Our Story
Mindful Movements was born on a cold winters day, 2009 in Finsbury Park. Inspired by the idea of Yoga in this lovely park, we grew and built our once a week class into what is now our full time biz Mindful Movements. Mindful Movements shares our passion of Yoga to people of all walks of live. Living in London, we know the stresses and strains of this fast paced and ambitious city. Gloomy weather and long working hours can take its toll and its so easy to find yourself stuck in a rut. Here is our magic...moving your body can move your mind! It is our mission to reconnect people with the wonders and miracles of the body in motion, allowing them to achieve their dreams and goals with ease. Whether it be some energising Vinyasa Flow Yoga or calming Yogic Sleep, we are certain its going to get you moving in an inspiring direction.
Mindful Movements London and NYC
The classes, courses and retreats on this website are all located in London and UK, however Aya recently took a giant leap towards her dreams and has relocated to New York. Which means Mindful Movements NYC! Checkout the NYC class updates and news on www.mindfulmovements.us
Mindful Movements was born on a cold winters day, 2009 in Finsbury Park. Inspired by the idea of Yoga in this lovely park, we grew and built our once a week class into what is now our full time biz Mindful Movements. Mindful Movements shares our passion of Yoga to people of all walks of live. Living in London, we know the stresses and strains of this fast paced and ambitious city. Gloomy weather and long working hours can take its toll and its so easy to find yourself stuck in a rut. Here is our magic...moving your body can move your mind! It is our mission to reconnect people with the wonders and miracles of the body in motion, allowing them to achieve their dreams and goals with ease. Whether it be some energising Vinyasa Flow Yoga or calming Yogic Sleep, we are certain its going to get you moving in an inspiring direction.
Mindful Movements London and NYC
The classes, courses and retreats on this website are all located in London and UK, however Aya recently took a giant leap towards her dreams and has relocated to New York. Which means Mindful Movements NYC! Checkout the NYC class updates and news on www.mindfulmovements.us
About Hana SaotomeI originally trained as a professional dancer, in classical and contemporary dance. I was first introduced to Yoga and Pilates during my professional training, but it wasn't until I had left my studies and began living life as a performer that I really began to commit myself to a regular Yoga practice. Life as a professional dancer, although wonderfully exciting, is incredibility hard, both on the body and mind. During this time I found that Yoga was time and time again saving me.
Yoga always brought me back to me. Yoga would remind me that my body and every body is a precious vessel for us to live our dreams and should be honored and loved. The more awareness and gratitude we give to our body, the more focused and positive the mind becomes, thus allowing us to reach our goals and ambitions with love, courage and enjoyment. Yoga eventually became my passion and I decided to take it further! 
Hana's CertificationsBA Hons Contemporary Dance -
Northern School of Contemporary Dance BWY Foundation 1 - British Wheel of Yoga BWY Teachers Diploma - British Wheel of Yoga Yoga Siromani Certificate - Sivananda Yoga and Vedanta Centre Yoga Nidra Certification- Satayananda Yoga Pregnancy Yoga Certification - Uma Dinsmore Tuli Womens Yoga Therapy - Uma Dinsmore Tuli Postnatal Yoga - Birthright BWY Foundation Course Tutor Professional Member of FCD - Foundation for Community Dance |
I took my British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Certificate and then eventually took the step to travel and study for a teacher certificate in India. My time in India was truly transformative. It was here I learnt about the roots and essence of what makes Yoga special. From classical texts, meditation, mantra and asana (the physical practice) I began to understand the importance of Yoga to me and to people all over the globe. On returning I continued my studies and gained a second teachers diploma from The British Wheel of Yoga, Yoga Nidra certification from the Satayanda School, Pregnancy Yoga and Womens Yoga Therapy with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli and Post Natal Yoga with Birthlight. To this day I still study and practice for myself. My teachers, colleges and students in both dance and Yoga are always a great inspiration to me.
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About Aya Jane Saotome
I have committed myself to personal and professional development, gaining my levels 4 PTTLS in adult education, CYQ Exercise and Disability, DEL certificate in Dance Education and students with Special needs, Anatomy courses and many workshops in Somatic movement, Dance, Yoga and Pilates.
I am eternally thankful to all my teachers. From whichever discipline they draw, their influence has given me the inspiration to keep growing, learning, sharing and finding joy in our amazing and unique bodies! I am currently living in NYC and diving into the adventure of bringing Mindful Movements to the U.S. Here in NYC we are growing our classes, courses and clientele and are so excited for great things to come. My hopes are to bring healing, expression, abs of steel, community, love and longer hamstrings to all! 
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I began my career as a dancer, gaining a BA Hons from the London Contemporary Dance School. Amongst my colourful and exciting adventures as a professional dance artist, I soon found a love and passion for teaching. A work of a dancer is to give joy and excitement to others and I found a similar connection through my teaching which I soon came to love. I have found great healing and nourishment through the mindful practices of Yoga and Pilates. I wanted to share this and combine it with my knowledge of the body through dance. I travelled in NYC and certified in Pilates Matwork (Steele Pilates NK), DEL Certificate and Yoga (QYC).
As I began teaching my world expanded dramatically. I had the privilege to experience, connect and share my love of movement beyond the studio and stage and into the lives of all types of people, personalities and bodies. From visually impaired clients of RNIB to the professional dance students at London Studio Centre to the corporate world of the Willis Tower. My students have been older adults, toddlers, teenagers, people that hate exercise, sports men and women, fitness fanatics and many more! The enthusiasm, energy and passion I found to help individuals work towards their own specific goals soon led me to take action towards my own potential to become a first class educator. 
Aya's CertificationsBA Hons Contemporary Dance -
London Contemporary Dance School PTTLS level 4 Teaching Adults ( Heath & Movement) - City Lit DEL Certification - Dance Education Labortory NY Pilates Mat Certification - Steele Pilates NY Yoga Instructor Certification - CYQ Zumba & Zumba Gold Instructor Certification - Zumba Fitness Zin Membership - Zumba Instructors Network |
