Claire Phoebe Saunders

Claire was a direct student of Pattabhi Jois for five years and of his grandson Sharath Jois for 20 years. She has a daily practice and is one of very few teachers in Europe to have completed the full third series under the guidance of Sharath in Mysore India. ​In addition to her Ashtanga yoga studies, Claire has spent many years under the direct guidance of Swami Niranjanananda and his teachers learning Bhakti yoga. As well as teaching Mysore-style Ashtanga guided self-practice, led classes and workshops, Claire also leads guest workshops and retreats at studios throughout the world. Her approach to sharing yoga asana (from beginners to more seasoned practitioners), is one that contains a balance of both strength and gentleness. She has a deep awareness of the biological function of the asana at the same time she can relate the physical to the emotional, mental, and devotional elements of this rich yoga practice. ​Claire is Australian born, and established Ashtanga Yoga Shala Provence in the south of France in 2012 where she teaches in both French and English to a mix of local students and international visitors.

Read more