Tim and Shannon Phillis qualified together as yoga teachers in July 2016 and have been teaching vinyasa flow yoga at their yoga studio in Cookham ever since. Prior to becoming yoga teachers they have enjoyed a wide range of sports and outdoor activities, and it is unsurprising that our focus leans towards offering sports yoga and yoga for athletes.
Whether you are joining yoga classes at their yoga studio in Cookham, joining live online yoga classes or watching previously filmed yoga videos, you will benefit from time on your mat – both physically and mentally.
Tim Phillis
Throughout school and University Tim has enjoyed a wide range of sports from rugby, hockey and skiing. His interests have moved towards endurance sports such as triathlons, marathons and ultra marathons, and most recently to swimruns. It’s only since his mid 30’s did stretching become more important to remaining injury-free.
He enjoys teaching more dynamic yoga classes and power yoga so that the students can feel as if they are getting a good work out, building strength and stamina, whilst also benefiting from the relaxation at the end.
He is also qualified as a Level 2 Gym instructor so lead several HIIT workout classes each week to complement the yoga classes.
He is a corporate yoga instructor, providing weekly corporate yoga classes at several local businesses as part of internal wellbeing at work initiatives. Now that our classes are available online, he hopes to offer yoga classes further afield to businesses wanting to support the physical and mental health of their staff. Joining a corporate yoga class often provides a great starting point for beginners as classes have to cater for wide ranges of ability, ages and fitness. If your workplace offers regular classes – certainly give it a go.
In September 2020, Tim completed the 80 hour, Yoga Alliance Vocational Teacher Training course, “The Body Athletic’ with Sarah Ramsden. Understanding how maintaining a good range of movement is important for both athletes and individuals alike. Since qualifying, Tim has been working on a one to one basis with individuals to identify potential restrictions and creating programmes to help address them.
Shannon Phillis
Shannon has had a love of running and cycling for years and started taking up vinyasa flow and yin yoga classes regularly when moving to the UK from California in 2000. She had always wanted to become a yoga teacher but got distracted with triathlons, where she met Tim, her husband, amidst the speedo-clad swimmers at Fulham pools in London.
There has always been love for yoga and meditation in Shannon’s life. In the early 2000’s, she regularly went to meditation classes at the Buddhist Vihara in Chiswick. In 2008, she spent time in Rishikesh, India at Parmarth Niketan, though it wasn’t until 2016 that Shannon and Tim finally qualified as a RYT yoga teachers at Yoga London. The following year she qualified as a Reiki level 1 & 2 practitioner with Be Your Spirit. She has done numerous CPD training sessions including Acro Yoga with Jaqui Wan, retreats with Jeff Phenix, Yin workshops with RJ Yoga.
Leading yoga for children workshops (trained by Cosmic Kids) and coaching the U11’s boys athletics group have been a fun challenge for Shannon. Yoga and mindfulness complements kids sport bringing flexibility, focus and positive mindset.
Max Phillis
Definitely the most serious yoga practitioner, Max is a natural at yoga. He loves a stretch after a long day of sports and balancing on his arms – signature pose being “peacock”, a very tricky pose.
He has been so helpful on the Yoga for Children videos and workshops; with the planning and set up of each class. His insights as to what games are “cool enough” for his age group have been invaluable.
Like his father, Max is an avid sportsman, his interests being rugby, cricket, skiing and running.
Missy Phillis
Missy puts us all to shame with the best yoga poses. She has great form and concentration. She has great balance and uses food or tennis balls as her drishti (gazing point).
She’s probably the best meeter and greeter you’ll find. Knowing when a yoga class is about to start she waits by the door eagerly for her long lost friends.
During “lockdown”, she has managed to appear in some of our online yoga videos. These days every yoga teacher who has a dog is getting them involved. This is an excellent trend and hope it continues!
Both Tim and Shannon are insured by DSC Strand Ltd – professional liability insurance up to £7m.
Shannon is First Aid qualified – St Johns Ambulance, Maidenhead and DBS Enhanced checked (latest one 2019).