Gregory Angell
"Health is wealth. Peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way." Swami Visnu-devananda
Ten years ago I was working in London, as a Financial Director, for a company riding the wave of the internet boom. I was very young, life was wonderful, and little seemed to transpire against me. Having spent the previous ten years gaining valuable experience in various organisations, whilst studying to become a Chartered Accountant, it seemed the right place to be.
No matter the above logic, and pleasure of life, I knew my future endeavours would soon follow a different path. Each one of us is totally unique. Each one of us possesses a wealth of unique qualites. Each one of us thrives in situations that make best use of these qualities. The gift of being able to give the best of what you have is indeed very precious.
Even though I lacked a clear vision of a more suitable career there was a very attractive ‘short term’ alternative, namely travel. With no fixed plans, simply living in the moment, I spent a year travelling the world. It was brilliant!
Upon my return my mother gifted me a birthday card from all the family. Inside the card were the words ‘We have arranged for you to have four private Yoga lessons. Enjoy!’ I had always been involved with sport and physical fitness and yet, despite the repeated efforts of a ‘concerned’ mother, Yoga had never attracted me. For a start, wasn't it only middle aged women with blankets who did yoga!
Fresh from a years care free travel, and not being one for waste, I booked my first Yoga lesson. During this very first lesson I decided to become a Yoga teacher, I simply loved it. During the early stages I knew very little about Yoga. I viewed it purely as a physical activity that, as if by magic, totally transformed body and mind. I found the sense of health and wellbeing after a Yoga session to be so complete when compared to other sport and fitness disciplines
Sparked by my enthusiasm for Yoga I once again I set off travelling, only this time there was a purpose. I practiced Yoga, studied Yoga, and qualified as a Yoga Teacher and Thai Masseur – completing my Yoga Teacher Training in France and Thai Massage Teacher Training in Thailand.
Today I am registered to teach with:
- www.sivananda.org - The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre (Yoga Siromani and Yoga Acharya);
- www.bwy.org - The British Wheel Of Yoga; and
- www.tmcschool.com - The Thai Massage School of Chaing Mai.