About Me
Well, hello there!
I am Katja Patel, founder and main teacher of Zest for Yoga & Ayurveda. I am thrilled that you have found me.
Let me tell you a little bit more about me…
What I Love About Yoga
Since my very first Yoga session, I absolutely love the sense of lightness, space and fluidity after the practice. Little aches and niggles disappear, and the breath deepens.
On the mental level, I love how stress, urgency, and recurring thought patterns are relaxing, and a new perspective is rising.
Both the above aspects, combined with the suggestions of Ayurveda, have supported me over the years with improving scoliosis of my spine and ulcerative colitis by establishing healthier behaviour patterns and a more rewarding lifestyle.
My Mission
I help busy working mums who struggle with stress, anxiety and confidence to take charge of their physical and mental health so they can enjoy the life they created for themselves.
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Learning Nourishes Me
My journey with Yoga began nearly 30 years ago in Germany, where I pursued my passion and trained to become a Yoga teacher. In 2000, I relocated to London and soon became an accredited teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY).
The transformative experience of my son's birth deepened my connection to Yoga. Having personally felt its benefits during pregnancy, I furthered my education in 2004 by completing the BWY Pregnancy Module under the guidance of Wendy Teasdill.
On my visits to the Atmasantulana Village, I embraced another dimension of wellness – Ayurveda. I trained as an Ayurvedic full-body massage therapist and later specialised in pregnancy massage.
After a decade in the world of Yoga teaching, I felt a growing interest in mentoring the next generation of Yoga instructors. This passion led me to offer regular BWY Foundation Courses. I eventually finished the BWY Diploma Course Tutor training, equipping others with the 500 hrs BWYQ Diploma in Teaching Yoga and the 300 hrs BWYQ Certificate in Teaching Yoga.
My thirst for knowledge took me to further studies in Restorative and Advanced Restorative Yoga under the expertise of Judith Hanson Lasater. I also dived into her Pranayama and Anatomy training programs.
A few years back, I took a deeper plunge into the world of Ayurveda. I graduated from the Ayurveda Pura Academy as an Ayurveda Diet & Lifestyle Consultant. Learning from Dr Deepa Apte armed me with the insights to consult on various health concerns, from stress, fatigue, compromised immune system, digestive issues like IBS, constipation, indigestion, colitis, to insomnia, skin conditions, respiratory conditions, headaches and migraines, pregnancy and postpartum care, menstrual health, seasonal cleanse and rejuvenation, weight management and more.
My Gratitude
To all my teachers past, present and future which includes my lovely family.
During my time in Germany I had the great privilege to meet Guruji Shri Balaji Tambe. My deepest gratitude to him for guiding me ever since. Shri Guruji was the founder of the Atmasantulana Village in India, which I have visited many time for seminars, workshops, training and ayurvedic treatments. His wisdom was truly beyond. He has taught me everything I know about Ayurveda, meditation, the Bhagavad Gita and to always try and never ever give up.
Gratitude to Judith Hanson Lasater my anatomy hero, who led me through my Restorative Yoga Teacher Training, the advanced version, anatomy and Pranayama training with her awe-inspiring wealth of experience in teaching.
And gratitude as well to all my lovely colleagues who have inspired me over the years with their teachings and spirits.
