What career did you envisage for yourself when you in the Sixth Form at Downe House?

I went on a World Challenge expedition to Nepal between my sixth form years, and had a very clear idea that I wanted to work for them after University.  As it happened, I spent just over seven years there managing the support teams. It was a brilliant job - hard work, but a lot of fun - and I met my husband there so it all worked out quite well!

What has been your career path since leaving Downe House?

After I left World Challenge, I joined a small social action charity called Fixers based in Winchester.  I managed a team of youth workers across the country who worked with young people motivated by a personal experience or circumstance to help others and ‘fix’ the future.  We would use media to raise awareness on all sorts of issues like mental health, eating disorders, cyber-bullying, addiction or abuse, through to preventing food waste or drink-spiking.  It was a fascinating place to work and so inspiring to see young people turning  really tough experiences into something so positive.

My children, Leila now 8 and Toby now 6, were born while I was working at Fixers  so I had my first experience of juggling work and parenthood.  It was a challenge and I felt the inevitable shift in priorities.

Just after Toby was born, we found we were going to be moving to Denmark through my husband’s job with the Foreign Office.  We spent three amazing years in Copenhagen, soaking up the Scandi lifestyle and perfecting the art of hygge. With two small children and no grasp of the language, having a regular office job was difficult so it was there that I decided to teach yoga to children.  I already had an adult teaching qualification, and practised regularly with Leila and Toby, so it seemed like a natural thing to do.

The Foreign Office offers grants to ‘trailing spouses’ for training that will lead to a portable career - effectively meaning that partners of FCO staff can accompany them on overseas postings without completely sacrificing or putting their careers on hold.  I used my grant to do a couple of online courses and, in May 2015, The Little Yoga Company was born, and I started teaching classes to the large expat community in Copenhagen. I would teach drop-in classes for toddlers as well as after school clubs for children at a couple of the International Schools.  I could timetable my teaching to fit in around family commitments and school holidays.

I never thought my career would take that direction but family circumstances were such that I was able to set up a little business and do something really rewarding.

What is your current job role?

We moved back to the UK in 2017 and I got a job at the National Trust, working with the Visitor Experiences team and organising some internal conferences.  It didn’t take long for me to realise that I missed teaching too much so last year I dropped down to working three-days per week at the Trust, and started teaching again. So, my current job is split between being a small cog in a huge national conservation charity and being a one-woman-band running my own yoga business.

Describe a typical day.

It depends which day of the week you ask!  At the moment at the National Trust I’m working on a couple of large conferences taking place in the summer so it’s all about venues, agendas, delegates, logistics, and bringing people together from properties across the South East in the most cost-effective (we are a charity!) way possible.  

I’m part of a small team but I get to work with so many fascinating and passionate people, and, of course, visit some of the country’s most treasured properties and places.

On a yoga day I load up the car with mats and props and drive between classes. I teach a breakfast club session at a local school and then go on to a group of 2-3 year olds at a nursery setting. After that I head to a prep school and teach 8-10 year olds within their school day - it’s part of their curriculum - then an after-school club in a village hall.  

I love being able to get creative, planning and theming my lessons, and weaving some traditional yoga theory into my classes, even with toddlers.  It’s hugely rewarding too. So many children now have problems with anxiety and an inability to switch off.  When I hear from a parent that their child has been sleeping better, or coping with their tantrums more effectively, I almost burst with pride.

What has been the biggest challenge you have experienced with your career?

I think I’d have to say the two main challenges have been having children and our adjustment to being a diplomatic family.  Having said that, it was those challenges that led to me teaching yoga to children so I now see them as great opportunities to re-evaluate and adapt.  

Where do you hope to be in five years’ time?

I’m leaving the National Trust in a few months, which will be bittersweet.  I have loved being part of such a highly regarded organisation, but I’ve realised I would rather teach full time.  I know we will be in the UK for at least the next three years, but in five years… who knows? I’d love to think we will be in another fascinating city and The Little Yoga Company will continue its global journey!  

To read more about The Little Yoga Company, visit their website: thelittleyogacompany.com