Jan holds the highest designation possible from Yoga Alliance, the international governing body for yoga teachers. The requirement entails having undergone extensive advanced-level training, coupled with a minimum of 2000 hours of teaching practice. Such substantial experience qualifies her as a certified provider of continued education for new and fellow yoga teachers. Jan also holds certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Level 3 Personal Trainer, specialising in Optimum Performance Training, Senior Fitness and Corrective Exercise and is currently studying the expansive and fascinating field of neuro-biomechanics with Z-Health, applying neuroscience based training programs with her clients, to enhance performance, alleviate pain and improve movement quality.

5 minutes Q&A with Jan

Have you always practiced yoga?

I practised yoga intermittently in my teens and early twenties, because it felt fun and with hyper-mobility in my knees, wrists and elbows, many of the yoga poses came easily to me. I mostly practised using books and following videos (yes I said videos) during this time.

What led you to Yoga?

What led me to a deeper relationship with my yoga practice was my two elder siblings challenging me to join their weekly hot yoga class at a local studio, they had been attending regularly. I joined, survived 90 minutes in 40 degrees and became hooked. After a sitting for long periods of time for my day job, eating poorly and juggling a young family, it was just what I needed.

What yoga pose do you find the most challenging?

I remember doing crow pose in my first yoga class and then not being able to do it again for 2 years, due to overthinking; I then face planted, whilst practising at home, which left me physically bruised and reluctant to try it again. It wasn’t until I learned more about the fine balance of anatomical alignment, mobility and strength required for inversions that I was able to hold my crow pose confidently. This remains my most grounding and yet energetically uplifting pose, as I work towards transitioning from this pose to others. I love the fact that I am always learning and therefore I will always be a student of yoga.

Jan x

Hi, I am a classically trained Chef, specialising in food science, nutrition, health and safety, wines, spirits and mixology. I have worked with a number of high profile and well known chefs and clients and developed for some of the UK’s largest sports events, supermarkets, coffee shops and airlines.

My key focus is on ingredient quality, seasonality and sustainability. I am especially interested in how environmental and external factors affect the tastebuds and use this information to aid menu development.

Have you always practiced yoga?

I trained in my teens in classical ballet and so I always enjoyed movement. However, I was never one to sit still long enough to practice meditation or stillness, especially after a full day at work; I felt I needed to move or risked falling asleep, so would opt for a spin class over a yoga class.

What led you to Yoga?

My yoga journey began on my recovery path post-accident, having sustained whiplash and a sprain to my wrists. I found it physically challenging to put any pressure on my hands and it felt as if I had lost both strength and mobility in my wrists and shoulders. During short sessions, Jan guided me through specific mobility exercises and taught me to engage muscles to stabilise and support my joints. The day I was able to stay in Downward Facing Dog without pain to my wrists and shoulders was a lightbulb moment. I practiced yoga more frequently and noticed how I was suddenly becoming more drawn to the stiller, quieter moments of the practice and the subtle energetic body as a way to regulate my hormones and stress levels. I gained my 200hr Yoga Alliance accreditation at my local yoga studio and now teach classes whenever an opportunity arises.

What yoga pose do you find the most challenging?

A few years ago, I would have said ‘anything that requires me to place weight on my hands’, i.e downward facing dog; arm balances such as crow pose and dolphin pose were definitely out of the question. I’m currently practising holding crow pose for longer and floating back to low plank.