Heather Elton

Heather is the Founder and Director of Elton Yoga and the Course Coordinator. She teaches Asana, Vinyasa, Astanga, Meditation, Self Inquiry, Techniques and Teaching Methodology. Vinyasa Krama (or Hatha Flow), is an intelligent linking of poses – with breath and dristi – rooted in classical yogic traditions that explores the physical, mental and subtle aspects of the practice. Heather integrates Yoga philosophy into the practice to reveal the spiritual path underlying yoga and the technology to stabilise the mind and realise our true nature, working on a deep physical and psychological level. She is a believer in the ancient yogic path to Self-Realisation.

She has practiced Yoga since 1986 and teaches in London and on international workshops, retreats and yoga teacher trainings. Heather has studied many different lineages of Hatha Yoga, including BKS Iyengar technique with Alaric Newcombe, Glenn Ceresoli and Dona Holleman. She has studied Astanga with Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Sharath in Mysore, and many of their senior students. She learned the Primary and Intermediate Series adjustments from Nancy Gilgoff, completed a Teacher Training certification with Richard Freeman, and more recently studied the traditional Krishnamacharya method of asana, pranayama & kundalini metaphysics with BNS Iyengar at the Patanajala Yoga Shala in Mysore. On the Vinyasa Flow side of yoga, she completed the Tripsichore Yoga Theatre Teacher Training with Edward Clark and considers David Life and Sharon Gannon of Jivamukti Yoga to be truly inspirational people and teachers. She is currently researching Tibetan Yantra Yoga.

She is a serious student of yogic philosophy and is intrigued by the intersection of Indian and Buddhist tantra. As a student of the Tibetan Mahayana path she has studied various meditation techniques, including 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreats in Myanmar (Burma) and Dhamma Dipa (Hereford, UK). She is interested in all forms of non-dualism including Self-Inquiry, the direct path to liberation, based on the teachings of Ramana Maharishi and visited his ashram in Tiruvannamalai, India (2009). Her spiritual path informs the teachings and has led her to sacred sites throughout India and the world.

Emil Wendel

Emil has lived in Asia since the mid-seventies, studying Indian thought and Chinese classical philosophy. His many years of residency in Nepal and India have brought about exceptional insight into the depth of South Asian civilization and its underlying currents. His study of Âshram traditions, and treasured time with Sadhus and living Buddhist masters, have brought a strong appreciation of the subjects of Mantras and Mudrâs, as well as other methods of Pratyâhâra (sense-withdrawal) and Dhâranâ (concentration), the ancient yogic tools which may, over time, bring about that delightful state of true meditation (Dhyâna). Emil is deeply passionate about yoga, in particular, the aspects of breath and meditation in both the Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Emil has been instructing teacher training courses for yoga in Japan, Bali, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, India and the Middle-East, besides several countries in Europe.

In this course, his teachings of Pranayama follow the tradition and methodology of the Bihar School of Yoga, distilled through years of self-practice and experimentation. His philosophy course offers a glimpse into the treasures of ancient texts and their application in daily life as yoga practice and ritual. Basic meditation instruction includes discussions on liberating knowledge, to deepen the yoga practice beyond the mere physical experience.

Andrew McGonigle – anatomy teaching

Andrew lives in London where he teaches Astanga Yoga and hot yoga at Triyoga. He originally trained to become a doctor, but moved away from western medicine to pursue a career as a yoga teacher and massage therapist. His current passion is using his wealth of experience as a doctor to teach anatomy and physiology on Yoga Teacher Training courses. Andrew’s yoga teachers include Hamish Henry, Paul Dallaghan, Eileen Gauthier and Kristin Campbell.

Annie Seymour – The Assistant

Annie is the Director of Mahalaya Yoga and manages the Pranamaya Yoga community in Nepal. She teaches Astanga and Vinyasa Flow yoga through classes and retreats in Kathmandu, with a focus on understanding and experiencing the practices from perspectives of the workings of the mind and the physiological systems, and as a process for bringing the body, mind and spirit into alignment for greater health, happiness, gratitude and kindness.

Annie’s studies have included intensive training under Astanga and pranayama master Paul Dallaghan and yoga anatomist Adarsh Williams and she has assisted at multiple workshops and retreats including those taught by Heather Elton, Emil Wendel and Ashtangi Ellen Johannesen. She brings an energy, warmth and accessibility to translating Yoga practice and traditions to students from all over the world and of all backgrounds.