I am a research scientist at CRUK Manchester Institute where I work researching the immunology of acute myeloid leukaemia. I completed my PhD in 2022 where I was working on the immune microenvironment of bladder cancer at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre with the University of Manchester. I completed my Master’s in Cancer Sciences at University of Birmingham and BSc in Biomedical Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast.

Yoga has been an invaluable tool for me throughout my studies to give me the time out from my day to slow down and calm my nervous system. Yoga enables me to still my mind and centre myself, giving me the space to think more clearly. The result is I am always more grounded after a yoga practice. I’m really passionate about the benefits of yoga and how they can help every body!

I’ve been practising yoga for over 12 years in Vinyasa, Hatha and Ashtanga styles. I wanted to be able to share the benefits of yoga with others, to pass on the power of how it helps me in day-to-day life, so over the duration of 2024 I completed my 200h YAP certified teaching training with Evolve Yoga Training. The style of yoga I was taught for this qualification is best described as a Hatha version of a dialled down Ashtanga sequence. It’s a very breath-focussed practice, slowing down the postures to unite the mind and body via the breath.

I am currently undergoing my 40h Yoga for Cancer Care training to enable me to provide these benefits to cancer patients. I’m really excited to be able to provide holistic care alongside clinical research for cancer patients.