Today’s Holistic Therapist – Nell Lindsell

Fans of ‘Dragon’s Den’ may remember yoga teacher, Nell Lindsell, when she first appeared with her business partner at the time, Lara Goodbody, on the programme in 2006, presenting YogaBugs for children. With the YogaBugs company still thriving despite turning down investment proposals, Nell continues to enjoy teaching yoga classes for adults and runs wonderful yoga retreats in the UK and abroad. You read more about her work on her website www.yoga-forever.com

When Nell phoned to invite me to offer Indian Head Massage sessions at her Yoga Retreat in Midhurst on 22^nd-24^th February 2013, I took the chance of asking her to become Today’s Holistic Therapist…

What prompted you to train as a Yoga Teacher?

When I was 25, a friend and I decided to go on a ‘Walkabout’ to India where we were keen to learn how to meditate.  Whilst in Kerala, we met a most inspiring teacher who had just finished his training with BKS Iyengar who originally brought yoga to the UK in the 60’s.  He told us that we couldn’t focus our minds until we learned how to relax our bodies through yoga. My mother had practiced yoga in the 60’s during her early ‘brown bread’ days and I was curious. I’d also been a gymnast as a child and loved the fact that yoga integrated fun inversions and a wonderful range of varied and enjoyable postures.  

What style of yoga do you teach?

Since completing my training over 20 years ago (initially studying with the British Wheel of Yoga) and subsequently taking lots of Iyengar, Sivananda, Astanga and Jivamukti classes with some excellent teachers, I now teach a fusion of my favourite styles. I particularly like the accuracy and alignment of Iyengar, the flow and breath of Astanga and the variety of Jivamukti. 

Describe how you feel that yoga has really benefitted your students

I have been lucky enough to share my passion for yoga with children and shared their excitement in the YogaBugs fun themed adventures for children aged 2 ½ to 7 year olds, It is magical to witness their enjoyment and complete immersion in the stories which stimulate their imagination.  They always end up as the heroes of the adventure which helps build their confidence and self esteem.

I have loved teaching pre and post natal mothers and sharing their experiences during these life changing times and I even trained as a doula to help deliver their babies.

However, I still feel that one of my most rewarding experiences has been teaching older adults. I am lucky enough to teach 3 classes a week at a Balham Park Surgery in SW London.   I have taught many of the people for over 10 years now and lots of them come twice a week.  One lady joined me when she was 80 and continues to attend 2 classes a week.  She has made so many friends and has gone from not being able to get off the floor to almost leading the class with her excellent posture work and confidence.

Can you share any helpful tips that have worked for you?

I truly believe that variety, informality and fun are the best ingredients to any yoga class. People like to feel welcomed into an environment that may feel unfamiliar and new to them and greeting them warmly can make a real difference. Yoga classes often develop into a great sense of community and friendship.

What path are you hoping to follow in future?

I really do enjoy teaching and I am so grateful for the opportunities that it has offered me.  Thanks to the volume of people that I now teach in the London area, I am able to run regular retreats and I find these incredibly rewarding. Each one is so totally different and each one so enjoyable. There was recently an article in The Daily Mail about my retreat in Morocco. More….

I am looking forward to continuing my teaching as there is so much variety and I love putting together a new lesson plan each week. I am also hoping to offer a short on-line classes to my students in the future.

Join Nell at her Retreat in Midhurst, West Sussex – February 2013.

Nell will be hosting a retreat at Dunford House in Midhurst, Sussex for those wishing to enjoy a more gentle approach to yoga from the 22^nd to 24^th February 2013. Everyone is very welcome – from ‘newbees’ to more advanced yogis! Details of the weekend are on her website www.yoga-forever.com.

Mary Atkinson, author of The Art of Indian Head Massage, will be offering Indian Head Massage sessions at this retreat.