Mark Stevens
Then in the 1990s I attended Siivananda Retreats and the Yoga Vedanta Centre in Putney, where Swami Krishnadevananda and Swami Atmaran inspired me take my first teacher training... Yoga and painting gradually merged into one creative endeavour. Early 90’s - Iyengar Yoga (Barbara Harding, Cambridge University Yoga Club) Late 90’s - Iyengar Yoga (Sasha Perriman, Cambridge Iyengar Institute) 1996/8 MA Fine Art (Norwich School of Art, UK) 2003- Sivananda Teacher Training (Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram, Kerala India) Here I met my teacher Swami Govindananda Saraswati. This was a life changing experience that gradually redirected my energies from painting to the full time practice, study and teaching of yoga. 2003 - Yoga Studio Ely established. 2003/4 - Sivananda Intensives (Swami Kailasananda, Sivananda Ashram, France) 2005 - Yogic Meditation Teacher Training (Swami Saradananda, London) 2006/7 - Sivananda Asana (Janeshwari UK) 2007 - Advanced Sivananda Teacher Training (Swami Govindananda, Uttarkashi India) 2008 - 2011 - Ashram Retreats, Vedanta, Homa (Swami Govindananda & Swami Nivedananda, Yoga Studio Ely) 2008-9 Jivamukti (Sandra Heider, Equlibrium Yoga, UK) 2009 - Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training (David Life and Sharon Gannon, New York) 2009/15 Jivamukti (Ruth Lauer Manenti & Yogeshwari, USA, Switzerland, UK) 2014/15 - Vinyasa Krama Teacher Training & Workshops (Srivatsa Ramaswami, London) 2016 - Jivamukti Intensive (David Life & Sharon Gannon, Woodstock USA) 2016 - Svastha Yoga, Krishnamacharya Lineage (A.G & Indra Mohan, Birmingham UK & Online) 2017 - Nadis and Nervous System (Robert Moses, Yoga Sudio Ely) 2017 - Sivananda, Bhagavad Gita Ashram Retreat (Swami Tatwarupananda, Yoga Studio Ely) 2018-20 Pranayama and Kundalini Yogic Meditation (Gregor Maehle, London, Yoga Studio Ely, Italy, Glastonbury) 2020 Ongoing - Emergence of Yoga, Asana & Pranayama (TK Sribashyam - Krishnamacharya’s son) (Stephen Brandon, Wells UK) 2021 Ongoing - Vinyasa Krama Asana (Jennifer Campbell, Online) 2023 - Yoga Yajnavalkya Study (Dr. Lubomír Ondračka, Yogic Studies) 2024 - Hatha, Kundalini Yoga (Reinhard Gammenthaler, UK) Jivamukti slowly transitioned to Vinyasa Krama as I explored the origins of Vinyasa Yoga, inspiring a deep dive into the lineage and teachings of the Father of Modern yoga Sri T Krishnamcharya, my teacher Srivatsa Ramaswami’s Guru for 35 years. I took a vow of stability in 2015 to focus on building community, teaching yoga and growing food. I relaxed this vow in 2025 to travel to India again. 2025 - Vinyasa Krama Intensive & Yoga Rahasya Study (Mysuru India with a now 88 year old S. Ramaswami) ****** I have never really been that interested in Styles or Traditions of Yoga, but rather in dedicated and inspiring practitioners who passionately share this beautiful and transformative art form. I offer my deepest gratitude and respect to all the teachers who have enriched and changed the course of my life, and to my partner Marion without whom none of this would have happened… In the end, there is only one Guru and only one Yoga. Keep the faith, enjoy your practice, be happy… and let’s work together to make the world a better and kinder place. OM Nama Shivaya Mark
Born in 1957.
I started a regular yoga practice while studying BA Fine Art In the mid 1980s.
I was attempting to repair my body after sustaining some serious injuries while road
racing motorbikes in my twenties, and It really worked!
I started with “The Sivananda Book of Yoga.” Practicing on my own in my painting studio
for two years.
The Studio
Over the years, we have lovingly created this space as our home and a sanctuary for yoga. It is a place of peace and inspiration, designed to support and deepen your practice in a welcoming environment. Here, you are encouraged to move, breathe, and grow at your own pace, surrounded by a community of like-minded yogis. We want you to feel safe, happy, and at ease, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your practice, find balance, and connect with others on this shared journey.
We cultivate our garden organically, growing much of our own fruit and vegetables in harmony with the seasons. Our orchard and pond areas are carefully maintained as a haven for wildlife and native plants, fostering a natural balance that supports biodiversity.
Respect for the environment is important to Yogis. The principle of Ahimsa (causing the least amount of harm in thought, word and deed) is the first Yama (Yogic moral principles), guiding us to tread lightly on the earth. Through mindful living and sustainable practices, we honor this commitment, creating a space where nature and yoga come together in harmony.
The Studio
VINYASA KRAMA
(The art form of movement, sequencing and breath)
Mark’s classes are rooted in the Vinyasa Krama method of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, as passed down by his teacher, Srivatsa Ramaswami, who studied with Krishnamacharya for 35 years. This traditional system is a mindful, breath-led practice that refines the mind, body, and heart over time. Unlike fast-paced flow yoga, Vinyasa Krama involves repetitive movements (vinyasas) that prepare the body for static postures. The breath remains slow and steady, using conscious Ujjayi techniques, Bandhas (energetic seals), and Dharana (mental focus) to guide students toward Dhyana (meditation). With a mix of open and closed-eye focus, the practice incorporates Marma and Drishti gazing points and integrates Mudras for energetic refinement.
YOGIC MEDITATION
(Description)
Mark’s classes are rooted in the Vinyasa Krama method of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, as passed down by his teacher, Srivatsa Ramaswami, who studied with Krishnamacharya for 35 years. This traditional system is a mindful, breath-led practice that refines the mind, body, and heart over time. Unlike fast-paced flow yoga, Vinyasa Krama involves repetitive movements (vinyasas) that prepare the body for static postures. The breath remains slow and steady, using conscious Ujjayi techniques, Bandhas (energetic seals), and Dharana (mental focus) to guide students toward Dhyana (meditation). With a mix of open and closed-eye focus, the practice incorporates Marma and Drishti gazing points and integrates Mudras for energetic refinement.
YOGA PHILOSOPHY
(Description)
Mark’s classes are rooted in the Vinyasa Krama method of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, as passed down by his teacher, Srivatsa Ramaswami, who studied with Krishnamacharya for 35 years. This traditional system is a mindful, breath-led practice that refines the mind, body, and heart over time. Unlike fast-paced flow yoga, Vinyasa Krama involves repetitive movements (vinyasas) that prepare the body for static postures. The breath remains slow and steady, using conscious Ujjayi techniques, Bandhas (energetic seals), and Dharana (mental focus) to guide students toward Dhyana (meditation). With a mix of open and closed-eye focus, the practice incorporates Marma and Drishti gazing points and integrates Mudras for energetic refinement.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY
(Description)
Mark’s classes are rooted in the Vinyasa Krama method of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, as passed down by his teacher, Srivatsa Ramaswami, who studied with Krishnamacharya for 35 years. This traditional system is a mindful, breath-led practice that refines the mind, body, and heart over time. Unlike fast-paced flow yoga, Vinyasa Krama involves repetitive movements (vinyasas) that prepare the body for static postures. The breath remains slow and steady, using conscious Ujjayi techniques, Bandhas (energetic seals), and Dharana (mental focus) to guide students toward Dhyana (meditation). With a mix of open and closed-eye focus, the practice incorporates Marma and Drishti gazing points and integrates Mudras for energetic refinement.