Yoga Teachers

BHAVESH RAMJI

Introduced to meditation as a child, Bhavesh began his yoga journey in India, completing 200hrs Hatha and 300hrs Ashtanga training. Teaching since 2018, he brings authentic tradition to the mat, guiding students to experience yoga as a complete mind, body and spirit practice. With a warm and engaging style, he helps people of all abilities develop their practice in a way that supports both physical health and inner calm.

HANNAH COATES

Hannah’s yoga journey began as a hobby and grew into a way of life. Trained with Vikasa Yoga, she blends Hatha and Vinyasa into dynamic yet grounding classes, closing each with meditation and deep relaxation. Also a passionate gardener and art director, she brings creativity, gratitude and calm to her teaching, helping students find peace both on and off the mat.

HARRY HEWETSON

Harry first turned to hot yoga to improve his back, weight and fitness while working in the bath restoring trade. He went on to train in Bikram Yoga in Los Angeles in 2013, later qualifying in Inferno HIIT Pilates and nutritional therapy. Passionate about health and wellbeing, he has introduced hot yoga and innovative fitness classes to the East Midlands as the co-owner of Optimum You with his wife, Bex.

HELEN BRAITHWAITE

Helen discovered yoga in 2012 as a busy teacher and new mum in need of some ‘me time’, and never looked back. She qualified through Sun Power Yoga’s 200hr programme in 2018 and has since added training in Yin, Rocket, Wheel, Hotpod Vinyasa, chair-based yoga and exercise referral, and is currently studying Yoga Therapy. Her style is strong but supportive, she meets students where they are, offering challenge that’s always accessible. She believes yoga is for everybody and every body, from toddlers to the twilight years.

KAREN IDE-LYDIATT

Karen came to yoga later in life, after years of balancing a busy career in Finance with raising her children. What started as a search for flexibility became something far bigger, an anchor that helped her cope mentally and physically through personal challenges, alongside a supportive, inspiring community.

This led her to explore yoga more deeply, and earlier this year she completed her 200hr Teacher Training at Orange Yoga, Cheltenham. She’s since enrolled in a 2-year, 300hr Advanced Teacher Training, starting with a specialism in Chair Yoga, alongside ongoing workshops and learning from other practitioners.

Karen’s practice blends Hatha and Vinyasa, with a steady-paced, accessible approach that gives students time to build strength, mobility and a deeper understanding of the poses, while having fun discovering what works for them.

LIAM McMAHON

Liam began yoga in his late twenties for its physical benefits but soon discovered its deeper power for self-awareness and connection. Since qualifying as a teacher in 2023, he has focused on creating welcoming classes where students can explore their own inner landscape while enjoying the sense of community yoga fosters. He believes taking time for ourselves is vital for both mental and physical wellbeing.

LUNA KENDALL-TORRY

Luna’s journey with yoga, meditation and Buddhism began in 2003, supporting her through challenges with mental health and addiction. Over time, she found balance through dynamic Hatha practice and deeply restorative Yin yoga. Her classes focus on self-care, inner enquiry and connection, often including guided meditations and healing sounds to help students relax deeply and reconnect with themselves.

PAUL HODGETTS

My name is Paul and when I’m not doing yoga, I enjoy playing golf, watching Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, and cooking. I have been married for 34 years to my wife Judy and we have two grown up children, Chris and Katie.

Professionally, I have worked most of my life in senior management positions within the computing industry. The pace and stress of this environment led me to search for an outlet that would provide calmness and stillness – I have found this, and more, with yoga.

I believe yoga is a great tool to deal with life’s stresses. I have been practising yoga for over 15 years and 5 years ago gained my yoga teaching qualification in India under the guidance of Oceanic Yoga. It would be great to see you at one of my classes.

ROSEMARY BOOKER

With over 20 years of teaching, Rosemary blends spiritual depth with physical practice in classes that are both uplifting and transformative. She teaches traditionally, focusing on more than just fitness, and her sessions are filled with warmth, laughter and connection. Her contagious enthusiasm inspires students to feel alive, open and empowered.

SARAH GORDON

Yoga gave Sarah focus when life felt chaotic, becoming a tool to steady both mind and body. In 2024, she travelled to India to complete her 200-hour Hatha and Ashtanga teacher training at Oceanic Yoga, and has since deepened her practice with training in breathwork and sound healing.

Her classes weave together movement, breath and awareness, a calm, nurturing space where students of all levels can find balance, grounding and self discovery.

SUE WOOD

Yoga has been a part of my life since my late twenties and a decade later I found the opportunity to undertake yoga teacher training with an amazing teacher called Sabina Stahl in 2012. I loved her flowing style with attention to alignment and adjustments. I felt a whole new world of opportunity had opened up. after undertaking pregnancy yoga with British School of Yoga a year later I found myself not only running my first pregnancy yoga class but falling pregnant myself ! I feel yoga has had a profound effect on my approach to health and I am passionate about providing a safe and calm space during pregnancy which can be both an incredible and vulnerable time. I certainly credit my yoga training to supporting a healthy pregnancy and calm birth which did not go to plan but I feel my training allowed me to keep my grounded energy flowing in a hectic maternity ward. I look forward to supporting you during your pregnancy and sharing skills I have learnt to help you cope and thrive.

Yoga for pregnancy, birth and beyond promotes mental and physical wellbeing, calm, strength and inner balance. Every woman’s unique journey from conception, pregnancy, giving birth, and becoming a mum involves great physical and emotional changes. Knowing how to use and adapt yoga techniques, to breathe, move and relax during pregnancy, will honour and empower you through labour and birth, whether it is natural or caesarean section, and provide a spectrum of support tools throughout your life as a mother.

My yoga sessions build and focus on strengthening and supporting your pregnant body, your positions for labour and birth and yoga breathing techniques to promote control and relaxation. You can expect safe uplifting movement practices and meditations to connect you to your baby and each session finishes with deep relaxation.

Pregnancy and yoga for birth classed can be attended from 14 weeks of pregnancy and you are welcome to attend post natal yoga with your baby after your have been signed off by your GP, usually around 6 weeks.

REBECCA WHARTON

Yoga has been a constant for Becca over the years. She’s always been encouraged to take what she needs from a class, to do as much as she’s able to, and to know that’s enough, with no pressure or expectations placed on her practice.

She aims to create that same safe, welcoming space for her students, encouraging them to take care of not only their physical health, but their mental health too. Becca teaches Hatha, Slow Flow and Restorative Yin classes, helping students steadily build strength and flexibility while creating room to focus on themselves, decompress, and come away feeling a little calmer.

RUTH STEEL

Ruth began yoga during a difficult period and found it to be a powerful anchor to the present. With over 600 hours of training in Hatha, Vinyasa and Pregnancy Yoga, she shares the practice as a tool for mindfulness, gratitude and well-being. Her classes are designed to support each student’s personal journey, both physically and emotionally.

Karmi Yogi Programme

Share Your Good Vibes and Get Free Yoga

Our Karmi Yogi Energy Exchange program gives students the opportunity to deepen their yoga practice, regardless of their financial situation.

Karmi Yogi’s are an integral part of our studio family – their passion and dedication is what makes our community special. In exchange for working 4 hours per week cleaning and supporting the studio, Karmi Yogi’s will receive unlimited yoga and lots of other perks!

Want to become a bigger part of our community in exchange for free yoga? Have 4 hours a week to spare? Our Karmi Yogi Energy Exchange program is for you!

To apply or if you know someone who would like to be considered, simply contact us at hello@optimumyouyoga.com