Testimonials ...thank you...
From retreats...
I am grateful to have connected with you and to be a part of the amazing, and safe community of hearts and minds you have gathered. This past weekend I experienced an opening of emotional flood gates that I know would not have given way if it weren't for the quiet, nature, teaching, nurturing and peaceful reflections of that week. The subtle and not so subtle ways my transformation appears to me in the last week are, curious, motivating and hopeful. I have meditated every day since I came back and that is a first for me. Thank you for your sage teachings and huge heart. ~ Miriam (therapist)
I wanted to reach out and reiterate how grateful and blessed I feel after this week at the Moulin and for the beautiful and incredible energy that we were able to create together with your love and guidance. Since my return I am slowly and gently getting back into "the groove", but with an overall feeling of ease that I didn't have before. It's only been a few days but I've been able to unhook from stories more easily (I see you, Mara) and remain more present in my body and belly. Yours was my third retreat as you know. The last two were impactful and important in their own ways, but I am starting to understand... how much I didn't understand before (!) The importance and simple magic of breath and nature, of giving myself and the fearful parts of me so much love and care and attention. THANK YOU. ~ Amy (artist and illustrator)
I'm still feeling the benefits of your teaching, but also just your presence at Le Moulin. The feeling of being held in love has remained, and I feel is transformative. It's as if you taught what I had been looking for but hadn't quite realised - I love Dharma teachings but until now have often felt a lack of emphasis on love at the core of the teaching. My experience at the Moulin has completely changed that. Your beautifully chosen words and your calm generous presence and your focus on embodied experience helped me to feel alive and connected to a loving web of life that I sensed as a child but had lost. ~ DC (therapist)
I just want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for all your efforts in making the retreat at the Moulin an incredibly beautiful and heart filling week. I didn’t quite know what to expect when signing up :) but it was a magical unfolding of heart and spirit. I found the daily schedule and balance of yoga and meditation to be perfect. I was really looking to reconnect with my body and although challenging, the amount of yoga was just right. It was very empowering for me to feel my body’s strength, ability and sense of empowerment and ease develop throughout the week thanks to such a constant and sustained practice. ~ Nicky (artist)
I wanted to reach out again to say how deeply grateful I am for the wonderful retreat we've had. My understanding of yoga and meditation has deepened and the qualities of spaciousness, and love are still very present in my days. I think it is only on this retreat that I understood what grounding actually means, how much more I can arrive and land in my body, but also that this takes time. Meeting my resistance to lying down has been so interesting, and now that I know on a deeper level how beneficial it is to rest more, there is already less resistance. But I also have gained a sense of how stability in my legs and upper body will help me to move through the world with an open heart. I feel more profoundly now how a more uplifted posture affects my sense of self. Being silent in this retreat has helped me to get clearer about my boundaries, to respect them more, and to even start loving these boundaries. Something which is easier on a silent retreat than in real life, but the experience has definitely shifted something in me. And overall everything has been so conducive to the integration that I was looking for. ~ Jenny (PhD student)
Thank you so much for a such a transformative and special week at Moulin de Chaves. I cant accurately put into words the changes and insight I experienced during the time with you, and the whole group, but can articulate that it will stay with me forever. I have a better understanding, if nothing else, of the extreme importance of getting out of my head and into my heart and body... This calmness and quiet I tapped into was under so many layers that a week of silence and constant mind body connection was necessary. I am eternally grateful for the time with you, your teachings, and such a beautiful collective of minds and souls. It was magical and the effects long lasting, with ripples of wisdom and insight throughout my world and parts of self. Looking forward to next year and whatever events I can get to along the way. ~ Miriam (therapist)
What did I want from my week? Deep rest and inspiration. Suffice to say - with immense gratitude - the week and you gave me this in spades and on many levels, from proper breathing in every posture and sequence, right through to the entire way you teach from 'presence' with such fierce grace and gentle courage. It bears repeating that the insight and blessing you transmit is a rare and precious thing. ~ Hannah (yoga and meditation teacher)
I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the retreat that you "animated" and incarnated last week... You held this space gracefully, even when we were walking on the edge. You managed to hold the group as a group, weaving ties between each of us and caring for each of us individually. It is the first time I experienced this in a retreat or a workshop, and cultivating interbeing is, for me, invaluable. You offer a feminine understanding and embodiment of the Dharma… ~ Virginie (mindfulness teacher and academic)
I wanted to thank you very cheerfully for the wonderful and incredible week… I did not know what to expect exactly but the result was certainly beyond any - even unknown - expectations. I attend regular yoga / meditation weeks but it has never been as powerful. Everyday was a kind of step forward… I feel something happened with the practice of meditation ... a real step ahead, with an integration of meditative state (rather than an "exercise"). Thank you for that and all the rest. The last day was extremely powerful and emotional. As a French person, I can sometimes be a little behind all the "love and compassion" stuff but that was exactly what I felt! ~ Agnes (meditation teacher)
It's hard for me to find words that describe the experience of the retreat and all you brought to it. I was nourished and able to connect to myself and the world in a unique and deeply meaningful way. I am filled with gratitude and love for you and all you share during the retreat and beyond. ~ Holly (teacher)
Thank you for the beautiful gift of this retreat. Words can't translate what this week has been for me. Thank you hardly seems enough to encompass the gratitude I feel for creating and holding this safe space, which you have done so effortlessly and with pure love... As I think of returning back to the routine of life I am conscious not to fall back into old habits that do not serve me. I know the path is long but I also know that there is a part of me, hidden in the depths of muddy waters, that knows, believes and feels I am worthy of love. Of loving myself... Thank you for helping me find her. ~ Tawny (yoga teacher)
I’m bursting with love and joy and gratitude. I feel so blessed to have been there. Thank you as always for guiding us deeper and deeper into this heart space. ~
Tara (headteacher)
My retreat with you came at a time of great turmoil in my life. Spending the week with you, listening to your teaching and being allowed the space and time to reflect on my situation, listen to my body and understand what I needed was invaluable. I can only thank you because here I am a year later happier, healthier and stronger both in mind and body and very much looking forward to another wonderful week with you. ~ Emma (IT professional)
Your incredible skill, for me, is your ability to make one of my body, heart and mind. I feel I work on my thoughts and emotions just as much as I do on my body, sometimes even more. It’s the perfect way to truly care for myself, nurture, learn and grow in the gentlest and bestest way I can imagine. ~ Ruth (coach)
I have been blessed with the opportunity to attend many of Ayala’s retreats over the years. Ayala shares her wealth & depth of knowledge, from an anatomical, spiritual and emotional perspective, in the most authentic & poetic of ways that leaves you feeling supported and safe to allow you to reconnect with your most vulnerable self. Ayala’s experience from a wide variety of practices, including yin, meditation, Iyengar, flow, silence, all come together beautifully to create a retreat whereby beginners through to experienced teachers can enjoy the safe space she holds. I personally find Ayala’s retreats to be a sacred space that have helped me hugely in my teachings, practice & personal growth. ~ Simone (yoga teacher and osteopath)
A quiet yoga retreat with Ayala, is pure bliss and the most wonderful gift I can give to myself. In a world where everything swirls past You in an incredible speed, it’s such a treat to be able to find blissful stillness and quietness. To be offered a safe space where Your body is guided through meaningful yoga and a mindful stillness where no obligations or judgments are being forced upon You and where You really, really can rest in just being You. A retreat like this leaves You feeling strong, in body, mind and heart. In the quietness Your brain finds peace and strength and a revoked creativity takes You to magical places You could never even imagine. And all this surrounded by women with whom You share so much love and compassion through the silence. I love these retreats and can’t wait for the next possibility to join, but it also inspires me in daily life. It has become important to offer myself quietness, gentleness and time off the normal hectic routine. ~ Lena
As a first timer on retreat I found the week to be a truly unique and beautiful experience. It’s amazing to observe - against the backdrop of a gorgeous rural landscape - how a group of people can bond over the course of a week without talking. Ayala’s yoga teaching seamlessly blends both the practical and reflective; the fundamentals she introduced into our classes are still with me in my practice nearly a year later. The positions are suited to all styles and ability levels, making it easier to listen to your body, not your ego! ~ Ellie (doctor)
I never thought I could get so much from a couple of days away. A couple of days that would normally pass in an instant as I rush around with my family, not observing the minutes slipping away as I focus on the next one rather than the current one. Then I stop. And I take the time to spend 2 days in a beautiful space. With warmth, comfort, nourishing food. And hours of restorative yoga and insightful teachings. I’m given the space to be quiet, to feel. To connect my mind and my body. To really think and to find myself again. Ayala is an inspiration. She creates a beautiful and safe environment. I feel so refreshed when I return and I’m quickly working out when I can go again. ~ Sophie (environmental activist)
From yoga classes and workshops...
I have studied yoga for more than 20 years and have been taught by over 100 teachers. Ayala is the real deal; one of the very few yoga teachers I have encountered who absolutely live what they teach. She is utterly without vanity and offers wisdom achieved the hard way, through dedication, discipline and a constant focus on working through the muddling messiness of our mind's chatter to see with clarity and mindfulness. She is a teacher who has quietly changed my life profoundly. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be her student. (Gabrielle)
Ayala really is one of those rare and genuine people who have peeled back the layers, and touched the unique beauty in the simplicity and fullness of life. And she shares her knowledge & experience in such an accessible and authentic way. She is not only a beautiful human being and a truly unique yoga and mindfulness teacher but an illuminated poet and in my eyes a visionary. The way she orchestrates her words when she teaches reveals the world & human experience in inspired, profound and insightful ways. (Jodi)
I have been attending Ayala's yoga classes, workshops and retreats for several years and every time I step into the space she has created, I feel instantly wrapped up in a nourishing, protective cocoon. She teaches the physical yoga poses with an incredibly detailed focus on alignment, so that the poses become a vehicle to help our bodies feel grounded and stable, while also open-hearted and expansive. In this way, the physical practice is always about deepening the spiritual practice. Ayala has such an in-depth knowledge of spirituality across various traditions, and is herself a deeply spiritual yet grounded being, and so her meditation teaching is very profound. She has a very magical way of weaving together the physical and the spiritual. It is rare to find a teacher who can do both so well. I have learnt so much about yoga, and myself, through her teaching and guidance. Ayala has a unique ability to hold the space for her students, to see each individual deeply and to help guide them towards healing and wholeness. (Tara)
To call Ayala Gill a yoga teacher considerably minimises the scope of what she does. For many of her students including myself, Ayala is a loving friend, a mentor, and a guiding light, as well as a yoga teacher! Her teaching is imbued with deep wisdom, love and the belief that each of us contains all that we need for a fully conscious, richly satisfying life. Working with Ayala has changed my life. (Maxine)
Besides the fact that Ayala is one of the most advanced yoga teachers, she is also the most compassionate and loving person who creates a beautiful atmosphere around her: I feel safe and seen in her class. And all the words that pour out of her are pure inspiration, love and kindness. I wish I could listen to Ayala and stay in her energy 24/7. (Julia M)
Ayala is more than just my yoga teacher. She, like a compass, helps me discover where I am in relation to what goes on around me. Her classes, while challenging and fascinating physically, are the one place where my mind really rests while my body strengthens and stretches. For me, Ayala embodies yoga as she links my body and my mind and makes me feel one with the world. (Ruth)
Ayala teaches from the heart. She has been an enormous inspiration to me, both as student and teacher, seamlessly and wholeheartedly marrying her love of asana, with the explored depth of the teachings. She offers a beautiful practice that supports the entire being, welcoming all, with love and compassion. (Julia R)
Ayala is one of the most generous and insightful teachers I have ever had. Her approach is crystal clear, and yet gentle. I love her combination of yin yoga, mindfulness and instruction. It’s an emotional journey and she is a wonderful guide. Her work springs from a deep personal wisdom alongside precise understanding of the body. She’s that rare thing - a great teacher, a great communicator. She embodies what she teaches and speaks from the heart. Her teaching makes a lasting difference in my life, on so many levels... (Emily)
Ayala is a truly inspirational teacher. Her classes are offered with a generosity of spirit, a profound anatomical understanding and a depth of humanity that will leave you feeling alive to the core of your being. (Sharon B)
Ayala creates an environment filled with trust, warmth and support and that allows participants to not only explore the physical yoga practice but also their spiritual concerns. Because Ayala is so welcoming and deeply knowledgable about the yoga tradition I always feel safe and comfortable with her guidance. Her lovely demeanor and compassionate approach means that she attracts a wonderful group of people so the group experience, from all walks of life, always works and bonds in different and interesting ways. The meditation Ayala offers in her retreats can be challenging given our hectic lifes but again with her gentle guidance even chatterboxes like myself embrace the quiet contemplation she leads us through. She paces the days, the yoga practice and the meditation to a slow but powerful rythm that allows one to fully dive into the yoga practice and the meditation but into oneself. If I could, I would go on one of her retreats every quarter to rejuvenate! (Sylvia)
Ayala is such an inspiring teacher. Each class is an opportunity for a deeper knowledge of our bodies and a unique spiritual growth I have not found elsewhere. Ayala really has a special talent for helping people connect with their inner wisdom. (Valerie)
Ayala is an extraordinary teacher. She creates a nurturing environment, where each student can blossom. Whether you are a regular or new to her class, she takes the time to get to know each student, physically, and emotionally, in order to help you to get the most out of the experience. She brings her full self to each class, and shares her wisdom, not just about yoga but the world we live in. I can't recommend her classes enough. (Sally)
Ayala is one of those rare people who teaches even more by her energy and calm presence than the yoga itself. I find her classes profoundly healing and nurturing. (Joanna)
Ayala is an outstanding teacher who offers elegantly sequenced classes infused with clear and refined alignment. Her teaching is underpinned by her experience of yoga as a practice whose core purpose is to help us step more fully and authentically into our lives, and this is woven palpably into all her classes. Her kindness and her wisdom shine through in her teaching, and a class with her is invariably a transformative and life-enhancing experience. (Annabel)
Ayala is an inspirational teacher on all levels - physically, mentally and spiritually. Her teaching is clear and precise - she explains and demonstrates, she watches and corrects - all of which creates a feeling of confidence and trust so you find yourself gently pushing your boundaries, which is exhilarating. And her classes are fun - very important! In the years that I have been a student of Ayala's, I feel my practice has developed beyond anything I could have imagined. (Shelagh)
As a regular student of Ayala I find her classes to be truly inspiring. She has a natural ability to sense the energy of the room and instruct her classes towards it. She brings her whole self to the class, sharing her life experiences, so you can open up too. She has the rare talent of imparting spiritual teachings in a way that is accessible to all students whatever their experience. I have been practising with Ayala for over five years and in that time i believe she has never taught the same class twice. Every class is creative, insightful and most importantly joyful. I feel very grateful and blessed to be able to study with her. (SD)
I have yet to find another teacher whose classes I enjoy as much as Ayala's. Her classes are detailed and focused but full of inner energy and effortlessly touch on yoga's philosophy and meditation. Through her teaching I have gained a much greater understanding of my body and it has propelled the growth of my yoga practice immeasurably. (Juliet)
Ayala's classes are both challenging and supportive. She brings to life the spiritual side of yoga, integrating it simply and effectively with the physical practice. Because of this, her classes are really inspiring and leave you with a real sense of well-being and peace. (Jo)
When I’m in Ayala’s classes I feel that every part of my body and mind are nurtured, supported and Inspired. My whole being just feels energised, full of love and wellbeing. She has transformed my way of practicing yoga. (Yael)
Ayala is one of my favourite yoga teachers ever. She has huge depth - in both her knowledge and her wisdom - and holds space in a very loving and supportive way. Any time spent with her will, I guarantee you, be a beautiful and profound experience. (AC)
Ayala is a truly inspirational yoga teacher who is both comforting and empowering to be guided by... comforting as she shows you that all that you are is already great, and empowering as this self-accepting realisation alone helps pave the way to change in everyday life. I cannot recommend her workshops enough! (Sharon S)
I feel blessed that 8 years ago I found Ayala’s class while pregnant with my first child. Her classes, her words of wisdom and her spiritual guidance have been a great source of positivity in my life. Ayala helped me through two pregnancies during which her classes were a place of sanctuary. Physically the sessions gave me light relief from feeling heavy and immobile. And her advice helped with the choices I had to make and kept me calm as the births approached. When I was in labour it was her voice I could hear in my head, encouraging me every step of the way. Her classes are an oasis of calm within my busy life. They are the perfect blend of yoga and meditation. I emerge from them feeling that my mind has been cleared and that my body has been pushed. Ayala is an incredible source of knowledge and it’s with great delight that I listen to her thoughts in class - she offers her wisdom freely and isn’t afraid to confront the more challenging aspects of current life. It is the one class in the week that I never want to miss. (Sophie)
Ayala is an amazing and inspiring teacher. Her care and attention to each one of us in her class, creates a wonderful safe space where everything become possible. One is challenged but it is so rewarding and, very importantly, imbued with such a sense of fun. A very special teacher. (SB)
I am grateful to have connected with you and to be a part of the amazing, and safe community of hearts and minds you have gathered. This past weekend I experienced an opening of emotional flood gates that I know would not have given way if it weren't for the quiet, nature, teaching, nurturing and peaceful reflections of that week. The subtle and not so subtle ways my transformation appears to me in the last week are, curious, motivating and hopeful. I have meditated every day since I came back and that is a first for me. Thank you for your sage teachings and huge heart. ~ Miriam (therapist)
I wanted to reach out and reiterate how grateful and blessed I feel after this week at the Moulin and for the beautiful and incredible energy that we were able to create together with your love and guidance. Since my return I am slowly and gently getting back into "the groove", but with an overall feeling of ease that I didn't have before. It's only been a few days but I've been able to unhook from stories more easily (I see you, Mara) and remain more present in my body and belly. Yours was my third retreat as you know. The last two were impactful and important in their own ways, but I am starting to understand... how much I didn't understand before (!) The importance and simple magic of breath and nature, of giving myself and the fearful parts of me so much love and care and attention. THANK YOU. ~ Amy (artist and illustrator)
I'm still feeling the benefits of your teaching, but also just your presence at Le Moulin. The feeling of being held in love has remained, and I feel is transformative. It's as if you taught what I had been looking for but hadn't quite realised - I love Dharma teachings but until now have often felt a lack of emphasis on love at the core of the teaching. My experience at the Moulin has completely changed that. Your beautifully chosen words and your calm generous presence and your focus on embodied experience helped me to feel alive and connected to a loving web of life that I sensed as a child but had lost. ~ DC (therapist)
I just want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for all your efforts in making the retreat at the Moulin an incredibly beautiful and heart filling week. I didn’t quite know what to expect when signing up :) but it was a magical unfolding of heart and spirit. I found the daily schedule and balance of yoga and meditation to be perfect. I was really looking to reconnect with my body and although challenging, the amount of yoga was just right. It was very empowering for me to feel my body’s strength, ability and sense of empowerment and ease develop throughout the week thanks to such a constant and sustained practice. ~ Nicky (artist)
I wanted to reach out again to say how deeply grateful I am for the wonderful retreat we've had. My understanding of yoga and meditation has deepened and the qualities of spaciousness, and love are still very present in my days. I think it is only on this retreat that I understood what grounding actually means, how much more I can arrive and land in my body, but also that this takes time. Meeting my resistance to lying down has been so interesting, and now that I know on a deeper level how beneficial it is to rest more, there is already less resistance. But I also have gained a sense of how stability in my legs and upper body will help me to move through the world with an open heart. I feel more profoundly now how a more uplifted posture affects my sense of self. Being silent in this retreat has helped me to get clearer about my boundaries, to respect them more, and to even start loving these boundaries. Something which is easier on a silent retreat than in real life, but the experience has definitely shifted something in me. And overall everything has been so conducive to the integration that I was looking for. ~ Jenny (PhD student)
Thank you so much for a such a transformative and special week at Moulin de Chaves. I cant accurately put into words the changes and insight I experienced during the time with you, and the whole group, but can articulate that it will stay with me forever. I have a better understanding, if nothing else, of the extreme importance of getting out of my head and into my heart and body... This calmness and quiet I tapped into was under so many layers that a week of silence and constant mind body connection was necessary. I am eternally grateful for the time with you, your teachings, and such a beautiful collective of minds and souls. It was magical and the effects long lasting, with ripples of wisdom and insight throughout my world and parts of self. Looking forward to next year and whatever events I can get to along the way. ~ Miriam (therapist)
What did I want from my week? Deep rest and inspiration. Suffice to say - with immense gratitude - the week and you gave me this in spades and on many levels, from proper breathing in every posture and sequence, right through to the entire way you teach from 'presence' with such fierce grace and gentle courage. It bears repeating that the insight and blessing you transmit is a rare and precious thing. ~ Hannah (yoga and meditation teacher)
I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the retreat that you "animated" and incarnated last week... You held this space gracefully, even when we were walking on the edge. You managed to hold the group as a group, weaving ties between each of us and caring for each of us individually. It is the first time I experienced this in a retreat or a workshop, and cultivating interbeing is, for me, invaluable. You offer a feminine understanding and embodiment of the Dharma… ~ Virginie (mindfulness teacher and academic)
I wanted to thank you very cheerfully for the wonderful and incredible week… I did not know what to expect exactly but the result was certainly beyond any - even unknown - expectations. I attend regular yoga / meditation weeks but it has never been as powerful. Everyday was a kind of step forward… I feel something happened with the practice of meditation ... a real step ahead, with an integration of meditative state (rather than an "exercise"). Thank you for that and all the rest. The last day was extremely powerful and emotional. As a French person, I can sometimes be a little behind all the "love and compassion" stuff but that was exactly what I felt! ~ Agnes (meditation teacher)
It's hard for me to find words that describe the experience of the retreat and all you brought to it. I was nourished and able to connect to myself and the world in a unique and deeply meaningful way. I am filled with gratitude and love for you and all you share during the retreat and beyond. ~ Holly (teacher)
Thank you for the beautiful gift of this retreat. Words can't translate what this week has been for me. Thank you hardly seems enough to encompass the gratitude I feel for creating and holding this safe space, which you have done so effortlessly and with pure love... As I think of returning back to the routine of life I am conscious not to fall back into old habits that do not serve me. I know the path is long but I also know that there is a part of me, hidden in the depths of muddy waters, that knows, believes and feels I am worthy of love. Of loving myself... Thank you for helping me find her. ~ Tawny (yoga teacher)
I’m bursting with love and joy and gratitude. I feel so blessed to have been there. Thank you as always for guiding us deeper and deeper into this heart space. ~
Tara (headteacher)
My retreat with you came at a time of great turmoil in my life. Spending the week with you, listening to your teaching and being allowed the space and time to reflect on my situation, listen to my body and understand what I needed was invaluable. I can only thank you because here I am a year later happier, healthier and stronger both in mind and body and very much looking forward to another wonderful week with you. ~ Emma (IT professional)
Your incredible skill, for me, is your ability to make one of my body, heart and mind. I feel I work on my thoughts and emotions just as much as I do on my body, sometimes even more. It’s the perfect way to truly care for myself, nurture, learn and grow in the gentlest and bestest way I can imagine. ~ Ruth (coach)
I have been blessed with the opportunity to attend many of Ayala’s retreats over the years. Ayala shares her wealth & depth of knowledge, from an anatomical, spiritual and emotional perspective, in the most authentic & poetic of ways that leaves you feeling supported and safe to allow you to reconnect with your most vulnerable self. Ayala’s experience from a wide variety of practices, including yin, meditation, Iyengar, flow, silence, all come together beautifully to create a retreat whereby beginners through to experienced teachers can enjoy the safe space she holds. I personally find Ayala’s retreats to be a sacred space that have helped me hugely in my teachings, practice & personal growth. ~ Simone (yoga teacher and osteopath)
A quiet yoga retreat with Ayala, is pure bliss and the most wonderful gift I can give to myself. In a world where everything swirls past You in an incredible speed, it’s such a treat to be able to find blissful stillness and quietness. To be offered a safe space where Your body is guided through meaningful yoga and a mindful stillness where no obligations or judgments are being forced upon You and where You really, really can rest in just being You. A retreat like this leaves You feeling strong, in body, mind and heart. In the quietness Your brain finds peace and strength and a revoked creativity takes You to magical places You could never even imagine. And all this surrounded by women with whom You share so much love and compassion through the silence. I love these retreats and can’t wait for the next possibility to join, but it also inspires me in daily life. It has become important to offer myself quietness, gentleness and time off the normal hectic routine. ~ Lena
As a first timer on retreat I found the week to be a truly unique and beautiful experience. It’s amazing to observe - against the backdrop of a gorgeous rural landscape - how a group of people can bond over the course of a week without talking. Ayala’s yoga teaching seamlessly blends both the practical and reflective; the fundamentals she introduced into our classes are still with me in my practice nearly a year later. The positions are suited to all styles and ability levels, making it easier to listen to your body, not your ego! ~ Ellie (doctor)
I never thought I could get so much from a couple of days away. A couple of days that would normally pass in an instant as I rush around with my family, not observing the minutes slipping away as I focus on the next one rather than the current one. Then I stop. And I take the time to spend 2 days in a beautiful space. With warmth, comfort, nourishing food. And hours of restorative yoga and insightful teachings. I’m given the space to be quiet, to feel. To connect my mind and my body. To really think and to find myself again. Ayala is an inspiration. She creates a beautiful and safe environment. I feel so refreshed when I return and I’m quickly working out when I can go again. ~ Sophie (environmental activist)
From yoga classes and workshops...
I have studied yoga for more than 20 years and have been taught by over 100 teachers. Ayala is the real deal; one of the very few yoga teachers I have encountered who absolutely live what they teach. She is utterly without vanity and offers wisdom achieved the hard way, through dedication, discipline and a constant focus on working through the muddling messiness of our mind's chatter to see with clarity and mindfulness. She is a teacher who has quietly changed my life profoundly. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be her student. (Gabrielle)
Ayala really is one of those rare and genuine people who have peeled back the layers, and touched the unique beauty in the simplicity and fullness of life. And she shares her knowledge & experience in such an accessible and authentic way. She is not only a beautiful human being and a truly unique yoga and mindfulness teacher but an illuminated poet and in my eyes a visionary. The way she orchestrates her words when she teaches reveals the world & human experience in inspired, profound and insightful ways. (Jodi)
I have been attending Ayala's yoga classes, workshops and retreats for several years and every time I step into the space she has created, I feel instantly wrapped up in a nourishing, protective cocoon. She teaches the physical yoga poses with an incredibly detailed focus on alignment, so that the poses become a vehicle to help our bodies feel grounded and stable, while also open-hearted and expansive. In this way, the physical practice is always about deepening the spiritual practice. Ayala has such an in-depth knowledge of spirituality across various traditions, and is herself a deeply spiritual yet grounded being, and so her meditation teaching is very profound. She has a very magical way of weaving together the physical and the spiritual. It is rare to find a teacher who can do both so well. I have learnt so much about yoga, and myself, through her teaching and guidance. Ayala has a unique ability to hold the space for her students, to see each individual deeply and to help guide them towards healing and wholeness. (Tara)
To call Ayala Gill a yoga teacher considerably minimises the scope of what she does. For many of her students including myself, Ayala is a loving friend, a mentor, and a guiding light, as well as a yoga teacher! Her teaching is imbued with deep wisdom, love and the belief that each of us contains all that we need for a fully conscious, richly satisfying life. Working with Ayala has changed my life. (Maxine)
Besides the fact that Ayala is one of the most advanced yoga teachers, she is also the most compassionate and loving person who creates a beautiful atmosphere around her: I feel safe and seen in her class. And all the words that pour out of her are pure inspiration, love and kindness. I wish I could listen to Ayala and stay in her energy 24/7. (Julia M)
Ayala is more than just my yoga teacher. She, like a compass, helps me discover where I am in relation to what goes on around me. Her classes, while challenging and fascinating physically, are the one place where my mind really rests while my body strengthens and stretches. For me, Ayala embodies yoga as she links my body and my mind and makes me feel one with the world. (Ruth)
Ayala teaches from the heart. She has been an enormous inspiration to me, both as student and teacher, seamlessly and wholeheartedly marrying her love of asana, with the explored depth of the teachings. She offers a beautiful practice that supports the entire being, welcoming all, with love and compassion. (Julia R)
Ayala is one of the most generous and insightful teachers I have ever had. Her approach is crystal clear, and yet gentle. I love her combination of yin yoga, mindfulness and instruction. It’s an emotional journey and she is a wonderful guide. Her work springs from a deep personal wisdom alongside precise understanding of the body. She’s that rare thing - a great teacher, a great communicator. She embodies what she teaches and speaks from the heart. Her teaching makes a lasting difference in my life, on so many levels... (Emily)
Ayala is a truly inspirational teacher. Her classes are offered with a generosity of spirit, a profound anatomical understanding and a depth of humanity that will leave you feeling alive to the core of your being. (Sharon B)
Ayala creates an environment filled with trust, warmth and support and that allows participants to not only explore the physical yoga practice but also their spiritual concerns. Because Ayala is so welcoming and deeply knowledgable about the yoga tradition I always feel safe and comfortable with her guidance. Her lovely demeanor and compassionate approach means that she attracts a wonderful group of people so the group experience, from all walks of life, always works and bonds in different and interesting ways. The meditation Ayala offers in her retreats can be challenging given our hectic lifes but again with her gentle guidance even chatterboxes like myself embrace the quiet contemplation she leads us through. She paces the days, the yoga practice and the meditation to a slow but powerful rythm that allows one to fully dive into the yoga practice and the meditation but into oneself. If I could, I would go on one of her retreats every quarter to rejuvenate! (Sylvia)
Ayala is such an inspiring teacher. Each class is an opportunity for a deeper knowledge of our bodies and a unique spiritual growth I have not found elsewhere. Ayala really has a special talent for helping people connect with their inner wisdom. (Valerie)
Ayala is an extraordinary teacher. She creates a nurturing environment, where each student can blossom. Whether you are a regular or new to her class, she takes the time to get to know each student, physically, and emotionally, in order to help you to get the most out of the experience. She brings her full self to each class, and shares her wisdom, not just about yoga but the world we live in. I can't recommend her classes enough. (Sally)
Ayala is one of those rare people who teaches even more by her energy and calm presence than the yoga itself. I find her classes profoundly healing and nurturing. (Joanna)
Ayala is an outstanding teacher who offers elegantly sequenced classes infused with clear and refined alignment. Her teaching is underpinned by her experience of yoga as a practice whose core purpose is to help us step more fully and authentically into our lives, and this is woven palpably into all her classes. Her kindness and her wisdom shine through in her teaching, and a class with her is invariably a transformative and life-enhancing experience. (Annabel)
Ayala is an inspirational teacher on all levels - physically, mentally and spiritually. Her teaching is clear and precise - she explains and demonstrates, she watches and corrects - all of which creates a feeling of confidence and trust so you find yourself gently pushing your boundaries, which is exhilarating. And her classes are fun - very important! In the years that I have been a student of Ayala's, I feel my practice has developed beyond anything I could have imagined. (Shelagh)
As a regular student of Ayala I find her classes to be truly inspiring. She has a natural ability to sense the energy of the room and instruct her classes towards it. She brings her whole self to the class, sharing her life experiences, so you can open up too. She has the rare talent of imparting spiritual teachings in a way that is accessible to all students whatever their experience. I have been practising with Ayala for over five years and in that time i believe she has never taught the same class twice. Every class is creative, insightful and most importantly joyful. I feel very grateful and blessed to be able to study with her. (SD)
I have yet to find another teacher whose classes I enjoy as much as Ayala's. Her classes are detailed and focused but full of inner energy and effortlessly touch on yoga's philosophy and meditation. Through her teaching I have gained a much greater understanding of my body and it has propelled the growth of my yoga practice immeasurably. (Juliet)
Ayala's classes are both challenging and supportive. She brings to life the spiritual side of yoga, integrating it simply and effectively with the physical practice. Because of this, her classes are really inspiring and leave you with a real sense of well-being and peace. (Jo)
When I’m in Ayala’s classes I feel that every part of my body and mind are nurtured, supported and Inspired. My whole being just feels energised, full of love and wellbeing. She has transformed my way of practicing yoga. (Yael)
Ayala is one of my favourite yoga teachers ever. She has huge depth - in both her knowledge and her wisdom - and holds space in a very loving and supportive way. Any time spent with her will, I guarantee you, be a beautiful and profound experience. (AC)
Ayala is a truly inspirational yoga teacher who is both comforting and empowering to be guided by... comforting as she shows you that all that you are is already great, and empowering as this self-accepting realisation alone helps pave the way to change in everyday life. I cannot recommend her workshops enough! (Sharon S)
I feel blessed that 8 years ago I found Ayala’s class while pregnant with my first child. Her classes, her words of wisdom and her spiritual guidance have been a great source of positivity in my life. Ayala helped me through two pregnancies during which her classes were a place of sanctuary. Physically the sessions gave me light relief from feeling heavy and immobile. And her advice helped with the choices I had to make and kept me calm as the births approached. When I was in labour it was her voice I could hear in my head, encouraging me every step of the way. Her classes are an oasis of calm within my busy life. They are the perfect blend of yoga and meditation. I emerge from them feeling that my mind has been cleared and that my body has been pushed. Ayala is an incredible source of knowledge and it’s with great delight that I listen to her thoughts in class - she offers her wisdom freely and isn’t afraid to confront the more challenging aspects of current life. It is the one class in the week that I never want to miss. (Sophie)
Ayala is an amazing and inspiring teacher. Her care and attention to each one of us in her class, creates a wonderful safe space where everything become possible. One is challenged but it is so rewarding and, very importantly, imbued with such a sense of fun. A very special teacher. (SB)