About Naomi Chunilal

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Thirty years after sitting on a meditation cushion and stepping onto a yoga mat for the first time, I still love exploring the paradox of understanding a little more, yet knowing less and less…My intention is to practise each day with an open heart without expectations of what unfolds. I continue to find inspiration and guidance on my own life path from a diverse range of wonderful teachers including Elena Brower, Jo Tastula and Bhante Bodhidhamma at Satipanya Buddhist meditation centre.

All life in essence is Yoga; a spiritual journey that leads the heart to know love, compassion, and insight. The mind awakens to the boundless source of love within us, mindfulness a compass to guide us through the uncertainty of living in a changing world of impermanence. In my practice, I am inspired by nature and seasons passing reflected inside our fragile and beautiful humanity. On a personal level, mindfulness is an inner compass to living, breathing and flowing through life with freedom and happiness in spirit, mind and body.

I have practised complementary health and holistic therapies for over 25 years, focusing on aromatherapy, holistic massage, reflexology, and Indian head massage. I am also a Usui Reiki master, all of which enriches my own life and yoga practice. I love sharing healing art therapies and practices to support and guide individuals to find greater wellness, health, and balance through all stages of life and circumstances.

I’ve taught yoga and wellbeing classes for over 20 years and am insured and registered with the British Wheel of Yoga. I teach meditation and mindfulness sessions at the award-winning Yeotown health retreat (winner of Conde Nast Best Spa Traveller Award); also facilitating healing/reiki sessions there. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed teaching mindfulness and yoga sessions with NHS programmes for people living with cancer, NHS mental health teams,  at local secondary schools, RHS Rosemoor gardens, community events and festivals. I practised as a complementary therapist at North Devon Hospice, and a National Autistic Society’s residential centre for children and young adults for many years, and run YogaDevon yoga and meditation classes and a holistic health practice from my home studio space.

Also an author, the Mindful Mother: a Practical and Spiritual Guide to Enjoying Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond with Mindfulness’ (Watkins Publishing May 2015) is available to buy on Amazon, Waterstones or other bookshops.

When not practising yoga or meditation, I love walking along our beautiful South West coastline, spending time in our Atlantic sea waters, come rain, snow and shine, and immersing in wild spaces, nature and the garden. I live in the North Devon countryside with my partner, my two lovely and nearly grown-up-and-away teenage children, a dog called Ivy and black cat called Jupiter.

Along the way, I’ve studied the following, continuing to learn and then learn some more:

  • British Wheel of Yoga: Yoga teaching diploma
  • Yogacampus: Pregnancy Yoga teaching diploma
  • IFPA: Clinical and Holistic Aromatherapy Practitioner Diploma
  • IFR: Reflexology Practitioner diploma
  • ITEC: Practitioner diplomas in holistic massage, Indian head massage, reflexology
  • Usui Reiki Master: Dharamasala, India
  • B.A.Hons, Modern History (Oxford University, Trinity College)
  • MSc. Development Studies (London School of Economics)
  • A.L.C.M. Classical Piano Performance Diploma (London College of Music)

Please contact me if you would to know more about YogaDevon yoga and healing arts classes, workshops, and complementary therapy treatments.