Gregory Angell


Twisted humour
Independent in thought
Non conformist
With a rebellious attitude.

Teaching REAL Yoga
Because that’s how it should be

& because …….. I love it.

Now, the time has come when teachers all over the world must understand and transmit the TRUE spirit of Hatha Yoga.

My mother, Joan, spent years patiently encouraging me to try Yoga. To think all I did was shrug my shoulders and think to myself ‘Yeah, whatever Mum. Yoga? …you must be having a laugh’. Little did I know, quite literally!

Then at the age of thirty, and within five minutes of my first ‘it’s worth a bash’ Yoga class, I decided to become a Yoga Teacher. Something just clicked into place - one of those BANG moments I suppose.

I knew little about Yoga apart from simply doing it was sheer bliss. I loved this physical activity that, as if by magic, totally transformed body and mind. This was something different, something so unbelievably effective. The sense of WOW after a Yoga session was Mind Blowing when compared to all the other sport and fitness disciplines I’d been exposed to. It was simply a case of more, more, more ….. this is too good to be true – bring it on! Years of blissful practise followed.

I quote Pattabhi Jois:

Practise, practise and all is coming……

I love this underlying theme in the ancient teachings of Yoga. Ultimately it is for you to take responsibility for your health, to become your own doctor. Enough of talk – just do it!

I quote from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika:

If this body can undergo a state of metamorphosis, then what is the way? The answer is Yoga. Through processes of Yoga the body is rendered so subtle and pure that it is totally transformed, unaffected by old age and disease.

Here, right now and available to all, is a tool called Hatha Yoga. Evolved over thousands of years to reward the dedicated practitioner beyond their wildest of dreams. We are so so fortunate that these ancient teachings have been opened to the West. This really is something precious and as teachers we have a duty to firstly honour and then share Real Yoga. Not some ‘wishy washy’ imitation! Again I quote from Swami Muktibodhananda’s Hatha Yoga Pradipika:

Now the time has come when teachers all over the world must understand and transmit the TRUE spirit of Hatha Yoga.

I feel so blessed to have received teachings that enable me to totally respect and honour the true spirit of Yoga. Of course, it’s only natural that all Yoga Teachers inject a unique character and personality into their teachings. After all that’s what life is about, being true to one self. However, this must be balanced with a complete mindset of serving others; sharing all that has been passed on to you; respecting the tradition of Yoga with energy, enthusiasm and joy.

I have Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnu-Devananda to thank for totally inspiring me. Whilst I’ve never met them I have completed Sivananda Teacher Training Courses under the tuition of direct disciples of Swami Vishnu-Devananda. Sivananda Yoga will always be at the heart of my practise and teachings. It’s given me such a solid, honest, humble, inspiring and true foundation to work from.

And whilst I have spent relatively little time with them, I must also thank Paul Grilley and John Friend. Such special people, the type you only need to be in the presence of for a matter of hours to absorb such richness of experience and knowledge. John Friend is energy personified and Paul Grilley has that unique ability of getting you to understand ‘in an instant’ what otherwise could take years of study.

Now, to the best of my ability and in the True Spirit of Yoga, I endeavour to pass on to you all that I have learnt.

And in the words of Swami Vishnu Devananda:

‘I’ve given you all I have with all of my love. It’s now up to you to share it with others.’

Today I am registered to teach with:

• The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre (Yoga Acharya);
• The British Wheel Of Yoga;
• The Thai Massage School of Chaing Mai.

Let Nature Rock The freedom and simple beauty is just too good to pass up!

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.