About Me
Introducing Manda
Introducing Manda
Here's a little about me
Born in 1966.
Grateful to be living a healthy life - and sort of
enjoying my changing face and body
ha ha ha : )
Always enjoyed sport at school..
My fitness career started 29 years ago,
when I taught aerobic classes in Melton Mowbray.
A shared business named
'The Hot Spot'
Classes were busy, and physically demanding
I stopped when I made the decision to focus on raising my children.
My class members asked me when I'd return.
I told them if I ever returned to teaching fitness,
... it would be to teach Yoga.
'Yoga?' They questioned
... Then fell about laughing!
Yoga wasn't a thing at that time
and certainly not in a little market town in the UK
Eight years later, and after experiencing horrible back pain, I was diagnosed
with a spinal disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis.
I was shocked and pretty distraught, as I'd always been into fitness, but was finding
I was doing less and less due to the constant pain I was experiencing.
On bad days I wouldn't stand if I could sit and wouldn't sit if I could lay down.
Whatever was happening was slowly getting worse and I started to feel miserable,
negative, overweight and untoned.
Around that time, my daughter was also diagnosed with a serious eye condition.
It was a big shock and a big change to our lives. As a family,
We traveled to London once and often
twice a week for quite a few years. Eleanor underwent many operations.
It was stressful and worrying and possibly
due to the worry and stress of not only Ellie's condition, but the effect it was
having on our son Sebastian too. Meanwhile my pain continued to get worse.
We were in this trap of ill health.
To cut a very long story short, doctors at Moorfields Eye Hospital saved Ellie
from losing her sight altogether, which brought on a massive
feeling
of wanting to 'give back' somehow.
So I trained and worked for Samaritans, giving some of my time working from
an office in Grantham, which two years later, led me to train and qualify as a
Life Coach or Personal Performance Coach
Meanwhile, I became obsessed with how
I'd end up with the 'disease'
and pain I was in.
I had private specialist appointments
and lot's of medical intervention including wearing elasticated belts and painful
spinal and hip injections that did nothing for me.
I was advised NOT to practice yoga because I was also told I was hyper mobile
which was a strange contradiction to the disease I was diagnosed
(My advice on NO YOGA was meant with a positive intent - however the Dr clearly didn't realise there are different kinds of Yoga which help us in different ways.
I became so frustrated, as even the 'life changing' injections didn't appear to work, which made me feel increasingly frustrated and out of control.
One day I had a strange thought. I thought 'If I were an animal,
I would get eaten!' So, I made the decision
to start practicing Yoga (I was past caring at this stage)
and it was sheer luck mixed with ignorance that I joined
an Ashtanga style of Yoga.
(An Ashtanga style of yoga helps create strength)
It made sense that our bodies need movement and core stability to live a
normal physical life.
My Coach training was centred around personal growth, personal responsibility
and taking small steps forward. So I naturally put it into practice on myself.
At the beginning it was uncomfortable as I was both stiff and weak - especially
in my hips. Very gradually, I started to feel different and most importantly
'stronger', both physically and mentally.
Twelve months after 'throwing myself in' and committing to my body,
my pain began to disappear. It was like magic ...it really was.
(When your pain disappears you struggle to remember what the pain felt like).
For a few years I had regular 90 minute MRI scans however in 2017 my results
showed that the 'disease' I had been repeatedly diagnosed with,
showed no
markers at all!
... Now there are many variables I realise. Do I have it now?
Did I have it at all? Was I repeatedly misdiagnosed? Did the disease
burn itself out?
Do I still have it but it doesn't present itself due to my practice? I have no idea?
As you might imagine - I was thrilled and
sold on practicing Yoga. So I continue
to practice Yoga daily and continue to be pain free : )
Result!!
I made the decision to use my previous teaching experience and knowledge,
upgrade it, add my Personal Development/Life Coaching learning and insight,
and train to become the Yoga teacher I aspired to be.
I travelled to India alone and lived and breathed Ashtanga Yoga; residing in a
little green wooden shed by the sea with 23 lovely souls - all complete strangers
at first. There, I gained my accreditation with Yoga Alliance which is the foundation
and start of my ongoing learning.
I continue to Read, View, Challenge, Critique, Listen and Practice every day
It's a privilege to share my learning with you.
I remain humble knowing there are many others who know so much more
than myself about this incredible practice.
I am a student just the same as anyone else.
My daughter Eleanor continues to
battle on. Now 28 and in her 22nd year
of living with her condition. She still
visits QMC in Nottingham and Moorfields Eye Hospital in London
most months. Ellie has monthly invasive treatments.
She's a credit to us
and to herself
and a practicing Yogi too : )
I have now moved to Australia, and live
on the Northern Beaches.
I am committed to my yoga practice and sharing what I learn.
My home is Leicestershire in the Uk and although it is
incredible living here, home is home.
I go home frequently and offer live classes when I do.
My pack pain success story is unique to me. At no point can, or should I, recommend this to you. Please use your own diligence and with that, I recommend that you visit your
doctor or specialist should you have recently developed joint or muscular
pain
before embarking on your yoga journey.
Thankfully, there is a lot of positivity around the practice of Yoga today,
It is now frequently recommended by doctors, Physiotherapists and
Mental Health Experts
Practicing yoga starts as a physical
practice (And can stay like that too, if you choose).
I have found my own practice changed over to time to something much deeper,
to the point where I have sat on my mat and been very honest with
myself and what I want from my life.
If you commit to your practice, the way you think will change, your
actions will change and possibly your life will change too.
Your Yoga practice will support that journey
When I'm not teaching, I enjoy ...
Cooking - I'm Plant based and cook everything from scratch, Walking, Painting & Writing. I'm a lover of the outdoors and everything in nature.
Hairstylist for 35 years - now retired
Qualified fitness Instructor R.S.A Y.M.C.A.
Accredited Yoga Alliance 200hr Yoga Instructor
Paul Grilley Accredited Yin Instructor
I.C.F. Accredited Life Coach
Trained Samaritan
I wish for you to enjoy your Yoga practice and
shine brightly beside other Yogis that I've affectionately named 'Yoga Sheddies'
Manda's Yoga classes are fantastic. I'm a complete beginner and Manda's patient, Informative style has helped me make progress after only few weeks. Like many my age (48) I have various injuries and weaknesses. Manda has given me knowledgeable and practical advice to ensure my body is protected during the unfamiliar movements.
My posture has improved noticeably and long term intermittent hip pain has reduced significantly.
Her classes are inexpensive, easy to book and good fun!!
Sasha, Melton Mowbray
Whatever your level of yoga experience, Manda will make you feel welcome and at ease. If you're a beginner she guides you to the next level - If you're experienced she'll create better posture and push you to the next level. Manda's a great inspiration to make you feel stronger, healthier and energised!
Debbie, Melton Mowbray
