I am a Cambridge University graduate and accredited British Wheel of Yoga teacher, with more than 340 hours of teacher training. I am also a certified Teen Yoga teacher and UK Level 3 Sports Coach, with a Foundation in Yoga Therapy for Teenagers.
I completed my initial 200-hour teacher training course in London with the prestigious Yogacampus, from which I graduated with Distinction. I have also trained with highly respected figures in the yoga world including Judith Hanson Lasater, Shiva Rea, Leila Stuart, Tias Little, Daniel Simpson, Beth Spindler, Katrina Repka, Yogeswari and Dr Andrew McGonigle.
I have taught climbers, ballet dancers, corporate clients, teens and over 75s. Above all though, I remain a committed student of yoga, and my passion and endless curiosity are hopefully reflected in my teaching. I draw from several styles of yoga (Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Tantra, Yin, Restorative) to offer intelligent and creative classes that include mindful movement, pranayama (breathing practices), philosophy and meditation.
Before I found yoga, I worked in marketing and advertising for clients including Microsoft, HP and Reuters. I am also a published author in my native Greek (a novella & short stories). Apart from yoga and spending time with my husband, two teenage daughters and two cats, I love dancing, travelling, reading and going to the theatre and to dance performances. My love for dance (I continue to study ballet) also informs my yoga practice – in the same way that “dancing is music made visible” (George Balanchine), yoga flow can be seen as breathing made visible.
Embarrassingly, what brought me to yoga initially was vanity – I wanted to look fit and be able to do some impressive poses! What I didn’t expect was that yoga would completely transform my outlook on life. Yoga ultimately teaches us how to move through life with greater ease and joy, and I fervently believe that through practice, ANYONE can experience profound positive changes: a stronger, more flexible body and a clearer, more peaceful mind, as well as deeper self-knowledge that can lead not only to personal growth but also to self-healing. I feel honoured to share with others this extraordinary toolkit for living a healthier, more conscious life.
I worked with Johanna 1:2:1 following an injury. As a teacher she is very supportive and tuned into her clients’ individual needs. Johanna provides clear instructions and really helped me improve my alignment, strength, overall understanding of yoga as a practice, and literally get back on my feet! I can’t recommend Johanna’s classes highly enough. Challenging, strengthening, relaxing and lots of fun.