Tutors
Jasminder Lead Trainer
Jasminder was introduced to meditation in 1996 when studying ‘Transpersonal Psychology’ and ‘Consciousness and the Brain’. Whilst completing her part-time Psychology Degree she trained as a Fitness Instructor. Not long after she discovered Yoga and was immediately hooked! It was the perfect combination of emotional and physical wellbeing which inspired her to learn more. In 2003 she trained in Classical Hatha Yoga in India with Swami Govindananda. Whilst working as a Psychologist she continued teaching Yoga and completed specialist training in Pregnancy Yoga with Uma Dinsmore Tuli (2009). Yoga Nidra with the Bihar School of Yoga under Swami Satyaprakash (2010) and Restorative Yoga with Judith Hanson Lasater (2012). She successfully gained her Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher status ( E-RYT 500®) with Yoga Alliance after completing a 300 hour Classical Hatha Yoga course with Swami Govindananda (2012). A motivated student and tutor, she continues learning both contemporary and traditional styles of Yoga. This includes a 200-hour Ashtanga Yoga training with Ryan Spielman (2012 to 2013). A 300-hour Vinyasa Flow training with Jason Crandell (2015 to 2016). And more recently, a second Yoga Nidra training with Swami Nirmal in 2018. In 2019 she complete her 5 days of Yin training and continues her studies with ongoing Anatomy and Physiology training.
A qualified Psychologist (2005), Clinical Supervisor (2007) and it’s 14 years since she became a student of Zen. She believes meditation has been key in developing her teaching skills, self-practice, and balancing her day-to-day life. Jasminder creates a supportive learning environment, encouraging all trainees to develop their practice and helps in deepening their understanding of Yoga. She believes Yoga is accessible to everyone, and adapts classes for different learning styles, offering key variations, and adjustments for each student.
Jake Meditation & Philosophy
Jake Dartington is a respected Vipassana Meditation teacher. Working with Gaia House, Manchester Mindfulness, Bristol Gaia House Group, Sheffield Insight Meditation Centre, and various Meditation Centres in the UK and Europe. Jake has been practicing Buddhist Meditation and Yoga since 1995, training as a Dharma Teacher with Christina Feldman and is also influenced by Stephen and Martine Batchelor. An experienced Mindfulness practitioner and teacher he leads 8-week specialist Mindfulness courses. He has completed his Mindfulness training at Bangor University.
Jake holds Master’s degrees in both Philosophy and Buddhist Studies. Keen to bring meditation into Young people’s lives Jake has been regularly committed to teaching young people meditation retreats in Gaia House for the past nine years. Jake brings humility, warmth, and kindness, his teachings prove very popular with the Yoga Teacher Trainees.
Bhavna Mentor and Admin Support
Before joining Bahia Yoga, Bhavna worked for a family-run company in London and was training in the classical South Indian dance, Bharatanatyam, before moving to the East Midlands in 2008. While looking for a teacher training course, Bhavna came across Bahia Yoga, where she instantly felt comfortable, admiring and respecting the ethos and values of the studio. Her roles entail providing support to the studio, liaising with students and trainees via emails or calls.
Her sense of determination, hard work, and strength are proudly valued by the team at Bahia Yoga. Outside of the studio, Bhavna enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. Cooking, taking long walks, or just having cuddles, and connecting with herself. Due to the pandemic, Bhavna is taking a short break from teaching to focus on children and family life but will return in autumn, 2021. Her role is being covered by Caroline, who is acting as one of the course mentors.