Leonie Dunlop
My yoga journey began over 20 years ago and right from the beginning it offered me access to levels of peace inside me that I never remembered having experienced before. I had been working as a massage therapist for a couple of years and had an interest in wellbeing but yoga was exactly what I needed to learn to really relax and begin to blossom. I became a regular practitioner straight away and attended many classes of different schools and styles. I have had long phases of practicing Ashtanga vinasa, Iyenga and Kundalini yoga as well as trying other types that were available locally as I and my family relocated several times.
In 2002 I trained and qualified as a reflexologist and then, after experiencing a few transformational Hypnotherapy sessions, became very interested in the power of the mind, levels of the unconscious and their effects on our health and wellbeing. I trained for 2 years with Phil Parker (inventor of the lightening process) in London to become a master practitioner of Hypnotherapy, NLP and Life coaching. Over many years, I researched deeply into this fascinating field and have helped many amazing clients to transform themselves and their lives, running a successful Holistic therapy business. I have since completed many other Holistic therapy training courses, adding these to the flavour of the work I offer and am now feeling deeply inspired in my current work as a Cranio-Sacral therapist. I have a wide variety of interests from Crystal healing to horse riding but yoga is always number one. Through the years it has served as an anchor to my soul during life's many challenges, as well as helping me to develop physical, mental and emotional strength, stamina and peace.
In 2006, I was extremely lucky to meet a truly enlightened master of yoga, Sri Swami Purohit. After mastering Kriya, Hatha, Tantra and Mantra yoga and meditation over a 50 year period he was encouraged by his spiritual master to bring the traditional teachings of Himalayan masters to the west. Recognising him for who he is, I began following his guidance and committed to a daily yoga and meditation practice which he assured me would accelerate my learning and expansion of consciousness. As I have found this and everything else he says completely true I have continued ever since. Beginning in 2011 I attended his 18 month advanced yoga and meditation course, then continued in 18 month modules to complete levels 2, 3 and have now been committed to his ongoing Kriya yoga of light programme and daily practice, for many years He has graced me with a view of many aspects of yoga and 12 years ago gave me his blessing to teach. The asana and pranayama practice he has taught me includes plenty of relaxation throughout in which we integrate the changes, stimulated by movement, into our energetic system. This system, in most cases, is not functioning as well as it could due to unnatural living and particularly, repressing emotions over time. When it is fully functional meditation happens naturally and joy is our expression.
Through Swami Purohit's broad and thorough research he has developed a style which has powerful effects while being fairly simple to perform and can be adapted to suit everyone.
Although I have continued enjoying other styles of yoga as well, I have found Swamiji's 'Pure yoga' the most powerful in stimulating the activation of chakras and movement of prana through the whole energetic system than any other kind I have tried.
In 2014, while travelling in India, I attended a Hatha and Astanga vinasa teacher training course at Siva yoga peeth in Rishikesh. This is a brilliant school and studying there has greatly deepened my knowledge, understanding and ability to teach a broader spectrum of diversity in my classes. I was also given a 'Best student' certificate on qualifying and have enjoyed teaching workshops, classes and retreats in Southern Spain, Sussex and Tenerife, ever since. I recently enjoyed and completed a Yin yoga teacher training course, learning about the Chinese, 5 element theory and meridian system; which has also, enhanced the diversity of knowledge, from which I guide students.
I love teaching, as I have a great passion for healing and transformation and am deeply Inspired by the possibilities of empowering people to develop themselves, on all levels, through yoga.
I usually feel very fulfilled in experiencing the growth of the group, during a one week retreat and especially love leading them at the beautiful oasis of Cortijo Romero!
My preferred style is a fusion of traditional Hatha yoga and the Pure yoga of Swami Purohit. In my classes you can expect plenty of stimulating and opening movement, followed by deep relaxation, powerful pranayama breathing exercises and access to deeper levels of consciousness inside you. I like to introduce and weave the wide ranging elements of yoga into my retreats and workshops and have studied many ancient, Hindu scriptures
For me yoga is all about authenticity. How can we live in a way that is more true to ourselves, and therefore in alignment with the natural world.
I have an interest in all true, yoga paths and as well as benefitting massively from all the styles I have explored, regularly attend Satsang (association with truth) and Bhakti group meetings. I am also a Mum, Nan and student of life. In truth, I love all aspects of yoga and intend to continue practice until the day I leave this planet.
Aum shanti x
Email: flexibletherapies@ymail.com