Come meet our fully accredited Teaching Team…

Each of our wonderful teachers brings something different and unique to their classes, yet all have undergone extensive yoga teacher training.

They are here to meet you exactly where you are in your yoga journey, and offer their knowledge, understanding and support.

Scroll below to read more about our team!

OUR DIRECTORS…

  • RISE ACADEMY DIRECTOR

    Yoga was introduced to me 20 years ago and it has been a part of my life ever since, I have been teaching for 6 years, qualified to teach Hatha, Tantra and Raja Yoga.

  • I’m a busy mummy of two young children and enjoy a lifestyle of natural living and holistic wellbeing. I love the outdoors, good food, dancing, socialising, old Volkswagens and snowboarding!

    I also run a business, Dubholistic, Beauty and Wellbeing. Healing the body, inside and out. Dubholistic provides natural products and wellbeing services to our customers, helping individuals to be their best self.

    Find me in Fold Yoga or @dubholistic and at www.dubholistic.co.uk

  • Back in 2013, aged 50, I apprehensively attended my first yoga class, I was immediately hooked. Slowly growing my practice at home, at local studios and on line, then attending workshops, retreats and training courses. Eventually taking teaching training, it has been truly life changing.

  • My passion now is to spread the word and to encourage anyone and everyone to give yoga a chance.

    If you are not sure whether yoga is for you then my one to one introduction to yoga sessions give you the opportunity to find out. We start with no expectation and assume you know nothing. I guide you through what to expect from a yoga studio, introducing you to what happens in a yoga class and we also explore the ranges of your mobility, gently investigating what practice is best for you. The intention is to ease you into group classes when you feel ready.

    Recently I have attended breathwork training and this has opened another new world for me. The breath and how we use it forms a major part of all of my sessions

  • RISE ACADEMY DIRECTOR

    I first discovered Yoga as a dance student and initially attended Yoga as a way to inform and strengthen my body as a dancer. It wasn’t until I was a busy, young working Mum craving space that my practice started to evolve and a deeper sense of self and consciousness came to awareness on the mat.

  • Through physical asana and spiritual teachings I found that my yoga practice began to be a place of internal sanctuary; providing space to look within and observe what’s already there, enabling not only more space in both body and mind, but also a place to move towards becoming a more conscious, calm and considered human being.

    Eventually, I decided to embark on a yoga teacher training and trained with Authentic Flow Tribe with Satu Tuomela and Fanny Olsson in Authentic Flow tantra Yoga (200 hours) and Shake the Dust (50 hours), Embodied Tantra Yin (50 hours) and Mandala Yoga (50 hours).

    Alongside teaching Yoga, I am a Dance Artist and Movement Therapist/Coach.

OUR TEAM…

  • When I first tried yoga, it wasn't love at first class for me. I was never a naturally flexible person, and I left the class feeling a bit rubbish and put off….

  • I then didn't go to another class for a couple of years! I then tried Yoga again whilst travelling in Bali, and the teacher wove in philosophy and teachings of self-acceptance and I just fell in love…I left my first class feeling so much lighter and wanted more! Enjoying the peace and mental clarity it brought me, I brought the practice back home with me and it's been a part of my life since. In the past I've struggled with anxiety and body image and yoga provided me with the safe space to reconnect to myself with a sense of compassion and acceptance.

    I decided I wanted to learn to teach yoga as I wanted other people who felt that they weren't good enough to go to yoga to find the peace and calm that I had.

    I completed my 200hrs in Ashtanga in March 2018 at Abhinam Yoga School in Goa. The teaching here highlighted practising in a way to prevent injury and cultivating a life-long practice. Whilst Ashtanga provided a solid base for my learning, I prefer to teach a little less rigid, allowing space for exploration and intuition. I teach my classes with an emphasis on feeling good, rather than looking good, remembering how I felt when I was a newbie.

    My classes emphasise mindful movement and connection to the breath with little bits of yogic philosophy woven in.

    When not on the mat you'll find me up a hill in the beautiful peak district, reading, or cooking up some vegan goods in the kitchen.

  • Hi! My name is Helen and I am trained in Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin yoga, but my real passion and speciality being in Restorative and Yin.

  • I believe that these two wondrous forms of yoga allow the body to heal, balance, reconnect and recharge, using the simplicity of the breath, which is what I encompass in my classes.

  • Although I had attended various yoga classes throughout my life, I had not attended one for several years. After years of bouts of clinical depression I started to attend Dru yoga classes and soon felt the benefits not only physically, but on a deeper emotional level…

  • After attending several workshops and retreats I felt drawn to learning more and applied to undertake my teacher training as my own personal journey. At first I had no intention of teaching I just wanted to know why it was helping me. During my training, my bouts of depression started to fade and my confidence returned I started to feel that I wanted to share this yoga with others. I have taught classes for 12 years now. I also completed my teacher training in meditation.

    Yoga for me is a continuous journey, every class or workshop you attend deepens your knowledge and personal practice bringing you back to the still point within.

    Yoga keeps me calm, balanced and happy, it completes my day.

    Outside of yoga I love to walk often with my dogs, I have practised Tai Chi, and done several energy medicine courses (during lockdown) with Donna Eden and Prune Harris.

    I celebrated my 70th birthday last year on the Velocity Zip Wire in Bethesda

  • I initially discovered Yoga in my early 20s but used it sporadically simply as a way to have a “nice stretch”. It wasn’t until many years later, following a couple of life events, when my relationship with yoga truly started.

  • Firstly, I found myself with PTSD following an abusive relationship. Secondly, I had had enough of being a burned out Primary School Teacher and SENDCo. I started attending daily yoga classes, finding myself in a beautiful community. I felt more connected to myself and more connected to others than I’d ever experienced before.

    As my practice evolved through the space and time in the spiritual teachings and self-enquiry, it continued to inform and shape the way my life needed to change.

    I am passionate about creating a community, to give back, to support beings to truly meet themselves exactly where they are, in all flavours of how we can be in our human experience. I believe the more we open back to ourselves, the more authentic we express as our true nature. Yoga is yours and it is your practice; I feel privileged to be able to be your guide for part of that journey.

    I weave elemental enquiry into my teachings in an inclusive way through flow, meditation and nidra, yin and restorative.

  • Hi! My name is Donna, and I am a Cheshire based Yoga Teacher. My passion for yoga came from an enjoyment for movement and a call to support my mental health.

  • I had left an intense dance training background harbouring depression and anxiety which left me battling myself and my mind. Finding the practice of yoga provided me with a pathway to come back to myself, and it gave me the tools I needed to find peace and compassion.

    I felt called to complete my teacher training in Rishikesh, India in January 2020 so I would be able to help others find their connection to themselves through yoga. Yoga has given me so much personally; I wish to help others struggling with mental health learn better ways of coping with their feelings and emotions.

    What I hope you can get from my teachings is a feeling of positivity towards yourself and your journey. The aim of each class is to 'Cultivate positivity through mindful movement.'

    Outside of yoga I love spending time outdoors, travelling or cosying up with a good book!

  • My yoga journey began eight years ago, during a challenging time in university when I started searching for answers. Like many, I found my first yoga class at the gym—and was fortunate to learn from incredible teachers right from the start. Inspired, I took my mat with me and off I went to explore.

  • Through the ebb and flow of adventures and "normal life," yoga became my anchor. My mat was my constant, offering stability no matter where I was.

    Upon returning home, I immersed myself in my practice, eventually completing my 200-hour YTT and 20-hour Somatic Tantra training, falling in love with the process. This journey allowed me to shape a personal practice that truly feels like home, both in asana but also in location. Today, yoga serves as my foundation, grounding my airy nature and the building block for meaningful connections. It has become the source of balance, growth and belonging. 

    My classes hold space for asana, pranayama and meditation but  blend in somatic flare to encourage presence and deeper self-awareness. My approach is welcoming, supportive, and designed to help you connect with yourself, wherever you are on your journey.

  • I came to yoga as a compliment to other pursuits such as climbing and mountaineering but soon found the practice had its own immeasurable benefits not only to my body but also my mind.

  • After several years of practice, I decided to deepen my knowledge and travelled to India to gain my 200hr training in Ashtanga and Vinyasa. I studied traditional Indian yogic philosophy under Sudhir Rishi which opened my mind to more than just the physical asanas that are commonly practiced in the western world. I continued to travel on to practice and teach in Thailand, New Zealand and Peru.

    As a qualified mindfulness practitioner in Mindfulness Based Stress reduction and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy approaches, I bring a mindful element to all classes including grounding and sometimes longer meditations such as compassion to self and body scans. My passion lies in making yoga accessible to all and I’ve recently undergone a 30hr Trauma Informed and Social Justice training with Mei Lai Swan. I have over a decade’s experience working in the mental health sector and advocate yoga on being an excellent way to improve well-being.

    Off the mat you’ll find me up a hill or on a rockface and if it’s raining, I’ll be dancing badly and singing off tune, reading or being creative in the kitchen.

  • Yoga has become a central part of my life despite being relatively new to the practice.

    Yoga has had a transformational impact, enabling me to live a much more spiritual, connected and fulfilling life.

  • Whilst I have always been physically active, yoga has enabled me to find much more balance, strength and flexibility in both my body and mind.

    Yoga practice at Fold has opened up for me a loving and caring community; I am delighted as a teacher to give back to this community.

    My teaching focuses on breath and alignment; creating space for others to find the powerful potential of their bodies and to discover previously unreleased elements of themselves.

  • Like many, my yoga journey began with a quest for more physical strength. But over time the practice gifted me community, presence and a new mental resilience, and shifted my relationship with anxiety in ways I didn’t know were possible. 

  • I completed my yoga teacher training in Tantra & Hatha Vinyasa Yoga, with further qualifications in Restorative Yoga & Yoga Nidra. I wanted to share what I’d discovered in a digestible way, guiding practitioners to find strength and space in body and mind - and hopefully discovering friends along the way. 

    My classes are underpinned by awareness and curiosity - using movement, breath, philosophy and meditation to reconnect with the self. I take a “softly strong” approach to dynamic classes, balancing challenge with play. For stiller, more restorative practices I love to focus on settling the nervous system in a conscious, meditative way. 

  • I first came across yoga around 9 years ago, using it as a sort of rehabilitation after a surgery. I attended weekly classes which were very much based around the asana.

  • I believe that these two wondrous forms of yoga allow the body to heal, balance, reconnect and recharge, using theFollowing the birth of my two little ones, I started to really dedicate the time & space to practice. Discovering classes which embodied free movement and philosophy changed everything for me & I completely fell in love with it.

    Yoga has become my safe space, finding connection not only with my mind and body but a beautiful community.

    Off the mat, you will find me spending time in nature with my family, running or reading a cheesy romance! simplicity of the breath, which is what I encompass in my classes.

  • My studies and early working life as a doctor taught me that it can be a real challenge to find the balance between trying to do your best at your job, looking after yourself, and all the other things life sends our way. Practicing yoga helps me reconnect and create more space for compassion, for others and myself.

  • Through my teacher training, I found real curiosity in examining the ways in which my perspectives on the body and movement harmonise. Viewing aspects of medicine and yoga through the lens of each other is something I look forward to exploring more as my teaching develops.

    “It’s not about making people feel better. It’s about teaching them how to be better at feeling.” - Gabor Mate

  • I carried out my first YTT in Rishikesh in 2019 and have since trained in Shake The Dust and Somatic Tantra with Jen and Satu. Alongside yoga I practice Qigong, work as a massage therapist and am currently training in Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture. ly discovered Yoga in my early 20s but used it sporadically simply as a way to have a “nice stretch”.

  • It wasn’t until many years later, following a couple of life events, when my relationship with yoga truly started.

    My practice has evolved in many ways over the years, from a purely physical practice, to a practice of freedom and inner work, to a tool for healing alongside chemotherapy. The practice I do and share now is focussed on being more present with what is here. Expect playfulness, activism, compassionate movement and meeting our edges!

    Off the mat you’ll find me dancing, passionately debating, hugging trees and reading fantasy.

  • Steph has been practicing yoga for 10 years and teaching for 6, trained in vinyasa, mandala, yin, nidra and pre natal. She is also a qualified yoga therapist with a special focus on supporting people with symptoms of anxiety, stress and burnout.

  • Her classes are laced with philosophy and anatomy with a strong focus on mind-body connection and self empowerment, with students finding Steph to be a warm and light hearted guide. She believes there is an aspect of yoga that every person can benefit from both on and off the mat.’

  • I started coming to yoga over 15 years ago when I was a burnt out Manchester midwife! It came into my life via my gym membership and predominantly as an exercise practice. Eventually, I felt called to know more leading me to complete my teacher training and this really was just the tip of the iceberg…

  • I loved yoga because I felt I could come to class and put my body in interesting shapes and move in a way that felt good, and above all I loved being told what to do as it meant I could just zone out for an hour. 

    However, I slowly came to realise that I was missing the magic and that in order to truly connect with myself I needed to leave my comfort zone.

     I gradually came to more free movement and somatic practices that have helped me to grow as a person and to truly experience a journey into self. These days you’ll find me shaking things up both on and off the mat and living the freedom this brings me. Being asked to join Fold is a real dream for me. The studio and its amazing space holders have been integral in my yoga and movement journey.

     My classes are always inspired by what I come up against in life and include slow flow, restorative, yin and Shake the Dust. I am bubbling with excitement and happiness to share what I’ve experienced. A journey of self knowledge, discovery and joy in the freedom free and intuitive movement can bring. I love all things yoga because it can be whatever you want and need it to be. That’s the magic of movement.

  • I first started practicing yoga in my early 20s for the physical benefits. Although it was always a way to alleviate stress as an addition to this, I only discovered the multitude of other benefits yoga brings through exploring different forms of meditation a few years later.

  • This exploration slowly allowed me to understand embodiment and experience yoga in a different way.

    In between the physical asanas, yoga philosophy, and a sense of flow brought about through movement, I’ve been able to access moments of stillness, comfort and ease that has helped me through life’s challenges. 

    I recently completed by 200 hour teacher training with Rise Academy which has taken my love for yoga to a whole new level. But I am forever a student, and yoga is a continuous journey. With a masters in Psychology, and a trainee Psychotherapist, I’m fascinated in bringing together eastern wisdom and western thinking, and hope to sprinkle this into my teaching. 

  • An E-RYT 500 and YACEP certified yoga instructor, Gràinne is a dedicated Dharma student and teacher with over 1000 hours of training. As a Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master, and @cimspa certified professional, Gràinne offers group, corporate, and private yoga classes, as well as teacher training, workshops, and retreats. 

  • Gràinne is passionate about helping clients enhance their lives holistically, using the ancient practice and science of yoga as a guiding tool. The philosophy and fundamentals of yoga are deeply woven into her daily life and practice. 

    With a background as a runner and a strong interest in sport, health, and nutrition, Gràinne has studied foods that heal and nurture the body from the inside out. 

    Gràinne’s interests further extend to psychic development, the holy science, inner engineering, thought power, meditation, and the practice of silence, making her approach to wellness both comprehensive and deeply spiritual.

    Gràinne helps support people to better their life on all levels, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. She is passionate about a life that embodies a complete and holistic perspective”