In My Own Words
About Mary-Lou
I’m a yoga teacher, teacher trainer, writer, and former professional opera singer! I am deeply curious about the mystical side of life. I collect ancient Egyptian goddess myths like they are going out of fashion; which perhaps they did for a time. I have realised that my own life and practice have benefitted greatly from both Yin and Nidrā.
Although I teach as well as practice dynamic sequences, my passion lies with leading others to a deeper understanding of their own healing potential; often to be found hiding behind tension and stress. A mindfulness practice of about 25 years underpins so much of what I do, and I like the analogy of The Non-Stick Mind when it comes to building a Practice of Presence.
I feel that my training as a singer offered me the opportunity to intone and transmit something of what I feel when I create a state of presence and touch the subtle body (or perhaps it is the other way around).
My passion is to meet each student safely with thoughtfulness, curiosity, and creativity, even when working in larger groups. I also like to make sure I don’t take myself tooooo seriously!
I’m so excited to be creating my first ever retreat and with Terry, with whom I have built a wonderful bond. As Terry writes in her Substack:
“We share a love of yoga and its many dimensions, but our conversations extend well beyond the mat, often wandering into subjects neither of us anticipated when we first pressed started connecting on WhatsApp.”
This has brought us to create our own Podcast, Across the Pond & Off the Mat.
Across The Pond & Off The Mat
“Two women, an ocean apart, and a friendship built through conversation. From movement and mindfulness to life, creativity, travel, and everything in between. Curious minds, honest conversations, and plenty of laughter.”
Mary-Louise Yoga | Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra Teacher Training |
YIN YOGA & Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
50 & 20 CPD Hours for Yoga Teachers & Healthcare Professionals | Training Dates Below
Yin Yoga Teacher Training | SPACE Yoga Studio | BRighton
September 2026 | Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
September 2026 | Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
September 2026 | Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
CONGRATULATIONS!
The Graduates of the Yoga Nidra
Course | 20 CPD Credits
10 Hours' Face-to-Face Learning
10 Hours' Self-Study
MARY-LOU IS CURRENTLY OPEN FOR ENQUIRES TO TEACH THIS AT HOME IN GROUPS OF UP TO THREE PEOPLE & ONLINE
January 2027 | Yin Yoga Teacher Training
September 2026 | Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
September 2026 | Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
Each session 1-6pm
- Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 January
- Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 January
- Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 January
- Sunday 31 January
This Course Offers 50 CPD Credits
35 Hours' Face-to-Face Learning
15 Hours' Self-Study
£175 Non-Refundable Deposit to Secure Spot
Total Investment: £695
Payment Plan Offered
CPD Accredited | Yin Yoga TT
At SPACE Yoga Studio | Brighton
In January 2027, Mary-Lou will welcome her second cohort of Yin Yoga Trainees for this seven-session training with pre-course assignments and CPD Accreditation (recognised world wide as an outstanding and trusted organisation). The training will award 50 CPD hours. The in-person training is 35 studio [face-to-face] hours and the study/ pre-course assessment time is 15 hours.
- Investment: £695
- Payment plan offered
You will receive your own Handbook with many photos and Acupuncture Doll to take away.
The training is ideal for those who:
- Wish to take their own personal yin yoga and meditation practice to the next level;
- Already teach yoga and wish to qualify to teach yin yoga;
- Work in the health and wellbeing sector and wish to lean into how Traditional Chinese Medicine offers the opportunity to align more intimately with Nature and the Seasons.
During the course, you will have the opportunity to experience and embody the learning. Mary-Lou will be sharing how Daoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism intersect in the practice and how these might be utilized on and off the mat. She will be sharing some powerful acupressure points (including the Five Forbidden Points) as well as offering the chance to practice teaching the poses, understanding the fascia, and the functional aspects of the practice. There is the option to teach themed meditation as part of your assessment if you are looking to use the training outside the yoga teaching community.
Yin Yoga Study Guide
Yin Yoga: A Brief Historical Overview
£5.99
This 2,000 word document is the perfect study guide for anyone looking to take their Yin Studies to the next level. This historical overview offers an invaluable resource to anyone preparing to train to teach Yin Yoga or for students looking to deepen their understanding of where this practice came from.
Once payment has been made, please email Mary-Lou at marylouiseaitken129@gmail.com and she will email the document to you as a Pdf. Thank you in advance for your purchase.
Mary-Lou x
CPD Accredited | Yoga Nidra TT
At SPACE Yoga Studio | Brighton
In September 2026, Mary-Lou welcomed her first cohort of Yoga Nidra Trainees for this two-session training with pre-course assignments and CPD Accreditation (recognised world wide as an outstanding and trusted organisation). The training awarded 20 CPD hours. The in-person training was 10 studio [face-to-face] hours and the study/ pre-course assessment time was 10 hours.
- Investment: £295
- Payment plan offered
Students received their own Handbook with helpful guidance to continue learning after the course.
This training is still open to Yoga Teachers and Non-Yoga Teachers alike. It is ideal for those who wish to learn:
- About the history of Yoga Nidra;
- How to build Yoga Nidra into their life or teaching;
- How to write and deliver a safe and beneficial practice (please note that this accreditation does NOT qualify Non-Yoga Teachers to teach this practice but can offer insight to the 'Nidra Curious').
By the end of the course, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Write and deliver your own Yoga Nidra practice;
- Distinguish between different Schools of Yoga Nidra and the history of Yoga Nidra within the traditions of Yoga;
- Communicate and understand the benefits as well as the importance of a Yoga Nidra practice;
- Understand the basics of the Neuroscience behind the practice;
- Discriminate how to allow for different practitioner needs and how to modify a practice to create a safe and healing space.
Thank you for your amazing yoga which I find very inspiring. I love your holistic approach where yoga, meditation, your beautiful voice, inspiring quotes, & your kindness create a chance to grow on all levels.
Magda ~ Student
Mary-Louise Yoga: Where Mind and Body Meet
"Mary-Lou's enthusiasm for her yoga beginners and the positivity conveyed during her yoga classes is infectious! When I thought that Yoga was only for bendy people, Mary-Lou taught me that Yoga is about much, much more than that!"
Yoga Studios Brighton & Hove ~ Classes
SPACE Yoga Studio
SPACE Yoga Studio is a stunning venue to explore a wide choice of classes. Set in St. Augustine’s Centre, this gorgeous, renovated church building is dedicated to wellbeing & the arts. Join a class with like-minded people. Work at your own pace & enjoy the benefits of a nurturing, sacred environment. So if you are looking for 'Yin/ Yang Classes near me' ~ Book via SPACE directly or call 01273 549 072.
FIRST CLASS FREE!
Map
SPACE Yoga Studio Brighton & Hove
SPACE ~ St. Augustine's Centre Stanford Ave / Florence Rd BN16EA