Tracy is a qualified yoga teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga
About Tracy
Tracy is a well-respected yoga teacher and runs Summerhouse Yoga in Horsham, West Sussex, which she set up in 2010.
She offers regular classes, private tuition, workshops and the BWY 60 hour Foundation Course. She is a BWY 500 Hour Diploma Holder and has been a BWY Teacher since 2007. She supports and encourages student teachers, new teachers and those considering Yoga Teacher Training.
She has taught at the Om Yoga Show London in 2017 and 2018 and represented the BWY in 2019. In 2019 she was also recognised as one of Sussex’s top Yoga/Pilates teachers in the Muddy Sussex Local Awards. As well as her love of practising and teaching yoga, she is also a busy mum to two daughters, Emma and Amy, and wife to husband, Lee.
My yoga story
Tracy remembers her first yoga class well. It was in a large, cold school PE hall. She says "There were lots of people and I found my way to the back, far out of sight of the teacher." She realised the benefits to her body and mind straight away and after that class she was hooked!
She first discovered yoga in 1997 as part of her rehabilitation from a terrible accident being knocked down by a bus as a pedestrian in Vancouver, Canada! She had always led an active life, being a runner for many years. But the accident left her with a damaged spine and chronic back and neck pain.
A far-sighted GP recommended yoga and, with an inspiring osteopath, she began to rebuild her health. She understands how pain and tension can be debilitating and fully believes that a regular yoga practice developing strength, flexibility and relaxation can keep students mobile, strong and pain-free.
She says "For me, practicing yoga is a simple choice - it keeps the pain away! It makes me feel free and at ease in my body and mind."
Being a Yoga Teacher
Tracy was accepted on a British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) Teacher Training 500 hour Diploma Course in 2004, qualified in 2007 and started teaching straight away.
She says "When I first met my husband we spoke of our dreams. Mine was to give up "work" and teach yoga and I love that I am doing that in Horsham!"
She set up Summerhouse Yoga in 2010, initially with 2 evening classes a week. An additional evening class was added, then 2 daytime classes, an annual garden charity class and most recently the BWY Foundation Course in 2019. This seems to be just the right balance to manage with family, yoga workshops, 1-1 yoga sessions, her own yoga practice and CPD. With lockdown in spring 2020, all Tracy’s classes, workshops and the Foundation Course moved on line overnight on 16 March 2020.
Providing a sense of community is at the heart of Tracy’s Summerhouse Yoga & Wellbeing. Through the Covid-19 pandemic, Tracy has kept all students connected through a Facebook Community Hub, WhatsApp Groups, and Zoom Charity Classes to name a few. Tracy’s annual Garden Charity Yoga Class has been a key date in the Horsham Community Diary for the last ten years. The 2020 Charity Class looks set to take place via Zoom.
In her yoga teaching Tracy has worked with complete beginners, experienced yogis, students with Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, rehabilitation after Stroke and pregnant students. She is immensely proud of inspiring a number of her students to take up their own teacher training.
The British Wheel of Yoga
I am proud to be a British Wheel of Yoga teacher. The aim of the British Wheel is to "promote good safe practice of yoga through trained, experienced, qualified teachers. We intend to be a guide for all who practice yoga."
The British Wheel is the largest yoga organisation in the UK and is also a registered charity, recognised by Sport England as the National Governing Body for yoga. There is a national network of qualified teachers. The British Wheel also offers training courses, a Foundation Course and a 300 hour Teaching Certificate and 500 hour Teaching Diploma. In-Service Training is a vital part of being a British Wheel of Yoga teacher.
More information on the British Wheel of Yoga is available at the website: www.bwy.org.uk or click on the picture below
