"Fran and Martin have a unique and inspiring teaching style, born out of their utter dedication to their own practice and each other. For over 37 years they have been exploring Yoga practice as a way of life and warmly share this with their students, family & friends. They have developed a distinctive style which is challenging, dynamic & deeply supportive of the individual. They have been blessed to have worked with many renound teachers including Pattabhi jois, Dharma Mittra, David Swenson, Danny Paradise, Venkatesh, Brian Cooper and Ana Forest amongst others. They have studied in India for extensive periods, enabling them to offer a blend of tradition and contemporary insight to yoga for Westerners. `Martin brings calm authority, discipline and focus while Fran brings nurture, creativity and laughter, together they offer a profound yet unpretentious wealth of experience which they share generously, enabling their students to access their potential."  Sarah Harlow.     Fran Thompson is a British Wheel of Yoga Diploma Course Teacher,has trained with Brian Cooper of Union Yoga to gain a Union Yoga Teaching Diploma and has completed the Yoga Alliance UK Teacher Training Course, and is a certified member of the Register of Exercise Professionals.She worked under Shree K Patabi Jois of the Astanga Yoga Research Instutute, Mysore India.Fran has been practicing for 30 years now, and believes that the strong practice of Astanga Vinyasa and other dynamic forms of Hatha Yoga, has given her a strength of character and determination, which may have otherwise passed her by. Martin Thompson has trained with Brian Cooper of Union Yoga to gain a Union Yoga to gain an Astnaga vinyasa Teaching Diploma and has completed the Yoga Alliance UK Teacher Training Course. He worked under Shree K Patabi Jois of the Astanga Yoga Research Instutute, Mysore India.During his studies with Union Yoga much emphasis was placed on Pranayama (breath work), Philosophy and Anatomy and Physiology. He has practised now for over 30 years, trying varying different styles of Hatha and Raja Yoga, but strongly believes this tried and tested system "Really Works". He is a great believer in Pattabhi Jois. Martin is director of teaching at Yoga Dharma UK and runs teacher training courses at Southend and Bulgaria  Fran looks after thier two boys and runs regular workshops and classes at Southend and Bulgaria . They opened Yoga Dharma 8 years ago and have developed a successful studio. Opening Café Dharma, an organic vegetarian café, and opening their second studio and retreat in Bulgaria, afterwards. They have also launched their on line shop Yoga Active. They both believe Yoga to be the most powerful tool for transformation and are constantly amazed at the changes they see in their students.