I have never really listened to anyone. It still is a complete surprise, I ever began practising Yoga at all. Somewhere back in the nineties after years of abusing my body,

After years of distraction and avoidance, smoking and drinking, I embarked on an inward journey through daily Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga . I questioned if I was trading one addiction for another, but this was a healthy addiction leading to self-healing. Practicing alone to the rhythm of my breath allowed a daily dialogue with my body's inner intelligence. This practice kept my mind focused, my nerves calm, and eliminated the need for substances that never truly helped.

Finding a teacher to guide me was transformative, especially since I never really listened to anyone. This teaching was unique, focusing on encouraging me to listen to the wisdom within and nurture my soul. I learned to trust this inner wisdom to guide my decisions and actions. Although I received advice on practice, my teacher was in Thailand. Each visit gave me a year to work on the discipline of postures, breath, and my actions and behaviours.

I returned year after year, and even began my love hate relationship with India. India really pressed my buttons, it's a magical place, but India ( just like any mother) always shows you exactly where you need to shape up, boomerang karma I call it. I studied in Mysore the birthplace of Ashtanga. Practicing Ashtanga Yoga through self-practice was ideal for me.

Then in 2007 I began my deep dive into the practice of breath expansion; pranayama and the other internal limbs, such as meditation. At first I discovered  my breath was shallow and unrefined, studying Pranayama with a yogic master, changed everything, something transformed in me. I no longer went speeding through my practice craving more and more postures, I slowed down, my breath slowed down and so too did my mind. What was emerging was how I needed to love myself more, my past and the parts of me that had become disconnected.

What these years of practice have taught me is that we are not broken; rather, by feeling deeply, we allow resistance to fall away and experience our wholeness. By re-membering the fragments of self, we return to a state of completeness. Our breath connects us to our felt sense, creating a neurological feedback loop that guides us if we listen. This focus shifts us from negative patterns to a liberated heart and centered living. The essence of yoga lies not in the asanas we perform but in how we perform them, allowing the breath to flow fully by releasing tension in body and mind. This understanding inspired the creation of Evolve Yoga Training.

We use the method of self practice on our teacher training but we custom built it for your body and age. We encourage you to go slow, learning fundamental postures ( based around the ashtanga method) you become independent, you repeat postures over and over, you memorise it, you tweak it you use it to teach others. At the end of the day, you are your own teacher and healer; you are your only coach and mentor. Anyone else you encounter is either confirming or denying your truth as a sounding board to strengthen your sense of self. Health, happiness, peace and abundance are reflections of a deep level of trust within you. Our purpose as teachers of Yoga, is to take others towards the gateway of their own wisdom

Many approach Evolve Yoga Training not knowing whether they want to become a yoga teacher or not. They approach this year-long training with the inspiration to dive deep into the practice of yoga asana, the science of the breath and a love for this ancient wisdom from India that  guides us towards being the best version of ourselves.

By changing how we breathe and move, we transform our minds, shedding layers of self-doubt and negativity. This reveals a more compassionate, embodied version of ourselves, highlighting our immense power. This inner journey helps us evolve towards love.

Vicki Shields Founder & Senior Teacher