About Amy McMillan
Welcome! I'm Amy & I run Breathe Calm Yoga & Mindfulness. I've been teaching in Guildford, Surrey since 2012. Yoga & mindfulness have changed my life & I enjoy sharing the benefits with others because I know the physical, mental & emotional changes these powerful practices can bring. I weave yoga & mindfulness together to improve clarity & to re-connect mind & body so that we can rediscover our natural calm & vitality. I have a particular interest in stress & anxiety management & my classes are nurturing & restorative.
I have a warm, inclusive teaching style & I am able to design & adapt classes according to your individual needs. I offer modifications & encourage you to listen to your own body with kindness.
I completed my 350 hour Yoga Teaching Diploma at the Yoga Institute Sydney. My teacher, Michael DeManincor, studied with TKV Desikachar - one of the most respected teachers of classical yoga. I have also spent years exploring other mindful, breath-centred approaches which encourage us to reconnect with the innate wisdom & healing capacity of the body. These include the work of Vanda Scaravelli & the Alexander Technique. I am currently undertaking further study into the effects of yoga on balancing the nervous system with Kristine Kaoverii Weber.
I trained to teach mindfulness with Mindfulness UK through their 200 hour foundation degree level teaching programme. I've subsequently also trained to deliver their innovative Compassionate Mindful Resilience course. A key element of this comprehensive training is developing compassion - a practice that I have found transformative, both personally & professionally. I have a well-established daily meditation practice & I am supervised by Bangor University trained teacher Karen Atkinson. Mindfulness UK are on the Mindfulness Network list of accredited teaching organisations.
I also hold a PGCE & have 13 years of experience in education. I am qualified through the Mindfulness in Schools Project to deliver the "Paws b" mindfulness curriculum to 7 - 11 year olds. I've enjoyed delivering this curriculum to Year 5 at Guildford High School. I also run mindfulness & yoga workshops for children of all ages at other local schools.
I am an eternal student, committed to deepening my practice. I regularly attend workshops, retreats & masterclasses to deepen my knowledge further.
I have a passion for relational mindfulness; reconnecting with ourselves, others & the world around us. I support various organisations & individuals who advocate for social, racial & environmental change. Find out more here.
I am a qualified physical & mental health first aider & I am fully insured.
I look forward to welcoming you to class!
Qualifications & Training
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Yoga Teaching Diploma at Yoga Institute Sydney - 2010 to 2012 (350 hr - certified by Yoga Australia)
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Level 4 Certificate Integrating Mindfulness & Compassion into Professional Practice - 2015 (200hr - accredited by CPCAB)
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Compassionate Mindful Resilience course facilitation - Mindfulness UK - 2020
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"Paws b" Mindfulness in Schools teacher - 2016 (7-11 year olds)
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Post Graduate Certificate of Education & Qualified Teacher Status
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BA (Hons) - First Class, University of Surrey
Other
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Registered Yoga Teacher (500hr) with the Independent Yoga Network
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Registered Mindfulness in Schools Teacher
"The classes are calm & uplifting. Amy is constantly aware of the specific needs of each individual in the class. She also encourages everyone to become aware of the needs of their own bodies & tailor their practice accordingly, making it as gentle or as challenging as they need. Highly recommended."
H.G, Guildford