Hamish Hendry

I started yoga when I was eighteen as I couldn’t touch my toes. I began with a few books and local classes until 1986 when I was fortunate enough to meet Derek Ireland. Derek was teaching astanga in Greece and I stayed and learned with him every day. In 1995 I began studying with K Pattabhi Jois in Mysore and I have been returning most years ever since to continue my studies with Sharath Jois.

I moved to London in 1999 and live with my wife Anna and daughter Talia. I have been certified to teach astanga since 2001. I get up at one every morning to practise before teaching. My other interests are running in nature, yoga philosophy, origami and helping the homeless.

Hamish is the owner of Astanga Yoga London and teaches the weekday early morning Mysore self-practice programme. Please email or message Hamish if you’d like to join his classes.

Louise Newton

I stumbled upon astanga yoga in 1999 and soon found Hamish who has been my teacher ever since. I first visited Mysore in 2006, one year after beginning assisting Hamish. Assisting evolved into teaching and I love being part of the morning programme at AYL.

I believe it is my duty to be welcoming and inclusive creating a safe and non-judgemental space for all students to find their own path, allowing them to explore, deepen and develop a practice which is both sustainable and supportive to their life.

Louise teaches the weekday mid morning Mysore self-practice programme, the Saturday led and the Sunday early morning Mysore self-practice class. Please email or message Louise if you’d like to join her classes.

Lauren Munday

My yoga story started in my early twenties, like many, at gym yoga classes. This led me to practising with Hamish and finding our community at Astanga Yoga London in 2007. I still practise with Hamish daily, and, after assisting for several years, I now teach the evening programme with Tom.

I received my authorisation level 2 from Sharath Jois in Mysore and have a Diploma in yoga therapy. As well as teaching the evening programme I’m very fortunate to teach a weekly community class and other classes for vulnerable adults. I’m also a TCTSY trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator. TCTSY is an empirical validated intervention for complex trauma.

I believe the physical practice of yoga can create healing within our body-mind, and the philosophy can inform our anti-oppressive practices to create healing in our society. I’m committed to creating a safe practice space for everyone who comes to the shala and acknowledge the continuous learning required on my part to ensure I’m able to do this.

Lauren teaches the yoga community class as well as the weekday evening Mysore self-practice programme alongside Tom. She also facilitates group TCTSY trauma sensitive yoga sessions at AYL. For info on TCTSY trauma sensitive yoga click here. Please email or message Lauren if you’d like to join her classes.