SARAH DRAI

@thefrenchyogini
Entrepreneur & Founder of yogi2me

INSPIRATION FOR SETTING UP Yogi2me

I was inspired by wanting to share yoga and mediation with as many people as possible. Once I had done my yoga training and was teaching in London I saw that there was a need to support people who were busy with work/family. There are so many of us who have very little time to get to a studio, or are already so stressed and don’t need the extra pressure of getting to a class on time. That is what we do at Yogi2Me as a wellness concierge by making sure you can choose a yoga teacher and book them straight to you allowing for more time and less stress in the day.

SARAHS GROWING LONDON BUSINESS

We are currently available in zones 1 and 2 of London, most of zone 3 and Richmond! We do say that if you would like to practice with us and we aren’t operational in your area yet, just to reach out and let us know where you are and we’ll see if we can organise a teacher.

SARAHS JOURNEY

I still feel somehow that there is a long journey to come for me but I keep taking trainings as much as I can and have plenty in my bucket list!

My first 200H was in Ashtanga/Vinyasa with Amanda Denton and Stewart Gilchrist in 2015 at the Light Centre. That year I also took a 200h with Briohny Smith and Dice Lida-Klein in Thailand (aka Bryce Yoga). I took Bryce Yoga 300h training the following year which had elements of Acro Yoga. This led to another 100h with Yoga Beyond to do the level 1 training of Acro Vinyasa. That training of Acro was so much more than I had anticipated and both teachers Claudine and Honza Laffond were really inspiring to me. This training led to the last one I just completed, a meditation training with 1Giant Mind and the incredible meditation teacher Jonny Pollard which was recommended by them. I have also done 50h of Mandala Vinyasa training with the relentless Julie Montagu. Her energy inspires me and is contagious which is why I also assist some of her classes! I also did 60H of hot yoga training with Kristin Campbell. I loved it because it totally reconnected me with my yoga journey which started with Bikram Yoga over a decade ago in NYC. I still love hot Yoga today but wouldn’t go to a Bikram class anymore, it’s too hot and too regimented for me now. Kristin’s training/style of hot is a great remastered version that I am glad to have under my belt.

My next training starts next month with Carolyn Cowan, I am taking “the mother journey’ training over the next few months to teach pregnancy yoga the kundalini way! Another teacher who I look to for guidance is Sadhguru. I love the way he sees life and I listen to his podcast all the time. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to be inspired!

I have just publicised a blog post about my meditation journey which started in India 9 years ago which you can read here.

My meditation practice became regular only in the last two years, and part of my daily routine only about a year or so ago. I see tremendous benefits which is why I started to teach it.

WHAT BOOKS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO ANY STUDENTS STARTING TO MEDITATE?

To begin your meditation journey, I would recommend an app – my fav is Insight Timer and 1Giant mind
There are plenty of great books on meditation and mindfulness but sometimes people get stuck reading about the topic rather than doing the work.

WHERE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL/ INSPIRING PLACE YOU HAVE PRACTICED YOGA?

Doing yoga in The Shard or The Gherkin are amazing places to practice yoga and get a fantastic view of London but For me nothing beats a beautiful beach for yoga. My favourite would be Horsehoes Bay when I was working in Bermuda. This was a magnificent way for me to practice. Being more connect with nature is priceless and can have such a big impact on how we see the world. I would suggest finding a forest, park, or even a quiet sports field to do some yoga. Try Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath or Richmond Park, you might even see a deer while you practice!

CAN YOU NAME 8 FAVOURITE YOGIC PLACES TO VISIT IN LONDON?

My own yoga room – a space where I feel safe, calm and free to do exactly what my mind and body needs

Re:Mind – a studio for meditation, breathwork & healing – we need more of spaces like this!

Pret – I love them! They welcome people from all walks of life just like yoga does.

The London Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park – this is such a good reminder to be grateful for all our blessings in life

She’s Lost Control – a store where I get all my “witchcraft” tools

The Wild Food Cafe in Covent Garden – a lovely spot for food and to gaze out the window Indaba Yoga or TriYoga – if visiting London its a great experience to do yoga with one of my great teachers

Stuart Gilchrist or Emi Tull … Each totally different, both completely amazing.

I usually find yoga in nature, connecting with the trees and slowing down. In London it would mean going to Hyde Park for a walk, it’s such a magnificent park, we are lucky to have it!