We pride ourselves on the quality of our teachers here at the Yoga Loft. We are all experienced and passionate instructors who want to help you to get the most out of your practice.
Owner: Kat Jennings
Ashtanga Vinyasa, Restorative Yoga & Vinyasa Flow Teacher
My first encounter of Yoga was in 2009 when it was prescribed as a therapy to heal a back injury. In October 2010 I ventured to India to deepen my knowledge and understanding of Yoga and qualified as a “200 HR” Yoga Teacher at Sampoorna Yoga, and have been teaching Yoga and promoting a healthier lifestyle ever since.
Over the years of my yoga practice I was very fortunate to meet and study with some "Yoga Legends" whom I have learned and developed my knowledge of yoga philosophy, yoga sutras, yoga anatomy and correct alignment. My teaching style is greatly influenced by my current teacher John Scott who I met in India in 2015 a direct student of Sri K Pattabhi Jois -Guriji. Just before summer 2017 I completed Ashtanga yoga Teacher training programme under John's guidance learning to teach yoga in the traditional way ,preserving the key principles of the Ashtanga vinyasa system.
I have been teaching yoga for the last 10 years in the Hinckley area and I have truly enjoyed sharing "the magic of yoga" with many different generations. It is a very rewarding feeling to see many of those students ,some now very good friends and some even business partners still coming through the door and enjoying the energy and comfort of our peaceful -Yoga Loft...Namaste...
Anna Ashby - Yoga with a specialisation in Restorative Yoga, Breath Awareness & Meditation
A senior teacher and trainer at triyoga in London, Anna has been studying and practicing yoga for over 30 years and teaching for over 20 years. She holds the highest level of certification by the Yoga Alliance Professionals - Senior Yoga Teacher (SYT) and Yoga Alliance (US) E-RYT-500. She will be joining The Yoga Loft teaching team this Autumn to offer a Restorative and Meditation class on Tuesdays from 7:15-8:30p
Anna’s teaching style has naturally evolved from a background in dance, in-depth training within alignment based yoga styles, and a dedicated meditation practice established when she lived for 12 years in a yoga ashram in upstate New York in the 1990’s. She weaves together flowing and artful movement, healthy alignment and stillness - all of which express the essence of yoga as awareness. Through articulate instruction that draws inspiration from the texts and teachings of the tradition, she curates a purposeful sequence at a slow and measured pace which enables a process that can result in deep connection and joyful presence.
She specialises in teaching Restorative Yoga, a modern style that supports nervous system health through the healing effect of deep relaxation, breath and present moment awareness. In this methodology, the body is supported by bolsters and blankets and other props. Longer holdings allow the nervous system to move into balance bringing about a profound shift of perception and renewal.
Her forthcoming book, Restorative Yoga: Power Presence Practice for Teachers and Trainees comes out March 2022.
Robin Aurora -Ashtanga Yoga (Accredited Senior Yoga Teacher )
Robin has been practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga since 1996. In October 2003, he qualified as a certified British Wheel of Yoga teacher and has been accredited as an 8000-hour Senior Yoga Alliance registered teacher. Although having spent 12 years in Mysore, India at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute with Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy, he considers his main teachers John Scott and Lucy Crawford whom he studies with regularly for the last 22 years.
For the last 10 years Robin has developed a passion for Handstand and has been travelling around the globe teaching people how to view the world upside down. He runs regular Handstand workshops and masterclasses as part of the Flight Club, created by him specifically to focus on this. Check out the Flight Club Tab to know when and where he will be teaching next. Robin will encourage and support you in developing an authentic yoga practice, so that you can lead a peaceful, happy and meaningful life.
Vicky Sztuka - Vinyasa Flow, Yin Yoga
Vicky discovered her passion for yoga in 2014 and instantly fell in love.
Over the years Vicky traveled and have gained experience from various yoga retreats and yoga trainings worldwide with many inspirational teachers.
As a Reiki master, Massage Therapist and Musician she often likes to integrate these modalities into her classes. Vicky’s aim is to offer a calm space to still the mind, connect to breath, explore movement and with her compassionate and down to earth teaching approach she is a wonderful edition to our Teaching Team.
Josh Leeson - Vinyasa Flow
Josh have completed two yoga teacher trainings from schools in Rishikesh (Hatha flow yoga, Kundalini yoga). I resonate with Buddhist principles and I often bring elements of mindfulness and Vipassana style meditation into my asana and pranayama into my teaching.
Yoga is a passion for me and, having felt the ongoing transformational benefits of a consistent practice, I started teaching in 2019. My intention is to communicate the tools of yoga in a relaxing and accessible way in order to bring about inner realisation, growth, and wellbeing for those who come to my class. I believe that everyone has a unique journey on the path of yoga and I look forward to practicing these ancient techniques with you at the beautiful and tranquil space of the Yoga Loft.
Natalie Gallo -
Vinyasa Flow Teacher
I found yoga in 2007 and I must admit it wasn't love at first 'asana' in fact it wasn't until some years later that I took up a regular practice. Like many students I was initially drawn to yoga for its physical benefits of flexibility and strength but once I'd realised that a state of calm and a general sense of wellbeing were the predominant results of the practice, I was hooked!
With the encouragement from those around me I made the decision to embark on my teacher training course and I gained my accreditation with Nalini Yoga (RYT 200 Yoga Alliance Instructor) in October 2015. Forever a student I continue to learn and study attending various classes and workshops and in December 2018 I completed a 60hr YIN Yoga TTC at Sampoorna Yoga School in India.
I mainly teach a dynamic Vinyasa flow with the intention of creating a moving meditation, I always encourage students to work at their own pace and level, giving modifications when necessary which makes my class accessible for all.
I love meeting new students and I feel privileged to be able to share yoga in such a beautiful space and be a part of the Yoga Loft team.
Peace, love and light
Michelle Branson - (Physio Led Pilates )
A qualified musculoskeletal physiotherapist who is experienced in rehabilitation using exercise and is trained in advanced clinical Pilates with the APPI and has 7 years teaching experience within the NHS & privately.
Physio Led Pilates or Clinical Pilates strengthens and conditions the core muscles including the abdominals and the pelvic floor, the hips and the spinal muscles. This also includes upper and lower body strengthening, general flexibility, joint mobility, posture, balance and body awareness. Further to this breathing control helps relaxation and improves mindfulness and wellbeing.
Studies have shown that Pilates improves quality of life by having a positive effect on depression and pain, most notably decreasing back pain.
Pilates can be an effective treatment for people recovering from pregnancy or surgery and can be used to ease general muscular aches and pains. This includes persistent pain, injury recovery, improving sport performance or preventing injury. It is also beneficial for people without pain who would like to improve their general core strength.
Lisa Duffy - Vinyasa Flow Teacher
You may have met Lisa in our classes, as she had been attending our Ashtanga yoga classes for couple of years now. Lisa teaches yoga classes in the studios around Leicestershire, sharing her passion and her own yoga experience.
Lisa’s yoga journey started in 2013 after suffering from chronic migraine for years. After just one yoga class, Lisa noticed subtle changes in her body, and gradually, the migraines began levelling out.
Personally, Lisa enjoys a strong yoga practice such as ashtanga and jivamukti and vinyasa flow alongside the contrast of the more restorative, yin practice.
Her teaching style is centred around creating a space where people can feel free to explore their connection to breath based movement. Lisa helps to create a safe space and her teaching is very much centred around the aspects of exploration, with a huge emphasis on the power of the breath and tuning in to the body’s own inner intelligence on and off the yoga mat.
Pete Lynch - Vinyasa Flow Teacher
Arriving in the present moment is something Pete's been unwittingly chasing his whole life. Whether it be extreme sports, competing in martial arts, cold water therapy or yoga. Pete has always been chasing that sense of freedom that comes from truly being in the moment.
He first found yoga in around 2015 in a bid to rehabilitate his body from injuries sustained from martial arts. Originally intended to compliment his passion for martial arts, over the years it slowly drew him in as he came to realise that the benefits that stem from yoga, go far beyond the physical.
Pete completed his first 200hr Yoga Teaching training in August 2019 and has since furthered his knowledge in Ashtanga Yoga with Kat Jennings and Lucy Crawford, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga ,Ayurvedic yoga massage, Cold Water exposure and Wim Hof Breathing technique. Pete is looking forward to share on the yoga mat the fusion of the yoga practices and techniques to our Yoga Loft community with focus on healthier lifestyle , self-care and inner enquiry .
Julia Hutchinson - Yoga Nidra & Yin Yoga Relaxation
Jacinta Jackson - Yoga for NHS Staff - Vinyasa / Yin / Menopause Yoga
Jacinta is a big yoga lover and a local NHS GP. She completed her 200hr Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training and 30hr Yin Yoga training in Autumn 2022. She runs an alternate yin/ vinyasa classes on a Saturday morning with special discount for NHS staff. She had recently completed her training in menopause yoga as this is a special interest of hers. Jas shares her knowledge of this in the form of workshops in here. Jacintas aim is to offer a calm space to still the mind, her ultimate purpose and passion is to to support women . Her specialist knowledge ensures you are in safe and supportive hands, helping you create your healthy, happy lifestyle.
SATGURU:
'A TRUE YOGA TEACHER'
Is always a Student of Yoga, with a great respect for tradition, with a desire to listen, enquire/research, develop and be creative.
A practitioner who has had first-hand experience and continues in the System, Method and Practice.
A teacher that has direct connection to the great lineage of teachers is self-aware in the moment and non-judgemental.
A teacher that students can have faith in.
A teacher that can be trusted.
A teacher that guides the student towards Self – Responsibility.
A teacher that introduces the student to the “Guru” within.
A teacher that will guide the student towards insight or inner peace.