About Surya Yoga & Sound

Surya, in the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit, means the Sun, symbolising light, energy, positivity, warmth, and vitality.

My passion is to help people discover yoga and sound healing as a holistic and integral part of life, to support physical, mental, and spiritual health.

In my early years, back in Poland, I studied socio-cultural animation, which greatly benefited my career at the Art & Culture Centre in my home town of Tczew. Coordinating events and festivals, and collaborating with non-governmental organisations on social development programs, opened my eyes to the potential for positive change in people’s lives.

I started to co-create a diverse range of projects, while also actively seeking them out in my personal life. Some of these gatherings were music festivals in nature, where I first became aware of yoga, mindfulness techniques, and the freedom to dance in the rave spirit. Step by step, my way of thinking shifted to a more conscious way of living.

My thirst for knowledge deepened when I moved to England, reaffirming to me that this is what I wanted to pursue in life. I felt it was vital to learn from the roots, so I began practising yoga within the Indian community in Leicester. The practice focused strongly on pranayama (breathwork), which also helped me immensely in dealing with the cultural change associated with moving to another country.

Yoga

In 2016, I undertook my first teacher training in India, studying at the renowned Yoga Vidya Gurukul School, where I gained a diploma in Yoga Education (200 hours). My time spent in the ashram transformed my life. I learned how to teach the traditional style of yoga (hatha yoga) for beginners and, more importantly, to follow the path of Ashtanga Yoga (The Eight Limbs of Yoga) as outlined in the ancient text of Patanjali Yoga Sutras. At its foundation – the ethical standards known as Yamas and Niyamas, which emphasise integrity in behaviour and conduct, guide us toward Samadhi—a state of unity with the universe. This path encourages us to cultivate love, respect to our self and others, nature and the world around us.

My studies in India also focused on yoga therapy, pranayama, kriyas (cleansing techniques), kundalini yoga, nada yoga (yoga of sound), and finally, yoga nidra – yogic sleep, a type of guided relaxation, which plays a significant role in my personal routine. The school follows the tradition of Swami Satyananda Saraswati, who is considered the father and pioneer of the yoga nidra practice.

I realised that breathwork, movement, and sound therapy have a profound impact on my ability to listen, process information, artistic expression, creativity, and empathy, by being connected to the body and paying attention to the sensations in the present moment — which is the essence of yoga and meditation practices.

Two years later, I returned to India and my school to learn pregnancy yoga and yoga for women’s wellness (220 hours).

Another significant breakthrough occurred when I began my studies with the wonderful yogi, dancer, energy healer, and Chinese Medicine practitioner, Nathalie Dubreu (author of the beautiful book ‘The Golden Chamber of Qi,’ about Yin Yoga and spiritual Taoist wellness).

Under her guidance, I completed 200 hours of training in hatha and mystical vinyasa certified by Yoga Alliance (2017). The curriculum also included restorative and yin yoga with elements of Qigong and Daoist practices. Nathalie’s mystical vinyasa style aims to rebalance energy for western lifestyles, incorporating concepts from Chinese meridians, Indian vinyasa tradition, and modern quantum physics. It emphasises spirituality, avoids labels and dogma, and embraces the joy of living. It recognises our interconnectedness through energetic vibrations shaping our existence and the world around us.

Sound

I was first introduced to the power of sound and vibration at the age of nine playing the bassoon in a brass orchestra. My fascination grew when I encountered the magic of Himalayan Singing Bowls, and I felt an immediate connection. When I received my first sound energy massage, with bowls placed directly onto my body, I knew straight away that this was my calling.

I started to believe that sound is the medicine of the future; and decided to deepen my knowledge even further. In 2019, I studied under the guidance of Lola Lhamo — a great master of energy, vibration, and sound therapy. Thanks to Lola, I am now a Certified Sound Therapist (part of the Sound Energy Medicine Practitioners Association – SEMPA).

Later, I discovered Gongs, which are incredibly powerful instruments for healing and tools to automatically enter a state of meditation. I undertook training with Selma Studer from ‘Gong’ in London and also with one of the world’s leading gong practitioners, Sheila Whittaker.

In my treatment sessions and group events, I use Himalayan and crystal singing bowls, gongs, shamanic drums, shruti box, monochord, voice (chanting, mantra meditation) and many other instruments.

I’m constantly learning and evolving as a yogi/yoga teacher, sound practitioner and community organiser and I am always open to new things. Recently I facilitate chair yoga classes in a care home and I’m currently training in spirituality for children, and trauma-informed yoga through the Prison Yoga Project. I am also one of the founders of Surya Rhythm Festival and Ecstatic Dance Leicester.

When I’m not practicing or teaching, I enjoy the freedom of the outdoors—whether it’s spending time in a forest or hiking up a mountain. Cycling is another big passion of mine, and in 2023, to celebrate my 40th birthday, I embarked on an enormous challenge by cycling from England to Poland within 13 days. It was a roller-coaster of emotions and an incredible adventure where I learnt even more about how the mind can overcome the physical undertakings and how you can still enjoy the present moment. Last but not least, music and dancing play an important part of my life, as its a great way to have fun, release and connect with others.

My classes and private sessions blend all the styles and techniques I’ve learned through the years, and my commitment to continual growth extends not only to my personal practice but also to nurture those around me. You will be able to catch me in various studios around Leicester where I teach and provide regular sound baths. I constantly meet new and inspirational, like minded people which often leads to collaborations and the creation of unique events.

Qualifications and Training

  • 2016  – 200 hours Diploma in Yoga Education. Yoga Vidya Gurukul School, India.
  • 2017  – 200 hours Hatha and Mystical Vinyasa at The Wellbeing Yoga School, Nathalie Dubreu London.
  • 2018  – 100 hours Pregnancy Yoga – Yoga Vidya Gurukul School, India.
  • 2018 – 120 hours Yoga for Women’s Wellness.  Yoga Vidya Gurukul School, India.
  • 2019 – Certified Sound Therapist – Part of the Sound Energy Medicine Practitioners Assoc. (SEMPA), Taught by Lola Lhamo levels 1 & 2.
  • CPD  – Yoga for Seniors.
  • CPD  – Gong training – Selma Studer.
  • CPD  – Intensive Gong Training – Sheila Whittaker.

Currently in progress:

  • CPD Mindfulness teacher for Children – Divine Curriculum  – Tesha Matthew.
  • CPD Trauma Informed Yoga – Prison Yoga Project