Mysore with Sharath. I have now been authorized by KPJAYI to teach both primary and intermediate series.

Over the past seven years I have taught classes, workshops and private lessons in England, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan. Recently (Oct/Nov 2011) I had the honour and privilege of assisting Sharath in the Mysore shala.

In teaching I aim to honour the essence of what has been taught to me, while considering the individual needs of each student. As an instructor of yoga asana I feel it is important to remember that “it is the practice itself, done consistently and accurately, [that] is the real teacher” (Tim Miller’s words, not mine.) I feel very blessed to be able to share what I know with other yoga students.

I will always be grateful to the above-mentioned teachers, and offer my thanks to them, particularly to Guruji, Saraswati and Sharath whose dedication to maintaining and teaching this tradition of yoga is truly humbling. Other teachers to whom I offer my heartfelt thanks are Lino Miele, Gwendoline Hunt, Paddy McGrath, Mariella de Martini, Rolf Naujokat and John Scott. And, of course, all my students…

… endless gratitude also to my family, and my most humble and loving pranams at the lotus feet of  Sathya Sai Baba.

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