I’m Alyson Tyler and I’m a qualified and insured yoga teacher and massage therapist offering yoga, massage, meditation and wellbeing courses in Dumfries and online.

I live in Dumfries, south West Scotland and moved here from Wales where I’d lived for 20 years. Prior to that I grew up in England, but was born in Scotland – so I’ve come full circle! I’m very glad to be back in Scotland.

As well as my yoga and massage business I work for myself as a freelance researcher. I was previously a civil servant in a large organisation. I love the freedom of working for myself, but having connections with people across the UK.

From July/August 2020, I am also co-editor of the Yoga Scotland Magazine (in a voluntary capacity). I’ve benefited from many membership magazines over the years (and still do), so now it’s time to return the favour and put karma yoga (selfless service) into action. Anyone can submit articles and/or adverts to the magazine and you can also subscribe to it if you’re not a member – see the magazine page. [NB some page info is in the process of being updated]

Away from work I enjoy being outdoors, either walking, cycling (leisurely), jogging (also leisurely) and exploring new places. I love eating good vegan good, listening to live music, spending time with my cat,  reading, and relaxing in my garden.

Me on my old bike in a local forest

My yoga and massage background, journey and approach

I started attending yoga classes in college in 1991 and continued throughout the 1990s (sometimes a bit sporadically!). From 2000 I began attending classes regularly and qualified as a yoga teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga (tutor Richard Adamo) and have been teaching yoga since 2008.

In 2017 I qualified as a sports massage therapist – see the massage tab for more information about the relaxation and remedial massages I offer.

My general style of yoga teaching is Hatha yoga in that there is asana, pranayama and meditation. However, I don’t hold with rigid conformity and believe each person is the best teacher for themselves in terms of understanding their own body, particularly when it comes to the ‘shapes’ or postures. The ethos of my classes is to seek the unity of the breath, the mind, the body, and your ‘self’. And to do so with as much ease and comfort as possible.

For both my yoga and massage I have an holistic approach, taking into account what’s going on in the body, mind, the emotions, conscious and sub-conscious issues etc. I am exploring and learning more about the bio-pscyho-social model of understanding our health and wellbeing, particularly pain and stress, and believe this can inform us on a personal level, and as a teacher/therapist.

In terms of my yoga practice, my background is in Hatha yoga and all its sub variants. For 10 years I practised Ashtanga yoga with Richard Adamo. I regularly attend yoga workshops and retreats with a variety of different teachers and backgrounds and currently am most influenced by Jivamukti yoga and also Peter Blackaby‘s approach. Even though that may seem quite diverse, I like the freedom both give, in their different ways.

I have attended several Jivamukti yoga retreats with Andrea Kwiatkowski as well as Jivamukti yoga immersions with Gabriela Bozic & Yogeswari and with Emma Henry & Andrea Kwiatkowski.

I have also attended workshops with Finlay Wilson (aka Kilted Yoga), Peter Blackaby (several times), David Sye (several times), Lisa McRory, Liz Lark, Billy Doyle, John Scott, Granville Cousins, Bill Wood, Antonia Boyle, Anna Semlyen (back care), Philip Xerri,  Dru Yoga, and been on retreats to Mandala Yoga Ashram, Taraloka, the SRMHC, and in Italy with Walter Ruta. I have undertaken pregnancy and post-natal yoga training with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli. I regularly attend CPD courses to ensure my learning stays current.

I am a member of Yoga Scotland and of the Federation of Holistic Therapists.

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You can find me in various directories including Yoga Bliss Online and connect with me online on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.