Erinn
I was lucky enough to attend a beautiful Ashtanga retreat led by Caroline and have come away completely inspired and re-engaged with my practice. Every aspect was thoughtfully planned: from the incredible food cooked by Tom, to the calming location, the supporting reading provided and the fascinating afternoon workshops that followed our Mysore practice. Caroline shares her expertise and experience so generously and is so welcoming that my nerves and guilt over lapsed practice instantly melted away, and I learned so much. I can highly, highly recommend signing up for a retreat or visiting her shala.
Rachel
Caroline is a hugely experienced ashtanga yogi of 20 years training but more than this, is a passionate teacher and advocate of ashtanga. I have just returned from Ashtanga Bristol’s first Retreat, and I’m enthused, energised and restored. I have a basic ashtanga practice that I can do at home until I’m next able to visit the shala. I’m very envious of Bristol residents who have this amazing resource on their doorstep. In a world full of yoga teachers of five minutes’ experience, Caroline and her team of assistants offer the real deal. I’ve already signed up for the next one. Highly recommended.
Alex
I have come back from attending the Ashtanga yoga retreat organised by Caroline. It was such a wonderful experience, I can’t recommend the retreat highly enough. I have been teaching myself ashtanga yoga by watching online videos, which I have found really hard work. As I live in Herefordshire, I can’t attend a local shala, but Caroline has given me a true path to follow. Since returning from the retreat, my practice has had such a deeper sense of meaning and understanding, I am now sailing through my practice, motivated by all Caroline taught at the retreat. The people I met at the retreat were a delight to be with, all were such great listeners and respectful of everyone’s journeys with ashtanga yoga. I have booked on for next year, I look forward to meeting all those who have just attended and anyone who I haven’t met. To anyone thinking of trying ashtanga yoga, please give it a go, it strengthens your mind and body, and gives you the tools to make the most of every day.
Jess
The Ashtanga Bristol Shala is a wonderful place – both Caroline and Vanessa are fantastic teachers. The whole atmosphere of the Shala is inclusive, caring and supportive with expert teaching of Ashtanga yoga. I was also lucky enough to experience one of Caroline’s yoga retreats recently in the beautiful Cotswolds. It was a wonderful weekend with Ashtanga yoga practice, insightful workshops and amazing food cooked by Tom in great surroundings. Highly recommend!
Claire
I joined Ashtanga Bristol just over a year ago at age 60 with no previous experience of yoga. Caroline has been amazingly supportive and patient as I have slowly progressed one practice at a time. I can see significant improvements in my strength, flexibility and stability- exactly what I needed. Even though I am considerably older and less experienced than pretty much everyone else who attends the shala I always feel welcome and never self-conscious- it’s my practice and I know how good it’s been for me. Also it’s good to have Vanessa – another great teacher- around to cover when Caroline can’t be there and take her own classes. It gives a real sense of continuity and community. Give it a try – you won’t regret it.
Anna
The best yoga shala in Bristol. Caroline is an experienced and kind teacher. Her passion and dedication is truly inspirational. It’s a perfect place to practice for all, beginners or experienced practitioners!
Nuala
I came to the Ashtanga Bristol shala after turning 60 and taking stock of my physical state. I had good energy and felt relatively fit but had put on some weight and had the beginnings of arthritic pains in hands and an occasional dodgy knee. I’d attended yoga classes once a week for years and always enjoyed it but could never remember poses if I tried to do them at home. I wanted to find a form of exercise that I could continue to do for the rest of my life. Running hurt my knees and doing circuits at the gym didn’t appeal so I thought it was worth a try and I’m still here, almost six years later. I’ve never been a morning person but I get up now and enjoy it, my aches and pains are gone, I’m more supple and have lost weight. These are the obvious physical benefits I’ve enjoyed and I now have a practice I can do anywhere for the rest of my life. I’ve discovered, in thinking about it, how deeply I’ve been affected by my practice at many levels and how important it is to me. Caroline is an exceptional teacher and I feel very privileged to have found this special place.
Louise
I stumbled upon Caroline’s yoga programme about 3 months before my 40th birthday and I am so glad I did. I was a stressed out Mum with two small children and found dealing with the demands of Motherhood – the school run, tantrums, racing from one appointment to another – had put me in a constant state of fight or flight. I had little or no time to myself was constantly tired and had put on weight.
I came to the Shala and slowly but surely started working my way through the poses of Primary series. I am naturally flexible but lack strength particularly in my upper body and core. I am happy to say that after a year of practice I am noticing big improvements, I have more energy my clothes fit better and I am much stronger. But where I have seen the biggest change is in my state of mind. I am calmer and more organised. I feel more in control of my emotions and am able to act rather than react in stressful situations.
It takes dedication but I have started to love the early mornings, creeping about before any one is up, coming to the Shala and enjoying the quiet energy. We are all here, all shapes and sizes, all ages and abilities. Just everyone getting on with their practice and working through what ever stuff they need to work on. Caroline is an instinctive teacher who knows exactly when to push you and when to tell you hold back. She is always very positive towards her students and will believe in you, more than you believe in yourself.
Jennie
I first started Astanga when I was 46, having been a dedicated gym bunny for years. I likened the practice to ‘Jane Fonda meets the Buddha’ (for those who can remember the aerobics craze!) I never thought I would give up my grapevines for down dog, but I was immediately bitten by the Astanga bug! Having studied with a number of teachers over the years, I have found in Caroline Simpson an empathetic teacher, with great patience, humility and knowledge. She allows you to find your own path into the practice, whilst retaining its authenticity. In following Astanga, it is important to honour its teachings and philosophy; Caroline’s experience and Authorisation keeps the practice pure and relevant. Caroline has created Astanga Bristol, the only Shala in the area, with dedication, and she and her assistants provide a safe, non competitive and supportive environment in which you can develop your practice, whatever your age, ability or experience. Astanga has sustained me through the vicissitudes of life so I love my regular practice at the Shala and can truly say that I learn something every time come off my mat.
Ren
I had been to various yoga classes, irregularly, before my first session with Caroline around 6 months ago. I had read about the Ashtanga method and found Caroline listed on the KPJAYI site. I felt a little self conscious at first coming to the self-practice style of learning. Having to begin my practice without being led by a teacher in unison with the rest of the class was foreign to me, but once you get used to it it’s great to be in a room surrounded by people of all levels focussed on their own practice, with Caroline busy assisting everybody individually as they need. No other yoga teacher has offered me the same amount of explanation and individual attention.
It’s a method that makes complete sense to me. Learning from the beginning, step by step has allowed me to take what I learn in the Shala and practice myself at home, which is something I had never done before. I am already so much stronger and more flexible than I was only 6 months ago – and that’s without practicing as much as I should be! It’s amazing how quickly regular practice starts to work on your body. I wouldn’t say it’s always enjoyable. It is a challenging practice, but it’s rewarding and for the first time I feel determined to stick at it. Caroline is a very dedicated, enthusiastic and encouraging teacher which plays a big part in that. I am very happy to have found Ashtanga Bristol.
Nicola
Yoga has come in and out of my life for twenty years. I would bring it back into my life when I noticed my body getting tight from other activities, such as running or cycling, and I would let it escape my life when my schedule got busy. One could say I had commitment issues. One day I had the privilege of watching Caroline practice and I was blown away by her strength and flexibility; I was inspired. I signed up for her classes just over a year ago and soon learned Ashtanga was different from any other style of yoga I had practiced. Certain things made far more sense to me in Ashtanga (I didn’t need to have gazelle legs to do downward-facing dog), while other aspects have challenged me both mentally and physically (getting past certain poses).
Like everyone, my life is full. I balance motherhood, a busy career as a writer, volunteer time in the community, physical activity and time with family and friends. I get to the Shala once a week, sometimes twice, but the other days I’m in my living room before the household wakes up, taking the time I need to focus on me and my practice. It’s my commitment to myself.
