YOGA WITH ANA

Welcome

Hello, I'm a London based yoga teacher, teaching dynamic vinyasa, hatha, yin, flow to restore, kids and teen yoga, as well as workshops for writers, using yoga as a tool for creative writing. I also teach meditation and pranayama (breathing practice) and love to teach yoga to people who think they can't do yoga.

I'm currently teaching a stripped back schedule with only two regular slots a week:

Thursdays 8 - 9pm Yin Yoga at Mica Yoga, Nunhead. This is a floor based practice that invites us to release into poses that are held for longer. Yin yoga focuses on connective tissues rather than muscle and it can deeply improve flexibility. This practice can be both challenging and meditative and, like restorative, very energising. Please book via the Mica Yoga website, the studio is in Nunhead, 16 - 18 Gibbon Road, SE15 2AS.

Sundays 6 - 7pm Flow to Restore at Mica Yoga, Nunhead: A gentle flow into a short series of restorative poses, closing with yoga nidra. This practice is deeply restful, restorative and, ultimately, energising. Please book ahead via Mica Yoga's website. You can find the studio in Nunhead: 16 - 18 Gibbon Road, SE15 2AS.

Please contact me if you would like more information on one-to-one sessions, yoga sessions for children at school or yoga workshops to unwind at work.

Mica Yoga

About Ana

Course info

About Ana

I first discovered Yoga in 1997 when I met Sri Swami Satchidananda; he was a Guru giving a talk on yoga and I was a curious (and sceptical) sixteen year old, but the experience of meditation blew my mind. By 1999 I had completed my first Hatha Yoga teacher training and soon delved into further trainings in Raja Yoga (philosophy and meditation) and Pranayama (breathing practices). It was the beginning of a life-long practice.

Fast forward past a career in documentary film making, writing and kids, I returned to teaching yoga in 2019. I completed further trainings with Marcus Veda and Hannah Whittingham in Dynamic Vinyasa, Bryony Duckitt in Yoga for Kids and, more recently, Isabell Britsch in teaching Meditation. I have also trained with Aram Raffy, Austin Ince and Erin Pritchard, delving back into the yoga philosophy that first inspired me, while also maintaining an informed and dynamic physical practice that focuses on both strengthening and re-balancing the body, never forgetting the ultimate goal of coming back to peace.

In my classes you can expect to work hard, breathe deep and find stillness again.

When not practicing yoga, you'll find me working on my latest novel or in the water, training for another open water swim.

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A little extract from a recent podcast with the wonderful @michrouge , talking about Yoga and Writing and how the two practices have so much in common. I couldn’t fit us both in on this shot! But talking to Michelle is like a good catch up with a great friend and you can listen or watch via links in bio. ❤️

Some more photos of the beautiful retreat space in Almeria, Spain, @oruelsaltador where I’ll be hosting my first yoga and writing retreat. 5 days of morning yoga, free writing and then a workshop on the writing craft in the afternoon, coupled with short meditations. There will be time for hikes or trips to the sea, delicious food, rest and lots of yoga in good company. Message me for details or check out my link in bio. Looking forward to it and hope to see you there! @oruelsaltador ☀️❤️

I’m so looking forward to this, my first Yoga and Creative Writing retreat! There are still some spots going so have a look! It will be an inspiring 5 days of nourishing yoga, food and creative writing. Expect mornings of yoga practice and free writing, with afternoon sessions focused on writing craft. There will be time to rest or write as you wish, hike or swim in the sea. It will be a warm, encouraging space to move and write and think a little differently about the stories we love so much. Clink on the link in my bio for more info.
@oru_space

Couple spots left for this Saturday’s Yoga and Creative Writing workshop, Sat 2-4pm @oru_space East Dulwich.
Set your distractions and (natural) hesitations to one side and come learn how yoga can help you write. You’ll get some new words on the page and ideas into rhythm. We’ll start with a gentle yoga flow to get into the body and a short meditation, into some free writing, and then we’ll move into some fun writing exercises.
We say writing is thinking and yoga is a collecting of attention - come see what happens when you put the two together. 📝💥
Click on the Workshop link in my bio for booking link.

☀️Upcoming workshops and details of a very special retreat in Spain below!

☀️Yoga and Creative writing *Free* taster session
Tues 20th Jan / 3 - 4pm @oru_space Dulwich.
A bit of yoga, a bit of writing, no big commitment - just a taste of how the two work together.

☀️Yoga and Creative writing *Workshop*
Sat 21st February / 2 - 4pm @oru_space Dulwich

☀️Yoga and Creative writing *RETREAT*
Sat 6th - Thurs 11th June @oru_space El Saltador. This is a beautiful new retreat centre in Andalucia, Spain.
Come and experience what it feels like to practice yoga daily in a nurturing environment. There will be good food, a beautiful place to be and explore, trips to the beach and writing workshops to stretch and inspire your creative brain.

Go to the Oru Space website for more info or click on my Retreat link in bio.

About Yoga and Creative writing …
These sessions use the yoga to make space for the writing. They can be very helpful when floundering or just beginning, when you are stuck or need a nudge. The yoga creates space in your mind for the stories to happen, and connection to your body where you can feel things physically, often an interesting experience for writers who live mostly in their heads. Ultimately it’s a pathway to listening and this is different for everyone; you might find you can hear character’s voices more clearly, it might be ideas that come to the surface or specific scenes or plot points that you were struggling with before are suddenly resolved. It may just be starting for the first time, getting those words on the page and setting off on your story. The yoga provides a way in and it can help kickstart or restart your process.

I ran a Yoga for Writers workshop online recently for the wonderful @theliteraryconsultancy . It was my first time teaching this online and I was very happy to see it work so well. I’ll be running a Yoga for Writers course online beginning in Jan 26, if you’re interested in joining or would like to hear more, join my mailing list (link in bio) or drop me a dm.

As a general note, if you’re a writer, new or experienced, @theliteraryconsultancy is the most supportive, inclusive, creative and informative literary hub I’ve come across. I highly recommend it! 🖊️📖❤️

There’s something magical about the empty table, all full of hope and possibility. In my visualisations, I often come to tables that have been cleared and wiped cleaned: images of starting again.
I’m taking a little break while also looking forward to new classes and workshops in September. Until then, you can catch me online throughout August, check out my website for timings or join my mailing list (link in bio). I’ll be back @micayogastudio from Sun 17 August, all full of sunshine and - I hope - rest!

It was an epic 36km swim from Capri to Naples with my husband, brother and hero niece (just 17 years old!). With a ten hour cut off time it’s a fast swim and the sea was as vast and blue and epic as ever. The chop and swell felt big halfway through but we also got a push from a kind current that helped us along. Really felt lucky to spot some big jellies that floated away below, just out of reach - our guardian angels did good! 🙏🤍 I��’m so proud to raise funds for a charity we all believe in and so grateful for all the donations so far (link in bio!). We called ourselves The Lemons 🍋 and I’m going to love lemons forever! Thanks so much for the support. Xx

Off to Capri to swim Capri to Naples, a 36km ultra marathon across the sea this Friday 4th July. I’ll be swimming with my merman husband, my warrior brother and my incredible niece, who is just 17 years old.

I’m so proud to be raising money for Ideals, a charity that works to send surgical teams and critical medical aid to Gaza. We found the charity via @rosieplasticsurgeon who is a real hero. Medicine, like humanity - like the sea - is without borders.

May all beings everywhere be free. May all beings everywhere find peace. That is the goal of Yoga.
Please support us and donate, the link is in my bio. Thank you. ☀️💛

Ardha Chandrasana - Half Moon pose. I think it’s a beautiful pose, here’s why:

- There is balance here in opposing forces: grounding through the standing leg, lifting through the arm, crown of the head in one direction, heel of the foot in the other. There is a lightness to be found in the centre of these opposing forces.
- The pose is active but there is an opening here through the chest, a lengthening of the waist and spine and a freedom to breathe deeply.
- There are lots of variations: lean on a chair to support your balance or take this down to the floor: one knee on the ground, hand on the ground, to feel this pose before you take it to standing. When you find balance in the standing pose, lift the supporting hand to your chest - there is a lovely connection here, or kick the lifted leg back for a bind. Have a play with it. Find your version.
- This pose takes a little patience and patience is also part of the practice. No rushing. The pose naturally leads you into focus. It’s an invitation to lean into balance and open up the body: feel its strength and force in all directions.
- Finally, my favourite bit: when you swim, there is an ardha chandrasana in every stroke and that keeps my mind focused through the long swims!
There is yoga everywhere. 🙏💙

What is it?
It’s a 45min open level flow into an extended deep relaxation, followed by a series of short fast writing prompts, designed to get the hand moving and connected to the subconscious mind. Each prompt takes us a little deeper, from the obvious to the more subtle, where the interesting stuff is. We take a short break with some light movement into a creative visualisation, before connecting up the dots with a creative writing exercise. You will leave with some new ideas, a fresh perspective and a shot of inspiration!

Can I come if I’m not a writer?
Yep. This workshop is great for writers, especially if you’re stuck, but it’s helpful for anyone interested in connecting to their creative voice, be it music, art, therapy or just for fun. No one is asked to share their work - this is just for you. If you’re thinking of writing but don’t know where to start, this could be an interesting spring board to get you started.

What should I bring?
Bring a cheap notebook and a pen you like writing with. I say cheap notebook so it’s no pressure writing - you can rip out pages if any secrets are revealed; you can throw the whole thing in the bin. The work remains in the mind.

Any other questions, let me know. ✏️👍

Lots of posts asking the question: is Yoga enough? Depends what the goal is. Is it enough to satisfy all physical needs, if physical needs include cardio, weight bearing, strengthening etc. I don’t think so. If yoga is about balance, that includes balance in yoga, nothing to the extreme, not even yoga.

These random shoulder shots are accidental but interesting (to me!😂). The first shot is me now - shoulders with swim training. The second is shoulders during lockdown - no swim training.

It’s not really about the preference in look but effects of different types of movement on the body. We say eat a colourful plate, I think move in a colourful way too: different types of movement will affect and change the body differently.

The question isn’t really is yoga enough, but what is the goal?

As always: balance in all things, even yoga. 💙

Why so many downward facing dogs?
I think it’s a beautiful pose, here’s why:
- It is even and balanced and that is all of Yoga in one pose.
- The gaze is inward facing, no distractions, no ego - no looking around. The pose brings you back to the breath.
- The diaphragm can release here, the breath can be broad and deep.
- There is a strength and a stillness to it, the pose is inviting you to listen in and if the body doesn’t want to be there, there are options: child’s pose, cat cow, rag doll.
- It is often a pause between flows and pauses are good.
- Kids love it.

Don’t be down on downward facing dog. Embrace the fundamentals, all of yoga is there. ❤️

#downwardfacingdog #downdog #adhomukhasvanasana

The goal of yoga is freedom: peace. Does it matter if you need a strap? Nope. Adjust the pose to meet the body, not the other way around. As the body changes, adjust again.
Adapt, adjust, accommodate. That is the practice.

I notice on instagram a lot of quick fixes, just take this powder or buy this course or drink this drink and all your problems will disappear. In the Yoga Sutras, there is just one secret: practice. For a long time. In all earnestness. Without break. And not just practice asana or hide in a cave and chant all day - practice the whole shebang. Yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana - all of it. If you don’t know what all these are - come to class!

But until then, work with your body, with your mind, not against them. There is a balance between discipline and ease. Balance balance balance. This is Yoga. ✅

My little man was having some trouble at school so he came home and wrote this and I love it. He’s just starting to free write and it’s brilliant. (Yoga for Young Writers coming soon!) ✏️❤️
Just love and find joy in even the dark times. 🌊

Sunshine and lido in the cold and all the emotions on every length! Been a couple years since I trained properly and yes, the body remembers but the stamina and speed are long gone. Let’s see how long it takes to build again … With meditation we observe “with curiosity” and today I observed how my swim watch was saying GO GO GO on sprints and my yoga brain was saying chiiiiiiillll ooooouuuut what’s the big rush? Just exhaaaaaaale … 🥴😂. So this is going to be interesting. 🏊‍♀️🦈🌊🐠🧘‍♀️

Here’s a little more on my Yoga for Writers workshops, plus a bit about my own writing background and some other thoughts.

I’ve got a few Yoga for Writers workshops coming up, hope to see you there!

Sat 8 Feb 2 - 4pm @oru_space East Dulwich
Sun 2 March 1:30 - 3:30pm @oru_space Sutton
Sat 12 April 2 - 4pm @micayogastudio
Sat 17 May 1:30 - 3:30pm @yogariselondon Peckham

It’s a fascinating process, would love to hear your thoughts or if any questions, fire away! ✏️💙

So excited about this. These workshops are so interesting, always different, always new words on the page and often not what you expected. Come drop down the well and see what you find!

We’ll start with an open level, short physical practice, followed by a deep relaxation and straight into some short fast writing prompts to free up the voice. From there we go a little deeper with some meditation and visualisation before more writing prompts that connect the dots, open up your creativity and see what comes up!

Bring a notebook you’re happy to throw in the bin for some no pressure free writing. For established writers, this is a chance to inject some fresh energy into your writing from a different perspective, for new writers it’s a springboard into a whole new world of ideas. Hope to see you there!

The pose is not the yoga. The pose is there to help you get to the yoga. Yoga is possible in everything. It is everywhere, always: balance balance balance.
Wishing you all a peaceful 31st and a 2025 of balance in all things. 💙

If you know a writer or someone who would like to start writing, gift them this for Christmas: Yoga for Writers 11 Jan 2025 1:30 - 3:30pm. It’s a great practice that really works, using yoga to get out of your own way, look at the writing from a different perspective and get a boost of energy and inspiration while you’re at it. Worse case, you get some writing done, best case, you unlock something you didn’t even know you had in you. Come join, it’s going to be good! @yogariselondon

Make yoga a daily habit.
Come practice with me:
Tuesdays 8:30 - 9:30am @graftondancecentre
Wednesdays 8:30 - 9:30am @hernehillvelodrome
Thursdays 12:45 - 13:15 meditation @yogariselondon
Fridays 8:30 - 9:30am @hernehillvelodrome

My teacher used to always say yoga is about learning to surf the waves, which I loved, until I tried to actually surf 😂. I still think he was right though: maintaining balance in all things, in all scenarios, is as challenging as learning to surf. And Samadhi - enlightenment - the ultimate goal of yoga, is all about balance.

Hello hello, a little intro post about me:

- I’m Ana, I’ve been practicing yoga since I was 16 years old.
- I’m from Gibraltar and I made a film about the place for the BBC, Gibraltar: My Rock.
- I used to produce and direct documentaries all over the world, then I had kids …
- These days I write and teach yoga, second novel on its way.
- I have two (very) active boys, age 8 and 10. They practice with me sometimes. 💙
- I have a channel swimming husband with gigantic shoulders who refuses to do yoga.
- I love the sea but I’ve always been petrified of sharks. I’m scared of a lot of things (cows) but figured I’d try not being scared anymore and swam Capri to Naples in a relay with my husband (35km). It was epic. Got my eyes on the channel …
- I speak Spanish and Italian (lived in Spain, went to Uni in Italy).
- I live in Nunhead in London and I love it.
- I teach yoga to adults but I also teach kids in schools and privately from age 10 - 18. They keep me honest.
- Everything I do, to me, is Yoga.
- My favourite advice: start now. Then start again. Whatever you do, don’t give up. 💙

My weekly schedule with some extras thrown in inbetween. Will update on here and on my website. Thanks for practicing with me, every class is a joy. 💙

Almost there! Yoga for Writers is happening this Sat 13 July 12 - 2pm @yogariselondon in Peckham, using yoga to connect to your story.

“None of it happened and yet every word of it is true.” - Grace Paley.

We’ll be doing some yoga combined with short fast writing exercises to get past the muck and into the good, true stuff. Bring a notebook you’re happy to throw in the bin and an easy pen for some free, no pressure writing. It’s going to be good!

Looking forward to this workshop I’m teaching on 13 July: Yoga for Writers @yogariselondon in Peckham.

I’ve been practicing and teaching yoga since 1999, writing professionally since 2006 and the cross over between both practices is endlessly fascinating and useful to me. Mostly, getting out of your own way but also approaching characters and story like you would the jumping mind: with curiosity and patience, a balance - like yoga - between discipline and flexibility.

In this workshop we’ll start with an open level vinyasa sequence, the goal being to let go, freeing up body and mind before moving into a deep relaxation and then, the writing. We’ll do a short series of writing exercises that will build on each other, offering up a shot of inspiration, a boost of energy and some ideas to keep you going in your writing life.

Everyone is welcome, no matter what stage you’re at. There will be no pressure to read out your work, but sharing ideas and coffee is welcome.

You can book in to join me via @yogariselondon 🤸‍♀️✍️🧘‍♀️

Looking forward to this, this Sunday. It’s a lovely peaceful space, always bit tricky to get out the door on a Sun eve, always feel better after. 🙏🧘‍♀️

I love this and it is also true of every style and aspect of yoga I have ever practiced: what works for one does not work for another. Some poses will be easy, others may be anatomically impossible for your body - it doesn’t matter. Some meditation practices will save you, others may leave you feeling frustrated or confused - it doesn’t matter. Finding your way is part of the beauty of the practice. I am definitely more tortoise (sea turtle) than hare, only took me 40 years to figure that out …

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YOGA WITH ANA

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About Ana

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YOGA WITH ANA

Welcome

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Get in touch