I have had an interesting and varied working life that has centred on sports and the body. My early and profound love of sport lead me to choose to do a BSc Sport (Hons) Science & Administration Degree. When I graduated I worked for seven years in various capacities in the Health & Fitness Industry in and around London. My original career ambition had been to become a physiotherapist, something I was not able to follow through on. However, knowing of my earlier desire some colleagues of mine recommended that I considered training as a Sports Massage Therapist. They were right!
That course proved to be life changing for me, both on a professional and personal level - I met a lovely Kiwi that led to my immigrating to New Zealand in 1992. There I flourished as a Triathlete, and Sports Massage Therapist. By my early 30s I realised that I’d reached my competitive peak, and that my body was trying to tell me something! In an effort to find a new balance within myself I took up yoga.
"Though nobody can go back and make a new beginning... Anyone can start over and make a new ending."
- Chico Xavier
About me
Kristina Banner, and her dog Starsky
(Photo by Joely Frost, 2016)
I fell in love with yoga but found I’d taken my competitiveness onto the yoga mat - this led to more injuries! Eventually I learnt to listen to my body and to seek comfort and ease in my movements rather than trying to out do myself. I still have much to learn, which is one of the most profound joys of yoga. In an effort to enhance my own practice and to help others experience the healing powers of yoga I decided to train as a teacher with Joseph Le Page. Before I left New Zealand I completed a Reflexology course because I felt this would be a useful compliment to both my Yogic and Massage work.
In 2006 I returned to the UK and established my life and business in Henfield where my sister and her family live. I grew up in Brighton but knew I wanted to live in a semi-rural village with a thriving community life. I feel very blessed to now share my home with a cocker spaniel called Starsky.
The overarching and fundamental aim for my life’s work has been to help others live a healthy and fulfilling life. I have found I’ve achieved my greatest sense of wellbeing in trying to live a life of balance and harmony on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level. My own life experiences have taught me the destructive influences of chronic stress in our lives, and I feel the combination of yoga and other therapies I’ve learnt over the years provide my clients with a positive experience of mindfulness and relaxation, which I hope lead them to some level of healing and inner peace.