Guides on the Path
Meet Your Teachers at Yoga Nature Sheffield
Ben & Jo - Founders of Yoga Nature
Rooted in Sheffield and inspired by the Earth, we are Ben and Jo, life partners and co-founders of Yoga Nature (est. 2004). With backgrounds in philosophy, education, prehistory, eco-science, and geography, we bring a deep curiosity to what it means to live well and consciously in a fast-paced, fragmented world.
With over 50 years of combined experience, our approach to yoga teaching in Sheffield goes beyond physical movement. For us, yoga is a living philosophy, a compass for sustainable, meaningful living.
Our first class began with a friend's encouragement, and since then, Yoga Nature has grown into a community-rooted yoga school, offering nurturing yoga classes for adults, children, and schools across Sheffield.
A Unique Approach to Yoga in Sheffield
Our teaching reflects the things we love most: nature, simplicity, slowness, and seasonal rhythm. Just like the cycles of the Earth, our sessions encourage gradual, authentic transformation, rooted in mindfulness, grounded in breath, and inspired by yogic values such as ahimsa (non-harming).
We believe yoga should be nourishing and accessible and never overwhelming. With the right conditions, we believe all beings can bloom.
We also believe in rest and integration. That’s why we keep a humble class timetable, invest in our local Sheffield community and schools, and make space for our own inspiration through time in nature, travel, and stillness.
Meet Jo - Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher
Jo has been practicing yoga since 1991 and teaching since 2004. Her classes are inclusive, trauma-sensitive, and deeply compassionate - welcoming everyone from children and elders to those healing from trauma, homelessness, or addiction.
Her practice is grounded and tender, guided by mantra, movement, and the inner path of yoga.
Jo’s Yoga Training & Experience:
Dru Yoga – 4-Year Teacher Training (2008)
Kids & Teens Yoga – 1-Year Certification (2007)
Yoga Dance – 10-Day Courses (2008, 2011)
Sound & Mantra – 2-Year Course (2010)
Yoga Therapy for Back Care – 18-Month Course (2011)
Antenatal Yoga – 1-Year Course (2013)
Chakra Studies – Mandala Ashram (2015)
Pranayama Training – with Philip Xerri (2017)
Prana Vidya – Mandala Ashram (2016–2018)
Kriya Yoga – 1-Year Course (2019)
Jo continues to explore yoga’s depths with curiosity and joy - bringing her evolving wisdom into every class.
Meet Ben - Philosophical Yoga Guide
Ben brings a calm, reflective energy to Yoga Nature Sheffield. After training at Mandala Ashram, one of the UK’s leading yoga centres, Ben began designing and leading courses exploring the philosophy and subtle dimensions of yoga.
His classes integrate mantra, silence, poetry and meditative stillness - inviting students to explore the heart of awareness through steady, grounded practices.
Ben’s Yoga Training & Experience:
Yoga Teacher Training – Mandala Ashram (2-Year BWY-Accredited, 2017)
Prana Vidya Retreat – Mandala Ashram (2019)
Vasistha Pranayama Training – Sheffield Yoga School (2018)
Workshops & Retreats – with Swamis Gyandharma, Brahmananda, Pragyamurti
Bhakti Yoga & Community – Co-organiser of Sheffield’s Ganapati Groove
Creative Workshops – Mantra Groove and Satsangs
Courses Authored – In Search of the Essence of Yoga & The Yoga of Philosophy
Ben is also an avid researcher and reader, bringing depth and authenticity to everything he shares.
Why Choose Yoga Nature Sheffield?
At Yoga Nature, we don’t aim to grow big - we aim to grow deep.
We offer yoga that is:
Authentic and values-based
Community-focused
Aligned with nature and the seasons
Rooted in compassion and sustainability
Whether you're new to yoga or deepening your practice, we’d love to welcome you into our small and soulful community in Sheffield.
🌿 Join us at Yoga Nature and discover yoga that feels like home 🌿
