About Sarra
Iyengar Yoga Teacher & Bharatanatyam Dancer
1993 Soul Searching begins
I first studied Yoga at University in England as a Philosophy student, age 19. I was inspired by the Indian Moksha traditions and their understanding of the mind, the self and freedom from suffering.
I had just moved to England from Singapore where I was brought up since the age of 5. I wanted a feeling of belonging and meaning to navigate my next steps in life.
Backpacking for months around India on numerous trips I continued soul searching from the Himalayan mountains to the Deserts of Rajasthan - and Australia.
1998 Indian Dance
After a boyfriend break-up I decided to go to South India to learn Indian Classical Dance. No internet – I landed on my own in Mumbai with travellers’ cheques, and a Lonely Planet.
I visited RIMYI Institute Pune and met BKS Iyengar. After a month of travelling, I arrived at Kalamandalam Sumathy’s house in Perumbavoor, Kerala. As my Guru, she lovingly took me under her wing.
I lived with her and her husband learning Bharatanatyam as one of the family and performed at Temple festivals. This relationship was the first of a few such connections with Bharatanatyam teachers later in Chennai and in London.
2000 London teaching yoga and working as a professional dancer
became Yoga Alliance 500 hour yoga teacher under Ruth White in Cheam. I taught my first classes for her in Sutton and Banstead in 2001. My passion for dance grew and I co-created Beeja Dance company with Anusha Subramanyam. I moved to North London and worked as Performing Artist and Community Dance Practitioner.
2008 Moved to Cranleigh, Surrey Hills
Running to the beauty of Surrey countryside and living with my new partner I started to focus on Yoga teaching full -time.
2024
With a full schedule of classes I greatly value my relationship with students that has developed over the years and continues to do so. This includes developing my knowledge in yoga therapy to help with peoples age related issues, injuries, and health conditions as they arise. I am currently assisting in Patsy Sparksman's therapy class to develop my skill in this area.
Current Inspiration
Edwin Bryant continues to teach me the relevance and application of yogic wisdom teachings. His teaching on stilling the mind and bhakti (the path of love) continue to bring depth to my personal practice. I also completed 6 months of his Sanskrit course. This is bringing my experience of the Yoga Sutras more accessible and more alive.
Ethos
I continue to seek ways to translate and make relevant my experiences of Yoga in a way that meets the needs of the people who come to me and their aspirations.
