Yoga Teacher & Therapist in West London
Hi, I am Stanford. A yoga teacher, yoga therapist and medically trained doctor.
Originally from Hong Kong, I moved to the UK early 2000s (for school and then stayed for my training to become a medical doctor). I began working in the NHS in 2013, with a special interest and experience in Mental health and Women’s health.
I started practicing Yoga when I was 18, after sustaining a knee injury during a hiking trip. I was young and full of energy, but not very fit or flexible (I mean I couldn’t even touch my toes without bending my knees…) So I realised that I need to do something to help me recover and for my overall health.
Since then, it continues to serve as a great practice to prepare my body for other activities I do in life; such as bouldering, standing for hours while assisting in/doing surgery, sitting down for a long clinic, painting and pottery. [It really surprised me when I learned how many muscle groups are needed to maintain a good sitting posture.]
The more I practice, the more I understand that Yoga is more than mere physical postures.
Over the years, breathing techniques, philosophy, Vedic chants and other tools have really helped me to de-stress from the busy urban living and working as a doctor.
My Yoga practice is key to my recovery from burnout from my medical career, which continues to give me a sense of purpose and joy in life. This is what I love to share with others, so I trained as a yoga teacher and started teaching in 2018.
“Stanford is an excellent teacher. With his training as a doctor, he brings a unique knowledge, empathy and understanding to his practice.” - Caroline J.
Yoga with Stanford
Physical injuries and functional issues are often frustrating, if not painful, to recover from. Especially when we are capable, as they put limitations on what we can achieve. Combining my own experience and variety of training, I am confident to help you recover from an injury, acute illness and/or surgery.
Long-term health conditions are common these days, including a variety and combination of physical, emotional and psychological issues. This often includes burnout and stress from a demanding work and living environment.
I believe in the importance of establishing a healthy mind-body connection, which is the foundation of self-compassion, recovery and self-empowerment.
Ways to work with me
If you are intrigued, check out the Yoga & Health podcast,
where I discuss various topics about Yoga and how it can impact our health with good friend and Yoga therapist Colin Dunsmuir.
Select Qualifications & Training
MEDICAL
BSc Neuroscience and Mental Health from Imperial College London (2011)
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Imperial College London (2013)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2019)
Diploma of Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2022)
TRUSTEE & BOARD MEMBER POSITIONS
I am a Junior board member, faculty member and supervisor in the Yoga Therapy course at Yogacampus (2022-2024)
I am honoured to be named as a trustee for Teen Yoga Foundation (Reg Charity number 1165236)
YOGA
1000+ Hours Yoga Therapy training with True Yoga (London, 2023); course verified by the British Council of Yoga Therapy (BCYT) and British Wheel of Yoga (BMY)
42 Hours Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli & Yogacampus
(London, 2019)60 Hours Teen Yoga for Mental health with Teen Yoga (London, 2023)
90 Hours Yin Yoga Training with Yoga in the Big Smoke (London, 2019) & 60 hours Advanced Yin Yoga Training with Norman Blair (London, 2023)
Total Yoga Nidra Teacher and Facilitator Training with Yoga Nidra Network (England, 2020)
30 Hours of Relax and Renew Level 1 (Restorative Yoga) with Judith Lasater (London, 2023)
“Philosophy of Yoga”, “Sanskrit Level 1 & 2”, “Veds & Upanishads” courses with Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies