Claire Best

Yoga has shaped my life.

The practice of mindfulness meditation in 1992 sparked my inward journey of finding out who I was & helped me be in charge of my life decisions. In my 20’s, anxiety & panic attacks took over my normal daily life and I was forced to find help for myself. I joined a meditation group and counted my breaths as I walked the streets of London. I also attended an Iyengar Yoga class at City Lit Adult Education Centre with Terry Tobias. I gradually learned the art of deep relaxation by daily lying on the floor to release the many layers of tension. I got my life back and felt in control of my body and mind.

Training

Having experienced the highly disciplined training to be a classical ballet dancer at the Central School of Ballet, I found practising yoga to be extremely nurturing. The non-judgmental approach and supportive nature encouraged me to explore my fullest potential & to start the journey of self -discovery. Yoga helped me manage my back injury at the time & eased the pain.

In the 90’s, I attended Iyengar Yoga classes at the bingo hall, Kilburn & later at the renowned Iyengar Yoga Maida Vale centre. I remember being part of the grande opening of Maida Vale in 1997 and seeing Guruji Iyengar entering the studio with an entourage of people. He displayed a huge energy and a loving heart. Lots of smiles and laughter all around.

With the help of my teacher Alaric Newcombe, I spent the first few years in yoga exploring which postures helped my lower spine compression and which did not. I looked forward to my weekly classes and wanted to learn more about the details of the postures. In 1995, I did the 2-yr teacher training with the Iyengar Yoga Centre Maida Vale, London.

I didn’t start teaching the Iyengar Yoga method until later in my yoga teaching life, not until after another 2-yr training with Alaric Newcombe, in 2009. After a long pause of having children, I received my Junior Intermediate 1 in 2019. I am now known as a level 2 Iyengar Yoga teacher.

Experience

Earning a living from teaching was a constant struggle to make ends meet whilst living in London. I had a busy timetable of teaching about 10-15 classes a week. I taught Ashtanga Yoga and Vinyasa Flow yoga at Triyoga, a drama school & many health clubs in London. I went to a weekly ashtanga yoga class led by John Scott & delved into my practice with Shandor Remete. I was a yoga model for yoga videos, yoga magazines and yoga books. I also had a short time as a model for channel 4, The Big Breakfast.

I taught yoga to students at Webber Douglas Drama School, London and during that time was also a performer with “Tripsichore Yoga Theatre”. Edward Clarke {director of the group} trained me extremely well and gave me confidence to perform the most advanced postures in yoga. I had a wonderful 6 years performing yoga dance in yoga studios and yoga conferences across the States. One of the best times in my yoga life was spending a year teaching at the Santa Barbara Yoga Studios in California.

In 2005, I returned solely to the practice of Iyengar Yoga method. The sequencing and holding of postures proved transformative and healing. The attention to detail kept my mind absorbed.

I’ve learnt and am still learning so much from such amazing, inspirational Iyengar yoga teachers. I am so grateful that I spent a week being taught by Guruji B.K.S Iyengars’ eldest daughter, Dr Geeta S. Iyengar & granddaughter Abhi in Harrogate, London convention in 2009.

My philosophy

Teaching yoga is an art and a gift. My students are my teachers too. I am a devoted practitioner to the art & science of the Iyengar Yoga method & enjoy building the sequences for my class. I enjoy seeing my students evolve in their practice & see how yoga improves their lives. Yoga is so transformative; it enables one to perceive life differently. I will always question how do the students experience my class, how can I help them better? I am inquisitive about the physical and mental benefits of yoga from my practice of asanas, pranayama & self enquiry. I like to make students aware of the many layers of our being; our physical body, our breathing, our mindset as self enquiry. In my spare time I am always reading the yoga sutras & other yoga philosophy!

Shiatsu

I trained as a Shiatsu therapist for 3 years in 2003 with the London College of Shiatsu. I gained the MrSS status after a one year post-grad course on Movement Shiatsu; ‘Working with trauma & chronic conditions’ with Bill Palmer. I find Traditional Chinese Medicine fascinating and still use acupressure points on myself today.

During my early training days, one of the great benefits of receiving Shiatsu was having regular ‘palming down’ the back. This truly released many years of ‘holding on’ in my muscles. During one session in the 2nd yr, my teacher held my spine & abdomen & I observed years of pain from my compressed spine dissipate away. It did feel a miracle! I am forever grateful.

I gave shiatsu treatments for 6 yrs in a clinic in Chiswick & experienced a few months of voluntary work for carers of alcohol & drug misuse with the TASHA foundation, London. I’m now giving treatments at “Honey & Herb” in Midhurst, West Sussex.

Sound Healing

Learning about sound and how it affects our many layers of being is fascinating, transformative and rewarding. I completed my 2nd year of training with The Sound Healing Academy in October 2023 and have been awarded a Diploma in Integral Sound Healing with groups. I am willing to work with others in the health field and to share these healing methods to help others.

Now

Presently, I have many different skills teaching the Iyengar yoga method , leading healing Sound Baths & giving Shiatsu treatments.

I am a member of the IY(UK), the Sound Healing Academy & the Shiatsu Society UK.

I teach yoga classes for complete beginners through to Intermediate level at Cowdray Hall and The Spread Eagle Hotel, Midhurst. I also teach private yoga classes at the workplace or home.

I attend a regular Intermediate level class with senior teacher, Andrea Smith in Chichester and deepen my knowledge further at IY (UK) week long conferences & weekend workshops in London.

I enjoy holding monthly well-being events with Gentle Yoga, Sound Baths & Food.

I’d love to share my knowledge with you.

Namaste x