About Luci Phipps

All GuildfordYoga classes are taught by me, Luci Phipps – read on to find out what inspired me to become a yoga teacher and learn more about my education, qualifications and experience.

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How I came to fall in love with yoga

I worked in an office in London during the 80’s and 90’s and long hours commuting, using computers and sitting in meetings made my body ache and creak. As a consequence I really didn’t feel too good physically or mentally.

When I found yoga everything changed for me. My body, habits, mental attitude, relationships and eventually my job. Even my rheumatoid arthritis felt much better.

I am proof that yoga is a powerful force for change. Because I have had such a positive experience, I love sharing yoga with others to help them grow and develop in whatever way enlivens them.

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Biography

BSc. Physiology (1984-1987) – Ignited my interest in how the body works and my teaching is firmly rooted in scientific fact

MBA (1989-1990) – I am interested in business and enjoy running my own company

My first yoga class (1992) – The first of many

Karuna Yoga Teachers Training Diploma with Ruth White (2000-2002) – This very thorough (Yoga Alliance 500 hour) teaching qualification opened my eyes to the depth and breath of the yoga discipline

First Aid for Yoga Teachers (every 3 years) – Safety is always paramount in my classes

Set up GuildfordYoga (2003) – I love to share yoga with those who are keen to learn

Yoga for Survivors® (2015) – This 150 hour (18 month) yoga therapy diploma offered me the opportunity to extend my teaching skills and bring the joy of yoga to anyone who has been touched by cancer, see the Yoga Therapy Classes page for more details.

Therapeutic Wisdom of Yoga (2020) – 32 hour yoga therapy course with Doug Keller covering both myofascial and functional understanding of pain problems and how they arise. Including principles of postural and movement assessment, tools for understanding structural and myofascial roots of chronic pain problems, and practical approaches through contemporary alignment-based hatha yoga postural practice aimed at addressing them.

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Yoga experience

Over the years I have practiced and trained with many teachers and in many different styles of yoga, most notably:

• Astanga Vinyasa with Pattabi Jois, Liz Lark and Granville Cousins
• Iyengar with Ruth White, Mira Mehta and Arup Sen
• Other Hatha styles with the Sivananda Centre in Putney, John Stirk and Simon Low
• Yoga therapy with Mukunda Stiles, Laura Kupperman and Doug Keller
• Yoga breathing (Pranayama) with Philip Xerri
• Buddhist meditation at Rivendell Buddhist Retreat

I continue to study extensively, training with other yoga teachers, reading widely and practicing daily. My passion lives on.

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Teaching experience

I have over 8500 hours of teaching experience, so students know they’ll be safe and well looked-after. My unique teaching style reflects my diverse background and having learnt and practiced widely I choose the technique to suit the class or individual. So students will always be learning something new and challenging in my classes. You can check out my teaching style by watching free yoga videos on my You Tube channel.