Hi, my name is Giuliana, welcome to my website. I’m an Ashtanga Yoga teacher and a physiotherapist based in London. Born in Lima, Peru, I’ve also lived in Lisbon and Houston, and my first career was actually in journalism. Today I am passionate about anatomy, biomechanics and pain management, with specific interest in chronic pain - something I also deal with personally.

I started practicing ashtanga in 2010, whilst living in Lisbon. As a 25-year-old, with a very flexible body, I was thrilled when I found a dynamic yoga class where I could perform many challenging postures without much difficulty

However, with time things started to change. Injuries appeared, pain got worse, and I developed a sense of avoidance and fear. After all living with pain is no fun! I stopped most physical activities, including my yoga practice, and it was then when I decided to study physiotherapy. I was eager to learn what I could do to heal myself and help others living with pain.

It was during a chronic pain lecture when everything started to make sense. I learned that pain is not an accurate measure of tissue damage, but the perception of a combination of sensory, emotional and cognitive inputs. Pain is therefore a decision made by the brain - based on past experiences and future expectations - it tells our conscious mind that we are in danger or at risk, even if we are not. Pain is a protector!

So, how do we learn to desensitise a hypersensitive central nervous system?  Here is where yoga with its gentle stretching plays a key role. As a tool for exploring how physical sensations make us feel it helps us trust our bodies again. Moreover, deep breathing used in yoga stimulates the vagus nerve and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which stimulates relaxation and restoration.

The deeper and more softly we breathe in, and the longer we exhale, the more slowly the heart beats and the calmer we become.

If you decide to join my classes, you will find an Ashtanga-based class where the sequence is used as a guide. We will work together to choose the postures adequate to your body and personal circumstances.

I invite you to an inclusive and safe space where everyone is welcome.