Gabriella McMahon
Member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
Certified Meditation Personal Trainer
First Aid Qualified and Insurance
Qualifications: CYQ Diploma in Teaching Yoga Level 3 - Anatomy and Physiology Level 3 - QCF Ante and Postnatal Exercise Level 3 Principles of Exercise Level 2 - PD Approved Meditation Instructor Training - Certification in Yoga Nidra
Exercise to Music - Level 2
Before I became an Instructor - my professional background was as an Executive Assistant and Events Planner in the City of London where I worked for a number of years. A combination of wanting to leave the rat race and a stressful hectic City working life, along with my love of keeping fit and Yoga led me to train as a Yoga Instructor.
I started teaching Yoga at various gyms and fitness establishments, after undertaking my teacher training. In 2015 I also started teaching locally - combining my day job with Friday evening and Sunday morning classes in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.
Due to demand, I decided to pack in my day job and opened my own Yoga studio (G.M. YOGA) in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire in August 2016.
The studio went from strength to strength. I was awarded Yoga Instructor of the Month in April 2017 by Global Heath & Pharma Magazine, and voted by readers in the January 2020 edition of the Bucks Free Press as being in the top five best yoga studios in Buckinghamshire. In addition, the studio has also been voted in the top 5 best Yoga studio in Bucks and Oxon in 2022, by Muddy Stilettos.
In October 2023, I decided to semi-retire from teaching Yoga, and moved away from Bourne End. Sadly, this meant me giving up my beautiful studio. My reasons for making this move was to focus more of my time on family life, cut down on the amount of classes I was teaching, and start a new business venture..
During the COVID pandemic, and lockdown, my creative juices got flowing, and I invented and designed a new Yoga accessory – the Yoga BandTM. My online shop www.yogabandshop.com went live in October 2023, and I am enjoying my new journey, as well as more free time now I'm not running the studio.
I still teach Yoga, but to a lesser degree in Bourne End/Wooburn Green, and in the Hambleden, and Lane End.
There are strong aspects to my classes - I like to break down the barriers around yoga and fitness which make it seem intimidating or out of reach for some people, and encourage everyone to explore the incredible benefits, of looking after your mind and body. My classes are mixed ability and suitable for participants of all age groups and fitness levels. Classes are always adapted to suit individual needs as required.
I teach with a light-hearted manner, and I bring a fun and explorative element to all of my classes, encouraging participants to challenge themselves and try new things, but only if they wish to.
If you are considering taking up yoga, please be assured - you do not have to be flexible to enjoy yoga. My classes are very relaxed and fun. I will push you to challenge yourself, but never force you to do something you are not comfortable with - I will always offer alternatives if needed. My fundamental aim is for you to have fun, improve your fitness and RELAX.
Yoga has made my life very clear and disciplined. It has taught me how to be calm, how to conserve my own energy to do the things that really matter, and not take things for granted. My whole life has changed through teaching yoga. If I can share some of what has been shared with me, and have that affect one person I teach, that would be amazing. This is why and teach and this is my purpose.