LOU LOU

Yoga Teacher and Retreat Facilitator

Originally from London and now based in the Algarve, Portugal, I am a yoga teacher with a dedication towards guiding others on their journey to self-discovery and healing. I believe wellbeing requires a truly holistic approach.
My previous work in interior design took me to India, where I lived and worked for four years. It was there that I discovered the profound peace and strength yoga can bring. Immersed in the rich traditions of yoga, I deepened my practice, my consistency, and went on some truly empowering and affirming retreats which all reshaped my understanding of yoga.
Beyond the physical practice of asana (poses), I explored pranayama (breathwork) and the deeper journey of self-enquiry that yoga offers. I became passionate about how yoga can help regulate and sooth our nervous systems, provide insights into our true selves, and connect us to nature and the world around us.
Inspired by these transformative aspects of yoga, I trained to become a yoga teacher. For nearly a decade, I have been teaching yoga and been involved in organising and facilitating retreats. I’ve found immense purpose in supporting others, and I strive to adapt and tailor my classes to ensure that every client can connect deeply (in their way) with yoga and themselves. There is no one-size-fits-all!
My personal history with anxiety, combined with the global increase in anxiety during the pandemic, led me to do further training in Yoga Therapy for Anxiety in 2020. l’ve been a mental health advocate for most of my adult life, and this specialised training has enhanced my ability (and enthusiasm) to support others in managing their anxiety.
A few years ago, I moved to the Algarve with my then-partner. We’d fallen in love with Portugal on a trip away, and we were both craving a slower lifestyle with more space.
Having previously lived in cities, I have truly loved the shift to life on an orange and grape farm in the countryside.
However, the move also brought many challenges, and exacerbated my partner’s undiagnosed ADHD, which we both see now added a significant strain on our relationship.
In the last couple of years several close friends, including the amazing Kila, have also been diagnosed with or are going through the diagnosis for ADHD. Witnessing firsthand the profound impact this condition can have on individuals, relationships, and families ignited my desire to create experiences put together to support them and offer the benefits l’ve found in retreat settings.
Identifying more with a neurodivergent than a neurotypical brain myself – I recently realised during a 10-day silent retreat how severe my misophonia (a disorder with an intolerance to specific sounds) is! Being a highly sensitive person and often an “over-empathiser,” I am eager to share the tools l’ve learned for emotional regulation, which I believe are particularly relevant for our retreat community.