ABOUT JUDY

Judy grew up in the remote Scottish countryside, surrounded by open skies, horses, and nature — the perfect setting for a life rooted in movement and connection. As a child, she competed in eventing and vaulting on horseback, even representing Scotland on the under-16 team. Those early years taught her balance, courage, and focus — qualities that continue to shape her yoga practice and teaching today.

Her love of self-expression led her to study acting, taking on leading roles in musical theatre and discovering a lifelong passion for singing. Judy even appeared in film, and music remains close to her heart. She’s now learning to play the harmonium so she can weave mantra and song into her yoga classes — combining sound, vibration, and energy in a deeply healing way.

After her time in the arts, Judy spent years in hospitality, launching and managing award-winning fine dining restaurants in West London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Her leadership and creativity earned top reviews and industry accolades.

Eventually, Judy decided to take a sabbatical to travel through South East Asia and South America. During that time, she completed her yoga teacher training and began a new chapter — transitioning into teaching while still keeping a close connection to the restaurant world she loved dearly.

For over two decades, Judy has immersed herself in the practices of Vinyasa, Hatha, and Yin yoga, training & teaching across Europe, India, Asia, and Australia. With more than 10 years of teaching experience and over 7,000 hours of practice, she brings intuition, warmth, and depth to every session.

As a Reiki Master, Judy seamlessly weaves energy healing into her classes — balancing movement with stillness, and effort with ease. Her teaching invites students to connect with their own energy and cultivate a sense of grounded presence.

When Judy moved to Victoria Park in East London nine years ago, she noticed something missing — a welcoming space for people to practice yoga and build community. So she created one. Ánimo Yoga was born: a studio co-founded from the heart, designed with care, and shaped by Judy’s background in hospitality. The same attention to atmosphere, experience, and connection that defined her restaurant career became the foundation of Ánimo — a place where everyone feels seen and supported.

Just twelve weeks after opening, the pandemic struck. Judy and her best friend and co - founder of Ánimo, Nadine and their team met the challenge with grace, taking Ánimo online and creating a digital store to keep their community connected. During those uncertain months, Ánimo became a lifeline — a space of calm, strength, and belonging.

It was during this time that Judy deepened her path by training in Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga, a practice that has since become a cornerstone of her work and a gift to many families.

Today, Judy continues to teach at Animo and other studios around London, offering 1:1 yoga sessions, Reiki healing, and wellness workshops that blend movement, energy, and mindfulness. Her classes reflect a life devoted to connection — combining her roots in nature, her experience in hospitality, and her deep love of yoga to create spaces that feel both nurturing and transformative.