Kate Popplewell

When Kate first set foot in a yoga class at a gym in London in 1999, the teacher told the class that he could never understand why some people, when finding out what he did, would say “I used to do yoga”. For him, the practice had been transformative, and once he had begun to practise yoga he couldn’t imagine life without it. The same proved to be true for Kate. From that very first class she was hooked, and her yoga practice has been a constant in her life, accompanying her through the ups, downs and life transitions of working as a lawyer in London, marriage, three pregnancies and births, a move to Sussex, and bringing up her three boys.

As someone who failed to shine at any kind of sport or physical activity throughout childhood, but who always loved to dance, the physical practice of yoga was a revelation to Kate. It was a form of movement that felt as good as dancing, a non-competitive space that enabled her to build strength and confidence at her own pace. The day she first went into a headstand, aged 41, remains one of the proudest days of her life. But more than that, Kate sees yoga as a practice of the soul. She believes that a yoga class has the power to turn a bad day around, leaving you feeling grounded and calm, and more able to cope with whatever life throws at you. The alchemy of mindful movement, breathing and meditation can create time and space to regroup when life feels overwhelming. It can also bring supportive community. Having spent too long trying to persuade everyone around her that yoga was the answer, no matter the problem, she finally trained to become a teacher in 2019. She now teaches online and in Lindfield. Kate has practised various styles over the years, and draws on her experience to adapt classes according to the needs and mood of her students. She continues to train and to expand her own