Paul Smith and Stephen Smith are directors and owners of Yogasmiths Limited!
We are both fully insured Yoga Teachers through the British Wheel of Yoga and have up to date Health and Safety certification. Book a Yoga Class with us via our online Yoga Shop.
Please see our bio’s below to learn about Yogasmiths.
Paul Smith, Yoga Teacher
I first practiced yoga back in 2005 in my lunch hour at work. I started my regular yoga practice back in 2010 to alleviate back pain caused from my civil service desk job. I soon began to realise both the physical and mental benefits that a yoga practice provides and from then on I was hooked!
I worked in middle management in the Civil Service for 15 1/2 years and latterly was the Learning and Development manager. I was responsible for a large Learning and Development budget and for a range of both professional qualifications and more generic training. I qualified as a workplace coach and enjoyed helping others to realise their own potential through coaching.
A yoga retreat in Goa in 2014 was a turning point in my Yoga journey when I realised I wanted to become a Yoga Teacher and to change my career.
I initially qualified as a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Yoga Teacher and then started the British Wheel of Yoga Teaching Certificate Course shortly afterwards. I instantly loved the staged approach and inclusive nature of the British Wheel of Yoga style of teaching. Once I had completed the 300 hour teaching certificate it was a natural progression to further my training to the 500 hour diploma.
In October 2016 I took a week long training course with the Special Yoga Foundation in “Special Yoga for Special Children” accredited with Yoga Alliance and recognised by the British Wheel of Yoga.
In November 2019 I qualified as a British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course 1 tutor.
I continue to undertake extra training and feel that there is always something to learn and have a thirst for knowledge seeking out interesting teachers to train with.
My personal practice currently consists of a mixture of ashtanga, traditional Hatha and yin yoga which I find is a nice rounded practice.
I am also interested in my allotment, vintage scooters, music, permaculture, travelling and vegan cooking.
Yoga Qualifications
- British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course 1 Tutor
- British Wheel of Yoga – Level 4 teaching diploma (500 hours) with Carol Price
- British Wheel of Yoga – Level 4 teaching certificate (300 hours) with Paul Fox and Carol Price
- British Wheel of Yoga – Level 4 teaching Gentle Years Yoga certificate (126 hours) – chair based yoga teaching qualification
- The Body Aligned – Yoga, Functional Anatomy and Injury (60 hours) with Sarah Ramsden (Yoga teacher for Man Utd & Man City & Ryan Giggs)
- The Body Athletic – teaching yoga to athletes and in sport teacher training (80 hours) with Sarah Ramsden (yoga teacher for Man Utd & Man City & Ryan Giggs) – on-going
- 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course completed
- 8 week Mindfulness Self Compassion (MSC) course completed
- Certificate of Achievement in Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance – Monash University
- Certificate of Achievement in Maintaining a Mindful Life – Monash University
- Certificate of Achievement in Understanding Anxiety, Depression and CBT – University of Reading (5 week course)
- Certificate of Achievement in Ageing Well – Why Older People Fall – Newcastle University (4 week course)
- Certificate of Achievement in Sleep Deprivation: Habits, Solutions and Strategies – University of Michigan (2 week course)
- The Yoga of Service – Ram Dass – 4 week course
- The Science of Teaching Yoga for Athletes – The Institute of Yoga Sports Science (40 hours – 7 week course)
- Yoga Sports Science Techniques ( 2.5 hours – 7 modules)
- Special Yoga for Special Children certificate from the Special Yoga Foundation (50 hours)
- Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs teacher training (2 weekends)
- Feldenkrais for Yoga workshop with Dan Geldblum (6 hours)
- Intelligent Yoga workshop with Peter Blackaby (6 hours)
- Exploring Twists workshop – Zoe Knott (6 hours)
- The Eternal Energy of Yoga with Tao Porchon-Lynch (100 year old yoga teacher) at Kripalu Retreat Centre in Massachusetts
- Deepening Into Stillness – 7 days of teachings and meditations with Eckhart Tolle and Kim Eng
- 5 Keys to Becoming a Meditation Teacher with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield
- Yoga Alliance Teacher Training Certificate in Hatha Yoga and Hot Yoga (200 hours)
- ILM Level 3 award in Coaching
- Attended introduction to Zen meditation at Stonewater Zen Centre Liverpool
- Attended Mindfulness for business seminar
- Member of a local Mindfulness meditation group in the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition
- CIPD Level 3 certificate in Training Practice (associate member level)
- 72 hour Permaculture Design Certificate
- BSc Hons Geophysics (Geology)
Stephen Smith, Yoga Teacher
I first went to yoga when I was suffering from depression and anxiety in 2010. I was looking for anything that would be helpful in my recovery but also in the long term management of these conditions. Yoga helped me a great deal and the regular practice of yoga continues to benefit not only my mental health but my physical health too. Yoga isn’t only about the physical postures but also about learning how to accept and deal with thoughts and the daily stresses of life. The physical postures and breathing techniques allow us to be more mindful, not just on the yoga mat, but in every day life.
I was lucky enough to spend my 30th birthday at a yoga retreat in Goa. It was at this point that I decided teaching yoga and sharing what I have gained (and continue to gain) from the practice was something I wanted to take forward.
I qualified as a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Yoga Teacher in 2016 and commenced the British Wheel of Yoga Teaching Certificate Course to consolidate my skills and knowledge. Upon completion of the certificate course it felt a natural progression to upgrade to the 500 hour Diploma.
Whilst also working as a yoga teacher, I continue in my work as a Senior Orthoptist (vision and eye movement specialist) working with people of all ages in the hospital and community setting.
In October 2016 I undertook a week long training course with the Special Yoga Foundation in “Special Yoga for Special Children” accredited with Yoga Alliance and recognised by the British Wheel of Yoga. A passion of mine is making yoga accessible to all, by offering yoga to people of all abilities and to those who may not easily be able to access yoga through a general class.
My other interests include travelling, music, spending time with our dog, and eating Paul’s vegan cooking.
Yoga Qualifications
- British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course 1 Tutor
- British Wheel of Yoga – Level 4 teaching diploma (500 hours) with Carol Price
- British Wheel of Yoga – Level 4 teaching certificate (300 hours) with Paul Fox and Carol Price
- British Wheel of Yoga – Level 4 teaching Gentle Years Yoga certificate (126 hours) – chair based yoga teaching qualification
- The Body Aligned – Yoga, Functional Anatomy and Injury (60 hours) with Sarah Ramsden (Yoga teacher for Man Utd & Man City & Ryan Giggs)
- The Body Athletic – teaching yoga to athletes and in sport teacher training (80 hours) with Sarah Ramsden (yoga teacher for Man Utd & Man City & Ryan Giggs) – on-going
- 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course completed
- 8 week Mindfulness Self Compassion (MSC) course completed
- Special Yoga for Special Children certificate from the Special Yoga Foundation (50 hours)
- Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs teacher training (2 weekends)
- Feldenkrais for Yoga workshop with Dan Geldblum (6 hours)
- Intelligent Yoga workshop with Peter Blackaby (6 hours)
- Exploring Twists workshop – Zoe Knott (6 hours)
- The Eternal Energy of Yoga with Tao Porchon-Lynch (100 year old yoga teacher) at Kripalu Retreat Centre in Massachusetts
- Deepening Into Stillness – 7 days of teachings and meditations with Eckhart Tolle and Kim Eng
- 5 Keys to Becoming a Meditation Teacher with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield
- Yoga Alliance Teacher Training Certificate in Hatha Yoga and Hot Yoga (200 hours)
- Attended introduction to Zen meditation at Stonewater Zen Centre Liverpool
- Member of a local Mindfulness meditation group in the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition
- 72 hour Permaculture Design Certificate
- BSc First Class Honours degree in Orthoptics, 2005
- Student Teaching Certificate at The University of Liverpool