Hilary Totah has been practising yoga since 1978 in parallel with her career as a Shiatsu Bodywork practitioner and teacher. She has explored many styles of yoga, and for the past eight years has been a student of John Stirk, who worked directly with Vanda Scaravelli. She has many years experience working with the body and has an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and body mechanics.

Hilary says  ‘I find this way of working suits me, allowing me to find my own pace, build up my core strength and maintain flexibility. At the same time I am finding more peace and a deeper understanding within.’

Hilary is a registered yoga teacher with the Association of Independent Yoga Practitioneers (AIYP) and fully insured.

Hilary Totah is registered and insured as a yoga teacher with the Association of Independent Yoga Practitioners (AIYP).  She has been practising and working with Yoga since 1978 and was a Shiatsu bodywork teacher from1986.  Hilary was Principal of The British School of Shiatsu-Do from 1999 until 2004.

Hilary says: ‘I have a passion for working with the body and after my many years of bodywork experience I have developed a particular interest in anatomy and body mechanics. I like to use my knowledge of anatomy and structure to help my students visualise the body, understand how it works and learn how to realign the body through the practise of yoga.

For the past ten years, I have studied with John Stirk, yoga teacher and osteopath, I find his way of working inspirational and challenging. It suits me – giving me time to explore postures deeply, developing inner awareness and allowing me to find my own pace. John worked directly with Vanda Scaravelli.

In Scaravelli-inspired Yoga, the primary focus is not ‘to do’ the posture or the breath but to undo the body and its resistance, to patiently unravel old habits, including the urge to 'do' itself’ - to invite, to find rest and rhythm, allowing gravity to open the body.

I have developed my own style of teaching, using these influences. In my classes, I teach simple yoga postures, encouraging my students to work slowly with deep awareness and the breath; to rest in postures and allow the body to unfold, lengthen, widen and to feel the ground beneath the feet. The surface muscles can then lengthen and soften, rather than pull and stretch, the joints can open and tension and holding dissipates. At the same time I encourage students to work at their own pace and within their range of fitness.

Yoga is about developing freedom in the body and inner awareness, helping to develop mobility, poise and the ability to relax. Yoga is not about striving or trying hard. At its most rewarding practising yoga become an open-ended, ever-expanding self-exploration.’

Hilary offers a Friday morning class at 8 a.m. at The Wellington Centre which is suitable for all levels of experience and is priced £7 for a single 60-minute class, or £36 for a book of six one-hour vouchers.  (Please bring cash or cheque book to pay Hilary direct.)

Ideally, do call Hilary on 07885-523862 before attending a class for the first time, so she can explain early morning access to the building (before our Reception is open), and ask any relevant questions about your experience/any previous injuries, etc.